Run Baby, Run

As a person, (not just a coach) I have my own personal dreams, aspirations including short, medium and long term goals.

A current short term goal of mine is to reduce the stress in my life and create more clarity in my head while I’m currently juggling training, study, coaching and work.

I exercise every day, sometimes twice, but very rarely do I feel the urge to run!

Well, today I ran … I ran for 30 minutes straight … I tell you, this never happens, normally after about 5 minutes I am out of breath and my legs feel like lead weights!

Surprisingly today, the outcome was quite different. I felt amazing afterwards (apart from being sweaty and exhausted) the cloudiness had gone from my head and I didn’t feel so cluttered in my brain!

I felt like I had a mental strength I had been searching for all day. I felt full of pride, I had a sense of achievement and knew the my mind, body and soul thanked me for pushing that extra half a kilometre.

The physical act of running, running like this, constant, pacing and thoughtfully reminded me of how important alone time is,  how important it is to put yourself first and how important it is to put your mind to something and achieve it.

As a coach, and for me to lead by example, to do what I ask my clients to do, to take stead of the words I motivate my clients with, and believe in myself, just like the belief that I have in those around me. The energy I invest and encourage people to continue to work at until they succeed.

It is so important to believe in what you want. It may be hard, it may be exhausting both mentally and physically, but it is always worth it!

I have some amazing friends who pound the pavement daily, do the park runs on the weekends and train towards marathons.  They’re forever telling me that running is 80% mental and 20% physical when I complained that I just didn’t ‘get it’.

I always joked and exclaimed ‘oh I am not mental enough to run?’… but you know what? … I actually get it now!

I can not wait to run again tomorrow!!!

What activity gives you clarity? running? swimming? yoga? playing with your kids, cleaning?

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Don’t put down, bring up.

You know one of my favourite sayings is ‘if you can not help someone, at least don’t hurt them’ (Dalai Lama).

Well I love the below picture and quote too.

If you believe in helping others, bringing them up and supporting them to be the best version of themselves then here are a few tips and gentle reminders below.

Some gentle reminders.

Don’t push people away, or put them down down, don’t stomp on others dreams because you don’t believe you could do what someone else can.
Be kind ♡
Be generous ♡
Be loving ♡
Be gentle ♡
Believe in others ♡
Everyone has their flaws…yes even you and I, people don’t need constant criticism or for their weaknesses to be pointed out.
It’s really exhasting trying to please others so lower your expectations of those around you and trust that they are doing their absolute best with the resources they have.

Find more insights at twitter #pplifecoach and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PeakPerformanceLifeCoaching/?ref=bookmarks

 

Vision board part two – the ins and outs!

Source: Vision board part two – the ins and outs!

Vision board part two – the ins and outs!

Vision board part two!

In the last vision board blog I showed you the benefits of doing a vision or dream board.

You can find it here –
Vision board lingo blog (part one)

The easiest way to start a vision or dream board is in the below, simple but successful steps!

1) Get a large piece of cardboard, a whileboard, black board, or magnetic board (basically anything that you can pin or paste stuff too), make it large enough for you to be totally wild and creative – we don’t want to limit your creativity here! Then get some magazines or bring up Pinterest on your computer (if you wish to do it electronically).

2) Take a moment to think about things that are important to you – things that you believe, things you take pride in, things that inspire or encourage you… take a mental note.

3) Start flicking through the magazines, or Pinterest for images that either evoke a feeling, memory or thought from step 2 – or it could come out of no where!  Cut it, snip it or pin it!  If you are unable to find a certain image, try drawing it, or even writing it as above – the same applies.

4) My business clients like to put their aspirations and their 6 monthly, 12 monthly (short term goals) up on their board. For example, a holiday to a tropical island might be portrayed by a palm tree or a hammock, a boat they are working towards buying… try to make it specific, if you want a bit blue Haines boat – try to find one very similar.

The point of doing this is to create a feeling, a behaviour, and design a visual representation of what you want, what you want to achieve.

The biggest reason for this is psychologically it will tap into your sub-conscious part of your brain, the one that attributes action. The more often you see these visual aids, the more regularly you will think of this, they become part of your regular thought process. Over time, your idea or thought will start to become something that you visualise, something you want to find a solution for, your creative brain will start devising a plan to get you to this ‘thing’ you want!

Further, Studies show that pictures and affirmations have the potential to make us feel more positive, and according to Harvard University researchers, an optimistic outlook can reduce the risk of disease and even boost longevity.

Lastly, it has been proven by more psychologists that creating positive images will help us to create a more positive outlook on life… I love the sound of this… don’t you?

 

Contact me now to ask for a vision board strategy session! You won’t be disappointed!

www.pplifecoaching.com/contact 

 

 

Your ‘life pictures’.

What do your ‘life pictures’ look like?

What do you want your ‘life pictures’ to look like?

Life is full of moments, memories and experiences, how do you capture these?

Some times a moment is so perfect to me I want to take a snap shot of life at the point and time. Sometimes though, it is not what I see, or what myself or someone else is doing, it is simply a smell that evokes a memory, a sound that caresses my soul and a feeling that melts my heart. How do we capture such ‘life pictures’?

I often wonder how people use these ‘life pictures’ – I know for me personally, as everyone, we have hard times and we have good times, we sometimes even have perfect moments we sometimes want to pinch ourselves to see if we are actually living in that moment.

I use these moments to sit back and think about what I have achieved in life, what I have overcome, how my ‘life pictures’ make me who I am, and ultimately, how I can use this to help others. I think this is the most rewarding thing about being a personal development coach. I stand loud and proud with my authenticity and actually say ‘hey, I know what you are saying, and feeling, as I have personally been there, got the t.shirt even, and I got through it and I would be honored to help you too!

People take solace in familiarity and similarity, people like to know that you ‘get’ what they are going through, you can relate to how they are feeling and you possibly have the same desires and dreams as they do (even if it is not at the same time).

Sometimes people just need someone to hear them, not always solve their problems or give them the answers… many just need to feel comforted, have someone to empathise with and really just care about what they are going through!

I can and want to be this person for you, when times are tough, when times are good, when times are confusing, challenging or you are seeking that next challenge. I will show you how to change your mindset, your thinking, and your attitude to support you in dealing with whatever is in front of you. I can and will show you how to ALWAYS find a positive in every single negative situation… yes, even those icky ones!

Personal development changes are going to be sustainable in your life if you work with me.

DESIGN YOUR OWN ‘LIFE PICTURES’ NOW.

www.pplifecoaching.com/contact 

 

 

 

 

 

Vision board lingo

Do you ever fantasise about where you would be if you could choose the outcome of your life?

Do you sit and daydream on a warm day and stare into space imagining what your dream business looks like?

Fantasising (daydreaming) about our desires, dreams, wishes and aspirations are vital to success.  Visualising your goals and your successes and thinking about what a successful business/career or life looks like to YOU will actually help YOU to achieve it.

Let me unpack that a little…

If you want to love working in your business, if you want to have that successful career, happy home and island getaways then don’t ignore the thoughts, feelings and images that come into your mind when you are day-dreaming.  Don’t ignore your imagination, the pictures you draw on memories or the feelings you have associated with these thoughts. Your creative side of your brain plays an essential role in your life!

Sometimes clients come to me and tell me that they don’t know what they want but they know that they are not happy and they are ready to make changes.

After applauding them for taking the first step, I first start with asking them to visualise their dream business/life/career/holiday (whatever it is that they wish to acquire) and tell me their thoughts, feelings, emotions and the images that come to mind.

I explore their thought processes to identify what drives them, I want to know what motivates them and I want to know what will work for them!

Some thought provoking questions I will ask are:

• What does (success/your dream career/happiness etc) look like?
• What does it feel like?
• What does it smell like?
• What would they do with it?

So on and so forth until we have a little picture about what is it is they actually want in life.

This is not as simple as it sounds however, and it takes practice and effort to work through the barriers often put in front of oneself when day dreaming. This occurs when we try to control the day dream and when we try to turn our thoughts into logic, we stop the creative flow and put ‘blockers’ in place.

However, a simple task that you can do right now to start the juices flowing is to create a vision board (often referred to as a dream board).

Share your tough times!

You all know I LOVE to talk about ‘setting goals’, ‘planning’ , ‘making adjustments’ and ‘thinking about the change you want to bring about’…but let’s get real…were too busy living day to day just to;

*get the bills paid

*keep the kids happy, and occupied

*get the work done on the house

*stay employed, or

*look for new work.

Guess what! Life gets in the way…

It’s ok to share the hard times and frustration too…people typically take notice of others actions by thinking how we’d like to ‘not’ do things…but it’s not always that simple…and we find ourselves making excuses for not ‘getting ahead’. 

Some like to paint a happy little stream on social media, thinking they will be scorned if they say anything other…this is the not case (if it is…you need more positive people in your life supporting and encouraging you). That…is simple! 

My suggestion is to share the hard times, frustrating times and quite frankly the crap times, help others, and tell them how you could have done things better! Then learn from it… As they will too!

Minor adjustments count too!

Don’t forget, we are all in this together! 

Nicky@pplifecoaching.com

fb://Peakperformancelifecoaching 

 

Mindset

I’m coaching a lot of people at the moment who really are struggling with the negative thoughts in their head…or even more so the negative actions of those around them.

If this is you…

My two biggest requests are.

1) stop the negative self talk, I mentioned in a previous article how the average person has 50,000 thoughts…seriously, make your thoughts count!

Make them worthwhile.

2) stop allowing how other people talk, behave or treat you have such an impact on your happiness.

At the end of the day the facts are, you;
CAN control your own feelings
CAN control how you react to situations and more importantly you,
CAN control (yes there are some exceptions) how people treat you.

By the last one I mean in the simplest form, walk away, don’t listen, don’t argue don’t buy into their negativity. Stand up for yourself, be assertive, strong and be willing to learn the lesson.

I’m sure everyone has heard the cliche ‘people will only treat you the way let them you’…easier said than done when it is your boss, staff, people you have to see everyday, family, your loved ones or people who you stay in bad relationships with…

My response is, start each day with a positive thought a smile and an attitude that you;
CAN control your own behaviour
CAN control your responses, and,
OWN your actions.

Once you feel more in charge of your own circle of influence (your feelings, responses and your own behaviour and reactions to situations) you feel more empowered, happier and less stressed!

Ask me for more information. It is not easy, but small consistent changes each day is what it takes, you have to work at it.

Authenticity

A little note on authenticity to fellow business owners.

I believe in being authentic, I believe in doing what I say I am going to do, I take pride in being genuine honest, hardworking person, I wish to have a business grow organically with authentic people who have the same values. This is how I want to be remembered.

As a coach, a mentor, and a business owner, I will always have my client’s expectations, needs, desires and goals at the forefront of my mind.

I am fortunate enough to understand the concept of having a successful business and know hands down, that without my clients, my loyal followers, friends and past clients, my business would not be growing as it is.

I believe that being authentic is not just ‘acting the part’ during business hours, I believe it is everything, all of your interactions, how you talk, how you listen, how you support, motivate and encourage other business owners, especially ones that are starting out – being careful not to forget we all started at the bottom at some time.

In today’s time –  everyone is connected, everyone uses social media, whether it be facebook, pinterest, twitter what ever, we use it in public, at work, people are constantly observing you.

It is likely that if you are in the public eye – from time to time, you might come under scrutiny from your followers/fans/clients. Listen to what they have to say, take this feedback on board and use it as an opportunity to revisit where your business is at – where your customer service is at, are their needs being met, are you ‘hitting the mark’ or have your lost focus and it is being observed by those around you. Take this time to revisit your goals and values. If the feedback is not so positive, then it is time to make some adjustments – ask these people providing feedback how they might like it to change, ask them their ideas on how they would like it to be. You are there for your clients, therefore, you need to service them correctly or they will leave.

 

Here is an example:
Over the past few years of doing business with a company and always feeling uneasy about their lack of professionalism and behavior,  I recently observed their behaviour for one last time before choosing to cut ties with them. Some of the behaviour included talking ill about their specific customers, in earshot of me (the public/ their customer)…  this is a massive NO NO! Of course, sometimes we are stressed or frustrated, but you should never, ever make it clear to your client or customer or other customers for that matter – your reputation is at stake!

How to avoid blowing up:
When you feel pushed to your limit, pause, take a deep breath, and thank them. Yes. Thank them for bringing X or Y to your attention. You, MUST learn from your customers. But don’t, gossip on Facebook, or talk ill about them behind their back. You may think it won’t get back to them… errr but your ‘friends’ may have friends that know them… or you might accidentally not have a private profile like you think you do!

(Note: remember that there is law against defamation of character too if you are ‘blowing up’ a scenario).

I am pretty sure, I’m not the only one who wants to do business with professional people…am I wrong?

Be authentic in your dealings, remember your clients do come first (they may not always be right) but they are your customers, your income, and your biggest advocates positively or negatively!

If you would like more information or support, please message me on nicky@pplifecoaching.com