Have you heard about Barnes and Noble University? For those of you who are not familiar with them, Barnes and Noble is a massive company which sells books on-line and in-store in the US. Their B&N University offers a range of free on-line courses - all you need to do is buy the book on which the course is based. New courses and reading groups starting June 5th are listed below:
LIBERAL ARTS
The Art of the Short Story with Gotham Writer's Workshop
Being Jewish in Today's World
The Civil War Era
Discover Dungeons & Dragons
Everyday Ethics
Forensics with Court TV
From Planets to Pulsars: Astronomy Basics
Grammar Fitness
How to Read a Film: The Technology of Art
Italian for Beginners with Living Language ®
Picasso, Braque and the Dawn of Cubism
Thinking Like an Editor: How to Get Published
Understanding Poetry
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Genius at Work
Writing Mysteries with Writer's Digest Books
Start Writing Science Fiction with Gotham Writers' Workshop
LIFE IMPROVEMENT
All About Your Dreams
Beauty: The Basics
Become Your Own Pilates Trainer
The Best Year of Your Life with Debbie Ford
Caring for Your PC
Discover What You're Best At
End Your Addiction Now!
Find a Job You Love
Give Your Lawn a Makeover
Golf Basics
Homeschooling Your Children
How to Grill Well
Learn to Play Guitar
Money Management for Women
Total Memory Workout
Unpuzzling Your Past: An Introduction to Genealogy and Family History
ONLINE READING GROUPS
Meet Kate White
Paulo Coelho on The Alchemist
Rebecca Wells on Ya-Yas in Bloom
Javier Sierra on The Secret Supper
Elinor Lipman on My Latest Grievance
Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes
Bob and Melinda Blanchard on Live What You Love
Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy
Ian McEwan's Saturday
Anthony Trollope's The Way We Live Now
Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin
COURSES ON CD-ROM
Foreign Languages with Living Language®
Foreign Languages from Pimsleur
Portable Professor Series
Friday, May 26, 2006
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Women in business
I had a message in my email box this morning telling me about a new UK website which advertises local services and businesses which are all owned by women. I know that many women living alone say that they would feel more comfortable being alone in the house with a female plumber or tiler, so if this is your preference, or, if you just enjoy giving female-owned companies a hand up by giving them your business, have a look at www.ladyskill.com.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
What motivates you - purpose, passion or profit?
What motivates you as far as your work is concerned? Purpose, passion or profit? Try the following short quiz devised by David Batstone, a professor of ethics at the University of San Francisco. Just click the link below (but you will need to submit your name and email address to get the results).
http://www.triplepquiz.com/quiz.aspx
http://www.triplepquiz.com/quiz.aspx
Friday, May 19, 2006
The Office of the Future?
I woke up a little early this morning, so I thought I'd check out my email and stuff before I started my workout. Whilst I was on Squidoo, I spotted the following and at first I thought it was a joke, (well it was 5.05 am) but apparently not. Here is what the 'lens' (or site) owner has to say about it:
James Levine, M.D. and his colleagues in the NEAT (Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis) lab at Mayo Clinic have pioneered an "Office of the Future" -- a fully functioning office that bears a marked resemblance to a gym. Complete with treadmills that serve as both desks and computer platforms and a two-lane walking track that serves as a meeting room, Dr. Levine and his entire staff have a unique, active work environment.
and this is the lens itself: http://www.squidoo.com/walkingwhileworking/
James Levine, M.D. and his colleagues in the NEAT (Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis) lab at Mayo Clinic have pioneered an "Office of the Future" -- a fully functioning office that bears a marked resemblance to a gym. Complete with treadmills that serve as both desks and computer platforms and a two-lane walking track that serves as a meeting room, Dr. Levine and his entire staff have a unique, active work environment.
and this is the lens itself: http://www.squidoo.com/walkingwhileworking/
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Organ recital, anyone?
Do you know anyone who gives ‘organ recitals’? I came across this term in a book I’ve been reading this week. (The only problem is that, since I’ve read three books already this week, I can’t remember which book it came from.) Anyhow, giving organ recitals involves giving everyone you meet a blow-by-blow account of your latest illness, operation or stay in hospital.
There’s an old man in our village (I’ll call him Jim) who gives organ recitals and, to be honest, people dread meeting up with him. On warm, sunny days, he sits on his garden wall and, whenever anyone walks past, he tries to engage them in a conversation which very quickly turns into a litany of his various ailments, his trips to hospital, the amount of time he has spent in the I.C.U. and a verbatim report of what the doctors said to him.
Now I really don’t mean to sound unsympathetic – this man has, undeniably, suffered a great deal and, during the 3 years since he moved to the village, he has probably spent a year of that time in hospital. What I am attempting to do is point out that the kind of result that this man is probably hoping to achieve, (which I imagine would include an alleviation of his loneliness and boredom, the receipt of time and attention from his neighbours and maybe some recognition of and sympathy for his undoubted suffering) is being withheld from him. Because the first time you engage with him, you listen to his sorry tale and feel sympathy and compassion for him, but then, after you have listened to him for about half an hour, you realise that he is showing no signs of running out of steam, he is still very much ‘on topic’, that you (genuinely) have things that you need to do and that, without appearing rude, you need to make your excuses and go off to do them. Eventually, with difficulty, you manage to make your exit and you go home and tell your partner about how much the old man up the road has suffered and how ill he has been and isn't it a pity that he seems so lonely?
The next time you meet Jim, he greets you like an old friend and so you stop for a quick chat with him, and before long, you realise that you are having exactly the same conversation with him that you had before and that, once again, he is showing no sign of ‘drying up’ and that, once again, you could be in for an extended conversation (except that it isn’t really a conversation because a conversation usually implies more than one person taking part).
So, what happens next time you see him? You either turn around before he spots you and take a different, more circuitous route around the village that will get you home in twenty minutes, rather than the five it would normally take you, or you put your head down, speed up your pace, pretend you haven’t seen him until the last minute and then say, ‘Oh, hello, Jim. I’m sorry I can’t stop for a chat, I’m expecting a caller…’
So what is the answer? Would it be kinder to gently explain to him the effect that he has on people? Or would that just be too devastating for him to cope with, coming from a virtual stranger? Should I just stand and talk to him for as long as he needs me to, whilst, at the same time, ignoring my own needs and the things that I have to do to keep body and soul together? Or do I, like everyone else in the village, try to dodge him and politely ‘shortchange’ him whenever I can’t avoid running into him?
I suspect that I will plump for the latter and live in hope that when I get to the same age, I will remember Jim, his attempts to engage with people and the fact that, not everyone enjoys organ recitals.
There’s an old man in our village (I’ll call him Jim) who gives organ recitals and, to be honest, people dread meeting up with him. On warm, sunny days, he sits on his garden wall and, whenever anyone walks past, he tries to engage them in a conversation which very quickly turns into a litany of his various ailments, his trips to hospital, the amount of time he has spent in the I.C.U. and a verbatim report of what the doctors said to him.
Now I really don’t mean to sound unsympathetic – this man has, undeniably, suffered a great deal and, during the 3 years since he moved to the village, he has probably spent a year of that time in hospital. What I am attempting to do is point out that the kind of result that this man is probably hoping to achieve, (which I imagine would include an alleviation of his loneliness and boredom, the receipt of time and attention from his neighbours and maybe some recognition of and sympathy for his undoubted suffering) is being withheld from him. Because the first time you engage with him, you listen to his sorry tale and feel sympathy and compassion for him, but then, after you have listened to him for about half an hour, you realise that he is showing no signs of running out of steam, he is still very much ‘on topic’, that you (genuinely) have things that you need to do and that, without appearing rude, you need to make your excuses and go off to do them. Eventually, with difficulty, you manage to make your exit and you go home and tell your partner about how much the old man up the road has suffered and how ill he has been and isn't it a pity that he seems so lonely?
The next time you meet Jim, he greets you like an old friend and so you stop for a quick chat with him, and before long, you realise that you are having exactly the same conversation with him that you had before and that, once again, he is showing no sign of ‘drying up’ and that, once again, you could be in for an extended conversation (except that it isn’t really a conversation because a conversation usually implies more than one person taking part).
So, what happens next time you see him? You either turn around before he spots you and take a different, more circuitous route around the village that will get you home in twenty minutes, rather than the five it would normally take you, or you put your head down, speed up your pace, pretend you haven’t seen him until the last minute and then say, ‘Oh, hello, Jim. I’m sorry I can’t stop for a chat, I’m expecting a caller…’
So what is the answer? Would it be kinder to gently explain to him the effect that he has on people? Or would that just be too devastating for him to cope with, coming from a virtual stranger? Should I just stand and talk to him for as long as he needs me to, whilst, at the same time, ignoring my own needs and the things that I have to do to keep body and soul together? Or do I, like everyone else in the village, try to dodge him and politely ‘shortchange’ him whenever I can’t avoid running into him?
I suspect that I will plump for the latter and live in hope that when I get to the same age, I will remember Jim, his attempts to engage with people and the fact that, not everyone enjoys organ recitals.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Happiness is a dry toothbrush...
Chris and I are both a bit fussy about our teeth – twice-yearly check-ups at the dentist, flossing, inter-dental brushing… we do it all. So you can imagine how disconcerted he felt when he came to brush his teeth yesterday morning and found his toothbrush already wet.
We have two bathrooms in our house – one downstairs and one en-suite upstairs. Since Chris, Philip (his 17 year old son) and I all need to get ready at roughly the same time each morning, the two of them use the downstairs bathroom and I use the upstairs one. Consequently, there are normally two toothbrushes in the stand in the downstairs bathroom – one that belongs to Chris and one that belongs to Philip.
Now Philip has been away for a few days. All the toiletries that he took with him have been returned to the bathroom, but his toothbrush was missing from the mug. All that remained was Chris’s brush… and it was wet. Now Chris was the second person to use the bathroom that morning and Philip had already left the house.
What would you have done? Used a toothbrush that you suspected had been used by someone else, even if it was your son? Or go and buy another one?
It’s a good thing that the only shop in our village opens at 6 am…
We have two bathrooms in our house – one downstairs and one en-suite upstairs. Since Chris, Philip (his 17 year old son) and I all need to get ready at roughly the same time each morning, the two of them use the downstairs bathroom and I use the upstairs one. Consequently, there are normally two toothbrushes in the stand in the downstairs bathroom – one that belongs to Chris and one that belongs to Philip.
Now Philip has been away for a few days. All the toiletries that he took with him have been returned to the bathroom, but his toothbrush was missing from the mug. All that remained was Chris’s brush… and it was wet. Now Chris was the second person to use the bathroom that morning and Philip had already left the house.
What would you have done? Used a toothbrush that you suspected had been used by someone else, even if it was your son? Or go and buy another one?
It’s a good thing that the only shop in our village opens at 6 am…
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Step-parenting issues
I've written before about being a step-parent and the fact that I haven't found it easy, by any stretch of the imagination. (Chris's kids were 13 and 15 when I first met them and I previously had a relationship with a man who had a 10 year old daughter.)
I was looking around the SAGA website yesterday in my other role as a retirement coach, and the following article caught my eye - you might find it interesting if you are in a relationship with a man who has children or think that you might someday form such a relationship:
http://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/article/A6529345-47E3-408D-B66E-7DD1F0DA52BA.asp?bhcp=1
I was looking around the SAGA website yesterday in my other role as a retirement coach, and the following article caught my eye - you might find it interesting if you are in a relationship with a man who has children or think that you might someday form such a relationship:
http://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/article/A6529345-47E3-408D-B66E-7DD1F0DA52BA.asp?bhcp=1
Friday, May 12, 2006
Do you hate packing?
Here in the UK, the holiday season is starting to ramp up. It began with the Easter holidays (when kids have a 2 week holiday from school), then, two weekends ago, we had our first Bank Holiday of the season (May Day) and, at the end of the month, we have Spring Bank Holiday, when schools will close for a week. The weather is warming up nicely and people are starting to dig the fake tan out from the back of the bathroom cabinet (you do use fake, rather than frying yourself to get the real thing, don't you?).
Anyhow, if all these holidays are turning your mind to the thought of getting away for a break, you may want to check out the following sites for ideas to help ease the burden of deciding what to take with you and how to fit it all into your baggage allowance:
www.travelite.org
www.smartpacking.com
www.onebag.com
Anyhow, if all these holidays are turning your mind to the thought of getting away for a break, you may want to check out the following sites for ideas to help ease the burden of deciding what to take with you and how to fit it all into your baggage allowance:
www.travelite.org
www.smartpacking.com
www.onebag.com
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Life Expectancy Calculator
Check out the Life Expectancy Calculator at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/interactive_area/calculators_lifeexpectancy1.shtml. (90, in case you were wondering...)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/interactive_area/calculators_lifeexpectancy1.shtml. (90, in case you were wondering...)
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
The Cost of Fear (for women)
I came across the following, thought-provoking article by Denise Michaels, author of "Testosterone-Free Marketing".
Fear can be incredibly expensive.
Over the last five years I've mentored a lot of women in marketing in their businesses and I've discovered that fear is very often a much more important hurdle to be overcome than deciding on a marketing strategy. Fear takes up more time than deciding what you're going to say on your website or when sitting across from a customer. If you don't overcome fear your strategy really doesn't even matter.
Fear causes women to hold back from being as fabulous as they can be. It rips them off and allows others to step out right in front of her and take all the goodies that her business could have to offer - but doesn't because she's trying to satisfy the mythical "they."
Fear means that she won't tell others about who she is and what she offers with confidence, passion and gusto. Fear means that she will say, "Oh, I couldn't possibly do THAT! People might think that I'm being pushy or I'm being too 'out there.'"
Fear stops us from going for what we want. It waters women down to milquetoast and keeps us in the bondage of living a boring life without the financial gain you deserve. Fear causes us to make excuses like, "I didn't REALLY want that." And, "I'd rather be happy than rich." As if the two are mutually exclusive. Duh! (smile)
Fear keeps us wearing beige, black and gray rather than hot pink, bright yellow or tangerine orange. Fear says, "I don't want to reach out until I have ALL my ducks in a row." Fear also says, "I don't want to put myself out there until I know everything humanly possible about my product and I can answer every question that anyone might ask." Fear keeps us dressing like a girl or a boring banker instead of a brilliant, creative and savvy woman.
Ladies, I've had some time to think and think some more the last couple weeks as I've been recovering from surgery (finally got my laptop back today too after nine days without it). I've been resting, watching TV, sitting on my porch with a cup of tea, feeling the summer breeze in my hair and just thinking.
It seems to me that the women who succeed and really make it in the the world of business are the ones who aren't afraid to be out there and fabulous and wonderful and while they may not SAY that they are - they show everyone by their actions that they are.
Think Madonna.
Think Jennifer Lopez.
Think Martha Stewart.
Think Kimora Lee Simmons.
Think Suzanne Somers.
Madonna started it by embracing the idea of being a fabulous brand. One that's constantly re-inventing itself but still true to herself and yet she expresses a piece of us that many women would like to be but they don't quite have the nerve to be. Like her or hate her - she still makes waves after two and a half decades.
Jennifer Lopez is a triple threat - a dancer, singer and actress. As well as a new mogul in fashion, fragrance, sunglasses and I'm sure that there will be more to come. Yeah she wore a dress cut below her navel to the Grammys and she's got the business acumen to be a force to be reckoned with.
Martha Stewart has an empire in publishing, the Internet and on TV. She redefined what it means to do homemaker things making them glamorous and lovely. Even after a prison stint almost two years ago she's come back stronger than ever.
Kimora Lee Simmons was modelling for Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel in Paris at the gentle ago of 13. Now in her 30s she commands a fashion business called "Baby Phat" that's urban, hip and accessible to millions while helping women aspire to a lifestyle they may have never imagined. She happily admits she's a diva AND takes no guff in her business.
Suzanne Somers may seems like a has been in the world of TV acting but she's authored 14 best-selling books, she has a business that does $100 million a year in sales of clothes, jewelry, food, skin care and exercise stuff. She's been married to the same man for 30+ years and has a wonderful family life and grandkids at 58.
Can you find something to admire in any one of these women? Or maybe there's another woman in the world of business that you admire. I'll tell you something that they do have in common. They're not running around like chickens with their heads cut off trying desperately to please everybody and homogenize their marketing message so that everyone loves them. They are who they are and oh well, maybe the rest just aren't their ideal customers. No big deal. Can't please everyone.
How much has fear cost you since you started your business?
What would it take for you to embrace the idea of being fabulous? What would it take for you to be a diva - not in the b*tchy sense purely for the sake of being difficult, but in the good sense of getting what you want so that you can help others more? What would it take - and what would your life be like if you played full out to win?
Fear can be incredibly expensive.
Over the last five years I've mentored a lot of women in marketing in their businesses and I've discovered that fear is very often a much more important hurdle to be overcome than deciding on a marketing strategy. Fear takes up more time than deciding what you're going to say on your website or when sitting across from a customer. If you don't overcome fear your strategy really doesn't even matter.
Fear causes women to hold back from being as fabulous as they can be. It rips them off and allows others to step out right in front of her and take all the goodies that her business could have to offer - but doesn't because she's trying to satisfy the mythical "they."
Fear means that she won't tell others about who she is and what she offers with confidence, passion and gusto. Fear means that she will say, "Oh, I couldn't possibly do THAT! People might think that I'm being pushy or I'm being too 'out there.'"
Fear stops us from going for what we want. It waters women down to milquetoast and keeps us in the bondage of living a boring life without the financial gain you deserve. Fear causes us to make excuses like, "I didn't REALLY want that." And, "I'd rather be happy than rich." As if the two are mutually exclusive. Duh! (smile)
Fear keeps us wearing beige, black and gray rather than hot pink, bright yellow or tangerine orange. Fear says, "I don't want to reach out until I have ALL my ducks in a row." Fear also says, "I don't want to put myself out there until I know everything humanly possible about my product and I can answer every question that anyone might ask." Fear keeps us dressing like a girl or a boring banker instead of a brilliant, creative and savvy woman.
Ladies, I've had some time to think and think some more the last couple weeks as I've been recovering from surgery (finally got my laptop back today too after nine days without it). I've been resting, watching TV, sitting on my porch with a cup of tea, feeling the summer breeze in my hair and just thinking.
It seems to me that the women who succeed and really make it in the the world of business are the ones who aren't afraid to be out there and fabulous and wonderful and while they may not SAY that they are - they show everyone by their actions that they are.
Think Madonna.
Think Jennifer Lopez.
Think Martha Stewart.
Think Kimora Lee Simmons.
Think Suzanne Somers.
Madonna started it by embracing the idea of being a fabulous brand. One that's constantly re-inventing itself but still true to herself and yet she expresses a piece of us that many women would like to be but they don't quite have the nerve to be. Like her or hate her - she still makes waves after two and a half decades.
Jennifer Lopez is a triple threat - a dancer, singer and actress. As well as a new mogul in fashion, fragrance, sunglasses and I'm sure that there will be more to come. Yeah she wore a dress cut below her navel to the Grammys and she's got the business acumen to be a force to be reckoned with.
Martha Stewart has an empire in publishing, the Internet and on TV. She redefined what it means to do homemaker things making them glamorous and lovely. Even after a prison stint almost two years ago she's come back stronger than ever.
Kimora Lee Simmons was modelling for Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel in Paris at the gentle ago of 13. Now in her 30s she commands a fashion business called "Baby Phat" that's urban, hip and accessible to millions while helping women aspire to a lifestyle they may have never imagined. She happily admits she's a diva AND takes no guff in her business.
Suzanne Somers may seems like a has been in the world of TV acting but she's authored 14 best-selling books, she has a business that does $100 million a year in sales of clothes, jewelry, food, skin care and exercise stuff. She's been married to the same man for 30+ years and has a wonderful family life and grandkids at 58.
Can you find something to admire in any one of these women? Or maybe there's another woman in the world of business that you admire. I'll tell you something that they do have in common. They're not running around like chickens with their heads cut off trying desperately to please everybody and homogenize their marketing message so that everyone loves them. They are who they are and oh well, maybe the rest just aren't their ideal customers. No big deal. Can't please everyone.
How much has fear cost you since you started your business?
What would it take for you to embrace the idea of being fabulous? What would it take for you to be a diva - not in the b*tchy sense purely for the sake of being difficult, but in the good sense of getting what you want so that you can help others more? What would it take - and what would your life be like if you played full out to win?
Monday, May 08, 2006
Do you Squidoo?
I’ve been doing a lot of web surfing this weekend and one of the most interesting sites I found was Squidoo. It’s a site where enthusiasts or experts write and blog about their ideas, advertise their services and generally make themselves known. Squidoo is free to join and you can also earn revenue by the various links to Google Adsense, Amazon and Ebay that your site contains.
Oh, and if you click on the links to Squidoo in this blog, and you open a 'lens' (that's a site) with them, you will be joining through my affiliate link - which means that when your lens earns its first $15, both you and I will each get $5 free. Sounds like a win-win to me!
Oh, and if you click on the links to Squidoo in this blog, and you open a 'lens' (that's a site) with them, you will be joining through my affiliate link - which means that when your lens earns its first $15, both you and I will each get $5 free. Sounds like a win-win to me!
Friday, May 05, 2006
Do you need a new hobby?
If you're on the lookout for a new hobby, check out www.coachville.com/tl/thomasleonard//cli/activities.html - a list of almost 300 sports, hobbies and activities compiled by the late, great Thomas Leonard.
By the way, can anyone tell me what 'bocci', 'bunko' and 'hacky sack' are?
www.successfullysingle.co.uk
By the way, can anyone tell me what 'bocci', 'bunko' and 'hacky sack' are?
www.successfullysingle.co.uk
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Debtproof living
The excellent Mary Hunt, who writes very well-respected books about getting rid of debt and living within your means is offering a free copy of her book, 'The Financially Confident Woman' with every purchase from the Debt-Proof Living Bookstore starting now through until Sunday, May 14. Well worth a look...
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Have you been printed?
I’m starting a new course today. This one will certify me to use ‘Print®’ with my clients. Print® is an assessment tool which helps us to understand why we act as we do. It identifies a person’s personality characteristics and gives them huge insights into their ‘unconscious motivators’ and their particular ways of thinking, feeling and behaving.
I used the Print® assessment on myself yesterday for the first time. Whilst I was completing the on-line questionnaire (which took about 15 minutes), I started feeling quite sceptical because at each stage of the assessment, you are asked to make choices between pairs of statements. I had no problem choosing between most of the pairs but some were very difficult and the choice I was being asked to make didn’t feel logical . For example, I struggled with the choice between ‘I am adaptable’ and ‘I am strong’ – in actual fact, I am both strong and adaptable, so which one was I supposed to choose? Anyway, I followed their instructions, made my choices as best I could and then waited for the results to arrive in my email box.
Within one minute, I was opening my ‘Print Survey’ and I couldn’t believe what I read. It was me to a ‘T’. I’m a 5 major / 8 minor and I haven’t a clue what that means – that’s why I’m going on the course (to learn how to interpret the information generated) and I don’t know how they did it, but Chris and I laughed aloud with surprise and delight at the accuracy of the description. Chris is itching to have a go, but I’m not licensed to use it yet, so he’ll have to hang on until I’m trained…
I can’t wait to start the course – there are 72 different Prints® or personality types and I just love finding out what makes people act the way they do… don’t you?
Have you been ‘printed’ yet?
I used the Print® assessment on myself yesterday for the first time. Whilst I was completing the on-line questionnaire (which took about 15 minutes), I started feeling quite sceptical because at each stage of the assessment, you are asked to make choices between pairs of statements. I had no problem choosing between most of the pairs but some were very difficult and the choice I was being asked to make didn’t feel logical . For example, I struggled with the choice between ‘I am adaptable’ and ‘I am strong’ – in actual fact, I am both strong and adaptable, so which one was I supposed to choose? Anyway, I followed their instructions, made my choices as best I could and then waited for the results to arrive in my email box.
Within one minute, I was opening my ‘Print Survey’ and I couldn’t believe what I read. It was me to a ‘T’. I’m a 5 major / 8 minor and I haven’t a clue what that means – that’s why I’m going on the course (to learn how to interpret the information generated) and I don’t know how they did it, but Chris and I laughed aloud with surprise and delight at the accuracy of the description. Chris is itching to have a go, but I’m not licensed to use it yet, so he’ll have to hang on until I’m trained…
I can’t wait to start the course – there are 72 different Prints® or personality types and I just love finding out what makes people act the way they do… don’t you?
Have you been ‘printed’ yet?
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
25 signs that you have grown up
Someone sent me the following list of '25 signs that you have grown up' over the weekend. How many can you relate to?
1. Your houseplants are alive, and you can't smoke any of them.
2. Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question.
3. You keep more food than beer in the fridge.
4. 6:00 AM is when you get up, not when you go to bed.
5. You hear your favorite song in an elevator.
6. You watch the Weather Channel.
7. Your friends marry and divorce instead of "hook up" and "break up."
8. You go from 130 days of annual vacation time to... 14.
9. Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as "dressed up."
10. You're the one calling the police because those %&@# kids next door won't turn down the stereo.
11. Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.
12. You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.
13. Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up.
14. You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald's leftovers.
15. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.
16. You take naps.
17. Dinner and a movie is the date instead of the beginning of one.
18. Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3 AM would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach.
19. You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms and pregnancy tests.
20. A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer "pretty good stuff."
21. You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast time.
22. "I just can't drink the way I used to" replaces "I'm never going to drink that much again."
23. Most of the time you spend at the computer is for actual work.
24. You drink at home to save money.
25. When you find out a friend is pregnant you congratulate them instead of asking "Oh No! What the hell happened?"
1. Your houseplants are alive, and you can't smoke any of them.
2. Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question.
3. You keep more food than beer in the fridge.
4. 6:00 AM is when you get up, not when you go to bed.
5. You hear your favorite song in an elevator.
6. You watch the Weather Channel.
7. Your friends marry and divorce instead of "hook up" and "break up."
8. You go from 130 days of annual vacation time to... 14.
9. Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as "dressed up."
10. You're the one calling the police because those %&@# kids next door won't turn down the stereo.
11. Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.
12. You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.
13. Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up.
14. You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald's leftovers.
15. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.
16. You take naps.
17. Dinner and a movie is the date instead of the beginning of one.
18. Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3 AM would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach.
19. You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms and pregnancy tests.
20. A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer "pretty good stuff."
21. You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast time.
22. "I just can't drink the way I used to" replaces "I'm never going to drink that much again."
23. Most of the time you spend at the computer is for actual work.
24. You drink at home to save money.
25. When you find out a friend is pregnant you congratulate them instead of asking "Oh No! What the hell happened?"
Friday, April 28, 2006
Get advice from the experts...
I came across a useful-looking site on my travels yesterday – AOL’s www.coaches.com which offers all kinds of advice in the form of articles, mini-workshops, video clips and message boards from experts such as Tom Peters, Mary Hunt, John Gray and Stephen Covey. Definitely worth a look…
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Unconditional Parenting
It's been a while since I've mentioned Michael Neill's radio show, so here are details of today's show for you (and if it's too short notice and you miss it, you can listen to the archived show later at http://www.hayhouseradio.com)).
UNCONDITIONAL PARENTING
Thursday, April 27 at Noon pacific/3pm eastern/8pm UK
Did your parents ever shoot you "the look" -- you know, the one that meant you were in BIG trouble? Find out how you can successfully parent your own children (or even yourself!) without resorting to punishments or rewards. I'll be taking your calls throughout the show - if you want to find ways to be more unconditional in your parenting without losing control of your family, phone in to speak with me on air!
THE NUMBERS TO CALL: Inside the US1-866-254-1579
From the UK/Outside the US001-760-918-4300
(BONUS: One lucky caller chosen at random will receive two free tickets to the Hay House 'I Can Do It' conference in Las Vegas valued at $750!!!)
To listen to the show live this Thursday, April 27, go to http://www.hayhouseradio.com at Noon pacific/8pm UK and click on the button marked 'Listen Now'.
UNCONDITIONAL PARENTING
Thursday, April 27 at Noon pacific/3pm eastern/8pm UK
Did your parents ever shoot you "the look" -- you know, the one that meant you were in BIG trouble? Find out how you can successfully parent your own children (or even yourself!) without resorting to punishments or rewards. I'll be taking your calls throughout the show - if you want to find ways to be more unconditional in your parenting without losing control of your family, phone in to speak with me on air!
THE NUMBERS TO CALL: Inside the US1-866-254-1579
From the UK/Outside the US001-760-918-4300
(BONUS: One lucky caller chosen at random will receive two free tickets to the Hay House 'I Can Do It' conference in Las Vegas valued at $750!!!)
To listen to the show live this Thursday, April 27, go to http://www.hayhouseradio.com at Noon pacific/8pm UK and click on the button marked 'Listen Now'.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
My new baby...
Today marks the launch of my new retirement coaching website - Contemporary Retirement Coaching - you can take a sneaky peak at www.contemporaryretirementcoaching.com.
I have been fascinated by the subject of retirement ever since I started work and I had been itching to take the coach training course offered by Retirement Options for a couple of years, but had convinced myself that, at 45 (then), I was too young to advise people on their retirement and that I wouldn't have any real credibility.
However, I recently met up with an old friend from work and she mentioned that she was due to retire in 2 years time but that she didn't feel ready for retirement and was planning on working for a while longer yet. I was telling her about the retirement coach training course that I had had my eye on and she pointed out to me that, although I was only 43 when I left full-time work, I had, in effect, retired from corporate life and started a whole new 'retirement' career - which kinda shot my 'too young to have credibility' theory out of the water. Then, the very next day, I received an email from Retirement Options telling me about their next training course and I took that as a sign that retirement coaching and I were meant to be. So I signed up for the course and duly qualified as a retirement coach in mid-February.
So the site - my baby - is up and running. I designed it all myself using Frontpage and, apart from the link to the shopping cart (which keeps returning the purchaser back to my Successfully Single site), it all seems to be working fine.
So, if someone you know has either just retired or is due to retire within the next 10 years or so, would you please point them in my direction? I have some special offers coming up, and, if they sign up for my free retirement tips, I'll make sure that they get to hear all about them.
I have been fascinated by the subject of retirement ever since I started work and I had been itching to take the coach training course offered by Retirement Options for a couple of years, but had convinced myself that, at 45 (then), I was too young to advise people on their retirement and that I wouldn't have any real credibility.
However, I recently met up with an old friend from work and she mentioned that she was due to retire in 2 years time but that she didn't feel ready for retirement and was planning on working for a while longer yet. I was telling her about the retirement coach training course that I had had my eye on and she pointed out to me that, although I was only 43 when I left full-time work, I had, in effect, retired from corporate life and started a whole new 'retirement' career - which kinda shot my 'too young to have credibility' theory out of the water. Then, the very next day, I received an email from Retirement Options telling me about their next training course and I took that as a sign that retirement coaching and I were meant to be. So I signed up for the course and duly qualified as a retirement coach in mid-February.
So the site - my baby - is up and running. I designed it all myself using Frontpage and, apart from the link to the shopping cart (which keeps returning the purchaser back to my Successfully Single site), it all seems to be working fine.
So, if someone you know has either just retired or is due to retire within the next 10 years or so, would you please point them in my direction? I have some special offers coming up, and, if they sign up for my free retirement tips, I'll make sure that they get to hear all about them.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Practise your interview skills
I have a resource for you today which you may find especially useful if you have any job interviews lined up in the near future: the Monster.com Interview Centre has a virtual interview where you can practice answering interview questions before the big day. The link you need is: http://interview.monster.com/virtualinterview/campus/
and Monster.com state that:
'The Virtual Interview contains actual interview questions ranging from puff ball to killer. This interactive section gives you the opportunity to test your answers in a safe environment so that when the real thing comes along you can engage in a meaningful exchange rather than grope for a clumsy comeback.Some of these questions will seem more appropriate for new grads or entry-level applicants, while others will be for more experienced interviewees. Try your hand at both, no matter what your level, for the same principles apply'.
and Monster.com state that:
'The Virtual Interview contains actual interview questions ranging from puff ball to killer. This interactive section gives you the opportunity to test your answers in a safe environment so that when the real thing comes along you can engage in a meaningful exchange rather than grope for a clumsy comeback.Some of these questions will seem more appropriate for new grads or entry-level applicants, while others will be for more experienced interviewees. Try your hand at both, no matter what your level, for the same principles apply'.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Are you a lifelong learner?
Would you consider yourself to be a lifelong learner? Do you make an effort to get out there and learn something new on a regular basis? Do you constantly try to develop your skills and knowledge? I was thinking about this as I worked out this morning. (I’ve noticed that I usually have a ‘thought theme’ for my workout and, by the time the workout ends, I often have a blog entry ‘written’ in my head just ready and waiting to be typed out.)
I started out thinking about the courses that I had taken/have signed up for so far this year: I qualified as a Retirement Coach in February. Then I started on a year-long, 'live life over 40 with more purpose, passion and pizzazz' course which complements the retirement coaching perfectly. On May 3rd I start a course which will qualify me to deliver P.R.I.N.T. assessments, (Print is a tool that offers a way to identify the personality characteristics of your clients, giving tremendous insights into their "unconscious motivators" and behaviors) and I have attended several one-off, hour-long teleclasses on diverse subjects such as ‘How to coach in public’, The power of games to teach and inspire’, 'Public speaking' and‘The Energetics of Attraction’ (most of which were free to attend). Added to this are the 100 or so books that I have read since the beginning of the year...
One of the things that makes successful people stand out from the rest is a willingness to learn and keep on learning. Don’t be one of the majority of people who never read a book once they leave school. Readers are leaders. Stop watching TV (or, at least, watch less of it) and commit to spending at least half an hour a day reading books that will develop you personally and professionally. An added bonus of this is that a commitment to reading (and learning in general) could have a knock-on effect on your health and wellbeing in later years.
In his book, 'Aging with Grace', Dr David Snowden writes about a study he carried out which involved a group of 678 nuns. Many of the nuns were over 90 years of age and 6 of them were over 100 years of age, yet very few of them showed any signs of losing their faculties or developing Alzheimer's disease. Although the nuns had lead healthy lives - they were physically active and none of them drank or smoked - the researchers felt that their mental acuity was attributable to something more than this. Most of the nuns were teachers and they all shared a love of learning which meant that they were constantly reading and exposing themselves to stimulating new subjects and ideas. The nuns agreed to donate their brains to medical science after their death so that the study could be continued. Half of the brains analyzed were found to have fully-blown Alzheimer's disease in advanced stages - yet the nuns had never shown any signs or symptoms of this. A good advert for lifelong learning if ever you needed one!
So, what would you like to learn?
What interests you?
What would you like to know more about?
What skills would you like to develop?
What skills would be useful to you?
In which subject would you like to be known as an expert?
Take some action now. Track down that course you’ve always wanted to take. Sign up for a teleclass. Visit your local library. Sign up for that training course at work...
What could you do to make sure you learn something new every day?
I started out thinking about the courses that I had taken/have signed up for so far this year: I qualified as a Retirement Coach in February. Then I started on a year-long, 'live life over 40 with more purpose, passion and pizzazz' course which complements the retirement coaching perfectly. On May 3rd I start a course which will qualify me to deliver P.R.I.N.T. assessments, (Print is a tool that offers a way to identify the personality characteristics of your clients, giving tremendous insights into their "unconscious motivators" and behaviors) and I have attended several one-off, hour-long teleclasses on diverse subjects such as ‘How to coach in public’, The power of games to teach and inspire’, 'Public speaking' and‘The Energetics of Attraction’ (most of which were free to attend). Added to this are the 100 or so books that I have read since the beginning of the year...
One of the things that makes successful people stand out from the rest is a willingness to learn and keep on learning. Don’t be one of the majority of people who never read a book once they leave school. Readers are leaders. Stop watching TV (or, at least, watch less of it) and commit to spending at least half an hour a day reading books that will develop you personally and professionally. An added bonus of this is that a commitment to reading (and learning in general) could have a knock-on effect on your health and wellbeing in later years.
In his book, 'Aging with Grace', Dr David Snowden writes about a study he carried out which involved a group of 678 nuns. Many of the nuns were over 90 years of age and 6 of them were over 100 years of age, yet very few of them showed any signs of losing their faculties or developing Alzheimer's disease. Although the nuns had lead healthy lives - they were physically active and none of them drank or smoked - the researchers felt that their mental acuity was attributable to something more than this. Most of the nuns were teachers and they all shared a love of learning which meant that they were constantly reading and exposing themselves to stimulating new subjects and ideas. The nuns agreed to donate their brains to medical science after their death so that the study could be continued. Half of the brains analyzed were found to have fully-blown Alzheimer's disease in advanced stages - yet the nuns had never shown any signs or symptoms of this. A good advert for lifelong learning if ever you needed one!
So, what would you like to learn?
What interests you?
What would you like to know more about?
What skills would you like to develop?
What skills would be useful to you?
In which subject would you like to be known as an expert?
Take some action now. Track down that course you’ve always wanted to take. Sign up for a teleclass. Visit your local library. Sign up for that training course at work...
What could you do to make sure you learn something new every day?
Thursday, April 20, 2006
I'm not the woman I used to be...
I was thinking about eyes whilst I was doing my workout this morning. More specifically, I was thinking about the way that your eyesight fails you as you get older and the fact that I wish I had hung on longer before I succumbed to wearing specs.
I used to pride myself on my eyesight. Both my Mum and Dad wear glasses and have done for as long as I can remember and my brother started wearing glasses in his 30’s. When I hit my 40’s, my eyesight was still perfect and I suppose I felt a bit smug really when everyone around me at work had to find their specs before they could read anything.
Then, when I was 43, all of a sudden (or so it seemed) I found that I was having a problem reading phone numbers in the directory. That was all. I could see everything else. It was just phone numbers that I was struggling with. So I decided to go for an eye test.
Now I know that, ideally, you should go for a regular eye test, whether you wear glasses or not. But I hadn’t. I’d never had one, in fact. So off I went, got myself tested and came out with a prescription which I duly exchanged for a pair of reading glasses and a free pair of prescription sunglasses.
That was the beginning of my problems. Within a month, I went from not being able to read the occasional phone number to being completely unable to read without glasses. Now I’m pretty sure that my eyes didn’t really deteriorate that much within the space of a month – in fact, if they did, they must have immediately stopped deteriorating at the end of the month, because my vision has remained the same during the last 4 years.
I’m sure that an optician would have an explanation for it and I certainly don't regret going for that initial eye test because diseases like Glaucoma can only be detected by regular testing, but, personally, I wish I’d just bought a magnifying glass instead of a pair of specs…
I used to pride myself on my eyesight. Both my Mum and Dad wear glasses and have done for as long as I can remember and my brother started wearing glasses in his 30’s. When I hit my 40’s, my eyesight was still perfect and I suppose I felt a bit smug really when everyone around me at work had to find their specs before they could read anything.
Then, when I was 43, all of a sudden (or so it seemed) I found that I was having a problem reading phone numbers in the directory. That was all. I could see everything else. It was just phone numbers that I was struggling with. So I decided to go for an eye test.
Now I know that, ideally, you should go for a regular eye test, whether you wear glasses or not. But I hadn’t. I’d never had one, in fact. So off I went, got myself tested and came out with a prescription which I duly exchanged for a pair of reading glasses and a free pair of prescription sunglasses.
That was the beginning of my problems. Within a month, I went from not being able to read the occasional phone number to being completely unable to read without glasses. Now I’m pretty sure that my eyes didn’t really deteriorate that much within the space of a month – in fact, if they did, they must have immediately stopped deteriorating at the end of the month, because my vision has remained the same during the last 4 years.
I’m sure that an optician would have an explanation for it and I certainly don't regret going for that initial eye test because diseases like Glaucoma can only be detected by regular testing, but, personally, I wish I’d just bought a magnifying glass instead of a pair of specs…
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Help me - I'm a step-parent!
I’m not the world’s most natural step-parent. Most of the time, I just leave Chris and his kids to get on with it. They don’t need me hanging around and I’m pretty sure that the kids don’t want me hanging around, so I give them plenty of space in the form of weekends and holidays with their Dad.
A few weeks ago, Chris’s 17 year old son, Philip, decided that he wanted to move back in with us. He needed to pass his driving test first though, because we live out in the back of beyond and everywhere he needed to get to was at least a 30 minute drive away. So, a couple of weeks ago, he took and passed his driving test and we agreed that he would move back in over the Easter weekend.
The last time Phil lived with us was two and a half years ago when he was still a sulky adolescent, and I must admit that I found it difficult. I have never had a broody moment in all of my life. I’ve never wanted kids of my own and I’ll be honest and say that taking on someone else’s kids was (and still is) the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
Before I met Chris, I lived on my own for 7 years and I loved every minute of it. I like my own space and I like peace and quiet. I think the hardest thing to cope with was all the noise that teenagers make – they can’t do anything quietly can they? And don’t get me started about their music – I have fairly eclectic musical tastes. I’m not living in the past - I love modern music and will listen to anything at least once… but that’s my point - I will listen to it – I don’t expect everyone else in the house to listen to it at the same time. So you can imagine my alarm when 2 guitars and an amplifier came through the door along with all his other stuff.
I’m thinking of going to live in a caravan in the garden…
'The first sign of maturity is the discovery that the volume knob also turns to the left.'
Jerry M. Wright
A few weeks ago, Chris’s 17 year old son, Philip, decided that he wanted to move back in with us. He needed to pass his driving test first though, because we live out in the back of beyond and everywhere he needed to get to was at least a 30 minute drive away. So, a couple of weeks ago, he took and passed his driving test and we agreed that he would move back in over the Easter weekend.
The last time Phil lived with us was two and a half years ago when he was still a sulky adolescent, and I must admit that I found it difficult. I have never had a broody moment in all of my life. I’ve never wanted kids of my own and I’ll be honest and say that taking on someone else’s kids was (and still is) the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
Before I met Chris, I lived on my own for 7 years and I loved every minute of it. I like my own space and I like peace and quiet. I think the hardest thing to cope with was all the noise that teenagers make – they can’t do anything quietly can they? And don’t get me started about their music – I have fairly eclectic musical tastes. I’m not living in the past - I love modern music and will listen to anything at least once… but that’s my point - I will listen to it – I don’t expect everyone else in the house to listen to it at the same time. So you can imagine my alarm when 2 guitars and an amplifier came through the door along with all his other stuff.
I’m thinking of going to live in a caravan in the garden…
P.S. I posted this blog entry and immediately did a Google search for quotes on aging for another blog that I write. I had to smile when I found the following:
'The first sign of maturity is the discovery that the volume knob also turns to the left.'
Jerry M. Wright
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Friends Reunited
I had a lovely surprise over the Easter holiday. On Easter Sunday, I was delighted to be contacted by my long-lost cousin. The last time we saw or heard from each other was at her Mum’s funeral, about 25 years ago. She was only a little girl at the time and she went to live with her Dad and we lost touch. She found me through www.friendsreunited.co.uk, a site which enables old friends and classmates to get in touch with each other again.
We have so much to catch up on – she has 2 brothers and a sister with whom we also lost contact and we are already on our 5th email.
When I visited the Friends Reunited site to pick up her initial email, I found a message waiting there for me from Helen, an old friend of mine that I met when I was about 16. The message was sent to a disused email address of mine about 16 months ago and I never received it until Sunday.
It was so nice to hear from these women again. They are both people that I am delighted to be in touch with again and will do my best not to ‘lose’ in future. As we get older, people do disappear from our lives don’t they? People die or move away. Sometimes we argue with people and are too proud (or angry) to make the first move towards reconciliation...
Who have you ‘lost’ from your life that you would like to be in touch with again?
Which old and dear friend is due a phone call from you?
Who have you not seen for years and would really like to meet up with again?
What are you going to do about it?
And if you’re out there, Cheralyn Petty, I’ve lost your number and, since we both moved around the same time, I have no address for you, but I miss you and I’d love to be in touch again…
We have so much to catch up on – she has 2 brothers and a sister with whom we also lost contact and we are already on our 5th email.
When I visited the Friends Reunited site to pick up her initial email, I found a message waiting there for me from Helen, an old friend of mine that I met when I was about 16. The message was sent to a disused email address of mine about 16 months ago and I never received it until Sunday.
It was so nice to hear from these women again. They are both people that I am delighted to be in touch with again and will do my best not to ‘lose’ in future. As we get older, people do disappear from our lives don’t they? People die or move away. Sometimes we argue with people and are too proud (or angry) to make the first move towards reconciliation...
Who have you ‘lost’ from your life that you would like to be in touch with again?
Which old and dear friend is due a phone call from you?
Who have you not seen for years and would really like to meet up with again?
What are you going to do about it?
And if you’re out there, Cheralyn Petty, I’ve lost your number and, since we both moved around the same time, I have no address for you, but I miss you and I’d love to be in touch again…
Thursday, April 13, 2006
A different kind of relationship
Chris comes home today. I’ll be happy to see him but, as usual, I’ve enjoyed my time by myself and it reinforces my belief that, if our relationship were ever to end, I would experience relatively few problems in going back to single living. This was not always the case, however.
When I first separated from my husband (which was 11 years ago, now) I was filled with trepidation at the thought of living alone and I was quite keen to meet someone else and settle down with them before too much time elapsed. When this actually happened, I believed that I was all set to live in blissful harmony for the rest of my life. The fact that our ‘rebound’ relationship lasted barely 18 months, completely wiped me out and it took 7 years of living by myself and learning to appreciate my single status before I felt ready to take the plunge again. But this time, it was a different woman who was entering a new relationship.
I felt strong and independent. I earned good money. I was entering a career that I knew was the right one for me (coaching). I had a great house that I had no intention of letting go of (my house still belongs to me and is let to tenants. Chris’s house is owned by him and I live in it with him.). I had given myself time to really think about what I wanted from a relationship and the qualities and attributes that I wanted/needed from a partner and, more importantly, I was going into the relationship with my eyes open. I no longer imagined that this relationship was going to last for the rest of my life. Of course, I hoped it would and I believed that it might, but I also knew myself very well...
I am extremely interested in my own personal growth and development (well, would you want to hire a coach who wasn’t?) and I know that individuals in a relationship can change, grow and develop at different rates, which can sometimes lead to them growing apart and needing to go their separate ways. I believe that this knowledge has helped me to have a different kind of relationship and to behave better within that relationship. I am no longer as ‘clingy’ and jealous as I was previously. I no longer feel the need to spend huge tracts of time with my partner in order to prove to myself that we are a couple. I recognise that we have different interests that we both like to pursue and that to expect someone to participate in your own preferred activities, just because you are a couple, is unnecessary. Which reminds me of a quote that I particularly like:
When I first separated from my husband (which was 11 years ago, now) I was filled with trepidation at the thought of living alone and I was quite keen to meet someone else and settle down with them before too much time elapsed. When this actually happened, I believed that I was all set to live in blissful harmony for the rest of my life. The fact that our ‘rebound’ relationship lasted barely 18 months, completely wiped me out and it took 7 years of living by myself and learning to appreciate my single status before I felt ready to take the plunge again. But this time, it was a different woman who was entering a new relationship.
I felt strong and independent. I earned good money. I was entering a career that I knew was the right one for me (coaching). I had a great house that I had no intention of letting go of (my house still belongs to me and is let to tenants. Chris’s house is owned by him and I live in it with him.). I had given myself time to really think about what I wanted from a relationship and the qualities and attributes that I wanted/needed from a partner and, more importantly, I was going into the relationship with my eyes open. I no longer imagined that this relationship was going to last for the rest of my life. Of course, I hoped it would and I believed that it might, but I also knew myself very well...
I am extremely interested in my own personal growth and development (well, would you want to hire a coach who wasn’t?) and I know that individuals in a relationship can change, grow and develop at different rates, which can sometimes lead to them growing apart and needing to go their separate ways. I believe that this knowledge has helped me to have a different kind of relationship and to behave better within that relationship. I am no longer as ‘clingy’ and jealous as I was previously. I no longer feel the need to spend huge tracts of time with my partner in order to prove to myself that we are a couple. I recognise that we have different interests that we both like to pursue and that to expect someone to participate in your own preferred activities, just because you are a couple, is unnecessary. Which reminds me of a quote that I particularly like:
‘Selfishness is not doing what you want to do: it is expecting other people
to do what you want to do’
(Author Unknown)
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Does that sound like love to you?
An old song by a singer who irritates the heck out of me came on the radio yesterday. The song stuck in my head afterwards and I found myself singing bits of it. Then I actually listened to what it was that I was singing and was horrified. I have no wish to infringe copyright laws, so I'll have to paraphrase... Basically, the singer was saying to his sweetheart that he knew he was foolish, but, even though she treated him cruelly, he loved her and would continue to love her no matter how badly she treated him in the future.
Does this sound like love to you?
Do you aspire to have the kind of love that means that, no matter how badly your lover treats you, you will continue to love them?
Do you think that such a stance would encourage your lover to love you more or less?
For that matter, if the tables were turned, would you REALLY want to be with someone who would love you, no matter what you did to them and how cruelly you treated them?
Could you have any respect for them?
Does this sound like love to you?
Do you aspire to have the kind of love that means that, no matter how badly your lover treats you, you will continue to love them?
Do you think that such a stance would encourage your lover to love you more or less?
For that matter, if the tables were turned, would you REALLY want to be with someone who would love you, no matter what you did to them and how cruelly you treated them?
Could you have any respect for them?
I hope not. And to the singer of the aforementioned song, I have just one thing to say:
'Get some self respect, man!'.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Silence is golden
I’m in the middle of spending a week alone. What bliss! Chris’s daughter is home from University and they’ve gone to the boat until Thursday. Now Chris is a lovely guy and I wouldn’t swap him for anyone else, but after spending 7 years living alone as a single woman, I really grew to appreciate the advantages and benefits of single living and it’s nice to be able to recreate that occasionally.
The thing that I appreciate most is the peace and quiet. Chris and I both work from home and although we have separate offices, I often use one of the computers in his office because it contains many more programs than my own little laptop – which means that I have to endure the sound of his phones ringing almost constantly. This is not so bad if he’s out for the day – this means that only 2 of his phones have the potential to ring. But on the days that he’s working from home, you can add his two mobile phones into the mix and you end up with a whole cacophony of different ring tones, often in sequence as his customers and clients try to reach him on his various numbers.
Even worse than that is the shouting. No, I don’t mean the two of us arguing. He’s an electronics engineer and I’m talking about the customers who are calling him from their factories and the fact that he has to compete with their various machines, radios and personnel to be heard... Fortunately the internal walls in the house are quite thick or I’d have to speak to my coaching clients from the garden shed!
So, today I’m revelling in the silence. His phones haven’t rung once yet. And, of course, another huge advantage of his absence is that I’m able to eat what I want to eat when I want to eat it, without bothering about making a ‘proper’ meal.
Ice cream, chocolate sauce and a re-run of American Idol for dinner anyone? (But switch your mobile phone off first, won't you?)
The thing that I appreciate most is the peace and quiet. Chris and I both work from home and although we have separate offices, I often use one of the computers in his office because it contains many more programs than my own little laptop – which means that I have to endure the sound of his phones ringing almost constantly. This is not so bad if he’s out for the day – this means that only 2 of his phones have the potential to ring. But on the days that he’s working from home, you can add his two mobile phones into the mix and you end up with a whole cacophony of different ring tones, often in sequence as his customers and clients try to reach him on his various numbers.
Even worse than that is the shouting. No, I don’t mean the two of us arguing. He’s an electronics engineer and I’m talking about the customers who are calling him from their factories and the fact that he has to compete with their various machines, radios and personnel to be heard... Fortunately the internal walls in the house are quite thick or I’d have to speak to my coaching clients from the garden shed!
So, today I’m revelling in the silence. His phones haven’t rung once yet. And, of course, another huge advantage of his absence is that I’m able to eat what I want to eat when I want to eat it, without bothering about making a ‘proper’ meal.
Ice cream, chocolate sauce and a re-run of American Idol for dinner anyone? (But switch your mobile phone off first, won't you?)
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Gone, but not forgotten
Do you get attached to your car? Chris swapped his Land Rover Discovery for a new Jeep Cherokee yesterday and we were devastated to see the Landy go after 3 years of almost faultless service.
This has happened to us before. Before he got the Land Rover, Chris had another Jeep Cherokee (he has a fondness for Jeeps) and we hated to see that one go too. We’ve had other cars but somehow, they weren’t as characterful, if you know what I mean, and the fact that they were going didn’t affect us one bit.
Maybe it’s something to do with our appreciation of how hard these four-wheel-drive cars have worked for us – tugging 3 ton boats up and down the country without a whimper and never reaching their boot (trunk) capacity, no matter how many bags, dinghies, wetsuits, water skis and wakeboards we shoved into them.
Maybe it’s something to do with the fact that, when a young guy ran into the back of us in the middle of Llandudno town centre, we barely felt the impact and there was not a scratch to be seen anywhere on the Land Rover, despite the fact that the front of his mother’s car was completely crumpled (and she’d only just got it back from the body shop the day before from the last time he smashed it up).
Maybe it’s the fact that even on the iciest of mornings, if Chris needed to drive any particular distance, he could leave his van behind and take the Land Rover instead and I just knew that he would be safe and I wouldn’t have to worry half as much about him skidding on a patch of ice and having an accident.
Or maybe I’m just too sentimental. Whatever the reason, I couldn’t help feeling sad last night when I thought of the Landy, alone on a garage forecourt, waiting to be sold, with no-one to love and appreciate her. I just hope that whoever buys her loves her as much as we did!
This has happened to us before. Before he got the Land Rover, Chris had another Jeep Cherokee (he has a fondness for Jeeps) and we hated to see that one go too. We’ve had other cars but somehow, they weren’t as characterful, if you know what I mean, and the fact that they were going didn’t affect us one bit.
Maybe it’s something to do with our appreciation of how hard these four-wheel-drive cars have worked for us – tugging 3 ton boats up and down the country without a whimper and never reaching their boot (trunk) capacity, no matter how many bags, dinghies, wetsuits, water skis and wakeboards we shoved into them.
Maybe it’s something to do with the fact that, when a young guy ran into the back of us in the middle of Llandudno town centre, we barely felt the impact and there was not a scratch to be seen anywhere on the Land Rover, despite the fact that the front of his mother’s car was completely crumpled (and she’d only just got it back from the body shop the day before from the last time he smashed it up).
Maybe it’s the fact that even on the iciest of mornings, if Chris needed to drive any particular distance, he could leave his van behind and take the Land Rover instead and I just knew that he would be safe and I wouldn’t have to worry half as much about him skidding on a patch of ice and having an accident.
Or maybe I’m just too sentimental. Whatever the reason, I couldn’t help feeling sad last night when I thought of the Landy, alone on a garage forecourt, waiting to be sold, with no-one to love and appreciate her. I just hope that whoever buys her loves her as much as we did!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Time sensitive offer - respond by midnight today (UK time)
I received the following email today from my publishers, Bookshaker.com http://www.bookshaker.com/product_info.php?ref=120&products_id=133 about a new book that is being released today - '...And Death Came Third!' by Andy Lopata and Peter Roper (the title reflects the fact that most people say that they fear death LESS than they fear speaking in public).
The book itself costs £14.95 but it comes with over £2,000 of free gifts - ebooks, mp3 recordings, discounts, trial memberships and free coaching. The details are all below but you need to order from Amazon today (5 April 2006) and send a copy of your receipt to the people at Bookshaker - by midnight today (UK time) - to claim your free gifts. The details are below but act fast so that you don't miss out.
Dear Ann
As one of my valued contacts, I have an irresistible offer for you that includes over £2,000 in free gifts - but you have to act today to claim them. Your special free gifts include:
1) The complete "Sales Hypnosis" mind programming audiothat will boost your sales success in seconds byworld-famous business hypnotist, Gary Outrageous (mp3)(£19.97 value, yours free!)
2) The complete 200 page book "Networking for Life"by Ecademy.com's Chairman, Thomas Power (PDF)(£20 value, yours free!)
3) The Complete yet-to-be-released 50 minute Soul Millionaire interview with marketing guru Robert Middleton (mp3)(£19.99 value, yours free!)
4) The complete 180 page Lean Marketing Bible: "The Gorillas Want Bananas" by Me! (PDF)(£9.99 value, yours free!)
5) 4 great audio clips on Trusting Your Intuition, Reading Other People, Overcoming Fear of Rejection and Influential Language from acclaimed NLP trainer - Jamie Smart of Salad.(£20 value, yours free!)
6) "117 Ways To Sell Almost Anything to Almost Anyone" by Peter Thomson the UK's Leading Business Growth Strategist "Don't go to any more meetings before you read Tip #25"(£19.97 value, yours free!)
7) The "Talk Propper" self-study manual for professionalspeakers by past Professional Speaker's AssociationPresident, Jim Ewan (PDF)(£57 value, yours free!)
8) The 1-hour "Most Commonly Asked Presentation Questions"interview with Maria Davies, Presentation Trainer andAuthor of Speaking in Stilettoes (mp3)(£20 value, yours free)
9) Event discounts, trial memberships and free coaching to help you further build your personal and business success
10) More in additional ebooks, special reports, audios and special offers from the likes ofLesley Everett, Tracy Plaice, David Scarlett, Judy Barber, David Hyner, Maria Davies, Courageous Marketer - John Sealey and more...
Details of all the bonuses can be found here...#### http://www.deathcamethird.com ####
Now, here's how you can grab these valuable free gifts by doing just one simple thing today... We're celebrating the official launch of our latest book "...And Death Came Third!" by Andy Lopata and PeterRoper in a big, BIG way. So we're 'giving away the shop' to do just that. All *you* need to do to get over £2,000 in free gifts is grab ONE copy of their book for just £14.95 at...http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1905430159/leanmarketing-21
How's THAT for a win-win celebration? You buy one £14.95 book today andyou get £2,000 in amazing info!Best of all "...And Death Came Third!" is a fantastic investment anyway because it shows you how to:
* WALK into a networking event and approach people with CONFIDENCE
* STRUCTURE a talk so that you can get your key message across POWERFULLY
* ENGAGE people in conversation and get them interested in YOU
* FOCUS on the results you want from networking and achieve them EASILY
* STAND and speak with CONVICTION and AUTHORITY* and much, much more...
So go to the site below and grab yourself a copy of"...And Death Came Third!" right now - TODAY#### http://www.deathcamethird.com #### Then all you have to do to get your free gifts is just email the receipt you'll get from Amazon.co.uk to mailto:adc3.bookshaker@aweber.com and we'll send your free gifts right over to you.
Sir Digby Jones, Director-General of the CBI said this..."A must-read for anyone who wants to get on in business."
However, the celebration ends at midnight (UK Time) tonight! So the only way you can grab all these free gifts is to purchase your copy of "...And Death Came Third!" and get your receipt over to us at mailto:adc3.bookshaker@aweber.combefore midnight TONIGHT.
Learn more about this book, the bonuses and how to buy it here...
#### http://www.deathcamethird.com ####
Warm Wishes
Debbie Jenkins
www.bookshaker.com
PS: Remember - in order to receive your £2,000+ in free bonuses you must email the receipt to mailto:adc3.bookshaker@aweber.com no later than midnight (GMT) Wednesday 5th April.
PPS: When you order before midnight tonight you'll also get the e-book version of "...And Death Came Third!" so you can get started on this incredible book right away.(£9.99 value, yours free!)
PPPS: Today your investment is just £14.95 (amazon even cover the shipping)
PPPPS: If you have friends who will benefit too then dothem a favour and forward this email to them now.
The book itself costs £14.95 but it comes with over £2,000 of free gifts - ebooks, mp3 recordings, discounts, trial memberships and free coaching. The details are all below but you need to order from Amazon today (5 April 2006) and send a copy of your receipt to the people at Bookshaker - by midnight today (UK time) - to claim your free gifts. The details are below but act fast so that you don't miss out.
Dear Ann
As one of my valued contacts, I have an irresistible offer for you that includes over £2,000 in free gifts - but you have to act today to claim them. Your special free gifts include:
1) The complete "Sales Hypnosis" mind programming audiothat will boost your sales success in seconds byworld-famous business hypnotist, Gary Outrageous (mp3)(£19.97 value, yours free!)
2) The complete 200 page book "Networking for Life"by Ecademy.com's Chairman, Thomas Power (PDF)(£20 value, yours free!)
3) The Complete yet-to-be-released 50 minute Soul Millionaire interview with marketing guru Robert Middleton (mp3)(£19.99 value, yours free!)
4) The complete 180 page Lean Marketing Bible: "The Gorillas Want Bananas" by Me! (PDF)(£9.99 value, yours free!)
5) 4 great audio clips on Trusting Your Intuition, Reading Other People, Overcoming Fear of Rejection and Influential Language from acclaimed NLP trainer - Jamie Smart of Salad.(£20 value, yours free!)
6) "117 Ways To Sell Almost Anything to Almost Anyone" by Peter Thomson the UK's Leading Business Growth Strategist "Don't go to any more meetings before you read Tip #25"(£19.97 value, yours free!)
7) The "Talk Propper" self-study manual for professionalspeakers by past Professional Speaker's AssociationPresident, Jim Ewan (PDF)(£57 value, yours free!)
8) The 1-hour "Most Commonly Asked Presentation Questions"interview with Maria Davies, Presentation Trainer andAuthor of Speaking in Stilettoes (mp3)(£20 value, yours free)
9) Event discounts, trial memberships and free coaching to help you further build your personal and business success
10) More in additional ebooks, special reports, audios and special offers from the likes ofLesley Everett, Tracy Plaice, David Scarlett, Judy Barber, David Hyner, Maria Davies, Courageous Marketer - John Sealey and more...
Details of all the bonuses can be found here...#### http://www.deathcamethird.com ####
Now, here's how you can grab these valuable free gifts by doing just one simple thing today... We're celebrating the official launch of our latest book "...And Death Came Third!" by Andy Lopata and PeterRoper in a big, BIG way. So we're 'giving away the shop' to do just that. All *you* need to do to get over £2,000 in free gifts is grab ONE copy of their book for just £14.95 at...http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1905430159/leanmarketing-21
How's THAT for a win-win celebration? You buy one £14.95 book today andyou get £2,000 in amazing info!Best of all "...And Death Came Third!" is a fantastic investment anyway because it shows you how to:
* WALK into a networking event and approach people with CONFIDENCE
* STRUCTURE a talk so that you can get your key message across POWERFULLY
* ENGAGE people in conversation and get them interested in YOU
* FOCUS on the results you want from networking and achieve them EASILY
* STAND and speak with CONVICTION and AUTHORITY* and much, much more...
So go to the site below and grab yourself a copy of"...And Death Came Third!" right now - TODAY#### http://www.deathcamethird.com #### Then all you have to do to get your free gifts is just email the receipt you'll get from Amazon.co.uk to mailto:adc3.bookshaker@aweber.com and we'll send your free gifts right over to you.
Sir Digby Jones, Director-General of the CBI said this..."A must-read for anyone who wants to get on in business."
However, the celebration ends at midnight (UK Time) tonight! So the only way you can grab all these free gifts is to purchase your copy of "...And Death Came Third!" and get your receipt over to us at mailto:adc3.bookshaker@aweber.combefore midnight TONIGHT.
Learn more about this book, the bonuses and how to buy it here...
#### http://www.deathcamethird.com ####
Warm Wishes
Debbie Jenkins
www.bookshaker.com
PS: Remember - in order to receive your £2,000+ in free bonuses you must email the receipt to mailto:adc3.bookshaker@aweber.com no later than midnight (GMT) Wednesday 5th April.
PPS: When you order before midnight tonight you'll also get the e-book version of "...And Death Came Third!" so you can get started on this incredible book right away.(£9.99 value, yours free!)
PPPS: Today your investment is just £14.95 (amazon even cover the shipping)
PPPPS: If you have friends who will benefit too then dothem a favour and forward this email to them now.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Read any good books lately?
Don’t you just love a good book? I do. Reading has been one of my most favourite occupations for as long as I can remember.
So, what have I read recently? Well, my two ‘airport’ books that I took on holiday were ‘It’s Called a Break Up Because It’s Broken’ by Greg Behrendt and Amiira Ruotola-Behrendt, and something I’ve been meaning to read for years now, ‘Ask and It Is Given’ by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Both were vaguely work-related but, hey, I love what I do and it doesn’t feel like work anyhow…
Then, whilst I was in the U.S., I couldn’t resist spending a couple of hours in Barnes and Noble, and I left with ‘Party of One’ by Anneli Rufus and, (an exciting find since I've just qualified as a Retirement Coach) ‘Retirement for Two’ by Maryanne Vandervelde tucked under my arm. (Yes, I did pay for them.) Actually, I would have bought a whole lot more but I had Chris constantly reminding me how perilously close our suitcases had been to ‘excess baggage’ on the way out from Manchester Airport.
I usually have at least 5 library books on the go at any one time – I grab anything new with a coaching/self-help/psychology slant to it and I can’t resist psychological or forensic-themed thrillers. The most interesting from my current selection are 'The Life Coaching Handbook' by Curly Martin and ‘The Vanished Man’ by Jeffery Deaver.
Then, on Friday, a fellow coach sent me the manuscript of her new book and asked for my comments on it… Well, how could I refuse? Best of all, our local library has just started opening on Sundays. Guess where I'm off to this weekend?
So, what have I read recently? Well, my two ‘airport’ books that I took on holiday were ‘It’s Called a Break Up Because It’s Broken’ by Greg Behrendt and Amiira Ruotola-Behrendt, and something I’ve been meaning to read for years now, ‘Ask and It Is Given’ by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Both were vaguely work-related but, hey, I love what I do and it doesn’t feel like work anyhow…
Then, whilst I was in the U.S., I couldn’t resist spending a couple of hours in Barnes and Noble, and I left with ‘Party of One’ by Anneli Rufus and, (an exciting find since I've just qualified as a Retirement Coach) ‘Retirement for Two’ by Maryanne Vandervelde tucked under my arm. (Yes, I did pay for them.) Actually, I would have bought a whole lot more but I had Chris constantly reminding me how perilously close our suitcases had been to ‘excess baggage’ on the way out from Manchester Airport.
I usually have at least 5 library books on the go at any one time – I grab anything new with a coaching/self-help/psychology slant to it and I can’t resist psychological or forensic-themed thrillers. The most interesting from my current selection are 'The Life Coaching Handbook' by Curly Martin and ‘The Vanished Man’ by Jeffery Deaver.
Then, on Friday, a fellow coach sent me the manuscript of her new book and asked for my comments on it… Well, how could I refuse? Best of all, our local library has just started opening on Sundays. Guess where I'm off to this weekend?
Monday, April 03, 2006
A creature of habit
I’m not what I would consider to be a particularly high-maintenance kinda gal. My hair is short and takes about two minutes to dry. Most days I can be found wearing no make-up and dressed in combat trousers, a t-shirt and a fleece. When I do wear make-up, I go for a very natural look and, even when I’m really dressed up to the nines, the only jewellery I wear is a watch and a pair of earrings.
However, I do have several routines or ‘habits’ that I have developed over the years to keep me looking and feeling as good as I possibly can, and which I would never dream of abandoning now. For example, once a month, every month since I was about 16, I have had my hair cut. As I said earlier, my hair is short and easy to maintain, but it only stays that way because I get it trimmed regularly.
Five mornings a week, I get up at 6 am and exercise for an hour and 15 minutes. Before I shower, I always use a foot file on the soles and heels of my feet. Whilst I’m in the shower, I use a moisturising soap or shower gel and exfoliating ‘scrubber gloves’ to remove dead skin cells and, when I get out, I slather on a moisturising body lotion.
Although I generally don’t wear make-up on weekdays (unless I’m doing a workshop or presentation), I cleanse, tone and moisturise my skin twice a day and I wouldn’t dream of wearing a moisturiser with an SPF of less than 15 (and when I was on holiday a couple of weeks ago, I wore a SPF of 55 on my face!).
I took a manicure course, years ago, and I buff the nails and push the cuticles back on both my hands and feet several times a week. And don’t even get me started about my teeth – cleaned 3 times a day, flossed twice a day followed by interdental brushing, whitening toothpaste, floss picks for those hard-to-reach areas behind the back teeth… Now I think about it, I’m glad I’m not high maintenance – by the time I finished my morning routine, it’d be time to start my going-to-bed routine.
Seriously though, what ‘routines’ do you have to keep yourself feeling and looking as good as you possibly can? What additional routines do you know you need to put into place? Regular flossing? Taking your make-up off before you fall into bed at night? Regular pedicures (at home or in a salon) so that you can slip into sandals at the first sight of a sunny day in the knowledge that your feet always look presentable?
You only need to do something 21 times before it becomes a habit. What habits can you adopt now that will pay off in years to come?
Make a list of 10 things that you are willing to do every single day to really take care of yourself. Make up a little chart, so that you can monitor your progress by ticking off the activities you have completed each day. Don't give up if you miss a couple of days. Just start again. The good habits you form now will last you a lifetime and will ensure that you stay healthy, fit and looking good.
However, I do have several routines or ‘habits’ that I have developed over the years to keep me looking and feeling as good as I possibly can, and which I would never dream of abandoning now. For example, once a month, every month since I was about 16, I have had my hair cut. As I said earlier, my hair is short and easy to maintain, but it only stays that way because I get it trimmed regularly.
Five mornings a week, I get up at 6 am and exercise for an hour and 15 minutes. Before I shower, I always use a foot file on the soles and heels of my feet. Whilst I’m in the shower, I use a moisturising soap or shower gel and exfoliating ‘scrubber gloves’ to remove dead skin cells and, when I get out, I slather on a moisturising body lotion.
Although I generally don’t wear make-up on weekdays (unless I’m doing a workshop or presentation), I cleanse, tone and moisturise my skin twice a day and I wouldn’t dream of wearing a moisturiser with an SPF of less than 15 (and when I was on holiday a couple of weeks ago, I wore a SPF of 55 on my face!).
I took a manicure course, years ago, and I buff the nails and push the cuticles back on both my hands and feet several times a week. And don’t even get me started about my teeth – cleaned 3 times a day, flossed twice a day followed by interdental brushing, whitening toothpaste, floss picks for those hard-to-reach areas behind the back teeth… Now I think about it, I’m glad I’m not high maintenance – by the time I finished my morning routine, it’d be time to start my going-to-bed routine.
Seriously though, what ‘routines’ do you have to keep yourself feeling and looking as good as you possibly can? What additional routines do you know you need to put into place? Regular flossing? Taking your make-up off before you fall into bed at night? Regular pedicures (at home or in a salon) so that you can slip into sandals at the first sight of a sunny day in the knowledge that your feet always look presentable?
You only need to do something 21 times before it becomes a habit. What habits can you adopt now that will pay off in years to come?
Make a list of 10 things that you are willing to do every single day to really take care of yourself. Make up a little chart, so that you can monitor your progress by ticking off the activities you have completed each day. Don't give up if you miss a couple of days. Just start again. The good habits you form now will last you a lifetime and will ensure that you stay healthy, fit and looking good.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
One for the coaches amongst you
Innovative Global Phone Conference Helps Coaches Build Sustainable Business
The second Global Phone Conference takes place over three days from April 5 to April 7th 2006. Coaches will be able to telephone in at the times they choose during the day to hear experts give practical strategies and insightful tips to help them build a sustainable business.
“Coach training programmes tend to focus on coaching, not on building a business,” explains Amechi Udo, founder of the Global Phone Conference. “Our research showed that 48% of coaches felt business building was their number one priority, so we have selected speakers with the expertise and experience to help.”
The Keynote hour-long phone call at 4:30 pm (BST) on Friday 7th April will be delivered by Nancy Kline the internationally-respected speaker facilitator and author of “Time to Think”. Other strategies for business building including marketing, PR, getting the business on the internet, networking and the value of accreditation in generating business, will be addressed by successful coaches who include Gladeana McMahon listed as one of the UK's Top Ten Coaches by the Independent on Sunday (2003) and Sunday Observer (2006), Nicola Cairncross, the first British woman to be asked to speak at the World Internet Summit (May 2005) and featured on CNN Breakfast News as an internet entrepreneur who survived the "dot com bubble" bursting in 2000-2001, and Alan Forrest Smith, internationally renowned internet marketer, and 18 other experts.
As life and business coaches often coach over the phone they are comfortable with the medium and know how powerful it can be. Udo has made provision for over 20 coaches to be on a line at any one time, and expects the conference to be very successful. Nancy Kline herself is delighted to be taking part and said of Amechi Udo “You have inspired many people with this impressive initiative”.
The speakers are all successful coaches and business people.
For details of how to book and the full programme information visit:
http://www.totalbusinesscart.com/app/?af=376199.
The second Global Phone Conference takes place over three days from April 5 to April 7th 2006. Coaches will be able to telephone in at the times they choose during the day to hear experts give practical strategies and insightful tips to help them build a sustainable business.
“Coach training programmes tend to focus on coaching, not on building a business,” explains Amechi Udo, founder of the Global Phone Conference. “Our research showed that 48% of coaches felt business building was their number one priority, so we have selected speakers with the expertise and experience to help.”
The Keynote hour-long phone call at 4:30 pm (BST) on Friday 7th April will be delivered by Nancy Kline the internationally-respected speaker facilitator and author of “Time to Think”. Other strategies for business building including marketing, PR, getting the business on the internet, networking and the value of accreditation in generating business, will be addressed by successful coaches who include Gladeana McMahon listed as one of the UK's Top Ten Coaches by the Independent on Sunday (2003) and Sunday Observer (2006), Nicola Cairncross, the first British woman to be asked to speak at the World Internet Summit (May 2005) and featured on CNN Breakfast News as an internet entrepreneur who survived the "dot com bubble" bursting in 2000-2001, and Alan Forrest Smith, internationally renowned internet marketer, and 18 other experts.
As life and business coaches often coach over the phone they are comfortable with the medium and know how powerful it can be. Udo has made provision for over 20 coaches to be on a line at any one time, and expects the conference to be very successful. Nancy Kline herself is delighted to be taking part and said of Amechi Udo “You have inspired many people with this impressive initiative”.
The speakers are all successful coaches and business people.
For details of how to book and the full programme information visit:
http://www.totalbusinesscart.com/app/?af=376199.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Nutrient Rich resources
I received an email today from John Allen Mollenhauer of www.nutrientrich.com giving details of several new resources he has developed around his passion for foods that are full of nutritional value. To save time, I have copied the whole thing for you, complete with links:
To: Ann,
From: John Allen Mollenhauer
RE: NutrientRich.com has just launched new!
Hi Ann, It's me, John Allen and I do hope you take the time (less than 3 minutes) to carefully read (not skim) through this entire email message. I am all about serving you and making sure that your food serves you too. We just launched the new NutrientRich.com so that you can learn the way to eat better food for better health and natural weightl*oss and get 'free' of the foods that are keeping you stuck. You just can't believe how much we've fallen for over the years, when it comes to food, our health and performance; it's a major reason why over 80% of us are carrying around too much weight with low energy and worried about our long term health. NutrientRich is the new trend in eating, for very good reasons not limited to the fact that current methods of eating less just aren't working. You'll soon realize that the one thing we least suspected, the very goal of eating less, has a lot to do with why most people are still suffering from weight problems. I promised in the special report you likely downloaded, no where else will you learn the ins and outs of eating better, and "how to" do so in a way you'll love from day one, than at NutrientRich.com.
I have set up an insightful blog at http://www.nutrientrich.com/blog/. Also, if you haven't already done so, get the Exclusive Seven-Page Report - the NutrientRich Revolution. > It's in the upper right hand corner of the site. I look forward to supporting your success in the day's weeks and months to come as you get off your diet and get into a lifestyle that promotes your success. By the way, I have an upcoming teleseminar you'll want to join in on, if you want to get healthy and lean. Moving Forward,
All My Best!
John Allen
John Allen Mollenhauer
President www.NutrientRich.com
www.MyTrainer.com
P.O. Box 9 Maplewood, NJ 07040
Phone - 973-763-9902
Fax - 973-763-9690
Jallen@MyTrainer.com
Copyright 2005 -2006 Custom Media Communications, Inc.
To: Ann,
From: John Allen Mollenhauer
RE: NutrientRich.com has just launched new!
Hi Ann, It's me, John Allen and I do hope you take the time (less than 3 minutes) to carefully read (not skim) through this entire email message. I am all about serving you and making sure that your food serves you too. We just launched the new NutrientRich.com so that you can learn the way to eat better food for better health and natural weightl*oss and get 'free' of the foods that are keeping you stuck. You just can't believe how much we've fallen for over the years, when it comes to food, our health and performance; it's a major reason why over 80% of us are carrying around too much weight with low energy and worried about our long term health. NutrientRich is the new trend in eating, for very good reasons not limited to the fact that current methods of eating less just aren't working. You'll soon realize that the one thing we least suspected, the very goal of eating less, has a lot to do with why most people are still suffering from weight problems. I promised in the special report you likely downloaded, no where else will you learn the ins and outs of eating better, and "how to" do so in a way you'll love from day one, than at NutrientRich.com.
I have set up an insightful blog at http://www.nutrientrich.com/blog/. Also, if you haven't already done so, get the Exclusive Seven-Page Report - the NutrientRich Revolution. > It's in the upper right hand corner of the site. I look forward to supporting your success in the day's weeks and months to come as you get off your diet and get into a lifestyle that promotes your success. By the way, I have an upcoming teleseminar you'll want to join in on, if you want to get healthy and lean. Moving Forward,
All My Best!
John Allen
John Allen Mollenhauer
President www.NutrientRich.com
www.MyTrainer.com
P.O. Box 9 Maplewood, NJ 07040
Phone - 973-763-9902
Fax - 973-763-9690
Jallen@MyTrainer.com
Copyright 2005 -2006 Custom Media Communications, Inc.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Are you an aquaholic?
We had Chinese food last night, so all that monosodium glutamate has got me chugging down the water like a good 'un. But in the back of my mind is the following article, which I came across yesterday, thanks to Judith Morgan of the Three Wise Women. Just click the following link to read it for yourself:
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Final Fish Health Bulletin
Sadly, the fish died yesterday afternoon. We had to isolate her in a quarantine 'bucket' because, as the weather started to warm up, so did the other fish in the pond and they were starting to knock her around a little.
Gradually, the dreadful gasping for oxygen stopped and she became more and more lethargic until she drifted away at about 3.30 pm. It was all very sad and she is now buried under a cherry tree in the 'pet graveyard' in a corner of the garden. We couldn't bear to put her in the bin or flush her down the loo because (hopefully) she will have saved the lives of all the rest of the fish in the pond. We're not really big on religion, but we reckon that that, in itself, should guarantee her her spot in fishy heaven. Bless her.
Gradually, the dreadful gasping for oxygen stopped and she became more and more lethargic until she drifted away at about 3.30 pm. It was all very sad and she is now buried under a cherry tree in the 'pet graveyard' in a corner of the garden. We couldn't bear to put her in the bin or flush her down the loo because (hopefully) she will have saved the lives of all the rest of the fish in the pond. We're not really big on religion, but we reckon that that, in itself, should guarantee her her spot in fishy heaven. Bless her.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Fish Health Bulletin
No time for a proper blog posting today, however, just in case you were wondering about the fish - her condition remains unchanged - no better and no worse. If she were a human, a hospital spokesperson would be saying, 'The patient remains in a critical condition.' Hope to have better news soon.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
P.H., Parasites and Paramedics
We had a 60-mile round-trip mercy mission yesterday afternoon to save the life of one of the goldfish that live in our pond. Very early on Tuesday morning, I noticed that one fish had come to the top of the pond, which was unusual in itself because they don’t usually become active until much later in the morning and then, they tend to appear in 2’s and 3’s, rather than alone. I noticed that the fish remained motionless in the same place for the rest of the day and, when I looked closer, it appeared to be listing slightly to one side and gasping.
I rang my stepfather, who has kept fish for years, and he advised me to keep an eye on the situation and said that he always tends to lose one or two of his fish at this time of year. Well that’s okay if you’re talking about ordinary fish but, since we bought these fish as tiny tiddlers and they’re now big handsome beasties of around 4-5 inches in length, we’re talking more about family members than creatures that live in our pond…
I wasn’t happy. I worried about that fish until I fell asleep. Then, next morning, I woke at 5.20 am, and got up to go take a look at the patient, fully expecting to see a small body floating on the top of the water (particularly since overnight temperatures of minus 5 degrees Celsius had been forecast). To my amazement, the fish was still alive, its condition unchanged.
As the day went on, I noticed that the fish’s gasping appeared to be getting worse and I was starting to feel really unhappy and uncomfortable. Was it in pain? Do fish feel pain? Were we allowing it to suffer unnecessarily? Should we just take it out of the pond, allow it to die and put it out of its misery? I just couldn’t find it within myself to make that decision, so I decided to ring the RSPCA (The Royal Society for Cruelty to Animals) and ask their advice. After all, they are the experts in this area and, if they told me that the fish was suffering and should be allowed to die, then so be it…
Well, the woman on the advice line was horrified at the thought of letting the fish die and made me feel like the cruellest person they had ever come into contact with, just for thinking about putting it out of its misery. However, the only suggestion she could come up with was to try ringing local garden centres that sold fish in the hope of finding someone who knew what they were talking about as far as fish ‘health’ was concerned… Which lead to our mission of mercy, with the fish in a bucket of pond water (essential for analysis) in the back of Chris’s van, and him trying to drive through rush hour traffic without sloshing the water – and the fish – out.
The fish doctor was very good. He tested the pond water and pronounced it to be healthy, if a little alkaline. Then he lifted the fish out of the bucket, gently scraped some implement along its scales and applied the scrapings to a slide which went under his microscope. After a long look through the eyepiece, he invited us to see for ourselves. The slide was teeming with transparent, worm-like creatures – parasites with an unpronounceable name but more commonly known as ‘body flukes’. He took down a book and proceeded to show us a picture of a body fluke, inviting us to read about them for ourselves. But the only thing I wanted to know about them was – were they curable? Can my fish (which he informed us was a female) be saved?
Well, apparently, the parasites are treatable. Whether the fish can be saved or not remains to be seen. We treated the pond water with the medication he gave us and she’s still alive this morning, bless her. I’ll keep you informed about her condition…
I rang my stepfather, who has kept fish for years, and he advised me to keep an eye on the situation and said that he always tends to lose one or two of his fish at this time of year. Well that’s okay if you’re talking about ordinary fish but, since we bought these fish as tiny tiddlers and they’re now big handsome beasties of around 4-5 inches in length, we’re talking more about family members than creatures that live in our pond…
I wasn’t happy. I worried about that fish until I fell asleep. Then, next morning, I woke at 5.20 am, and got up to go take a look at the patient, fully expecting to see a small body floating on the top of the water (particularly since overnight temperatures of minus 5 degrees Celsius had been forecast). To my amazement, the fish was still alive, its condition unchanged.
As the day went on, I noticed that the fish’s gasping appeared to be getting worse and I was starting to feel really unhappy and uncomfortable. Was it in pain? Do fish feel pain? Were we allowing it to suffer unnecessarily? Should we just take it out of the pond, allow it to die and put it out of its misery? I just couldn’t find it within myself to make that decision, so I decided to ring the RSPCA (The Royal Society for Cruelty to Animals) and ask their advice. After all, they are the experts in this area and, if they told me that the fish was suffering and should be allowed to die, then so be it…
Well, the woman on the advice line was horrified at the thought of letting the fish die and made me feel like the cruellest person they had ever come into contact with, just for thinking about putting it out of its misery. However, the only suggestion she could come up with was to try ringing local garden centres that sold fish in the hope of finding someone who knew what they were talking about as far as fish ‘health’ was concerned… Which lead to our mission of mercy, with the fish in a bucket of pond water (essential for analysis) in the back of Chris’s van, and him trying to drive through rush hour traffic without sloshing the water – and the fish – out.
The fish doctor was very good. He tested the pond water and pronounced it to be healthy, if a little alkaline. Then he lifted the fish out of the bucket, gently scraped some implement along its scales and applied the scrapings to a slide which went under his microscope. After a long look through the eyepiece, he invited us to see for ourselves. The slide was teeming with transparent, worm-like creatures – parasites with an unpronounceable name but more commonly known as ‘body flukes’. He took down a book and proceeded to show us a picture of a body fluke, inviting us to read about them for ourselves. But the only thing I wanted to know about them was – were they curable? Can my fish (which he informed us was a female) be saved?
Well, apparently, the parasites are treatable. Whether the fish can be saved or not remains to be seen. We treated the pond water with the medication he gave us and she’s still alive this morning, bless her. I’ll keep you informed about her condition…
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Radical self-honesty
Michael Neill's radio show, which is entitled 'Radical Self-Honesty' this week, sounds intriguing. Here are the details:
'RADICAL SELF-HONESTY
on Thursday, March 23 at Noon pacific/3pm eastern/8pm UK
(Live internet radio at http://www.hayhouseradio.com)/
-----------------------------------------------------------
One very good reason that many people don't trust themselves is that they are not truly honest with themselves. Tune in to learn how making this one simple shift will transform your life! I'll be taking your calls throughout the show - if you want to learn to trust yourself in a variety of situations including money, decision-making and relationships, phone in to speak with me on air!
Inside the US1-866-254-1579
Outside the US001-760-918-4300
To listen to the show live this Thursday, March 23, go to http://www.hayhouseradio.com/ at Noon pacific/8pm UK and click on the button marked 'Listen Now'.
'RADICAL SELF-HONESTY
on Thursday, March 23 at Noon pacific/3pm eastern/8pm UK
(Live internet radio at http://www.hayhouseradio.com)/
-----------------------------------------------------------
One very good reason that many people don't trust themselves is that they are not truly honest with themselves. Tune in to learn how making this one simple shift will transform your life! I'll be taking your calls throughout the show - if you want to learn to trust yourself in a variety of situations including money, decision-making and relationships, phone in to speak with me on air!
Inside the US1-866-254-1579
Outside the US001-760-918-4300
To listen to the show live this Thursday, March 23, go to http://www.hayhouseradio.com/ at Noon pacific/8pm UK and click on the button marked 'Listen Now'.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
How to choose your friends
'Some people will try and belittle your dreams. Some people will call you an old fool. Some people will be very supportive of you - those are the ones you want to hang around with.'
Jean Johnson
Jean Johnson
Monday, March 20, 2006
A Slave to Your Possessions by John L White
I received the following by John L White in a newsletter this morning and thought, 'How true!'. Thought I'd pass it on and give you some food for thought...
'Are you working for junk? At one point in the past few years, I actually said to my wife during a heated discussion, "I refuse to be a slave to my possessions." Once you have finished laughing yourself silly, let me try to explain what I mean by that statement.
Have you ever noticed how much junk there is in your life? I am purposely using the word junk to make a point. When I look around my house, many of the things in it, when you get down to it, are really junk. Even the things that aren't junk now are on their way to becoming junk someday. For example, we have a Maytag washer and dryer. I'll go out on a limb and state that in 25 years or less, they will be classified as junk. When I look in our closets at all the clothes we have, what will most of them be in 10 years? Junk. The next time you go into Goodwill or Salvation Army, remember that all that junk in there is something that someone bought brand new with their hard-earned money.
So, take a look around your house sometime. Do you see any junk? Any shirts, shoes, or pants that you paid good money for and wore only a few times? What about all that junk out in the garage? Is there anything that's broken or you don't use any more and you now realize you never really needed? Is there anything out there that was never used at all? When I scan our garage, all I see is junk. Junk that I spent my precious time earning money to pay for.
And speaking of time, how much do you spend moving your junk? Cleaning your junk? Do you buy shelves or special containersto store your junk? And worst of all, do you rent a storage building to house your junk? Step back for a moment and think about the wisdom of that decision. You shell out money every month in order to house your junk that you neither use nor see. Not only that, but you paid money for that junk when you bought it. Did you pay cash for it or credit? If you paid credit, are you still paying interest for the junk you don't use in addition to the money for the storage unit every month? If you had taken all the money you spent on the junk, the interest on the purchase of the junk, and the money you spent for the storage unit and saved it instead, how much money would you have today? Would you be any closer to retirement?
Once you understand and internalize the fact that the junk you buy puts you farther away from retirement, I think you are well on your way to getting control of your finances.
So, what percentage of the junk you buy is something you really need? When you are in the checkout line at the grocery store, before you grab that magazine and plop it down on the conveyor belt with the groceries, stop and think: "Do I really need this?" When you're walking down the aisle at KrapMart (you know which store I'm talking about) and you see that cute little knick knack sitting there, just waiting for you to grab it, ask yourself this: "How important is this thing to my life?" Then ask yourself if it's worth the real price you'll pay for it.'
____________________________________________________________________
John L. White is the author of "I'm In Debt, Over 40, With NoRetirement Savings. Help!" and founder of Everlove and Bohannon Publishing. He also works full-time as an IT professional for a large International Company. To order "I'm In Debt, Over 40, With No Retirement Savings. Help!", visit http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0974068748/imindebove40w-20 or call 813-907-2511.
'Are you working for junk? At one point in the past few years, I actually said to my wife during a heated discussion, "I refuse to be a slave to my possessions." Once you have finished laughing yourself silly, let me try to explain what I mean by that statement.
Have you ever noticed how much junk there is in your life? I am purposely using the word junk to make a point. When I look around my house, many of the things in it, when you get down to it, are really junk. Even the things that aren't junk now are on their way to becoming junk someday. For example, we have a Maytag washer and dryer. I'll go out on a limb and state that in 25 years or less, they will be classified as junk. When I look in our closets at all the clothes we have, what will most of them be in 10 years? Junk. The next time you go into Goodwill or Salvation Army, remember that all that junk in there is something that someone bought brand new with their hard-earned money.
So, take a look around your house sometime. Do you see any junk? Any shirts, shoes, or pants that you paid good money for and wore only a few times? What about all that junk out in the garage? Is there anything that's broken or you don't use any more and you now realize you never really needed? Is there anything out there that was never used at all? When I scan our garage, all I see is junk. Junk that I spent my precious time earning money to pay for.
And speaking of time, how much do you spend moving your junk? Cleaning your junk? Do you buy shelves or special containersto store your junk? And worst of all, do you rent a storage building to house your junk? Step back for a moment and think about the wisdom of that decision. You shell out money every month in order to house your junk that you neither use nor see. Not only that, but you paid money for that junk when you bought it. Did you pay cash for it or credit? If you paid credit, are you still paying interest for the junk you don't use in addition to the money for the storage unit every month? If you had taken all the money you spent on the junk, the interest on the purchase of the junk, and the money you spent for the storage unit and saved it instead, how much money would you have today? Would you be any closer to retirement?
Once you understand and internalize the fact that the junk you buy puts you farther away from retirement, I think you are well on your way to getting control of your finances.
So, what percentage of the junk you buy is something you really need? When you are in the checkout line at the grocery store, before you grab that magazine and plop it down on the conveyor belt with the groceries, stop and think: "Do I really need this?" When you're walking down the aisle at KrapMart (you know which store I'm talking about) and you see that cute little knick knack sitting there, just waiting for you to grab it, ask yourself this: "How important is this thing to my life?" Then ask yourself if it's worth the real price you'll pay for it.'
____________________________________________________________________
John L. White is the author of "I'm In Debt, Over 40, With NoRetirement Savings. Help!" and founder of Everlove and Bohannon Publishing. He also works full-time as an IT professional for a large International Company. To order "I'm In Debt, Over 40, With No Retirement Savings. Help!", visit http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0974068748/imindebove40w-20 or call 813-907-2511.
Friday, March 17, 2006
One for the guys
I have been contacted on several occasions by men saying, 'What you do is great but what about men who are leaving relationships? Who helps us?' If you know any men who are in this position (or for that matter, if you are a man in this position), you could have a look at www.wifesgone.com, a new web portal that has been launched by Patrick Fleming, a recent (virtual) contact of mine.
I've only had time for a very quick look at the site but I could see no evidence of woman-bashing on there and the bulk of what I read was good, positive stuff which included contributions from women that had been well received.
I think that there is much that newly-separated women and men can learn from each other and this is a site that I will definitely be keeping an eye on in future.
I've only had time for a very quick look at the site but I could see no evidence of woman-bashing on there and the bulk of what I read was good, positive stuff which included contributions from women that had been well received.
I think that there is much that newly-separated women and men can learn from each other and this is a site that I will definitely be keeping an eye on in future.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
How about taking your friends along on a date?
Have you heard about group internet dating? I hadn't, until my trip to the US last week, when I read about it in USA Today. Apparently, sites such as Teamdating.com allow members to sign up to use their services in groups of 2, 3 or 4 people - which means that you can get in touch with and, ultimately, meet, other groups of 2, 3 or 4 people.
This removes many of the concerns that I know women often have about using Internet dating sites - such as the need to put their personal details and photograph online and the fact that they have no idea if the person they are corresponding with is who they say they are. And when you go on a date with 2 or 3 of your friends, your fears that your drink will be spiked whilst you are in the bathroom are dramatically reduced.
Other advantages of group dating are that it removes much of the stress and anxiety involved in meeting for the first time someone you have previously only met either on-line or over the phone. And let's face it, if you don't hit it off with the person you have been corresponding with, you might just find some chemistry with one of their friends - which makes group dating much more like the social mixing that takes place on a night out with the girls.
As far as I am aware, www.teamdating.com only caters for US daters, but I believe that www.compa.co.uk offers a similar service for UK singles.
This removes many of the concerns that I know women often have about using Internet dating sites - such as the need to put their personal details and photograph online and the fact that they have no idea if the person they are corresponding with is who they say they are. And when you go on a date with 2 or 3 of your friends, your fears that your drink will be spiked whilst you are in the bathroom are dramatically reduced.
Other advantages of group dating are that it removes much of the stress and anxiety involved in meeting for the first time someone you have previously only met either on-line or over the phone. And let's face it, if you don't hit it off with the person you have been corresponding with, you might just find some chemistry with one of their friends - which makes group dating much more like the social mixing that takes place on a night out with the girls.
As far as I am aware, www.teamdating.com only caters for US daters, but I believe that www.compa.co.uk offers a similar service for UK singles.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Concerns over bottled water
I love Florida (see previous post) but after the particularly nice-tasting water that we get from our taps (faucets) in this part of the UK, the water in Florida always tastes rather 'sandy' to me. So, whenever I'm in Florida, I tend to drink much more bottled water - which is what I've been doing over the last 2 weeks. Whilst doing the rounds of the internet news sites yesterday, I was concerned to read that scientists in Germany have found that potentially toxic substances, such as the heavy metal, Antimony, could be leaching into bottled water from their plastic containers. These traces were found in 48 European brands of bottled water and 15 Canadian brands.
Looks like I'll be buying glass and digging out the water filter jug in future...
Looks like I'll be buying glass and digging out the water filter jug in future...
Monday, March 13, 2006
I'm back
Hello there! Did you wonder where I'd got to? I've been off on holiday (vacation) to Florida to get some sun and relaxation in. Had a wonderful time - a week in Vilano Beach (very laid-back community up near St Augustine) followed by a week on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. S & C were gorgeous - I've been meaning to go there for years and now I can't think why I waited so long - absolute paradise... We stayed in a hotel but next time I'm going back for longer and renting a house there.
But now I'm back and what a shock to the system! Instead of the glorious high 70's, low 80's weather we've been used to, it's zero degrees (centigrade) and snow... Instead of the morning walk along the beach, gathering shells to add to our collection and listening to the rolling waves, it's back to my daily 6 am workout to a Mojo fm soundtrack... Instead of a dazzling array of fruits and juices, (okay - and pastries and donuts too) to choose from for breakfast, it's back to bran flakes and a banana... And I'm what I consider to be one of the lucky ones - I have a pretty great life. I work for myself, from my home office. I don't have to turn out on freezing cold mornings and travel to work. I don't have to jump through anyone else's hoops when I get there. I don't have to put up with idiots and their egos all day long. I have a good relationship with a lovely, kind man who recognises that I need my space. I know the power of the Law of Attraction and the effect that deliberate intention has on my life.
So if it's difficult for someone like me to come back from holiday and get back into daily life, what must it be like for people who hate their jobs? Their relationships? Their whole lives?
And if this sounds like you, what can you do about it?
Start by giving me a call - +44 (0)1405 861074 or drop me a line at ann@annharrisonlifecoaching.com and let's talk about how we can get you back on the right track.
But now I'm back and what a shock to the system! Instead of the glorious high 70's, low 80's weather we've been used to, it's zero degrees (centigrade) and snow... Instead of the morning walk along the beach, gathering shells to add to our collection and listening to the rolling waves, it's back to my daily 6 am workout to a Mojo fm soundtrack... Instead of a dazzling array of fruits and juices, (okay - and pastries and donuts too) to choose from for breakfast, it's back to bran flakes and a banana... And I'm what I consider to be one of the lucky ones - I have a pretty great life. I work for myself, from my home office. I don't have to turn out on freezing cold mornings and travel to work. I don't have to jump through anyone else's hoops when I get there. I don't have to put up with idiots and their egos all day long. I have a good relationship with a lovely, kind man who recognises that I need my space. I know the power of the Law of Attraction and the effect that deliberate intention has on my life.
So if it's difficult for someone like me to come back from holiday and get back into daily life, what must it be like for people who hate their jobs? Their relationships? Their whole lives?
And if this sounds like you, what can you do about it?
Start by giving me a call - +44 (0)1405 861074 or drop me a line at ann@annharrisonlifecoaching.com and let's talk about how we can get you back on the right track.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Happy Valentine's Day Part 2
For every woman out there who is single on Valentine's day, remember what they say:
'It takes a helluva man to beat no man at all!'
Happy Valentine's Day from me to you!
Monday, February 13, 2006
Happy Valentine's Day
About 3 weeks ago, I was interviewed by a journalist who was writing an article about Valentine's Day from a singleton's point of view and who wanted me to give some advice to readers who wouldn't be sharing February 14th with someone special.
As someone who coaches single women for a living (and who was single for 7 years before I met my partner) I know only too well how people can feel excluded when they're not part of a couple - we live in a very couple-orientated society and people can feel 'abnormal' because they're alone. And let's face it, there are very few people who are single and who would like to be in relationship, who don't feel a pang or two as a gorgeous bouquet is delivered to a co-worker on Valentine's Day.
My best advice to someone who is 'single but looking' is:
First of all, don't beat yourself up for being alone. Instead, look upon it as an opportunity to get your life as a singleton exactly as you want it to be. In that way you will be much less likely to give it up for the first so-so relationship that comes along.
Secondly, being single does have its advantages as I'm sure you already know:
And come on girls, let's not forget the other advantages of being single - night-time duvet battles are a thing of the past - you can hog the bed all to yourself. The toilet seat is always in the position you left it. You don't have to clean up anyone else's mess. You can enjoy a blissful night's sleep, undisturbed by someone else's snoring. You have full control of the TV remote. Your time is your own... Need I go on?
If being alone on Valentine's Day itself really bothers you and makes you feel like a failure for not being in a relationship, why not spend the evening with like-minded single friends? Get together in a place where you are unlikely to be confronted by all those couples and have an anti-Valentine's party. Swap all your relationship horror stories and brainstorm every single advantage of being single that you can think of - the sillier the better.
If you really can't face a party to celebrate your single status, make sure you have something to look forward to on the day itself. Cook yourself your favourite meal or run yourself a bath with all the trimmings. Pamper yourself. But try to avoid watching anything on television that's specifically scheduled for Valentine's night, like romantic comedies for example.
Let's face it - Valentine's Day is only one day of the year. And how many of those 'romantic couples' will be history by next February 14th?
As someone who coaches single women for a living (and who was single for 7 years before I met my partner) I know only too well how people can feel excluded when they're not part of a couple - we live in a very couple-orientated society and people can feel 'abnormal' because they're alone. And let's face it, there are very few people who are single and who would like to be in relationship, who don't feel a pang or two as a gorgeous bouquet is delivered to a co-worker on Valentine's Day.
My best advice to someone who is 'single but looking' is:
First of all, don't beat yourself up for being alone. Instead, look upon it as an opportunity to get your life as a singleton exactly as you want it to be. In that way you will be much less likely to give it up for the first so-so relationship that comes along.
Secondly, being single does have its advantages as I'm sure you already know:
- You can do what you want to do, when you want to do it, with no one to answer to.
- When you're by yourself, you can be the 'authentic' you - the real you that is often hidden from other people.
- Singledom can also be an incentive to achieve more and your time as a single can be one of the most rewarding, fulfilling times of your life. You can't rely on anyone else - you have to do it for yourself or not at all. If you want something badly enough, you have no choice but to roll up your sleeves and get on with it.
- There can be a tendency to become complacent in a relationship - for example, not go to the gym quite so often and put on a few pounds, however, many singles tend to be 'single and looking' so they keep themselves looking as good as they can, just in case!
And come on girls, let's not forget the other advantages of being single - night-time duvet battles are a thing of the past - you can hog the bed all to yourself. The toilet seat is always in the position you left it. You don't have to clean up anyone else's mess. You can enjoy a blissful night's sleep, undisturbed by someone else's snoring. You have full control of the TV remote. Your time is your own... Need I go on?
If being alone on Valentine's Day itself really bothers you and makes you feel like a failure for not being in a relationship, why not spend the evening with like-minded single friends? Get together in a place where you are unlikely to be confronted by all those couples and have an anti-Valentine's party. Swap all your relationship horror stories and brainstorm every single advantage of being single that you can think of - the sillier the better.
If you really can't face a party to celebrate your single status, make sure you have something to look forward to on the day itself. Cook yourself your favourite meal or run yourself a bath with all the trimmings. Pamper yourself. But try to avoid watching anything on television that's specifically scheduled for Valentine's night, like romantic comedies for example.
Let's face it - Valentine's Day is only one day of the year. And how many of those 'romantic couples' will be history by next February 14th?
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Link found between obesity and dementia
Research from the Kaiser Permanente clinic in California (a 30 year study of 10,276 people) has shown that if you’re overweight, there is a 35% increase in your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of dementia and that if you’re obese, there is a 75% increase.
The researchers believe that this is due to excess fat encouraging cell degeneration. In my opinion, this is the best reason yet to lose any excess weight and keep it off!
The researchers believe that this is due to excess fat encouraging cell degeneration. In my opinion, this is the best reason yet to lose any excess weight and keep it off!
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Stress Less with Michael Neill
Michael Neill's radio show - 'You Can Have What You Want' is now being broadcast on THURSDAYS and there is a new number to call if you want to phone in. The theme of the show this week is STRESS LESS and it can be heard on Thursday, February 9 at Noon pacific/3pm eastern/8pm UK (live internet radio at http://www.hayhouseradio.com).
Michael says:
'Want to stress less and enjoy life more? Join me in this exploration of living with and ultimately without stress... As always, I'll be taking your calls on air - if you want to experience less stress and a greater sense of well-being, phone in to speak with me live!
Please Note - NEW NUMBERS TO CALL:
Inside the US 1-866-254-1579
Outside the US 001-760-918-4300
To listen to the show this Thursday, February 9, go to http://www.hayhouseradio.com at Noon pacific/8pm UK and click on the buttonmarked 'Listen Now'.
Michael says:
'Want to stress less and enjoy life more? Join me in this exploration of living with and ultimately without stress... As always, I'll be taking your calls on air - if you want to experience less stress and a greater sense of well-being, phone in to speak with me live!
Please Note - NEW NUMBERS TO CALL:
Inside the US 1-866-254-1579
Outside the US 001-760-918-4300
To listen to the show this Thursday, February 9, go to http://www.hayhouseradio.com at Noon pacific/8pm UK and click on the buttonmarked 'Listen Now'.
Monday, February 06, 2006
New courses at Barnes and Noble University
New courses, including 'Writing for Quick Cash', 'Beauty: The Basics' and 'The Best Year of Your Life' by Debbie Ford have been announced by Barnes and Noble University. Courses are free but each is based around a particular book which it is recommended that you buy. Click here to see what's available.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
CIA Assignment
Thanks to Judith at the Three Wise Women for the following:
The CIA had an opening for an assassin. After all of the background checks, interviews, and testing were done there were three finalists...Two men and a woman.
For the final test, the CIA agents took one of the men to a large metal door and handed him a gun. "We must know that you will follow your instructions, no matter what the circumstances. Inside this room, you will find your wife sitting in a chair. Kill Her!!!"
The man said, "You can't be serious. I could never shoot my wife." The agent said, "Then you're not the right man for this job."
The second man was given the same instructions. He took the gun and went into the room. All was quiet for about five minutes. Then the man came out with tears in his eyes. "I tried, but I can't kill my wife." The agent said, "You don't have what it takes. Take your wife and go home."
Finally, it was the woman's turn. She was given the same instructions, to kill her husband. She took the gun and went into the room. Shots were heard, one shot after another. They heard screaming, crashing, banging on the walls. After a few minutes, all was quiet. The door opened slowly and there stood the woman. She wiped the sweat from her brow, and said,........."This gun is loaded with blanks. I had to beat him to death with the chair."
Moral: Women are evil. Don't mess with them.
The CIA had an opening for an assassin. After all of the background checks, interviews, and testing were done there were three finalists...Two men and a woman.
For the final test, the CIA agents took one of the men to a large metal door and handed him a gun. "We must know that you will follow your instructions, no matter what the circumstances. Inside this room, you will find your wife sitting in a chair. Kill Her!!!"
The man said, "You can't be serious. I could never shoot my wife." The agent said, "Then you're not the right man for this job."
The second man was given the same instructions. He took the gun and went into the room. All was quiet for about five minutes. Then the man came out with tears in his eyes. "I tried, but I can't kill my wife." The agent said, "You don't have what it takes. Take your wife and go home."
Finally, it was the woman's turn. She was given the same instructions, to kill her husband. She took the gun and went into the room. Shots were heard, one shot after another. They heard screaming, crashing, banging on the walls. After a few minutes, all was quiet. The door opened slowly and there stood the woman. She wiped the sweat from her brow, and said,........."This gun is loaded with blanks. I had to beat him to death with the chair."
Moral: Women are evil. Don't mess with them.
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