Do you want to achieve certain things in 2015? If so this post is for you.
We are by our nature goal oriented so your setting goals to achieve certain things is natural and normal.
Research shows that if we set balanced goals and achieve them this helps to raise our confidence and self-esteem.
What are balanced goals?
For a start, balanced goals aim to achieve something for work, you personally and you socially.
Goals are broad statements of intent e.g. 'I will change my career in 2015 or I will lose weight in 2015 or I will join a new social group'.
Objectives will move you to the next level of detail. To help you to achieve your objectives you will do well to follow the SMART acronym:
Specific
Measurable
Achieveable
Realistic
Timebound
Also writing down and referring to your goals and objectives regularly will help you to achieve them.
For example, from 'I will change my career in 2015' your objective could be 'I will work with a career coach from January to March 2015 to determine what career/s would suit me best and then tailor my CV to apply to x, y, z organisations in Bristol. I aim to be in my new career by 1.9.15.'
Or, from 'I will lose weight in 2015' your objective could be 'I will join weight watchers in January 2015 and do 3 workouts at the gym for an hour a time from 1.2.15. My target weight is 10 stone.'
Or from 'I will join a new social group' your objective could be 'I will trial Bristol social solos, my local skittles group and the rowing club before deciding which to join and attend once a week from March 2015 to meet new people'.
We hope that you enjoy setting and achieving your 2015 goals and objectives.
For help and support please contact us at enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or on 01761 237400
Wednesday, 31 December 2014
Tuesday, 23 December 2014
The 6 Wise Men Approach to Self Coaching
Are you looking for a tool or technique to help you to achieve a happier more balanced life?
As it's Christmas and with a bit of a twist on the traditional 3 wise men Christmas theme, I am reminding you of some other wise men, 6 of them.
As it's Christmas and with a bit of a twist on the traditional 3 wise men Christmas theme, I am reminding you of some other wise men, 6 of them.
- What do you love doing such that when you are doing it you feel good? This may be particular skills such as helping another person to learn something or playing a team sport or tending your garden and watching it grow or spending time with a loved one. The idea is to do more of what you love in your day
- Who are you doing it with?
- Where are you doing it?
- How are you doing it? is there a particular approach that you enjoy taking or making?
- When are you doing it?
- Why are you doing it? What is fulfilling/important/meaningful to you about this activity?
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
Manage your Wellbeing at Work
Do you often find yourself blaming work for your lack of well being, whether that be stress or maybe a lack of control on aspects of your life such as your weight?
This can leave you feeling that life is a constant fight or battle that you are reacting to.
The most authoritative review of scientific research about wellbeing tells us that we will experience greater wellbeing if we do 5 actions: connect, give, learn, move and notice.
We also know from research that we are better able to maintain changes if we make those changes in baby steps.
Today, what about focusing on one small action of connecting, giving, learning, moving or noticing, whilst at work?
For example, you might decide to notice using your senses whenever you think of this during your day and respond intuitively to what comes up such as letting go of your breath or stretching your neck.
Perhaps you can focus on one small action from each of the five actions for one working week.
What do you notice at the end of the week? Mentally? Physically? Any small shifts worth building on?
If stress and/or lack of control is something that you would like to address with help please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
This can leave you feeling that life is a constant fight or battle that you are reacting to.
The most authoritative review of scientific research about wellbeing tells us that we will experience greater wellbeing if we do 5 actions: connect, give, learn, move and notice.
We also know from research that we are better able to maintain changes if we make those changes in baby steps.
Today, what about focusing on one small action of connecting, giving, learning, moving or noticing, whilst at work?
For example, you might decide to notice using your senses whenever you think of this during your day and respond intuitively to what comes up such as letting go of your breath or stretching your neck.
Perhaps you can focus on one small action from each of the five actions for one working week.
What do you notice at the end of the week? Mentally? Physically? Any small shifts worth building on?
If stress and/or lack of control is something that you would like to address with help please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
Friday, 12 December 2014
Independent Small Business Self-Coaching Approach
Are you an independent small business owner or partner?
Has your business growth plateaued or declined?
We work with you and your team to achieve sales growth whatever the economic situation.
You can start the process off yourself by considering the following questions. You can then either take action on your own or, if you feel that you would benefit from expert support, commission us to work with you. One area that clients find particularly useful is developing leadership behaviours.
1. What is the direction and focus of my/our business?
2. What strategic actions do I/we need to take to achieve the direction and focus of the business?
3. What is the best environment for this business?
4. What behaviours and skills need to be acquired to grow this business?
5. What values and beliefs do we share for this business?
One tip is to ask your staff for their views on what's good, what needs work and what ideas they have for growing the business.
If this proves a useful exercise let us know. If you would like to meet to see if we can help grow your small business please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
Has your business growth plateaued or declined?
We work with you and your team to achieve sales growth whatever the economic situation.
You can start the process off yourself by considering the following questions. You can then either take action on your own or, if you feel that you would benefit from expert support, commission us to work with you. One area that clients find particularly useful is developing leadership behaviours.
1. What is the direction and focus of my/our business?
2. What strategic actions do I/we need to take to achieve the direction and focus of the business?
3. What is the best environment for this business?
4. What behaviours and skills need to be acquired to grow this business?
5. What values and beliefs do we share for this business?
One tip is to ask your staff for their views on what's good, what needs work and what ideas they have for growing the business.
If this proves a useful exercise let us know. If you would like to meet to see if we can help grow your small business please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
Thursday, 4 December 2014
Do you have ambitious growth plans for your small business?
If you do have ambitious growth plans for your small business then please read on.
The likelihood is that critical success factor to achieve your financial targets is your people. Individual motivation and capability along with team harmony will make or break your ambitions.
Do you know if each individual within your small business is operating at 100% motivation and 100% capability?
Do you know you staff?
Do you know what motivates individuals and what would send their motivation souring up to 100%
Do staff know specifically what you expect from them behaviourally and in terms of results?
Do you know what is stopping your staff from being 100% capable to deliver your expectations?
Do you have plans in place to send staff motivation and capability souring to 100%
Answering these questions will help you to move towards achieving your ambitious growth plans.
We are working with small businesses like yours to assist as independent experts.
The return on investment you can expect to achieve through people development interventions is many times over.
If you would like help to achieve your goals and targets, please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
The likelihood is that critical success factor to achieve your financial targets is your people. Individual motivation and capability along with team harmony will make or break your ambitions.
Do you know if each individual within your small business is operating at 100% motivation and 100% capability?
Do you know you staff?
Do you know what motivates individuals and what would send their motivation souring up to 100%
Do staff know specifically what you expect from them behaviourally and in terms of results?
Do you know what is stopping your staff from being 100% capable to deliver your expectations?
Do you have plans in place to send staff motivation and capability souring to 100%
Answering these questions will help you to move towards achieving your ambitious growth plans.
We are working with small businesses like yours to assist as independent experts.
The return on investment you can expect to achieve through people development interventions is many times over.
If you would like help to achieve your goals and targets, please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
Friday, 28 November 2014
Tips to get past any bad mental habits
Bad mental habits can negatively affect our performance and results during the day - is this you?
We could be forgiven for bad mental habits when we consider the amount of negative messages that hit our brain daily.
Our day might start by listening to 'more bad news on the radio' as the song lyric goes, then opening the bills, then listening to work colleagues complain about some work related matter.
That doesn't mean it's helpful or necessary.
As you become aware of your negative internal dialogue and what you say to the people around you, you will notice your own negativity and how it makes you feel.
We get into sticky situations, as one client put it recently, when we have negative thoughts about something. Ask yourself 'is this thought helpful?' and if it is a no, avoid the temptation of following the thought ie analysing it.
Instead do your own meditation exercise at your desk just focusing on your in and out breaths for a few minutes to centre yourself.
Or do something instead that you want to do rather than focusing on your thoughts and feelings - 'what can I do right now that means something to me?'
This is particularly useful if you find yourself thinking negatively about the past or future. It helps you to focus on your now. If you can focus on something right now that is connected to your values you will feel calm and focused. You are using your own internal wisdom to just enjoy right now.
If you would like help with any changes you want to make please contact us on 01761 237400 or e mail enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
We could be forgiven for bad mental habits when we consider the amount of negative messages that hit our brain daily.
Our day might start by listening to 'more bad news on the radio' as the song lyric goes, then opening the bills, then listening to work colleagues complain about some work related matter.
That doesn't mean it's helpful or necessary.
As you become aware of your negative internal dialogue and what you say to the people around you, you will notice your own negativity and how it makes you feel.
We get into sticky situations, as one client put it recently, when we have negative thoughts about something. Ask yourself 'is this thought helpful?' and if it is a no, avoid the temptation of following the thought ie analysing it.
Instead do your own meditation exercise at your desk just focusing on your in and out breaths for a few minutes to centre yourself.
Or do something instead that you want to do rather than focusing on your thoughts and feelings - 'what can I do right now that means something to me?'
This is particularly useful if you find yourself thinking negatively about the past or future. It helps you to focus on your now. If you can focus on something right now that is connected to your values you will feel calm and focused. You are using your own internal wisdom to just enjoy right now.
If you would like help with any changes you want to make please contact us on 01761 237400 or e mail enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
Thursday, 20 November 2014
Be Inspired...
More and more we are searching for meaning in our lives - is this you?
The biggest barrier to getting the meaning that you want in your life is not being able to clearly articulate what that meaning is for you.
This blog's purpose is to provide you with a tool to articulate what a life of meaning would be for you. The output of this will drive your mind to come up with ways to help you to get there and overcome any issues and obstacles along the way. This can be fed into an action plan to help you achieve your vision.
The tool is a Vision.
Here are some key questions to help you to arrive at your Vision.
What will my life look like to me if I have things the way I want them?
What will I be doing specifically on a day hour by hour when I have things the way I want them?
What will be said about what I do when I have things the way I want them?
What will I feel when I have things the way I want them.
If you are very visual, creating a schematic vision is helpful.
If you are very feelings driven a story of your 'wanted life' works well.
If you are very auditory the words in your vision statement will be particularly important.
If you would like help articulating your vision please get in touch on 01761 237400 or through e mailing us at enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
The biggest barrier to getting the meaning that you want in your life is not being able to clearly articulate what that meaning is for you.
This blog's purpose is to provide you with a tool to articulate what a life of meaning would be for you. The output of this will drive your mind to come up with ways to help you to get there and overcome any issues and obstacles along the way. This can be fed into an action plan to help you achieve your vision.
The tool is a Vision.
Here are some key questions to help you to arrive at your Vision.
What will my life look like to me if I have things the way I want them?
What will I be doing specifically on a day hour by hour when I have things the way I want them?
What will be said about what I do when I have things the way I want them?
What will I feel when I have things the way I want them.
If you are very visual, creating a schematic vision is helpful.
If you are very feelings driven a story of your 'wanted life' works well.
If you are very auditory the words in your vision statement will be particularly important.
If you would like help articulating your vision please get in touch on 01761 237400 or through e mailing us at enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
Feeeling Negative about your Work or Life as a whole?
When we are negative it is difficult to cope and be motivated - is this something that you have been experiencing?
According to research about 90% of our thoughts have some negative content.
We cannot stop negative thoughts as they are part of our psychological inheritance.
What we can do is let them come and go without analysis, without judgement.
Thoughts are not real. They are stories that we tell ourselves.
If you feel upset, ask yourself what you were analysing and judging. Stop it.
Perhaps see your thoughts like choosing a radio station - which thoughts do I find it helpful to tune into and so decide which not to engage in. This is a relief and easier than trying to override negative thoughts with positive ones.
With the time you save from analysing negative thoughts choose something that you like to do, that has value for you.
If you want to make a change at work or personally and would like professional help and support to achieve what you have in mind, please get in touch via 01761 237400 or e mail your needs and wants to us at enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk.
According to research about 90% of our thoughts have some negative content.
We cannot stop negative thoughts as they are part of our psychological inheritance.
What we can do is let them come and go without analysis, without judgement.
Thoughts are not real. They are stories that we tell ourselves.
If you feel upset, ask yourself what you were analysing and judging. Stop it.
Perhaps see your thoughts like choosing a radio station - which thoughts do I find it helpful to tune into and so decide which not to engage in. This is a relief and easier than trying to override negative thoughts with positive ones.
With the time you save from analysing negative thoughts choose something that you like to do, that has value for you.
If you want to make a change at work or personally and would like professional help and support to achieve what you have in mind, please get in touch via 01761 237400 or e mail your needs and wants to us at enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk.
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
Quick Time Management Tool
If you are like about fifty percent of the adult population then time management will always be somewhat of a challenge for you.
This tool works whether you have a line manager or whether you work on your own and whether the work is a small or larger piece of work such as a project or programme.
When a piece of work comes in resist the temptation to leave it until the day before the deadline agreed with your line manager or other customer.
Apply the following questions from the 'six wise men'.
1. How long do I/we estimate that this work will take?
This question will help you to allocate the time required working back from the deadline. For example, if a piece of work is estimated to take 20 hours and you have ten days to the deadline then you may choose to allocate two hours per day each day until the deadline to do this work.
2. What are the key inputs and what does the output look like?
This question helps you to consider the data and information that you will need to source for the work. It also helps to ensure that you are meeting your customer's expectations. For example, you agree with your line manager that the output is a one page work document or a ten slide powerpoint presentation which covers why the change is happening, what the benefits are to the business, teams and individuals and how the change is being managed as well as a question and answer slide. The more detail about specifics, agreed, the more closely the output will meet the customer expectations.
3. When does the work need to be delivered to my customer?
This question helps you to plan ahead and remember that the customer may need it before their customer so that they have time to check or quality assure your work output. I always say to my clients plan to complete the work before this deadline so that you have time spare at the end just in case....
4. Who can help me?
This question will help you to address the issue of the best resources for the work.
5. Where so I need to deliver this work to?
This question helps again with meeting your customer's expectations. For example, they may want a hard copy printed and left on their desk rather than an e mail attachment.
6. Why do I need to do this work?
This question is a sanity check for you and your customer. For example, how does this work relate to the wider business objectives?
I am sure that you can play with this and add in your own questions.
Remember that the point is to improve your own time and workload management.
If you would like help with this or any other development need and change that you want to make please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk/01761 237400
This tool works whether you have a line manager or whether you work on your own and whether the work is a small or larger piece of work such as a project or programme.
When a piece of work comes in resist the temptation to leave it until the day before the deadline agreed with your line manager or other customer.
Apply the following questions from the 'six wise men'.
1. How long do I/we estimate that this work will take?
This question will help you to allocate the time required working back from the deadline. For example, if a piece of work is estimated to take 20 hours and you have ten days to the deadline then you may choose to allocate two hours per day each day until the deadline to do this work.
2. What are the key inputs and what does the output look like?
This question helps you to consider the data and information that you will need to source for the work. It also helps to ensure that you are meeting your customer's expectations. For example, you agree with your line manager that the output is a one page work document or a ten slide powerpoint presentation which covers why the change is happening, what the benefits are to the business, teams and individuals and how the change is being managed as well as a question and answer slide. The more detail about specifics, agreed, the more closely the output will meet the customer expectations.
3. When does the work need to be delivered to my customer?
This question helps you to plan ahead and remember that the customer may need it before their customer so that they have time to check or quality assure your work output. I always say to my clients plan to complete the work before this deadline so that you have time spare at the end just in case....
4. Who can help me?
This question will help you to address the issue of the best resources for the work.
5. Where so I need to deliver this work to?
This question helps again with meeting your customer's expectations. For example, they may want a hard copy printed and left on their desk rather than an e mail attachment.
6. Why do I need to do this work?
This question is a sanity check for you and your customer. For example, how does this work relate to the wider business objectives?
I am sure that you can play with this and add in your own questions.
Remember that the point is to improve your own time and workload management.
If you would like help with this or any other development need and change that you want to make please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk/01761 237400
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
Is Leadership Coaching for You?
You may have been considering the question is leadership coaching for me and/or a member of my team.
What is leadership coaching, when might I use it, what are its pros and cons are four good questions to ask yourself during your deliberations.
What is it?
Coaching focuses on personal development. It is about setting goals and using techniques and tools to help to achieve those goals.
When to use it?
Coaching is great for developing strengths and addressing weaker areas of behaviour through skills development too. I also use it to help my clients to develop helpful beliefs and values and work towards a sense of identity.
It is important to grasp that we all have strengths and weaknesses, that we carry on learning throughout our lives and experiences.
What are the pros of coaching?
My clients tell me that the greatest pro is specific individually tailored huge amount of learning.
What are the cons of coaching?
For me, if coaching is the appropriate vehicle for development then there are no cons.
However, coaching does involve being challenged with sometimes difficult questions to answer that might be uncomfortable for some leaders.
Most sponsors of coaching would do well to emphasise the vast benefits of coaching to their leaders whilst preparing them for the challenging questions that are part of coaching. I would suggest that you reflect on that.
To speak with a professional coach please get in touch via 01761 237400/enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
What is leadership coaching, when might I use it, what are its pros and cons are four good questions to ask yourself during your deliberations.
What is it?
Coaching focuses on personal development. It is about setting goals and using techniques and tools to help to achieve those goals.
When to use it?
Coaching is great for developing strengths and addressing weaker areas of behaviour through skills development too. I also use it to help my clients to develop helpful beliefs and values and work towards a sense of identity.
It is important to grasp that we all have strengths and weaknesses, that we carry on learning throughout our lives and experiences.
What are the pros of coaching?
My clients tell me that the greatest pro is specific individually tailored huge amount of learning.
What are the cons of coaching?
For me, if coaching is the appropriate vehicle for development then there are no cons.
However, coaching does involve being challenged with sometimes difficult questions to answer that might be uncomfortable for some leaders.
Most sponsors of coaching would do well to emphasise the vast benefits of coaching to their leaders whilst preparing them for the challenging questions that are part of coaching. I would suggest that you reflect on that.
To speak with a professional coach please get in touch via 01761 237400/enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
Tuesday, 21 October 2014
Coaching to achieve results
Are you happy with all of your results including those in your work and personal life?
Research shows that we prefer to come up with our own solutions to our goals and challenges.
Effective coaching is a way of helping you to come up with your own solutions and get the results that you want.
Effective coaching taps into your motivation and your own initiative and creativity, through providing you with knowledge to make choices about how to use your mind.
Research also shows that where there are better conversations in organisations they are better equipped to assess reality and as a result get better business results.
Better conversations are at the heart of coaching at organisational, team and individual level.
Better conversations with others lead on from mastering your own psychology including building and maintaining a good level of confidence resulting in a belief such as 'I can achieve the results that I have in mind'. Say this to yourself as many times as you can over the next week and notice that ideas to help you to get there start to arise in your mind.
If you would like help with any challenge or goal that you have in mind, please contact us on 01761 237400 or via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk and we can set up time to see how we may be able to help you.
Research shows that we prefer to come up with our own solutions to our goals and challenges.
Effective coaching is a way of helping you to come up with your own solutions and get the results that you want.
Effective coaching taps into your motivation and your own initiative and creativity, through providing you with knowledge to make choices about how to use your mind.
Research also shows that where there are better conversations in organisations they are better equipped to assess reality and as a result get better business results.
Better conversations are at the heart of coaching at organisational, team and individual level.
Better conversations with others lead on from mastering your own psychology including building and maintaining a good level of confidence resulting in a belief such as 'I can achieve the results that I have in mind'. Say this to yourself as many times as you can over the next week and notice that ideas to help you to get there start to arise in your mind.
If you would like help with any challenge or goal that you have in mind, please contact us on 01761 237400 or via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk and we can set up time to see how we may be able to help you.
Thursday, 16 October 2014
Leadership Coaching
If you are a leader working within an organisation this blog is for you as part of updating your leadership knowledge and application.
The latest thinking is that leadership is to be acknowledged, developed and harnessed at every level of an organisation whether you are a team member, manager or director.
Whether you are a director of your own small business or an employed director or manager what are you doing to encourage all of your team members to lead?
For example at Honda, collective leadership has a name - waigaya - here all ideas are welcomed regardless of rank. Honda claim that this approach has led to improvements in productivity and performance.
Could you be doing more to encourage all staff to discuss ideas and issues that could impact the performance of the company, negatively or positively?
Research shows that most people learn best by doing. When was the last time that you challenged yourself to work with a leader from a different area of the business or in another business to see what resources they use to solve problems and make decisions?
Leadership guru Simon Sinek believes all effective leaders communicate in the same way, an approach he names the 'golden circle'. He says that these leaders focus on the why before that what or how. This is backed up by neuroscience - we make many decisions with our emotional mind or limbic system which is responsible for feelings like trust and knowing when something feels right.
Susan Cain in 'Quiet' says that leaders need not be loud, that good leaders listen a lot and prioritise others.
Body language and how you project yourself to others impacts how you are perceived as a leader. Having strong posture and physiology can also help with stress and decision making. For example, centring your body by taking long deep breaths helps you to focus on now and to project strong presence.
What are your leadership challenges and how can you use this blog to enhance your leadership?
If you would like help with a professional or personal challenge please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or 01761 237400.
The latest thinking is that leadership is to be acknowledged, developed and harnessed at every level of an organisation whether you are a team member, manager or director.
Whether you are a director of your own small business or an employed director or manager what are you doing to encourage all of your team members to lead?
For example at Honda, collective leadership has a name - waigaya - here all ideas are welcomed regardless of rank. Honda claim that this approach has led to improvements in productivity and performance.
Could you be doing more to encourage all staff to discuss ideas and issues that could impact the performance of the company, negatively or positively?
Research shows that most people learn best by doing. When was the last time that you challenged yourself to work with a leader from a different area of the business or in another business to see what resources they use to solve problems and make decisions?
Leadership guru Simon Sinek believes all effective leaders communicate in the same way, an approach he names the 'golden circle'. He says that these leaders focus on the why before that what or how. This is backed up by neuroscience - we make many decisions with our emotional mind or limbic system which is responsible for feelings like trust and knowing when something feels right.
Susan Cain in 'Quiet' says that leaders need not be loud, that good leaders listen a lot and prioritise others.
Body language and how you project yourself to others impacts how you are perceived as a leader. Having strong posture and physiology can also help with stress and decision making. For example, centring your body by taking long deep breaths helps you to focus on now and to project strong presence.
What are your leadership challenges and how can you use this blog to enhance your leadership?
If you would like help with a professional or personal challenge please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or 01761 237400.
Tuesday, 7 October 2014
E mail Behaviour Change Coaching
Do you have a behaviour that you want to change?
Pause, review, edit and send habit with e mails represents a positive metaphor for our lives in general.
If we took a moment to think in this way we would have better relationships with others at work and in our personal lives.
E mails are a good starting point because here we have the choice of pause, review and edit. I add fast forward and rewind after pause too. If I did what I was first thinking of and fast forward what could be the impact of my actions? If the impact I perceive is a negative unhelpful, unkind, unnecessary one, I can rewind before I have acted and move on to option two. Then I can pause again, fast forward and consider again the impact of my action, rewinding again if I want.
This process allows us to review the possible consequences of our actions before we take action.
Of course, a lot of our responses are habitual and unconscious. However, by taking time to be consciously aware of our behaviours we can practice new habits such as pressing our pause button...
Are there behaviours in your life that are causing you problems at work and home? Could you use this strategy to help you to change those behaviours?
If you would like help and support in changing behaviours that are causing you problems at work and home please reach out via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or call us on 01761 237400. In the first instance you may want to visit our website at www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
Pause, review, edit and send habit with e mails represents a positive metaphor for our lives in general.
If we took a moment to think in this way we would have better relationships with others at work and in our personal lives.
E mails are a good starting point because here we have the choice of pause, review and edit. I add fast forward and rewind after pause too. If I did what I was first thinking of and fast forward what could be the impact of my actions? If the impact I perceive is a negative unhelpful, unkind, unnecessary one, I can rewind before I have acted and move on to option two. Then I can pause again, fast forward and consider again the impact of my action, rewinding again if I want.
This process allows us to review the possible consequences of our actions before we take action.
Of course, a lot of our responses are habitual and unconscious. However, by taking time to be consciously aware of our behaviours we can practice new habits such as pressing our pause button...
Are there behaviours in your life that are causing you problems at work and home? Could you use this strategy to help you to change those behaviours?
If you would like help and support in changing behaviours that are causing you problems at work and home please reach out via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or call us on 01761 237400. In the first instance you may want to visit our website at www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
Friday, 3 October 2014
Creating a Plan for your Life
If you have no specific plan for your life you are not alone. For some people this is good. These people know what they want and are living it. And yet if you feel that you are drifting please do read on.
We drift when we are not clear about what we want. This covers work, our personal lives, our social lives, financial situation plus wider wants such as your role in the community.
Imagine for a moment that you a year or three years ahead from now. What is your life like then if you have and are doing what you most want? What does your life look like? How do you feel about it? Where do you live? What do you do for work? What is your lifestyle? Who are your key relationships with? This is your goal or outcome.
What objectives will help you to meet your goal? For example, what do you need to save, when by and what for? How will you do this? Do you need to retrain? Where and when? What are the actions that you need to take to achieve the lifestyle that you want? For example if you want flexible working so that you can spend more time with a family member, say full-time working spread over four days, do you need to write a business case to present to your line manager? Breaking objectives down into achievable action steps helps us to get going and get things done.
Finally, imagine your outcome or goal each day so that your mind can come up with new ideas to get you there. What does this goal give you in terms of values? For example freedom. Be happy that you are living your gaily life according to your values.
For all of your coaching and counselling support needs please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or call us on 01761 237400.
We drift when we are not clear about what we want. This covers work, our personal lives, our social lives, financial situation plus wider wants such as your role in the community.
Imagine for a moment that you a year or three years ahead from now. What is your life like then if you have and are doing what you most want? What does your life look like? How do you feel about it? Where do you live? What do you do for work? What is your lifestyle? Who are your key relationships with? This is your goal or outcome.
What objectives will help you to meet your goal? For example, what do you need to save, when by and what for? How will you do this? Do you need to retrain? Where and when? What are the actions that you need to take to achieve the lifestyle that you want? For example if you want flexible working so that you can spend more time with a family member, say full-time working spread over four days, do you need to write a business case to present to your line manager? Breaking objectives down into achievable action steps helps us to get going and get things done.
Finally, imagine your outcome or goal each day so that your mind can come up with new ideas to get you there. What does this goal give you in terms of values? For example freedom. Be happy that you are living your gaily life according to your values.
For all of your coaching and counselling support needs please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or call us on 01761 237400.
Wednesday, 24 September 2014
To develop yourself or not to develop yourself....that is the question
If you think that coaching is for poor performers to address remedial issues, please read on and be prepared to think again...
Often senior leaders seek out a coach to work with because they have the decision making authority and budget. These individuals also know that with a good coach they will accelerate their development and lead their teams to achieve good or even great results.
Equally often leaders are referred for coaching. Here there is often concern that they are not appreciated for their strengths and what they are already achieving. I can empathise with this. The immediate question is 'what is wrong with me all of a sudden?' particularly if you have been working with your line manager for some time.
Having relationships with all stakeholders in the coaching process, I have found that referring managers usually value the individual highly. In fact it is because of this value that individuals are referred - to build on their achievements with new ways of thinking and doing things that will help them to be even more effective at work.
When we ask for and receive feedback it can be seen as free development.
When we are referred for coaching it can be seen as a good opportunity to start to address those development needs that will help us perform at our best, in a calm, confident and effective way.
So if you get the opportunity to be coached I would advise that you grab it with both hands. We all have development needs, areas of our performance that can be improved upon. What are yours?
If you would like to discuss how coaching might help you please get in touch via 01761 237400/enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
Often senior leaders seek out a coach to work with because they have the decision making authority and budget. These individuals also know that with a good coach they will accelerate their development and lead their teams to achieve good or even great results.
Equally often leaders are referred for coaching. Here there is often concern that they are not appreciated for their strengths and what they are already achieving. I can empathise with this. The immediate question is 'what is wrong with me all of a sudden?' particularly if you have been working with your line manager for some time.
Having relationships with all stakeholders in the coaching process, I have found that referring managers usually value the individual highly. In fact it is because of this value that individuals are referred - to build on their achievements with new ways of thinking and doing things that will help them to be even more effective at work.
When we ask for and receive feedback it can be seen as free development.
When we are referred for coaching it can be seen as a good opportunity to start to address those development needs that will help us perform at our best, in a calm, confident and effective way.
So if you get the opportunity to be coached I would advise that you grab it with both hands. We all have development needs, areas of our performance that can be improved upon. What are yours?
If you would like to discuss how coaching might help you please get in touch via 01761 237400/enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
Friday, 19 September 2014
Career/Job Health Check
Did you choose your career/job based on your values and what you enjoy or did you fall into your role?
We spend a huge chunk of our waking hours at work and thinking about work outside of work and talking about work to the people in our life.
If you hate your work and have done for some time then here are some questions to ask yourself and answer honestly to start the process of moving forwards positively
- why do you hate your work? what are the three key issues that upset you the most causing you sleepless nights or frequent rants to your partner/mother/siblings?
- what if anything past or present was/is fun, rewarding, felt exciting?
- what needs do you have in your work that are not being met? For example you like to be autonomous, whilst your boss is very directive?
- come up with ideas for possible improvements - ask what if? It is unlikely that you can completely change your role though perhaps you could speak to your boss about taking on new and different projects or responsibilities that are more suited to your values and what is important to you now.
- what suits me and my skills?
- what would feel like fulfilling work?
- can I delegate things that weigh me down and drain my energy because I am not good at them?
If you are certain that you want to change careers but do not know what you do want to do ask yourself
- what is important to me?
- what did I love doing when I was growing up?
- what magazine would I buy?
- what am I doing when I feel most energised?
- whose job do I envy?
Then go and spend some time doing 'possible jobs' - ask colleagues what their job is like, offer to work with them for free and get on the job experience of what it is really like to do that job - 'the good and the bad'. This is a great way to learn about you, what you like, what your 'must haves' are as well as what you are prepared to trade. For example, a must is a thirty minute maximum commute and you are prepared to trade on salary.
If you would like to have professional help and support to help you in your career please get in contact through enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or call us on 01761 237400.
We spend a huge chunk of our waking hours at work and thinking about work outside of work and talking about work to the people in our life.
If you hate your work and have done for some time then here are some questions to ask yourself and answer honestly to start the process of moving forwards positively
- why do you hate your work? what are the three key issues that upset you the most causing you sleepless nights or frequent rants to your partner/mother/siblings?
- what if anything past or present was/is fun, rewarding, felt exciting?
- what needs do you have in your work that are not being met? For example you like to be autonomous, whilst your boss is very directive?
- come up with ideas for possible improvements - ask what if? It is unlikely that you can completely change your role though perhaps you could speak to your boss about taking on new and different projects or responsibilities that are more suited to your values and what is important to you now.
- what suits me and my skills?
- what would feel like fulfilling work?
- can I delegate things that weigh me down and drain my energy because I am not good at them?
If you are certain that you want to change careers but do not know what you do want to do ask yourself
- what is important to me?
- what did I love doing when I was growing up?
- what magazine would I buy?
- what am I doing when I feel most energised?
- whose job do I envy?
Then go and spend some time doing 'possible jobs' - ask colleagues what their job is like, offer to work with them for free and get on the job experience of what it is really like to do that job - 'the good and the bad'. This is a great way to learn about you, what you like, what your 'must haves' are as well as what you are prepared to trade. For example, a must is a thirty minute maximum commute and you are prepared to trade on salary.
If you would like to have professional help and support to help you in your career please get in contact through enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or call us on 01761 237400.
Thursday, 18 September 2014
Change Made Easier...
If you want to make a change in your life but are struggling then please read on.
According to all of the research we all struggle with change. The theory is that from birth we like a routine that we get used to and know well. Change literally pulls the rug or comfort blanket from under our inner child and we experience some level of stress.
Some of the stuff that we do does not serve us so we decide that we want to change it. We usually refer to the things that we do routinely as habits. Whilst there are good and bad habits most of the time we talk in the context of bad habits such as poor eating, exercise, communication or work.
Whatever we do continually becomes a habit. A strong emotional response can also result in a habit change such as always wearing a seat belt following a near fatal car accident during which you were not wearing a seat belt.
The first step to making a change is working out the best specific thing about the result of making that change. For example, 'I will take great delight in going to the meeting next month feeling and looking confident as I present my report. This will mean that I have more energy for my team and we can prioritise work optimally.'
For any change to work the current situation must be painful and the prospect of the future situation such as that outlined above sufficiently pleasurable for us to work to that.
Having identified your goal, you may, like many others before you, aim to go all out to achieve the goal now and in full. Perhaps you have experienced this before say with exercise and committed to going to the gym every night after work, only to give up after Wednesday.
The second step to making change stick is to take small action steps each day that move you in the direction of the goal. Using the example above the daily action steps might be taken Monday to Friday as follows and repeated each week before the next meeting
Monday - brainstorm what I need to do to achieve this goal
Tuesday - practice presenting my report with confident physiology including eye contact, taking notes, smiling
Wednesday - practice focusing on report highlights balancing good and not so good news 3:1
Thursday - practice calm tone and positive language
Friday - practice asking good questions
Repetition is really important to creating new habits. Every time we repeat an action a neural pathway is created and each repetition reinforces it. So the more you practice doing what you want the nearer you are to your goal.
Remember that it is the small things that you do each day - your good habits - that are the key to success in anything you choose to do.
If you would like help making the changes that will fulfil you in life please get in touch via www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk. If you would like to e mail a question then please do so through enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
According to all of the research we all struggle with change. The theory is that from birth we like a routine that we get used to and know well. Change literally pulls the rug or comfort blanket from under our inner child and we experience some level of stress.
Some of the stuff that we do does not serve us so we decide that we want to change it. We usually refer to the things that we do routinely as habits. Whilst there are good and bad habits most of the time we talk in the context of bad habits such as poor eating, exercise, communication or work.
Whatever we do continually becomes a habit. A strong emotional response can also result in a habit change such as always wearing a seat belt following a near fatal car accident during which you were not wearing a seat belt.
The first step to making a change is working out the best specific thing about the result of making that change. For example, 'I will take great delight in going to the meeting next month feeling and looking confident as I present my report. This will mean that I have more energy for my team and we can prioritise work optimally.'
For any change to work the current situation must be painful and the prospect of the future situation such as that outlined above sufficiently pleasurable for us to work to that.
Having identified your goal, you may, like many others before you, aim to go all out to achieve the goal now and in full. Perhaps you have experienced this before say with exercise and committed to going to the gym every night after work, only to give up after Wednesday.
The second step to making change stick is to take small action steps each day that move you in the direction of the goal. Using the example above the daily action steps might be taken Monday to Friday as follows and repeated each week before the next meeting
Monday - brainstorm what I need to do to achieve this goal
Tuesday - practice presenting my report with confident physiology including eye contact, taking notes, smiling
Wednesday - practice focusing on report highlights balancing good and not so good news 3:1
Thursday - practice calm tone and positive language
Friday - practice asking good questions
Repetition is really important to creating new habits. Every time we repeat an action a neural pathway is created and each repetition reinforces it. So the more you practice doing what you want the nearer you are to your goal.
Remember that it is the small things that you do each day - your good habits - that are the key to success in anything you choose to do.
If you would like help making the changes that will fulfil you in life please get in touch via www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk. If you would like to e mail a question then please do so through enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
Thursday, 4 September 2014
Getting What You Want
If you are interested in getting what you want but are unsure as to where to start and how to go about this big area of your life please read on.
Before we start it's interesting to know that research strongly indicates that when we help others and connect with those others this helps us to achieve what we want in terms of how we feel, pretty good.
So when you are using your creative mind to explore what you want it might help to bear this in mind.
Right, if you were to wave a realistic magic wand what would you have, be and do in the following areas of your life
1. In your work
2. You personally
3. With others
Research suggests that these are the 3 core areas of our life and if we achieve what we want in these areas we will be pretty happy. All good so far.
The next area to explore is how we go about achieving what we want. The main issue here is overcoming our internal critic, the area that stems from the unconscious mind which houses limiting belief and decisions. For example, you may want to get really healthy but your belief is that every time you try you last a few days at most then go back to old habits.
What can you do about this? One tip is to work at the level of your identity and start to see yourself in your mind's eye as a healthy person doing healthy things like eating whole foods primarily. Rehearsing this image of yourself every day works to 'rewire' old patterns of thing and create new neural pathways. If you repeat this action for a month you will likely experience habit change, if you are committed and the old pain of being unhealthy is sufficiently limiting that you want a new way of being and doing.
It is sometimes hard to articulate what you specifically want. Even harder to make the change and maintain it.
If you would like support in making changes to achieve what you want we are here to help you.
Please visit our website www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk.
If you would like to experience a discovery session to identify your objectives and outcomes please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or call 01761 237400.
Before we start it's interesting to know that research strongly indicates that when we help others and connect with those others this helps us to achieve what we want in terms of how we feel, pretty good.
So when you are using your creative mind to explore what you want it might help to bear this in mind.
Right, if you were to wave a realistic magic wand what would you have, be and do in the following areas of your life
1. In your work
2. You personally
3. With others
Research suggests that these are the 3 core areas of our life and if we achieve what we want in these areas we will be pretty happy. All good so far.
The next area to explore is how we go about achieving what we want. The main issue here is overcoming our internal critic, the area that stems from the unconscious mind which houses limiting belief and decisions. For example, you may want to get really healthy but your belief is that every time you try you last a few days at most then go back to old habits.
What can you do about this? One tip is to work at the level of your identity and start to see yourself in your mind's eye as a healthy person doing healthy things like eating whole foods primarily. Rehearsing this image of yourself every day works to 'rewire' old patterns of thing and create new neural pathways. If you repeat this action for a month you will likely experience habit change, if you are committed and the old pain of being unhealthy is sufficiently limiting that you want a new way of being and doing.
It is sometimes hard to articulate what you specifically want. Even harder to make the change and maintain it.
If you would like support in making changes to achieve what you want we are here to help you.
Please visit our website www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk.
If you would like to experience a discovery session to identify your objectives and outcomes please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or call 01761 237400.
Monday, 1 September 2014
Anxiety About Changing?
If you find yourself having the same conversation with yourself and/or others about what you want to change and not having successfully achieved the change, please read on.
What you want is a conscious choice. Consider the question 'what do I want?' for a minute and write it all down.
Run through the list. Mark a cross by the side of those items which you have wanted for some time but not achieved and then prioritise them. Say the top one is to do more exercise.
The problem is that the things sabotaging your success and getting you to not do exercise are subconscious factors. For example, one of your beliefs, stored subconsciously, is that exercise is hard work, more pain than pleasure. Beliefs are powerful determinants of behaviour. So to change you must have beliefs that work in favour of the change that you want to make such as 'I believe I will have so much more energy' from doing more exercise which will make me feel more alive and want to engage more in life which is why I am here....you get the idea.
We know that for change to happen well and be sustained the current experience must be painful and the anticipate future pleasurable...so, what's the worst most painful thing about not doing exercise, for example, 'I feel really sluggish....which sets of a cycle of not doing exercise!' and what is the most pleasurable thing about doing an exercise that you enjoy? 'I get to be outside walking because that's my exercise of choice because when I walk I find it easiest to be in the moment when I feel calm'.
I wish you all the best in making that change that you know will have gthe biggest positive impact on your life.
If you would like help to achieve your changes your goals please visit our website www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or e mail us at enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling .co.uk if you have a question or call us on 01761 237400.
What you want is a conscious choice. Consider the question 'what do I want?' for a minute and write it all down.
Run through the list. Mark a cross by the side of those items which you have wanted for some time but not achieved and then prioritise them. Say the top one is to do more exercise.
The problem is that the things sabotaging your success and getting you to not do exercise are subconscious factors. For example, one of your beliefs, stored subconsciously, is that exercise is hard work, more pain than pleasure. Beliefs are powerful determinants of behaviour. So to change you must have beliefs that work in favour of the change that you want to make such as 'I believe I will have so much more energy' from doing more exercise which will make me feel more alive and want to engage more in life which is why I am here....you get the idea.
We know that for change to happen well and be sustained the current experience must be painful and the anticipate future pleasurable...so, what's the worst most painful thing about not doing exercise, for example, 'I feel really sluggish....which sets of a cycle of not doing exercise!' and what is the most pleasurable thing about doing an exercise that you enjoy? 'I get to be outside walking because that's my exercise of choice because when I walk I find it easiest to be in the moment when I feel calm'.
I wish you all the best in making that change that you know will have gthe biggest positive impact on your life.
If you would like help to achieve your changes your goals please visit our website www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or e mail us at enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling .co.uk if you have a question or call us on 01761 237400.
Wednesday, 27 August 2014
Thinking About A Change of Career?
If you are currently assessing your happiness and are not happy in your current career you may be considering a career change as one option. If this is you then please read on.
Maybe you are feeling under or over challenged and this is negatively impacting your mental and physical health.
Or is the main reason you are considering your options that you do not feel that you are recognised for your achievements.
Whatever the reason for your career review it helps to plan a way forwards.
Research shows that a key part of work satisfaction and fulfilment aside from providing a realistic challenge and recognition for your achievements is having your key values met - what is important to you. The research shows that if your key values are not met you will not be happy at work and will probably suffer health issues.
For example if a key value is helping people then you may be compromising this value in working for an organisation that could be seem as working against helping people such as a tobacco or fast food provider.
You can start by brainstorming your values without limitation including values outside of your career that could be impacted by your career, such as your health and family.
From your list of values what are your top 3 that you would not compromise on?
I recommend that you now consider what you are interested in that you would consider as a career. Perhaps there are 2-3 areas of interest that you would like to make up a portfolio career.
Next think about which of the areas of interest would meet your top 3 values best.
Further considerations include whether you work for yourself or an existing organisation. If you decide upon the latter, again would you top 3 values be met? Visiting the organisation's web site and offices as well as talking to existing staff can provide insights here.
Rather than waiting for a vacancy to arise in your selected field and organisations, you could provide speculative approaches with a tailored CV and cover letter.
At interview stage it helps to prepare for a competency based interview process. This can be an experience that you have not had or not had for some time and would benefit from support to prepare.
If you would like help with your career transition please do get in touch via www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or telephone on 01761 237400
Maybe you are feeling under or over challenged and this is negatively impacting your mental and physical health.
Or is the main reason you are considering your options that you do not feel that you are recognised for your achievements.
Whatever the reason for your career review it helps to plan a way forwards.
Research shows that a key part of work satisfaction and fulfilment aside from providing a realistic challenge and recognition for your achievements is having your key values met - what is important to you. The research shows that if your key values are not met you will not be happy at work and will probably suffer health issues.
For example if a key value is helping people then you may be compromising this value in working for an organisation that could be seem as working against helping people such as a tobacco or fast food provider.
You can start by brainstorming your values without limitation including values outside of your career that could be impacted by your career, such as your health and family.
From your list of values what are your top 3 that you would not compromise on?
I recommend that you now consider what you are interested in that you would consider as a career. Perhaps there are 2-3 areas of interest that you would like to make up a portfolio career.
Next think about which of the areas of interest would meet your top 3 values best.
Further considerations include whether you work for yourself or an existing organisation. If you decide upon the latter, again would you top 3 values be met? Visiting the organisation's web site and offices as well as talking to existing staff can provide insights here.
Rather than waiting for a vacancy to arise in your selected field and organisations, you could provide speculative approaches with a tailored CV and cover letter.
At interview stage it helps to prepare for a competency based interview process. This can be an experience that you have not had or not had for some time and would benefit from support to prepare.
If you would like help with your career transition please do get in touch via www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or telephone on 01761 237400
Monday, 18 August 2014
Your Individual Coaching for Life Progression?
To help you to decide if individual Coaching would help you to make progress in your life, it may help you to consider the 4 main reasons that people seek out individual Coaching:
1. You need/want to stop doing something. For example, stop taking things very personally, stop focussing on the wrong things or stop missing deadlines!
2. You need/want to do something that you are not currently doing. For example, you want to find ways to switch off from work at will, you want to start selling your services or you want to look for another job!
3. You need/want to feel a certain way in certain scenarios. For example, you want to feel confidence when presenting yourself to others such as in an interview or formal presentation situation.
4. You need/want to do something better. For example, you want to plan better or manage your time or workload better so that you are focussed on the right things to get you the results that you need/want.
Are there things that you are thinking about now that you would like to change?
What do you want to work through?
How do you want to be different?
What is the 1 thing, the number 1 priority for you, that if you changed it for the positive, would have the single biggest positive impact on your life?
How will your life be different when you have made this change?
How are you feeling now?
Motivated to some level I would think.
This is because your mind is already starting to think about the benefits of your making this change.
If you are smart your mind will also be already thinking of ways to help you to make this change.
If you are really self disciplined then you may make these changes on your own.
A coach serves you on a number of levels including giving you support and structure to make changes that it is hard to make alone.
If you would like to find out more about whether individual coaching would help you in your work or personal life please visit us at www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or call us on 01761 237400.
1. You need/want to stop doing something. For example, stop taking things very personally, stop focussing on the wrong things or stop missing deadlines!
2. You need/want to do something that you are not currently doing. For example, you want to find ways to switch off from work at will, you want to start selling your services or you want to look for another job!
3. You need/want to feel a certain way in certain scenarios. For example, you want to feel confidence when presenting yourself to others such as in an interview or formal presentation situation.
4. You need/want to do something better. For example, you want to plan better or manage your time or workload better so that you are focussed on the right things to get you the results that you need/want.
Are there things that you are thinking about now that you would like to change?
What do you want to work through?
How do you want to be different?
What is the 1 thing, the number 1 priority for you, that if you changed it for the positive, would have the single biggest positive impact on your life?
How will your life be different when you have made this change?
How are you feeling now?
Motivated to some level I would think.
This is because your mind is already starting to think about the benefits of your making this change.
If you are smart your mind will also be already thinking of ways to help you to make this change.
If you are really self disciplined then you may make these changes on your own.
A coach serves you on a number of levels including giving you support and structure to make changes that it is hard to make alone.
If you would like to find out more about whether individual coaching would help you in your work or personal life please visit us at www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or call us on 01761 237400.
Wednesday, 2 July 2014
Becoming a Successful Business Owner
Are you a Business Owner in South West England?
Are you concerned about your business failing in the first 10 years?
If so, please read on.
If your business fails to grow it will most likely fail.
Research shows that 90% of businesses fail in the first 10 years often due to 2 critical factors that interact with each other
1. poor management and leadership resulting in a lack of planning and focusing on the wrong things
2. psychological weaknesses such as confidence/self-belief issues or being conflict averse
In recent CIPD [Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development] research, Leadership in SMEs, several key lessons emerged
We help business owners like you to double, triple and even bigger multiples of your existing revenue, while cutting back your working hours.
We do this by helping you to improve your sales, marketing, leadership and psychological capabilities.
If you are interested we run private one to one 'Rapid Business Growth' sessions so that we can find out more about you, your business and see if we can help you.
You will leave the session with 3 additional outcomes:
1. A crystal clear vision of your ultimate business success
2. Clarity on hidden challenges that may be slowing down your business growth
3. Feeling re-energised and inspired to enjoy your business vision
If you would like to book your one to one session please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
Are you concerned about your business failing in the first 10 years?
If so, please read on.
If your business fails to grow it will most likely fail.
Research shows that 90% of businesses fail in the first 10 years often due to 2 critical factors that interact with each other
1. poor management and leadership resulting in a lack of planning and focusing on the wrong things
2. psychological weaknesses such as confidence/self-belief issues or being conflict averse
In recent CIPD [Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development] research, Leadership in SMEs, several key lessons emerged
- The type and shape of leadership must change as a business grows - what is passionate at the entrepreneurial stage must be formalised. If this does not happen competitive advantage will reduce and the business may fail.
- Business leaders must act strategically and delegate effectively even if it seems easier to stay hands on.
- Business owners need to be able to coach to develop staff and grow the business, not direct people with answers.
- Business owners need to get their customer perspective by looking in at the business, through networks that add value.
- Staying agile with new solutions is a key capability to stay in business.
We help business owners like you to double, triple and even bigger multiples of your existing revenue, while cutting back your working hours.
We do this by helping you to improve your sales, marketing, leadership and psychological capabilities.
If you are interested we run private one to one 'Rapid Business Growth' sessions so that we can find out more about you, your business and see if we can help you.
You will leave the session with 3 additional outcomes:
1. A crystal clear vision of your ultimate business success
2. Clarity on hidden challenges that may be slowing down your business growth
3. Feeling re-energised and inspired to enjoy your business vision
If you would like to book your one to one session please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
Wednesday, 18 June 2014
Business Owners Rapid Growth Coaching
Are you a business owner who wants to grow your business whilst containing or even reducing your working hours?
Is your business based in the South West? If so then please read on as West of England Coaching and Counselling wants to help you to reach the next level in your business.
This blog outlines the approach we use to help you to improve your results, most notably your bottom line whilst containing or reducing your working hours so that you continue to love what you do rather than being a slave to it.
We start with a complimentary 'Rapid Business Growth Coaching Session' with the outcome of helping you to achieve something tangible for your business and you straight away. This is often based on a priority and an intractable problem that you have been grappling with for some time. For example, a conversation with a customer about fees or one of your team that you know you should have because there is a performance issue but have been resisting. Perhaps you have an action that you decided you would take but haven't yet or a problem that is still at problem stage. Whatever the issue, we will work on it together and start to make progress.
The first meeting is an opportunity to start building our relationship as client and coach resulting in a coaching agreement including your coaching objectives, our code of ethics and agreed timings and fees. The coaching agreement exists to boundary our relationship and can be renegotiated by either party.
The coaching session following the initial meeting will be focused on your vision. Research shows that we have a tendency to be problem focused and that this tendency helps us to stay stuck in the problem. The problem may even become bigger as we analyse all of the 'what ifs' around that problem and ahead of that problem sometimes called 'negative forecasting'. What if we cannot cover our business costs? We would have to let staff go. Would we want to revert to a two person band? Should we sell the business? All this catastrophising is unnecessary. Unconsciously we are suddenly guilty of planning a route that we do not need to take. Yes sometimes businesses fail. Often, however, if spotted early enough there are better solution focused choices to make based on sound, realistic decision making.
Once we have a vision that you are passionate about, the next or subsequent session is focused on developing a strategic plan with a realistic time scale to work towards your vision. We build your commitment to your vision through two exercises that help you to visualise what is required and at the same time fine tune your plans. Along with coach validation these exercises will help you to feel your future like it is happening now. This helps your brain to motivate you to come up with more ideas and to get on with your action plan. We move at your pace so the number of sessions required does vary.
During your coaching sessions we will identify skills you require to close the gap between where you are now and your vision along with the best external environment for you to work in. There may be also aspects of your own psychology that you want to fine tune say to build your confidence or self-belief.
We will review your progress against your action plan and review your objectives as well as your vision to ensure that you are on track. For example, if the coaching time line agreed is three months we may decide to meet six times in the three months for one hour and have three reviews, one at the end of each month. Experience shows that over time new information arises that may impede your plan or open up new opportunities for you. The reviews help to adjust actions so that they are appropriate now.
Let's schedule a Rapid Business Growth Coaching Session so I can find out more about your business and see if I can help you.
You may want to speak with one of my clients before you start working with me to ask questions that you would only want a business owner who has been coached to answer. This can be arranged.
You can get in touch with me via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk and we can set up time to talk.
Is your business based in the South West? If so then please read on as West of England Coaching and Counselling wants to help you to reach the next level in your business.
This blog outlines the approach we use to help you to improve your results, most notably your bottom line whilst containing or reducing your working hours so that you continue to love what you do rather than being a slave to it.
We start with a complimentary 'Rapid Business Growth Coaching Session' with the outcome of helping you to achieve something tangible for your business and you straight away. This is often based on a priority and an intractable problem that you have been grappling with for some time. For example, a conversation with a customer about fees or one of your team that you know you should have because there is a performance issue but have been resisting. Perhaps you have an action that you decided you would take but haven't yet or a problem that is still at problem stage. Whatever the issue, we will work on it together and start to make progress.
The first meeting is an opportunity to start building our relationship as client and coach resulting in a coaching agreement including your coaching objectives, our code of ethics and agreed timings and fees. The coaching agreement exists to boundary our relationship and can be renegotiated by either party.
The coaching session following the initial meeting will be focused on your vision. Research shows that we have a tendency to be problem focused and that this tendency helps us to stay stuck in the problem. The problem may even become bigger as we analyse all of the 'what ifs' around that problem and ahead of that problem sometimes called 'negative forecasting'. What if we cannot cover our business costs? We would have to let staff go. Would we want to revert to a two person band? Should we sell the business? All this catastrophising is unnecessary. Unconsciously we are suddenly guilty of planning a route that we do not need to take. Yes sometimes businesses fail. Often, however, if spotted early enough there are better solution focused choices to make based on sound, realistic decision making.
Once we have a vision that you are passionate about, the next or subsequent session is focused on developing a strategic plan with a realistic time scale to work towards your vision. We build your commitment to your vision through two exercises that help you to visualise what is required and at the same time fine tune your plans. Along with coach validation these exercises will help you to feel your future like it is happening now. This helps your brain to motivate you to come up with more ideas and to get on with your action plan. We move at your pace so the number of sessions required does vary.
During your coaching sessions we will identify skills you require to close the gap between where you are now and your vision along with the best external environment for you to work in. There may be also aspects of your own psychology that you want to fine tune say to build your confidence or self-belief.
We will review your progress against your action plan and review your objectives as well as your vision to ensure that you are on track. For example, if the coaching time line agreed is three months we may decide to meet six times in the three months for one hour and have three reviews, one at the end of each month. Experience shows that over time new information arises that may impede your plan or open up new opportunities for you. The reviews help to adjust actions so that they are appropriate now.
Let's schedule a Rapid Business Growth Coaching Session so I can find out more about your business and see if I can help you.
You may want to speak with one of my clients before you start working with me to ask questions that you would only want a business owner who has been coached to answer. This can be arranged.
You can get in touch with me via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk and we can set up time to talk.
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