Christmas Countdown December 20, 2009

Just been thinking about how great it would be to have a Christmas Coach… I don’t know about you… but with the clock ticking I’m still way behind where I would like to be.  I imagine I’ve missed the last post on the Christmas Cards and they are only half written.  Still I’ll get them finished today and posted in the morning.  Every year it is the same, it’s an area I really need to work on and change my approach.  May be I could write next years cards today with the this years!  Nah, that’s cheating… and the names and addresses may change over the next 365 days!

The girls are going to help me put up the tree this afternoon which will be wonderful, always nice to put the tree up together and share in the excitement of seeing all the old favourite tree decorations coming out of hibernation again. 

Having a coach would have got me on track, scheduling time for making things happen and thinking about the good Christmas feelings that I would had had instead of the slightly panicked ones I feel now… oh well, it will all get done before Friday   It has to!

How are you doing with your Christmas preparation?  What areas in your life would benefit from coaching?  What difference would it make to you?  Having someone support you and shine the light in the areas that you’re not seeing is fantastic…. Definitely going to get some support next year on my Christmas plans; so that when I’m 5 days before the big day, I’m feeling relaxed, sorted and full of joyful anticipation!

Another perfect day… December 19, 2009

Another perfect day today… lunch with my fabulous brother, his lovely wife and their toddily toddler who is the cutest boy!  My eldest daughter and I had a great time catching up and discussing our Christmas plans…

Talking of Christmas I’ve not been feeling very Christmasy but that was soon fixed this afternoon when I saw Father Christmas and two of the most gorgeous reindeer outside John Lewis (guess his elves were picking up presents for the big Christmas Eve push).  They had the softest looking noses… I wanted to stroke them – and even give them a little kiss – but no, I resisted much to my daughters relief!

We slipped (very icy here) into the cinema and booked tickets for Avatar in 3D.  With all the hype about the film, I was rather put off seeing it but as it was the next film we decided to go ahead.  It wasn’t on for an hour … so after a few giggles and cocktails we popped on the 3D glasses and settled down with our rather large popcorn.

I don’t want to give too much away about the film in case you’ve not seen it – but it is awesome!  I guess one of the reasons I didn’t want to see it was that I heard it cost over £200 million to make which seems a gross amount of money to spend on entertainment (especially in today’s economic climate) – however, putting my judgement to one side I got completely lost in the film… without spoiling too much – the film to me is about respect for ourselves, honouring our values and our beautiful planet -  how we are all just energy although appearing in many forms.  So I found the theme both entertaining and thought provoking.  I think by the end of the film I realised that the money was unimportant… what is important is the message.  If this film could impact the world with it’s peaceful message – it would be money well spent.

Have you seen Avatar?  What did you think?  How did it affect you?  How would you recommend it?

The season for bumping into new and old friends December 16, 2009

There are so many things to feel grateful for – especially at this time of year.  We are so blessed to have a warm bed to sleep in and food on our tables.

Yesterday I popped to John Lewis to get some Christmas gifts for my daughters.  The atmosphere was so relaxed and yet we all knew what we were gearing up towards.  Wherever I looked people seemed smiley, it was just wonderful.

One reason I love this time of year is that whenever I go out I seem to bump into old friends who are also getting their gifts.  Yesterday I bumped into my new friend Vikki who runs a fabulous introductions agency (if you’re looking to meet your ‘Mr’ or ‘Ms’ right I’ll put you in touch!) and then a fabulous retired hospital consultant – Dr Ann Hall who I haven’t seen for about 5 years.  She has know me since I was 9 years old and a patient at Taplow Hospital… wow, she is an important lady in my life.  I dread to think what my life would have been like without her care.  I was so happy to see her looking so well, she positively sparkled… It was great to have the opportunity to thank her for all she did for me over the years… I could feel the tears welling up as I spoke to her.  Sometimes we have people in our lives who really ‘know’ us; people special to us who know us when we’re at our worse and at our best, who make our life so much better by their care and knowledge.  Dr Hall’s smiley response was ‘it was my job’ – I responded, ‘what you did for me was more than your job, you went beyond’ she smiled humbly.  We exchanged hugs, kisses, Christmas wishes, email addresses and parted.  What a wonderful shopping experience and how lovely to bump into special people.

Who has made a big impact on your life?  What would you like to say to them?  Who would you like to bump into?  How smiley do you feel, pre-Christmas?

Train the trainer and tame the Gremlin December 14, 2009

 What a fabulous day I’ve had!  I had the greatest pleasure of being trained by Yvonne Gurney today – ‘train the trainer’.  My workshop preparations are going well and I am looking forward to delivering a memorable day for my attendees in January.  

Getting to know some of the participants before the event has been fantastic; they are wonderful ladies who have recognised that their inner Gremlin has been getting the better of them and are wishing to break free and tame this less than supportive saboteur.  

I’ve just written a free report 5 Tips Your Inner Gremlin Doesn’t Want You To Know… email me and I’ll be delighted to send you a free copy!  ali@daringdamsels.com 

Ensuring the workshop gives benefit and value is of paramount importance to me – I want each and everyone to have a great time, gain more self awareness and leave with a strategy to raise their self esteem that suits them.  If you’re ready to secure your place, please email me or go to the link below and sign up!  http://www.meetup.com/DaringDamsels/ 

How would you rate your level of self esteem?  How does your self esteem affect the way you live your life?  What difference would a higher self esteem make to you?  Message me now!

Old friends become new friends… December 8, 2009

Don’t you just love the internet?  I can’t imagine going into a library now and trawling through the books to find out a fact – I can imagine going there for some quiet work time though.  How much easier is it to create reports, documents with facts at our fingertips and instant downloads to aid us?  Incredible.  I remember when at school, the notion that one day we would be able to shop from home with our TV’s or something like that… It seemed an exciting thought, but now it’s an everyday reality.  I feel so much gratitude for this technology.  How incredible that we have access to most shops on-line now – and there is always the shopping channel if you’d prefer another shopping medium.  I’m a bit of an Amazon addict – I love it! 

Social networking sites are so fantastic for re-connecting old friends – and family.  I left school 25 years ago (shhhh… showing my age now!); we all had little books we signed and wrote our birthdays and our addresses etc.  We promised to stay in touch as I’m sure you did too, right?  And did you?  Nah, it just doesn’t happen does it?  

I joined Friends Reunited many years ago.  It was my first introduction to the wonders of internet re-connection.  I was contacted by an old school friend from my middle school days - we both had a crush on each other at school and found ourselves at that time single.  We decided to meet under the glitterball at the end of Bournemouth Pier one Sunday afternoon in winter… it was such a giggle to meet up after so many years.  He looked just the same but much taller.  Our friendship burned brightly again for a while and then fizzled… I wonder if this is what happens once you’ve exhausted the chat about the past and then find nothing much in common now? (He wasn’t my type afterall so I don’t think that helped! Hee hee)

I went to a secondary school which had overseas boarders, so when we scattered across the planet I never expected to be able to reach friends in countries such as Nepal and Nigeria etc… And also the fabulous friends who live much closer too! How amazing that we now have a resource to link arms again… It’s incredible. 

I now have many many friends who I communicate with sometimes daily though Facebook who knew me when I was a child – and now as a mother myself.  There are family members too… some are distant cousins – which I would never normally see or hear from except at funerals and weddings.  It’s great to keep the family spirit alive.  It’s great to be able to search for old friends and the sense of joy at re-connecting is wonderful.  It makes the world seem much smaller..

Who would you like to reconnect with?  Who would you like to meet under a glitter ball?   What memories would you like to share with your friends?

Pick yourself up and try again! December 2, 2009

Have you noticed how printers have a knack of waiting until you have an important document to print in a hurry before they tell you they are out of ink?  What a cruel trick – and a cue for me to be become more organised and have a spare to hand.  This morning I was in a rush to print some flyers for my January Daring Damsels Self Esteem Booster Workshop.  I wanted to attend Cappuccino Connections in Aylesbury and take the flyers with me.

After running off 10 copies which I realised were of  poor quality I knew I’d have to make a quick trip to get some new ink.   I went out to the car to and noticed a tyre was looking somewhat deflated… mmmm… great – not.  The event was starting at 10.00am (a drop-in event) and it was now just after 10am.  I drove to find some ink and looked at the tyre again… Ooops… it was really looking flat… I trundled a few hundred yards to the garage and put some air in the tyre.   After getting home, printing my flyers I was ready to head to Aylesbury.  A quick glance at the tyre told me the air was escaping; a calculated guess told me I was pushing my luck but I was determined to get to the event.  I thought I’d call the road recovery people when I got to the venue to ask them to rescue this damsel and put on the spare tyre.  I held my breath as I drove… but as I got to within 2 miles of the venue I knew it was time to pull over and make the call.  Maybe it was the smoke coming from the tyre that was the giveaway?   Ooops… I know I’m so naughty!

Having had breakdown cover for 20 years – this was the first time I’ve ever used it.  It was a good experience.  The lovely Knight of the road arrived within 40 mins and popped the spare on.  After thanking him I looked at the time… it was midday.  Exactly the time the networking event finished.   Mmmm…. so what to do?  Return home with my flyer or go anyway.  Of course, I whizzed down the road and arrived within 5 minutes.  The leader of the networking welcomed me warmly and with a twinkle in her eye reminded me they begin at 10am and finish at midday – not begin then!  Ha ha very funny!  There were about 8 ladies still remaining – and out of the corner of my eye I spotted a few plates groaning with chocolate cookies!

Now the most amazing thing happened.  I was introduced to a lady who was getting ready to leave.  She is a trainers trainer – exactly what I need right now; someone who can help me to prepare myself for the January workshop.  How wonderful!  I need all the tips and training I can get in order to deliver the best possible experience to my attendees.  I feel very grateful.  We have agreed a training session.  So the lesson for me was – if you keep getting knocked down, keep getting up – and keep positive.  Focus on what you want – not on what you don’t want.  The Universe may test your perseverance by throwing up some obstacles and it will also reward you if you remain on target.  If you’ve not watched/read The Secret – do get yourself a copy.

So, what would you have done in my shoes?  Maybe you wouldn’t have risked the tyre in the first place?  What are you focusing on?  Are you on target?  What support could benefit you?  Who could help?  If you would like a copy of my Daring Damsels Self Esteem Booster Workshop flyer – do message me.

Having the perfect business is such fun November 29, 2009

Wow what a fabulous time I had at Women On Their Way on Friday!  Jo Cameron (past contestant from The Apprentice) and her business partner Lisa Ibbotson created an amazing line up of speakers for a room full of eager to learn ladies.  I don’ think I’ve shared a room with so many millionaires – who were ladies!  Listening to their strategies for success was such an opportunity.   Being in a room full of women celebrating and learning from women was an unusual but great experience – the warmth and camaraderie was intoxicating, the wish for the greater good – completely different from the usual mixed sex conference I’ve been to.

Listening to Gill Fielding talking about strategies for success being like following a proven recipe I felt the buzz of ambition resonating through my being.  She discussed ways we could overcome the pension crisis we are heading towards… empowering knowledge.   Her statistics showed that in the 2008  list of the richest 1,000 people in the UK only 98 were women (and two of those are in couples) – however women are the fastest growing wealth group.  By 2020 it is predicted that the majority of millionaires will be women. 

Emma Wimhurst who built an incredible business supplying own brand colour cosmetics to the major UK high street chains and sold it for a well deserved fortune. 

Deirdre Bounds a lady who created a hugely successful company from scratch – without commercial experience but a passion that drove her to help others to duplicate her English teaching back pack days. 

The message I heard over and over was – find something you love doing (then it’s not like work), decide your value and vision for your company – keeps you in alignment when you need to make decisions.  Write a business plan (amazing how so many people choose not to do this) which will keep you on track when some days become foggy – you can get back on track.  Know your customers – know their ‘wants’ not necessarily their ‘needs’ after all, us ladies my need a coat because it’s cold but if a pair of shoes (of which we may have hundreds) catches our eye – we’ll go for that, because we want it.  De-clutter you workspace and home – it clears your mind and allows new ideas and business to flow in (Marie-Claire Carlyle presentation was fascinating).  Know your finance – monitor regularly.  Learn from your mistakes and dare to be different (your USP).  Trust your intuition and don’t share all your ideas and thoughts with everyone – they will often talk you out of them – but do talk to your team and communicate with your customers.  Remember, life is supposed to be ‘fun’!  Enjoy it!

As I left I spoke to Jo and to thank her for an extraordinary day.  I said it was life changing which sounded a bit cliché but on reflection of course its only life changing if I take action based on what I’ve learned.  So here we go! 

If you were setting up a business what would you like to be doing?  What do you feel passionate about?  Who could help you to get started?  What would be important to you?  Clutter/hoarder?  When will you begin to de-clutter?  How much fun is your life?  What could you do differently to make it more fun?

Synergy and support November 27, 2009

Oh what a lovely day I’ve had… this morning I popped along to my favorite shop – John Lewis for an informal ladies networking monthly event called Cappuccino Connections.  It’s organised by Athena Networking group and locally about 40 women met for a natter and networking… oh and a cappuccino or something.  It’s so great to meet so many like minded people who are interested in what you do and to share their business story.  There seems to be such synergy between so many of us.  I’ve learned along the way how important it is to surround myself with a supportive peer group.  Sometimes when we share our dreams and goals with our friends and family their response can truly cause us to burst our bubble (we’re responsible for our own thoughts and decisions to take on board other peoples negative comments).  We allow our dream to die – or we can put on the back burner for another time.  I’ve certainly done this in the past.  Often those closest to us do not want us to change because this could ultimately change the relationship we share – or they do not want us to fail… so lovingly would rather keep us in our place.  Being part of a supportive network provides not only momentum for progression by being an encouraging sounding board - but also can give some leads to help establish the business.  Having fellow coaches to support and believe in me and my goals makes the journey even more exciting and the ride smoother.

Who do you surround yourself with?  How does your peer group support you?  How determined are you to reach your goals?  – How unshakable are they?

I’ve travelled up to Birmingham this afternoon on the train.  It’s my second time ever being in this city.  It feels vibrant and looks colourful.  Tomorrow I am going to Jo Cameron’s Women on Their Way conference – I can’t wait.. it promises to be a fabulous event with lots of inspiring speakers and great workshops.  I’m hoping to build my peer group here too… how great will it be to have new friends in another city?:)  Wonderful!  So I’m off to sleep now dreaming of my goals, feeling grateful for my friends, family, peers and coaches… and aptly I’m staying in a hotel called Nite Nite! Night all

 

Service with a smile :) November 25, 2009

I took my girls to the theatre last evening to see Evita.  It was an awesome show, we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Eva Duarte was a strong, beautiful Argentinean lady who worked/social climbed her way up to the top becoming the president’s wife in the 1945.  Mmm… you have to admire her gutsiness to get to where she wanted to be – even if it was a little on the risqué side!   I remember going to see Evita with my parents in the early 1980’s in London’s West End, it was such a treat – something I’ll never forget.  Since then Alan Parker’s film starring Madonna has come out – it too is based on Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice’s famous stage production – if you could have climbed inside my head last night you’d have thought it was karaoke – how I love those songs.  How far would you go to get what you want?  How many options are there?  What else?

Today has been so busy – amongst other things, I checked out 4 potential venues for my January workshops.  Three were great and gave me fantastic customer service – one was not.  Remaining nameless – although I will say it’s a well known hotel brand.  I was most disappointed with the welcome, the lack of smile, the bluntness and unwillingness to print the information she finally dispensed.  I wonder how many people choose to take their business elsewhere?  I certainly shall not return.  Would I want my clients to feel that kind of welcome?  Think not.  It reminds me how we only have that one chance to make a good first impression…  and how good customer service keeps us going back time and time again.  It’s said people prefer to do business with those they know, like and trust.   I think the independent hotels get my business – they certainly have passion about what they offer to their potential customers.  How do you think are you perceived? How would you like to be known by those who know you?  As Evita said in the musical – she added ‘just a touch of star quality!’  Go out there and shine my lovelies!

Feeling productive November 23, 2009

You know those days where you feel really productive and you’ve so much energy to get on and get all those jobs done that have been hanging about?  Well, today is one of those days for me…. and I’m feeling good – as Nina Simone said once or twice!  I guess, my younger daughter wasn’t too impressed about my recent painting purchase as we are working towards our re-location to the seaside… and its money we could be putting towards the big push… mmm… she could be right.  So I’m more focused and more determined than ever to achieve this goal… June 2010 Brighton here we come!

I’ve decided to produce some raising self esteem and goal setting workshops for women – under my www.daringdamsels.com name.  Today I’ve produced the rough outline of the day, what message I’m going to be conveying, who my market audience will be and how I will let them know all about it!  Oh, exciting times!!!  I’ve been contacting various venues to get prices for rooms to hire, this is a happening thing baby!

Isn’t it great when a plan comes together?  This is a big leap out of my comfort zone and a leap out of my own way – and I can’t wait! I’m walking the talk and pushing myself even further.  Someone told me that our comfort zone is like a balloon… once you’ve inflated it, it never returns to the original size… so here goes!

What could you do which would stretch your comfort zone?  What would it mean to you to achieve this?  When are you going to decide to go for it?