Beware the Snake or behold it!

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In the Chinese astronomical cycles which repeat every 12 years it is the year of the Snake, with it comes caution and focus, from February 10th 2013 – January 30th 2014.

The Snake year is about striking a balance between emotions and actions to avoid problems with Karma. A real need for focus and concentration on gaining sage spirituality and inner strength is key this year.A greater need to take time to understand and feel your way through the year to retain balance and stay on track.

This could be the year you change career as all the testing situations of the past 12 months lead you to be more future focussed. Developing the skills you have acquired to gain promotion or changing your path completely is the true spirit of the snake.

When we loose concentration we feel fatigued and the results we so desperately need become illusive. If we open ourselves up to opportunity and become involved in the journey we will gain more, move further and regain balance across the whole of our lives.

Whatever the next 12 months bring you, remember beware of the snake, learn from it and grow.

新年快乐
xin nian kuai le
Happy New Year

Blue Monday

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I woke up this morning and was interested to hear that today is Blue Monday where motivation is at its lowest, new years resolutions get broken and apathy sets in.

According to a press release by a mental health charity,the formula is:

where weather=W, debt=d, time since Christmas=T, time since failing our new year’s resolutions=Q, low motivational levels=M and the feeling of a need to take action=Na. ‘D’ is not defined in the release, nor are units.

The date was calculated by using many factors, including: weather conditions, debt level (the difference between debt accumulated and our ability to pay), time since Christmas, time since failing our new year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling of a need to take action. (Thanks Wikipeadia)

However surely it is about our own Positive Mental Attitude, the fact that we have achieved what we set our selves, not what we haven’t. If you are struggling with fitness and wellbeing here are some top tips;

Remember why you want to be fitter / slimmer/ have more energy and write 3 bullet points.

Who you are doing it for, visualise yourself, make the vision colourful and bright of you realising your goal.

When you set realistic goals you get results – keep it simple.

Where you exercise will have a huge impact on your results make sure you create a positive space and own it.

Stay focussed, be the brilliant person that you are and when those negative thoughts come creeping in blast them with your PMA!
For me Blue Monday only means one thing, my favourite song by New Order and the turbo juice that I was going to have to kick start my Motivational Monday.

Listen here Blue Monday

What’s in a Word?

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I have been lucky enough to work with a variety of clients recently on their Future Focus.

The 1:1 sessions started with, where they are now, where they wanted to be and how they were going to get there.

During the course of our sessions it became apparent that the word I was using was jarring with each of them.
I was using the word Goal, which made one client shudder and one become closed and defensive.

Goal (noun)
‘the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.’

Aim (verb)
‘to intend or direct for a particular effect, something intended or desired to be attained by one’s efforts; purpose

Dream (noun)
‘an involuntary vision occurring to a person when awake.’

I asked them to choose the word that felt most comfortable to them and to use this going forward. This helped enormously in their understanding of the Future Focus content and in turn, made it completely relevant to them as individuals.

I am sure that you have had conversations were a word you have used has caused an unexpected reaction.Listening to the language of the person you are talking to gives so many clues. When we use words that are comfortable to others we gain greater understanding and develop deeper relationships.

We can also help ourselves by changing the words we use, such as ‘should’ which implies we ‘must’ do whatever the task is. If we stop and ask ourselves “Why should I or why must I ?” We then give ourselves the freedom of choice, that can result in a very different outcome – go on try it.

The feed back from my clients has been extraordinary its all in their words!

slpix / Shutterstock.com

Teamwork

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We are so pleased to share with you the language of iMA , in our opinion a fabulous communication tool.

The reason companies have interpersonal conflicts is poor communication.
The reason so many companies struggle with their message is poor external communication.
Louisa has been an accredited practitioner for iMA since 2010, delivering fun workshops and seminars enabling business to flourish and communicate effectively inside and out.

What is iMA?
A colourful, colour coded, communication key!

There are four iMA Dialects.
Every person in the world speaks one dialect naturally, putting you on the same wavelength as 25% of the people in the world.
iMA teaches you the things you need to know to be able to connect effectively with the other three iMA dialects, who look and filter the world differently you.

This communication tool increases mutual liking, trust, understanding and respect, whilst reducing stress and tension, in every area of your life.
iMAs’ systematic approach is Fast, Simple and Easy:

· Inspire and motivate staff

· Develop strong and effective teams and leaders

· Increase productivity and morale

· Improve communication from the inside out

· Increase customer confidence

· Strengthen your brand

Click this link see what colour YOU are
http://www.ima-go.com
It really is a great key to have and opens the doors to endless possibilities.
Ask about our company audits Auto Trader had one and have never looked back.

Camera, Lights, Action!

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It has been a while since my last blog and April showers have hit hard and now we are in May, heading towards the Bank Holiday weekend.
I had a session with a new client this week and as we chatted he told me why he was investing this time in himself.
This is how he explained it;

I get up and go to work
I spend time at the gym
I eat fresh organic food
I have great family and friends
I am fit and healthy
I have expensive holidays
I am very fourtunate, so why I am getting no return on my investments?
My life seems to play like groundhog day!
I dont want to be in this movie any more.

We look at each other and I think about my reply.

I need to share with you that this client is a iMA High Green, he completed the online questionnaire before our session.
See what colour you are here

Characteristics of a High Green are they are process driven, organised, wonderful problem solvers, diplomatic but dont like surprises.
Bearing this is mind, my reply is lets make a new film, write a new script and search for new performers or locations.

A quizzical look creeps across his face, and as this thought beds in I ask what is his favourite film?
His response is immediate, The Bourne Identity because he likes the pace of the story, identifies with the central character and the need to know why Jason Bourne behaves the way he does.

So we set to work writing a new script in which my client is not an extra but the Jason Bourne of his own movie.
He becomes animated and connected to the task, stepping tentatively into someone else’s shoes and assuming their identity.
I can see that this shift has given him permission to change the order of things and to improve how he sees his life.

Remembering that we own the rights to our personal movie is essential to our self esteem, confidence and keeping us motivated.
We can be the Director, the Producer or the Writer – now go make a blockbuster!

Popcorn is on me!

P.S. This was written with my clients permission.
He decided that if his journey in someway helps someone else, so be it.

Vibrant & Bold

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SPRING
Spring is one of the four temperate seasons, the transition period between winter and summer. Spring and “springtime” refer to the season, and broadly to ideas of rebirth, renewal and re-growth.

I am passionate about this time of year; it is as if everyone and everything begins to flourish.

As I watch those around me begin to open up, stand tall, look forward and plan ahead. The colours in nature become more vibrant and bold. A real sense of positivity permeates the air, a truly transitional period.

The research and planning of wonderful workshops for 2012 now see the light and interest in them begins to grow.

Clients are renewing their commitments to themselves, by composing vision boards and planning their route to success. These tools ensure you keep focussed and remain authentic to yourself. Many of the students I work with found that it is a catalyst to empowering them and keeping their momentum going.

Cultivating a nurturing and colourful environment enables all of my clients to sow positive seeds, put down strong roots and thrive.
It can only be a good thing!

Success & Frank Gehry’s Mum!

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Success means something different to all of us.

However we gain personal, professional or sporting Success it all comes down to very simple actions. I found this wonderful, short at only 3.33mins TED talk by Richard St John.

Success

As Frank Gehry says his mum is responsible for the push action in his life! We all need someone to Motivate us and make us raise our game. What could be holding you back from being the success you wish to be?

As a designer, a closet architect and a mum, I think Mrs Gehry senior must be very proud of her sons’ Success and his amazing contribution to achitecture around the world.

Look at the 8 simple rules and see which is missing in your life or needs more attention. Focus on that action and go for it.

If you need a push call me….

Route 66, 76, or 86

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Whoosh… where did January go?

I am so glad that I made the time and I came up with a plan, a sort of route to navigate 2012.

It started well, collaborating on an interior design for a boarding school. Designing inspirational bedrooms and motivational study spaces for teens.

As well as working with the students on a one to one basis covering areas like confidence, focus and time keeping.

Individuals have invested in 1;1 Power Ups where walking and talking reap huge rewards, as well as 60 minutes to Success. Along with running workshops with business leaders on Communicating Effectively with your staff , Confidence in the current climate and Making Time.

None of this would be possible if I didn’t have a plan.

One of my well thumbed books is by Stephen Covey ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ Where he asks are you governed by the compass or the clock?

If you have a compass, a plan, a route you will be effective in realizing your goals, rather than being busy and realizing nothing.

If we define the direction we want to travel and actually commit it to paper it has a higher chance of being accomplished. Writing things down like instructions, lists or goals, is a psycho neural activity and helps imprint the information.

So grab a pen, a piece of paper, a compass and plan your route for the best year ever.
Remember “Procrastination is opportunity’s natural assassin.” ~Victor Kiam

Great song from Depeche Mode

Raise Your Game

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As we leave 2011 take a moment to remember all the wonderful things you have experienced and accomplished…

For me it has been a year of meeting and working with remarkable people.
They have made me ‘raise my game’, as they say in America, to be the best I can be.
I realize that who and what we surround ourselves with is key to who we are and will therefore become.

One of my personal goals last year was to try and meet Keanu Reeves and Steve Jobs.
I will endeavor to realize the former however sadly the later is no longer with us.

The passing of Steve Jobs galvanized me into action and living in the moment, don’t waste time as it is not ours to keep.

I have included two of my favorite quotes from Steve Jobs and wish you all the best 2012 YOU can possibly make it.

On Motivation
“That’s been one of my mantras — focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”
Business Week 1998

On Money
“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful … that’s what matters to me.”
Wall Street Journal 1993

Cheers Everyone and Happy New Year!

Inspiration!

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I was talking to a fascinating and diverse group of people recently about how limiting beliefs really do limit us!

When we tell our selves we can’t do something, we wont pass a test or just fail at whatever we are trying to achieve, we usually do.

I shared with them the story of when I was a student and learning to drive, in Plymouth.
Plymouth is very hilly with lots of those double mini roundabouts and at the time more traffic lights than Milton Keynes!
On one of my first sojourns out, I stalled the car several times, like many learners before me. Drivers behind me were impatient, I was self conscious and felt stupid. This had a huge impact on how I saw learning to drive.

Even before I was actually in my beautiful, turquoise, VW Beetle my parents had bought me, I knew I was going to stall the car.
Actually I didn’t ‘know’ I was going to stall the car at all.
The negative self talk in my head was reinforcing all those terrible emotions and making me back away from learning to drive.

I was lucky I had a brilliant teacher who with positive repetition and praise told me I will be a good driver.
When I did stall the car, he burst out laughing and told me it didn’t matter, reinforcing that I will be a good driver.

I don’t want to tempt fate, suffice to say no problems and no stalling since 1991,Thanks Dad!

It also reminded me of the very brilliant Caroline Casey

Caroline Casey

Remember how you speak to yourself has a massive impact on what you will achieve.
Choose a belief to change, put it in a positive sentence and repeat often in the present tense-be an Inspiration!
At the end of our really challenging session most of the Limiting Beliefs had left the room.