Location Location Location – does it matter?

Yes, it does. I know we can’t always control our environment but if you make yours the best you can, it brings out the best in you!  Numerous studies have shown that by altering our environment (or having it altered for us, like in public spaces) we can change behaviour.

Which is one of the reasons why when I am running my own training courses I am very fussy about venues. When you attend one of my courses I want you to feel special. I want you to be able to relax and to give yourself over entirely to focussing solely on yourself.

Which is why I use the Alveston House Hotel in Bristol for my Renewyou course. It ticks all the boxes and really looks after my participants.

And it’s why today I am visiting one of the most prestigious hotels in the country to discuss launching with them my brand new course for business women.  (The clue is in the picture!)

Empowering  Women – transcend the gender barriers

I am putting together an exciting brand new course for professional, successful women looking at the latest research on gender issues and how to turn that into practical steps individual women can take to overcome the barriers to their advancement. And I want to launch this in my beautiful home city of Bath!

If you’d like to receive advance notice of my new course simply contact me with your details (name, position, email and telephone number) and I’ll make sure you’re on the list!

Meanwhile, back to location – what one thing can you do to improve your environment today? Flowers on your desk maybe, or a gorgeous plant? Brighten up your working space with a picture or two? However small the change try to make where you spend most of your time a place that improves your mood and brings out the best in you!

Women Together – A Class Act

I have just finished one of my Renewyou courses at a great hotel in Bristol. I am very tired but very happy and energised at one and the same time. What a wonderful collection of women I have just had the privilege of spending a day with.

There really is something magical about a group of women all working together to support and help each other. It truly plays to our strengths; the feeling of trust, caring and respect that was engendered was almost palpable.

I wish some of those people who tell me women are ‘bitchy’ and ‘uncooperative’ together could have seen the magic that happened yesterday. Of course, everyone had a common purpose, to make a positive change in their lives, but already I’ve had enough comments from them to know that something else happened. There was a generosity of spirit that will reward both the givers and receivers. These are not women who will be pulling up the ladder behind them but reaching out to help other women.

So to all you women who were with me yesterday in Bristol, I sincerely thank you. It was a very special day for me too. I wish you success in all your endeavours. I know you will be fabulous!

“One’s prime is elusive. You little girls, when you grow up, must be on the alert to recognize your prime at whatever time of your life it may occur.” Murial Spark in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

RenewYou Women, you are most definitely in your prime now! Grab it with both hands!

Women’s friendships are important.

Photo Credit: West Suburban -Women’s friendship group

Need a Break? Check out these questions.

How many of the following questions do you answer YES to?

• Do you feel you don’t have enough time for yourself, doing what you want to do?
• Do you often find yourself getting to the end of the week and wondering where all the time went?
• Do you frequently work through your lunch break, or grab a sandwich while skimming emails?
• Do you rarely leave the office on time at the end of the day?
• Do you take work home with you on a regular basis?
• Is your mind always buzzing? Do you find it difficult to switch off?
• Do you panic if you leave your phone at home/work and are without it for even short periods of time?
• Do you think you could be doing something different if only you had more time to think about it?
• Do you think life is passing by too quickly?
• Do you sometimes feel really lacking in confidence? Does it hold you back from doing new things?
• Do you have a feeling that there is something better out there but don’t know what the ‘something’ is?

If you answered yes to more than 5 of those questions it’s probably time time for you to stop and take stock. At worst you are heading for burn out and at best you may be pedalling furiously but not going in the best direction for you.

I didn’t actually make up those questions; they are all a variation of the reasons given to me by women for coming on my RenewYou day. I’ve been there too. For a period of my life I was so busy being busy that I didn’t have time to listen to the intermittent nagging voice in my head saying ‘Is this it?’

Sometimes we’re just so taken up with the grind of the day job, giving our all at work and home that we don’t take time to stand still and really think about what it is we’re doing. We are buffetted by events and react, rather than taking control. Once I took some serious time out to consider what it was I really wanted it helped me set about taking back control; in fact, over the course of a year I totally changed my life.

Scared?

I know sometimes it can feel totally overwhelming, and to be honest, quite scary. I was scared. But I was excited and enthused too! And, as soon as I had begun following my plan, directing my life, my energy levels went up, my health improved, and I had more time to do the things that were important to me. I just needed to give myself some time and space to work out what I really wanted.

It’s why, when I designed RenewYou, I made sure that there was plenty of thinking and reflecting time built into the day, and why I always choose a venue with some nice outdoor space. It’s great to spend some time walking and thinking. Deep inside we usually know our answers, and the thought provoking exercises, support and encouragement of a day spent renewing yourself helps you find them.

So, if you ticked more than 5, I urge you to take a bit of time to yourself and think about how you are spending your precious life. I still do it every year – make time for my own personal development and run a mini audit on myself. Whether you choose a course, a book, a coach, or simply find time to reflect yourself, make sure you do it! And do it soon!

Photo Credit: Watford

Help! I need you!

Thanks for responding! I’m not drowning, but I would very much appreciate your help with a new project I’m planning, if you’re up for it?

If you’re a regular reader of the blog or newsletter, have been coached by me, or attended any of my courses, you will know that I work with tried and tested techniques. No gimmicks and no mad acronyms. Everything I do is based on:

• years of experience of working with others to help them achieve their best,

• respected research,

• my  own continuing studies and evaluations received.

Similarly, my book is full of exercises I have successfully used over the years which I know work for people.

When I launch a new course I test it out first by offering it for free to specially selected groups (i.e. not my friends!), with follow up questionnaires as to effectiveness;  my coaching is based on the professional training I have received and many years of experience.

The Project

My  Renewyou programme has proved itself time and time again to help people make positive CHANGE in their lives. The drawback is I can only deliver it to a limited number of people at any one time …… up until now!

In response to requests from readers unable to attend my seminars in person, I have begun work on turning it into a download/workbook with audio so anyone can do it anytime, anywhere in the world.

Now you know I only deal in what works. I know the Renewyou seminar works because of the many testimonials I have received and because of the feed back from organisations who send staff to it. But I want to know how the programme works in a different format.

User Panel

I am assembling a User Panel to try out (for free) various exercises from the programme and give me honest feed back as to how easy it was to follow, effectiveness, etc. I’m looking for a large cross selection of ages, gender, (this course has worked equally well for men too) nationalities, and backgrounds.

If you are interested in becoming part of my user panel please send me a few details about yourself – I will respond to every person who applies.

Thank you! I am really looking forward to hearing from you!

Write a Letter

How long since you last wrote a letter?

On my renewyou course participants write a letter to themselves! It’s a very potent way of helping you keep to your resolutions.

Try this exercise now when you can find a quiet space over next few days.

Take a sheet of paper (and remember that doing this with coloured crayons can actually enhance your creative thinking).

Imagine now that you are writing a summary of your life over last  2 years to an imaginary friend who only has your well being at heart.

Think about the following headings and add some of your own:

Career

Love

Relationships

Home

Hobbies

Friends

Jot down what you love about these areas of your life, and what you would like to bring into these areas of your life.

Coaching Questions

Which area is most important to you right now?

What one thing could you do to improve your quality of life in this area?

Who or what do you need to make this happen?

When does it need to happen by?

Why aren’t you doing it……..?

Make Your Negative Positive!

Childhood Beliefs

We all hold thoughts and beliefs in our head that have their roots in our childhood. We will have absorbed messages over the years from significant people in our lives. Some of these messages are great and help us live our lives to the maximum. If you had a parent or significant adult, for example, who always told you to give it a go and encouraged you to try new things, you are probably pretty good at doing just that.

On the other hand, if you had a parent who was always fearful for your safety, not allowing you to take even small risks, you may ‘hear’ that message in your head each time you try to attempt something new. ‘Stick with what you know’, or ‘No good will come of it’.

On my RENEWYOU course I have an exercise in helping people understand what these messages might be. I call it ‘Internal mail – save or delete?’ You could try it now. Spend a few moments thinking what messages you have internalised over the years. If you find it difficult to recall, keep a note pad by you for a day and jot them down as they come into your mind. What is your default thinking? Don’t forget to include the good as well as the not so good, and try not to judge whoever brought you up; they were doing the best they could and none of us are perfect!

Review Your List

Once you have your list in front of you spend a few moments deciding which ones you want to keep. Now look at those you could well do without – the ones that hold you back, keep you down and sap your energy. These are very powerful influences on your behaviour but the good news is that you can reverse their effect!

If we want to change our habits we need to replace the old habit with a new one. So it is with negative thoughts. Challenge your negative thinking with positive thoughts. For more advice on how to do this take a look at the post linked below on positive thoughts. You’ll have to practise them a few times but it will work! And maybe you’d like to share how you get on? It’s always great to hear from you.