Author Archive
No 3 – You Can Be Fabulous in 2011!
Even if you don’t make formal New Year resolutions you are probably still thinking about the year ahead and how you’d like it to be- if only because people like me keep talking at you about making resolutions!
It’s in the zeitgeist isn’t it? I’m not necessarily a great fan of having a set of formal resolutions you make in January to feel guilty about in February (!) but I do know that having a reasonably clear idea of where you want to be is half way to arriving there successfully! And the end of one year and the start of another is as good a time as any to reflect.
Dare to Dream
So, even if you are not in resolution making mode, this could still be a good exercise to try:
- Take 10 minutes to yourself, somewhere quiet
- Make yourself comfortable and relaxed
- Close your eyes and just notice how you are breathing
- Notice the rise and fall of each breath for about 10 breaths, this will probably gently slow your breathing
- Think yourself ahead 12 months, imagine you in 12 months time
- Ask yourself the following: What do I look like? What do I feel like? What have I done that has made me feel proud, or satisfied, or fulfilled?
What, if anything, do you need to do in the next 12 months to be fabulous in 2011!
No 2. You Can Be Fabulous in 2011!
Making significant change in our life is not always easy.
I’ve just been for a walk around the village I’ve lived in for over 30 years. Years ago a whole new development was added changing many of the footpaths. As I was walking today I found myself trying to take a defunct footpath. It hasn’t been there since my son was in a pushchair (he’s now 24!) yet my brain had that old pathway stored away and, because I wasn’t concentrating, led me up it!
And that’s what can happen to us with our new year resolutions. We want to make a change and all is well initially. But then we drop our focus for a moment, the work piles in, we get busy, or bored, or miserable and suddenly we’re back on an old pathway!
How Do YOU keep on Track?
What would work for you to keep you on track? It’s worth spending a little time anticipating that inevitable drop in enthusiasm and doing what you can now to keep your self focussed on success.
For example, if you use a paper diary, write an encouraging note to yourself for a month’s time. Or a pop up message on your mobile phone, or electronic diary. Or negotiate with a friend to help you; give them permission to remind you of your resolve! Perhaps you need to plan in a reward for yourself at an appropriate stage in proceedings? Or even take some professional advice and support?
You know best what works for you, so try and plan that in to give yourself the best chance of success and achieving your resolutions for 2011! And if you haven’t done so already, you could sign up now for my newsletter, which is packed full of inspiration and helpful tips to help you be fabulous in 2011!!
No 1 You Can Be Fabulous in 2011!
Welcome to the first in a series of tips for being fabulous in 2011! You are probably already more fabulous than you realise (check this out); but as the old year draws to a close I suspect you may end up berating yourself for all the things you didn’t do in 2010, or didn’t do as well as as you wanted.
Review Your Year – Positively!
When I’m running my personal development courses for women there is one thing all are universally good at – listing their faults and telling me what they can’t do! Faced with the question, “tell me what your strengths are” the room falls uncharacteristically quiet…
And so when you review your year, with the aim of setting yourself some goals and resolutions for 2011 try and resist the urge to focus on what didn’t work. Don’t waste your energies on negative stuff. Instead, take five minutes now to think about what DID work well for you in 2010 and plan to do more of that!
List all your successes in 2010, small, large, and medium! Think across all areas of your life: love, home, friendships, hobbies, education, personal development and career. And remember, it’s your definition of success that counts!
Only when you have done that can you begin to think about your new year resolutions for 2011!
There is a longer exercise to try here.
In Gratitude
When I first ventured out into the world of self employment (many years ago now) from the relatively safe haven of NHS/local government, I had a hazy kind of idea that the world of business would be full of sharks and charlatans, just waiting to trip me up and capitalise on my ignorance!
I am very happy to admit that I was wrong, very wrong. Instead I have been blessed to have worked with some amazing people, people who are generous, caring and thoughtful and to whom I am very grateful.
Personal Challenges
On the personal front I’ve had a ‘challenging’ year; (professionally it’s been all good, thankfully, or I may have gone bonkers!) On my birthday at the end of October I invited some of my dearest friends and family to share it with me, and to thank them for the support and love they had shown me throughout the year.
However, there have been many of my professional colleagues, most of whom I have never actually met, who have also offered me great support and friendship. As the year draws to a close, I’d like to thank them publicly for their help and many kindnesses in 2010, and also introduce them to you.
Unsurprisingly, most are women, but a couple of special chaps get a mention too!
Supportive Women
First, thanks to all my inspirational women who, as well as inspiring me, have freely given of their time and advice, put up with editing and additional questions and badgering for photos etc! All of them have been wonderful, but if I may I’d like to give special mention to Sarah Beeny and Maggie Philbin. They are both women with busy and successful careers in the media and I rather expected my request for interviews to be turned down. I was wrong again! Maggie and Sarah were charming, gracious, incredibly helpful and kind. My thanks to them and I wish them much success in 2011.
American Supporters
Across the Atlantic I have some rather special friends too. Yana Berlin is the person behind Fabulously40.com, a social networking site for women over 40. Her encouragement and enthusiasm is boundless and she has been a real friend in promoting my book to her readership, and generally being a good mate. We did actually get to meet, albeit fleetingly, in a London hotel and her energy is most impressive! More power to your elbow, Yana!
And while on the subject of the book, another as yet unmet American friend has been exceedingly generous in that respect. Julie Walraven epitomises American generosity of spirit and I recommend her to you! She runs Design Resumes and I am sure her clients love her! She is always ready to do a good turn if she can and a great ambassador for her country. I salute you, Julie!
Back this side of the ocean, Sarah Pennells has been a great source of advice and inspiration. I have actually met Sarah, at the Everywoman conference last month and she was every bit as delightful in person as in Twitter land. She dispenses great financial advice to women through her company Savvy Woman and she has given me some helpful insights on several occasions. Thanks Sarah! She’s also one of my Inspirational Women.
Twitter is a strange phenomenon but I have learned that it is possible to make good relationships. Among the many on twitter who have been incredibly kind and supportive re my professional life are:
The successful novelist Sara Sheridan – do read her books, wonderful stuff, and who has been most generous with her time. Sara, you are great and i wish i could write like you!
An amazing business woman, Hannah Coleman who runs Dreamwalls, a wall business…yes, I did say walls! Thanks, Hannah!
Ann Lewis, a coach on the Isle of Wight who is quite simply a good woman. Thanks Ann, for all the support.
Dorothy Sanders, is another American friend who is dedicated to the cause of empowering women over 50 ( a topic close to my heart) and has also been very generous to me this year. Thank you!
There are many others but I know they would not wish to be named here so to them my thanks.
The Men in My Life (professionally speaking)
It pains me to say that I really do conform to female stereotype here! I am less than wonderful with both marketing and technology and took professional advice and support in these areas early on in my self employed career.
Coming from a public sector background I was really green when it came to marketing but I was lucky enough to encounter Jim Connolly who has guided me with extraordinary skill! He has taught me more that I ever believed was possible about social media and marketing; I’d like to thank him here for his kindness and support, and for still watching out for the gloopers I commit from time to time! Thanks James, you are much appreciated.
And on the technical side, Mark White is a very patient man! He helps me keep this site running and answers all my questions promptly and with a wry humour. I am forever asking him to try this out, or how would it look if…. True, he sometimes sighs a lot, but he does it all with good grace and never talks down to me! Thank you, Mark!
Thanks to You!
And finally, my sincere thanks to all of you. So many of you have made contact with me, either through the blog, the newsletter, or in person at events. I truly love to hear from you; it makes the world seem a very small place. And when you tell me that something I have written helps you, or that attending one of my courses has helped change your life for the better, I am both humbled and thrilled. Thank you.
I wish you all success in 2011. I wish you good health, and joy in your life. And thank you again for your support in 2010.
Jane
Celia Mannings – Inspirational Woman!
Celia Mannings runs a successful photography business in the beautiful city of Bath (Celia took my latest web photo so I know how good she can make people look!) but her earlier career was in medicine. I was intrigued to find out more about why and how she changed careers.
Jane: Celia, please do tell us more about that change of career! On the face of it they don’t seem natural partners! Why and when the switch?
Celia: I never actually decided to switch- it was more a series of events that just happened. As an assistant GP, not a partner (my ex husband was in the army so I wasn’t able to commit) there was no job security. For me the important thing was continuity of care and building relationships with my patients, so the second time a practice I’d been working for decided they no longer needed assistants as they were advertising for partners, I decided that my burgeoning, lifelong hobby of photography could grow yet further! Then I hit on a year’s course that taught me to build a photography business properly; the most motivational lessons I’ve ever learnt (apart from you, Jane of course!) and I quickly realised it was going to be full time.
What were your aspirations when at school?
My best subject was biology. I worked hard at school, I was a bit of a swot! Early signs of my perfectionism were showing already. I was a straight A student. I had to know everything perfectly!I was also a Girl Guide and loved it. I got my photographer badge but I never got the launderess badge and I’m still bad at ironing! I’m still good at all the things I got badges for!
What made you choose medicine?
I really enjoyed sciences and biology. I was quite shy really so at that stage it was the workings of the human body that interested me. I also wanted to be a vet when very young. I even considered joining the Army and they told me being a doctor was better!
Did you ever join the army? I did and actually got a cadetship when at University and made some great and lasting friends. I was sponsored through University by the Army and had thought I would be working in Army hospitals through my training. But I had a house job in a civilian hospital and realised that I liked working with all manner of people and valued the emotional support I could give. I began to realise medicine was much more about people rather than an academic subject.
I went on and married in 1996 in the Officer Training Corp. That marriage gave me my two wonderful boys but sadly the relationship didn’t last. When I was 40 my husband and I separated and I set up my own business, having done a course the year before. My life really did begin at 40!
It’s a big leap from doctor to photographer, although I guess you see people feeling quite vulnerable in both cases! Have you used any of your medical training in your photographic role?
It really wasn’t such a big leap- again, for me, it’s always been about the relationships I build with people, and sharing important life events, even happy ones!- has led to lasting friendships. I sometimes know a couple before they marry for two years, and I photograph babies now instead of delivering them! Yes, definitely, I’m used to being with people who are feeling all sorts of different emotions, so it helps tremendously. (Although I’m often in tears too!) And I think it helps people to trust me- they know I’ll look after their friends and relatives on the day. I really make connections; I don’t think it’s possible to achieve intimate images without taking the time to develop a good relationship.
What makes photography so rewarding? What is best thing about it for you?
I have a sense of achievement when I’ve moved someone emotionally with my work. It’s a very unique way of giving happiness- I try to make a work of art out of people’s feelings, which is then something tangible they can keep and look back on, when, for example, their child has grown up and they no longer see that favourite expression that moved them so much. The best part is seeing how people feel when they see their images, and knowing I’ve had a part in creating that.
Which gender is easiest to please re photos?
Good question! The best pictures happen when the person has complete trust in me, because then they relax, so I don’t think it’s really a gender thing. Quite often I’ll meet ladies first, either at wedding fayres or through networking, and am then introduced to the guys later, but I do absolutely want it to be an equal experience for both, so no getting all girly and leaving the guys out! Ummm…on balance I’d say women have more issues about what they do or don’t like about themselves- but then it’s up to me to achieve a stunning picture and dispel any insecurities!
What’s the worst thing about being a professional photographer?
The worst part is the hours on the computer after taking the photographs, coupled with the fact that most people don’t realise the extent of the work involved. I think it’s the same for any business though- until you really find out about what someone does, you can’t fully appreciate the ‘behind the scenes’ effort. I’m also a bit of a technophobe who once vowed never to switch on a computer (or use a digital camera for that matter!) so it’s been a steep learning curve.
What has been best bit of advice you have ever been given?
To always keep learning, and to learn from the best. Not to be phased by rejection- failure is apparently a necessary step on the road to success! To always be looking for new ideas, creativity and inspiration.
How do you relax? Are you good at unwinding and leaving work behind?
Relax? What’s that?! No, I’m the first to admit I find it very hard to leave everything behind. But I love my boys, now 12 and 13, and try to find dedicated time to do things together. Currently they’re loving cooking experiments especially Nigella Lawson’s naughtier offerings which isn’t doing anything for my waistline! I also have an elderly and poorly boxer dog (who thinks he’s still a puppy), and I’ve recently rejoined the gym….fitting!
How does being a professional photographer fit in with family life?
It doesn’t is the short answer! It can be tough with early starts. Weddings are almost always at week ends. My sons board and are home at week ends so I always try to make sure I am home at least one day of the week end. I don’t use a studio as I prefer the creativity of natural light. I have to work hard at it. And my ex husband lives very close by so we share parenting! We actually get on very well now so that works well for the children!
What has been the most satisfying event in your life so far?
No one single event, just seeing my boys grow and develop. Matt, 13, suffered badly with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when small; life was traumatic to say the least and we didn’t know if he’d go to a mainstream school. I have learned a lot about ADHD! One of the most important things I discovered was that children with ADHD get told off a lot, with lots of focus on their negative behaviour, so I made a conscious decision to praise my son as much as possible. I actually give quite a few talks on life with ADHD as I found the advice given to me was not always helpful. Both boys are excelling now, and happy; I’m so proud of them I can’t tell you!
And I bet they are also very proud of their Mum! Thank you, Celia
If you’d like to see some of Celia’s work (and she has some fabulous pictures on her site) you can do so by simply following this link to Celia Mannings Photography
Management Pocket Books
Unusually I am not reviewing just one book in this post, but a whole series. And there are so many of them that I’m not even gong to mention all of them!
The Management Pocket books have been a staple on my bookshelves since my own management days. They are great little aides-memoires and a perfect size for just popping into a bag. They are crammed full of tips, tools and techniques on whatever topic you have chosen (at last count I think they have published 103).
Although the books are prolific they are not written by a Jill of all trades and mistress of none hack: pocketbooks are all written by experts and practitioners in their field so you can rely on the information. It’s not ground breaking research, more solid, dependable information that is already in the public domain.
I wouldn’t recommend them as a text book for for your first foray into a serious subject as they give all the information in small bite size chunks; for me, they work best at reminding me of what I already know! That said, they are really useful at helping you decide if you want to do some further research on a subject as the extract I have quoted below illustrates. There is not enough information there to tell you about biorhythms but there is enough to whet your appetite and give you the basics. And they are great if you are putting a presentation together and want a model to use, or a great quote.
The book I have used to illustrate this post is on Energy and Well Being. Here’s a flavour of the kind of thing you can find between its covers:
UNDERSTANDING YOUR BODY CLOCK
What Are Biorhythms?
- Biorhythms are natural body clocks triggered from the hypothalamus in the brain in response to light, and are genetically determined
- Timings vary from person to person
- They depend on month, seasons, hormones, heartbeat, respiration and temperature
- They affect physical, emotional and intellectual performance
Be aware of your energy times. Your energy may be increased during the full moon, during spring, at certain times of the month linked to female hormone levels, in cool or hot weather, etc.
Whatever you do there is probably a pocketbook to suit. From Customer Care to Project Management to Positive Mental Attitude there really is something for everyone.
Amazon stock almost the whole range and the Pocket Series web site will give you more information
