One of the things that can drag us down can be ourselves. We are defaulted to think negatively. In cave person days this kept us safe, a lion or tiger is at the cave door, and this is not good news. However, we don’t have lions or tigers at our door, and we don’t live in caves, but our brains still treat danger in the same way. One key danger is often worrying about what others think of us and what they are saying. We play the whole conversation in our heads, and they are all bad things, never good! We do need to manage this and realise, one what our mind or brain is doing, thinking of the worst-case scenario, but also consider they might well be saying something nice. Either way they are assumptions and assumptions aren’t helpful or positive as the assumption is always negative. We instead
Read More...

What is an accountability buddy? What does a coach do? What can a coach provide? Can a coach help me? These are questions I hear all the time and questions people ask or don’t know the answer to. Some have assumptions of what a coach is or does or can provide. And these preconceived assumptions aren’t a great idea as they could prove to be an obstacle or barrier to seeking help and guidance. Every coach is different, however, if we boil it right down, a coach will help provide us with clarify, focus and direction, giving us a safe place and space to have an open and honest conversation. Having a confidante, a sounding board and being able to explore ideas and opportunities and re-assess our strategies to manage our weaknesses and challenges. Whether we are struggling personally or professionally, having someone who is an ear to listen to,
Read More...

We all have fears, some credible and some not, however, do we know how to determine if they are a credible fear or not and if so, how do we deal with them? It’s of course different for everyone, whether credible or not, they are all real for everyone going through that situation. Determining credible fears involves evaluating the validity and seriousness of potential threats or concerns. Here’s some tips on how you can manage this process effectively: Assessment criteria: Establish clear criteria or guidelines for evaluating fears. This could include factors such as likelihood, severity, impact, and evidence supporting the fear. Evidence-based analysis: Aim to obtain as much fact, evidence or data supporting your fears. Analyse the credibility and reliability of this evidence to help you make informed judgments. Objective perspective: Approach the assessment process with objectivity and avoid biases or preconceived notions. Consider different perspectives and viewpoints to
Read More...

In a world where instant gratification often takes precedence, the value of committing to realistic challenges can easily be overlooked. Yet, it's these challenges that pave the way for personal growth, resilience, and ultimately, success. Whether it's learning a new skill, adopting a healthier lifestyle, or pursuing a passion project, committing to realistic challenges can have profound effects on our lives. Try following the six steps below to help you commit and embrace to realistic challenges. The Importance of Realistic Challenges Realistic challenges are essential because they push us out of our comfort zones without overwhelming us. They provide the perfect balance between attainability and difficulty, allowing us to stretch our capabilities while still feeling confident in our ability to succeed. These challenges serve as stepping stones towards our larger goals, helping us build momentum and confidence along the way. Overcoming Fear and Doubt One of the biggest obstacles to
Read More...

Wouldn’t it just be fantastic if we had a wee button we could switch on to motivate us and another to keep us motivated? However, unfortunately there is no such magic button and no secret formula. It’s not as though it is something we can buy or acquire, however it is something we can create, manage, integrate and improve on; it just takes some steps and clear direction to help us on our way. Motivation is the driving force behind achieving goals and overcoming challenges. To be and sustain motivation, we need to consider what we can do for ourselves and how we can help ourselves. Consider these four key tips below to help you on your way: Set Clear Goals: Define your objectives with clarity and specificity. Break down larger goals into smaller, achievable tasks. This not only makes the journey more manageable but also provides a sense of
Read More...

How many times have we said, I wish I had more time, or there’s not enough hours in the day? How many times have we realised that doing something for us falls off the list and work or business takes over and ‘we’ get forgotten until tomorrow which never comes. It’s like being on a treadmill and not being able to get off. There comes a time when we must take control and be in charge of our lives, our calendar and what we do as well as what for and who for. Below are some areas which you might find helpful as takeaways to manage time better and have a better work life balance. Lack of time management skills: Ineffective time management can lead to difficulties in prioritising tasks and allocating time for both work and personal responsibilities. Overcommitment: Saying yes to too many tasks or projects can result
Read More...

Many if not all of us suffer from anxiety at some time of our lives, and for various reasons. Sometimes we recognise the signs we have anxiety and do something about it, whilst other times we don’t recognise it, or ignore it, and we feel much worse. The symptoms are there but often we put them down to something else or try and rationalise and flick away. What are the symptoms? Symptoms are variable, but can include: Trouble concentrating or making decisions Feeling irritable, tense or restless Experiencing nausea or abdominal distress Having heart palpitations Sweating, trembling or shaking Trouble sleeping Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom We can all find it a challenge sometimes to keep our heads above water. We might have a successful business and struggling with our personal life. We might have a happy personal life but find running a business or managing
Read More...

How often do we slip back into our bad habits and feel like we are not productive, only do the jobs we like rather than what we should be doing and then feel ineffective and inefficient. How often do we say we will change our habits and develop new ones and start prioritising with what is important to us personally or professionally and then never do it? How often should we prioritise and reflect on what we are doing and how we are doing it? Here are five great steps: Regular Check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins with yourself to assess your current priorities and actions. This could be a weekly or monthly reflection session where you review your goals, tasks, and overall direction. Define Clear Objectives: Clearly define your short-term and long-term objectives. Regularly assess whether your current activities align with these objectives. This helps ensure that your efforts contribute meaningfully to your
Read More...

There are some of us who have absolutely no problem whatsoever in taking time out or off, and relaxing and chilling and realising that doing this keeps stress at bay, manages a great work / life balance and helps us maintain motivation, energy and our mindset, let alone our health and wellbeing. However, for the most part, people will take ‘time off’ but feel so guilty that the time off or out is marred by those feelings of ‘I shouldn’t be doing this’. If we are thinking this, then the time out isn’t going to be as productive. Below are four great tips to help you not to feel guilty taking time out or time off from work, career, or business and relaxing. Consider the four tips to help you manage any potential guilt when you want to take time out: Recognise the Importance of Rest: Understand that taking time for
Read More...

It can be very hard managing what people might think of us, particularly when some of what we think is often assumption and far from the truth. There are some who say they don’t care what others think, and they really don’t. However, I would guess, these are more in the minority. We can often say we don’t care, but in reality, we do. And of course, what happens? We reflect on the worst thoughts at night-time, and this can affect our sleep and how we manage the next day. Below are six great tips to help you manage what people think personally and professionally, and hopefully in these there are some takeaways you can use going forward. Authenticity: Be true to yourself. Authenticity builds trust and credibility, both personally and professionally. People appreciate genuine individuals, and aligning your actions with your values creates a positive and lasting impression. Effective Communication: Clearly
Read More...