GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT

Yesterday was devoted entirely to networking - a vital part of building any business and a part that I have really come to enjoy. It is also one part of my life as a life coach that differs hugely from my life as a GP. GP's don't really need to network. We're just there. People find us. We don't need to advertise or put ourselves about so to speak. However, like coaching - it's very much about forging relationships and building a reputation.

I have had quite a few meetings with other business women in the last few weeks and I never fail to be amazed at just how much you can get out of these meetings if you go into them with the right attitude. The thing that always amazes me is the real generosity of spirit. There's a real sense of sharing, of camerarderie, of all being in it together. This sharing extends to information, contacts, ideas.... you name it.

If we both have an apple and we swop them, we've still got one apple each. But if we each have an idea and we swap them...... we've now both got TWO ideas. Probably just the process of discussing them will throw up a few more besides and so it goes on.

Being generous with our time and helping others is one of the greatest ways for us to contribute to the happiness of those around us, and subsequently to our own happiness. Think about your own life, your contacts and friends. What can you do for them that will make their life a little easier? Just thinking about it will probably bring a smile to your face. Go on - give it a try!

TAKING FIVE

How has your day been so far? Mine has been pretty busy.
It's one of my GP days today so I was here just after 7am catching up on paperwork and results. A fairly hectic morning on call followed and I'm just about to start evening surgery.
So I decided to take five.....

I'm sitting here in my consulting room, looking out at the sun. What a differnce the sun makes. Although there's a building next door, I'm on the first floor and can only see trees from my chair. The birds are singing loudly and the faint rumble of traffic in the distance is barely audible. There a gentle breeze blowing, I'm warm and comfy..... all is at peace in the world.....

Well it made me feel good anyway!

My point is, that however busy your day is, make a deliberate point of taking five...... just stopping, sitting still and just for a moment...... doing nothing. Be a human being for once, rather than a human doing. Look after yourself and your body. If you don't, where else are you going to live?

BREAKING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

Today's post was inspired by a presentation I gave in my network meeting. I belong to a branch of the WIBN (Women in Business Network) www.wibn.co.uk and we start every meeting by giving a one minute presentation about our business. I try and do something different each time - to make it memorable and humorous.

Today I decided to handcuff myself to promote my new series of workshops entitled "What's Holding You Back?" I'm giving three evening workshops on topics relevant to just about everyone I know!

1) Limiting Beliefs

2) How to Thrive in a Recession

3) Motivation

My point was that we all have a choice. We can either choose to stay in our comfort zone (even if it's not feeling too comfy) or we can BREAK OUT to the wonderful, balanced, exciting lives we deserve. It was at this point that I escaped the cuffs with a flourish!

If you're ready to escape your comfort zone, now is a great time to come along to one of my workshops. The details are on my website www.change-it-lifecoaching.co.uk If you're not local, why not book some one to one coaching sessions with me? As well as face to face coaching, I work with many of my clients on the telephone or via Skype  (changeitlifecoaching). More details are on my site.

Remember, you can stay right where you are....... or you can choose to live the life of your dreams. It's your call.

ENTHUSIASM

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm !"
Ralph Waldo Emmerson

This has to be one of my all time favourite quotes.
It encapsulates the energy of wanting to get out there and just do it.

I thought about this last recently when I was interviewing for a new member of staff in our practice. Among the questions I asked was for them to select three words that best described them. I told them it was OK to blow their own trumpets too. Lots of them struggled with this.
What would you say to this?

The first of my words would definitely be enthusiastic. If you're not doing something that you really love doing - do something else. Failing that, find a way to love what you are doing. Do it with energy, commitment and as if your life depended on it. Strive to make yourself into someone who is great for others to be around, a source of energy and inspiration.

When now would be a great time to start?

A LOVELY WAY TO GO

I attended a funeral this week, my great aunt's.
I mentioned her in the blog back in September when she had her 100th birthday celebration. Well 2 weeks ago, she died peacefully in her sleep - may she rest in peace now.

I was interested in one of the conversations at the gathering afterwards in which someone talked about the passage of time. They observed that they were now beginning to realise that everyone around was growing older. Certain relatives they perhaps only saw every few years at similar events and could now begin to see the effect of the passage of time. "When we met, we were in our 20's, as were most of the others...... but that was 50 years ago now!"

The implication is that we don't notice the passage of time in ourselves....... though having recently restarted running I may have to disagree!..... or in those we see regularly. Proabably a good thing come to think of it.

Well enjoy the weekend. It looks like a lovely day out there again. I'm busy proparing for a series of new workshops. Check out my website soon for more details.