So your vacation from work is now a distant memory. Get the most out of the experience using my ten top tips tomake you feel better about the day ahead.
On the journey to work, provided you are traveling by public transport, close your eyes and ears to the passenegers around you. Remember what was special about the holiday – the smells, tates, that magical light. Use this time to refresh your mind so that you can face the day with a positive start.
Saturday 19 September 2009
Sunday 6 September 2009
Companies are killing their employees!
This is an article sent to my by Leon Benjamin .......... what interested me is the "powerlessness" of the workforce. Ok, there are references to capitalism but beyond the politics I am interested in personal empowerment. As individuals what can we do to control our environments and as I always say - realise your potential?
If your are a manager, what can you do to motivate your staff?
Coaching is liberating and it saves costs! I would be intersted in your views - just add a comment.
Thanks
Paul
How public companies are killing their own employees
Once again Leslie Thatcher picks out the best writings in the French press on subjects we just can't talk about here in the UK. Patrick Apel-Muller writes in L'Humanité about the cause of employee suicides at France Telecom.It was to take 21 employee suicides from February 2008 before the management of France Télécom would agree to assess the full scale of the dramas that play out within its walls. Now management mentions "prevention of psycho-social risks."I've long argued that command and control organisation is actually killing people. Research by the UK Work Foundation reached this conclusion several years ago when it found that the biggest contributor to the 2.7m people on incapacity benefits was workplace stress brought about by the oppressive nature of the traditional nature of the firm, which basically doesn't scale without the wholesale destruction of the workforce's self-worth and self-esteem leading to what is now referred to as 'work rage'.I was working in Bangalore with Tesco a few years ago. I remember having conversations with successful upwardly mobile young Indian technologists about new houses, cars, holidays. I pointed out that what comes with all this prosperity is the slew of western ailments associated with the export of capitalism’s model of organisation – diabetes, stress, obesity, jealously, distrust, rapacious greed and so on. They just laughed at me. This was published last week;India outsourcing workers stressed to the limit. From obesity to sleep disorders – a healthcare crisis in the making?....be careful what you wish for.....Patrick's article goes on to say;It's the work itself that is sick because aspirations to self-realisation are denied and dignity often manhandled.
Among the messes and the waste capitalism brings about, human sufferings are not the least and they always accompany the destruction of the labor resource. How many broken hopes, wrecked feelings of self-worth are provoked by the precariousness of employment to which a majority of young employees are now compelled! The first steps into adult life become an obstacle course that goes on and on ...
Read the whole thing.
If your are a manager, what can you do to motivate your staff?
Coaching is liberating and it saves costs! I would be intersted in your views - just add a comment.
Thanks
Paul
How public companies are killing their own employees
Once again Leslie Thatcher picks out the best writings in the French press on subjects we just can't talk about here in the UK. Patrick Apel-Muller writes in L'Humanité about the cause of employee suicides at France Telecom.It was to take 21 employee suicides from February 2008 before the management of France Télécom would agree to assess the full scale of the dramas that play out within its walls. Now management mentions "prevention of psycho-social risks."I've long argued that command and control organisation is actually killing people. Research by the UK Work Foundation reached this conclusion several years ago when it found that the biggest contributor to the 2.7m people on incapacity benefits was workplace stress brought about by the oppressive nature of the traditional nature of the firm, which basically doesn't scale without the wholesale destruction of the workforce's self-worth and self-esteem leading to what is now referred to as 'work rage'.I was working in Bangalore with Tesco a few years ago. I remember having conversations with successful upwardly mobile young Indian technologists about new houses, cars, holidays. I pointed out that what comes with all this prosperity is the slew of western ailments associated with the export of capitalism’s model of organisation – diabetes, stress, obesity, jealously, distrust, rapacious greed and so on. They just laughed at me. This was published last week;India outsourcing workers stressed to the limit. From obesity to sleep disorders – a healthcare crisis in the making?....be careful what you wish for.....Patrick's article goes on to say;It's the work itself that is sick because aspirations to self-realisation are denied and dignity often manhandled.
Among the messes and the waste capitalism brings about, human sufferings are not the least and they always accompany the destruction of the labor resource. How many broken hopes, wrecked feelings of self-worth are provoked by the precariousness of employment to which a majority of young employees are now compelled! The first steps into adult life become an obstacle course that goes on and on ...
Read the whole thing.
Saturday 29 August 2009
How would you pick a Life or Business Coach?
How would you pick a coach? word of mouth, search engine, or an advertisment? I am amazed how often people pick a coach with little or no thought about how effective the coaching relationship will be. I found the following article by Lisa Brooks; she makes some interesting points and I would me interested in your experiences of picking a coach, how it worked out and what would you do differently in the future. So, over to Lisa.....
Coaching services abound on the internet, and since the internet is not the same as stepping in to a coaches office where you have the in person feel or feedback of your surroundings, it can be difficult to figure out if the coaches website you are looking at is legitimate. There are certain things you can look for to determine if the coach you are about to hire will provide you with quality service.Is there a contract? For your own protection and the protection of the coach, check to see if the coach has some sort of agreement which outlines their services and your rights as a consumer. A contract will set forth the expectations of the services offered, give you a guide to how the service works, and details what to do or if you will be charged if you need to cancel the session.Are the sessions recorded? Coaching is meant to be private and confidential, but it is very helpful to have a log and recording of your sessions. It protects the consumer from being over billed, and also gives an extra security measure which protects you against any rare disputes with your coach. Its like having an over sight committee available to protect both the client and coach from any possible misunderstandings. If your calls will be recorded for this purpose, it will generally be listed in the terms of the contract. If it is not, ask the coach by email, or look for a policy on their website that addresses how they handle this topic, and how the time is logged per session.Does the coach provide home work or an action plan? To make the most out of the time that you spend with your coach, and to maximize and measure your growth as it relates to your goals, does the coach provide homework or an action plan of things you can do between sessions? Assignments stimulate your mind and also force you to be accountable to your goals, so a coach who can provide extra assignments gives you something to focus on to enhance your learning experience and achievements.Look at the coaches credentials and biography. Coaching is not a regulated field, and literally anyone who has extensive knowledge or experience in a given topic can put up their shingle as a coach. But not all expert chefs can teach novices to become gourmet cooks and not all experts in their fields make great coaches.Look for things like their background information, how long they have been a coach, where they were trained, if they have any certifications in their field, and is there personality compatible with yours. Check their facebook, linked in, or other social media networking websites for their profile to get a larger feel for the coach as a person. After all, although it will be a professional relationship, you will be providing very personal information about yourself to a total stranger.Keep in mind that you are hiring a professional not a friend or confidante. Coaches should have professional ethics just like doctors and other service-oriented professionals. Most coaches will answer questions like are they married or single, but will not offer up personal details beyond the mundane. Its important to find a coach who knows their boundaries and who won't cross ethical lines. After all, the time spent with your coach is all about you and nothing else.Hiring a coach can be a life-changing and very rewarding experience. By taking a little extra time to research your options, you can find expert coaches that will provide you with a wonderful gift of knowledge and help you move in the direction you want to go in a way that is productive and is quality based.Lisa Brooks is a freelance writer and web master of work at home for the visually impaired a website which provides telecommute options for individuals with visual disabilities. Read her blog at http://www.wahvi.blogspot.com/
Coaching services abound on the internet, and since the internet is not the same as stepping in to a coaches office where you have the in person feel or feedback of your surroundings, it can be difficult to figure out if the coaches website you are looking at is legitimate. There are certain things you can look for to determine if the coach you are about to hire will provide you with quality service.Is there a contract? For your own protection and the protection of the coach, check to see if the coach has some sort of agreement which outlines their services and your rights as a consumer. A contract will set forth the expectations of the services offered, give you a guide to how the service works, and details what to do or if you will be charged if you need to cancel the session.Are the sessions recorded? Coaching is meant to be private and confidential, but it is very helpful to have a log and recording of your sessions. It protects the consumer from being over billed, and also gives an extra security measure which protects you against any rare disputes with your coach. Its like having an over sight committee available to protect both the client and coach from any possible misunderstandings. If your calls will be recorded for this purpose, it will generally be listed in the terms of the contract. If it is not, ask the coach by email, or look for a policy on their website that addresses how they handle this topic, and how the time is logged per session.Does the coach provide home work or an action plan? To make the most out of the time that you spend with your coach, and to maximize and measure your growth as it relates to your goals, does the coach provide homework or an action plan of things you can do between sessions? Assignments stimulate your mind and also force you to be accountable to your goals, so a coach who can provide extra assignments gives you something to focus on to enhance your learning experience and achievements.Look at the coaches credentials and biography. Coaching is not a regulated field, and literally anyone who has extensive knowledge or experience in a given topic can put up their shingle as a coach. But not all expert chefs can teach novices to become gourmet cooks and not all experts in their fields make great coaches.Look for things like their background information, how long they have been a coach, where they were trained, if they have any certifications in their field, and is there personality compatible with yours. Check their facebook, linked in, or other social media networking websites for their profile to get a larger feel for the coach as a person. After all, although it will be a professional relationship, you will be providing very personal information about yourself to a total stranger.Keep in mind that you are hiring a professional not a friend or confidante. Coaches should have professional ethics just like doctors and other service-oriented professionals. Most coaches will answer questions like are they married or single, but will not offer up personal details beyond the mundane. Its important to find a coach who knows their boundaries and who won't cross ethical lines. After all, the time spent with your coach is all about you and nothing else.Hiring a coach can be a life-changing and very rewarding experience. By taking a little extra time to research your options, you can find expert coaches that will provide you with a wonderful gift of knowledge and help you move in the direction you want to go in a way that is productive and is quality based.Lisa Brooks is a freelance writer and web master of work at home for the visually impaired a website which provides telecommute options for individuals with visual disabilities. Read her blog at http://www.wahvi.blogspot.com/
Sunday 16 August 2009
Do people need to be happy?
There are lots of articles telling us that it is important to be happy. Is it important? If so what makes you happy or is it ok to be "happily unhappy"?
I had a call to ask " was Mozart happy?" Interesting question.
I had a call to ask " was Mozart happy?" Interesting question.
Monday 10 August 2009
Do you need to see more clearly?
One evening I was having a quite drink when I was introduced to a friend’s colleague. As some point in the conversation he asked what I did for a living. So I told him briefly that I coached individuals and business leaders.
His reply was swift and dismissive: “I cannot see how you make a living doing that. I own my own business and I cannot see what coaching would do for me”.
I smiled and congratulated him on his success. I decided that a long conversation about the merits of coaching could wait for another day. Sometimes even coaches need a break. However, it reminded me how often the people who may benefit most for coaching react in a defensive manner when coaching is mentioned. Of course he may have achieved his goals and was now content. Some how, I doubt that was the case.
If the time and the place had been conducive for a chat I would have said that coaching helps develop self-awareness and confidence. My clients often remark that they see significant improvements in the following areas of their live:
Learn to solve own problems
Improve managerial and interpersonal skills
Have better relationships with colleagues
Learn how to identify and act on development needs
Have greater confidence
Become more effective, assertive in dealing with people
Have a positive impact on performance
Ability to see new perspectives
Acquire new skills and abilities
Develop greater adaptability to change
Improve work-life balance
Reduce stress levels
Generally more contented
Feel that their lives are moving forward positively.
If my friend’s colleague had the chance to reflect on the above check list and feel able to answer the questions in a safe environment I would what he would have said?
Try it for yourself; you might be surprised at the answers.
His reply was swift and dismissive: “I cannot see how you make a living doing that. I own my own business and I cannot see what coaching would do for me”.
I smiled and congratulated him on his success. I decided that a long conversation about the merits of coaching could wait for another day. Sometimes even coaches need a break. However, it reminded me how often the people who may benefit most for coaching react in a defensive manner when coaching is mentioned. Of course he may have achieved his goals and was now content. Some how, I doubt that was the case.
If the time and the place had been conducive for a chat I would have said that coaching helps develop self-awareness and confidence. My clients often remark that they see significant improvements in the following areas of their live:
Learn to solve own problems
Improve managerial and interpersonal skills
Have better relationships with colleagues
Learn how to identify and act on development needs
Have greater confidence
Become more effective, assertive in dealing with people
Have a positive impact on performance
Ability to see new perspectives
Acquire new skills and abilities
Develop greater adaptability to change
Improve work-life balance
Reduce stress levels
Generally more contented
Feel that their lives are moving forward positively.
If my friend’s colleague had the chance to reflect on the above check list and feel able to answer the questions in a safe environment I would what he would have said?
Try it for yourself; you might be surprised at the answers.
Sunday 9 August 2009
Our deepest fear ......................
I just remembered this quote. I think it has great depth and power.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us."-- Marianne Williamson, and repeated in Nelson Mandela's speech
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us."-- Marianne Williamson, and repeated in Nelson Mandela's speech
Saturday 8 August 2009
What are your plans for today?
I wonder how close you are living your dreams. Make a list of what you will do this weekend. Then on the back page list all the things that you would do this weekend if you could. Interesting reading?
Friday 7 August 2009
When did you last pause to think about what you want?
Are you facing up to a major career change in your life?
Every so often we're hit by the urge to change jobs and for a lot of people since the global economic downturn, enforced job change. Particularly in the case of redundancy the future may look very frightening. This is specially if you have been in the same role and/or company for some time. I do not need to rehearse the reasons for this, as you will know them well.
The solution to this problem is manageable although still hard work. The solution is to remember to break the problem down into manageable sections.
Do you/can you replicate your old job?
What do you really want to do?
Is this an opportunity to consider if you are happy with your life style?
What are your strengths, capabilities and assets?
What are your transferable skills?
How long will your severance money last?
Look at your budget. Is there a way to cut back and take the pressure off, or allocate some funds to a special project?
Think about what may be standing in your way of achieving your chosen path. What would it take to remove those barriers? It can be a very exciting time when you approach job change in an enlightened way. The secret to success is to explore a range of options. To give yourself the time and space to think about your core values and aspirations. If there were no barriers, what would you be doing in six months time? When you take the time to dream, you will discover that you are qualified for many more opportunities than your CV/resume or your current mind set would allow you to believe.
If you would like a confidential no cost consultation about how one t0 one coaching can help your career or personal growth – call 07790126264 or email paul.ainscough@fiducia.org.uk.
If you would just like to comment on the post follow the link.
Every so often we're hit by the urge to change jobs and for a lot of people since the global economic downturn, enforced job change. Particularly in the case of redundancy the future may look very frightening. This is specially if you have been in the same role and/or company for some time. I do not need to rehearse the reasons for this, as you will know them well.
The solution to this problem is manageable although still hard work. The solution is to remember to break the problem down into manageable sections.
Do you/can you replicate your old job?
What do you really want to do?
Is this an opportunity to consider if you are happy with your life style?
What are your strengths, capabilities and assets?
What are your transferable skills?
How long will your severance money last?
Look at your budget. Is there a way to cut back and take the pressure off, or allocate some funds to a special project?
Think about what may be standing in your way of achieving your chosen path. What would it take to remove those barriers? It can be a very exciting time when you approach job change in an enlightened way. The secret to success is to explore a range of options. To give yourself the time and space to think about your core values and aspirations. If there were no barriers, what would you be doing in six months time? When you take the time to dream, you will discover that you are qualified for many more opportunities than your CV/resume or your current mind set would allow you to believe.
If you would like a confidential no cost consultation about how one t0 one coaching can help your career or personal growth – call 07790126264 or email paul.ainscough@fiducia.org.uk.
If you would just like to comment on the post follow the link.
Thursday 6 August 2009
What time did you get home?
Working late again?
Work couldn't survive without you? May I suggest that you put down the Blackberry and write down what would happen if you were on a desert island for two weeks unable to communicate. What would happen in your office? Who would pick up the pieces? What could your team handle that you've never allowed room for? How productive were you in that last hour of work?
Here is the challenge: send me your list as a comment.
Work couldn't survive without you? May I suggest that you put down the Blackberry and write down what would happen if you were on a desert island for two weeks unable to communicate. What would happen in your office? Who would pick up the pieces? What could your team handle that you've never allowed room for? How productive were you in that last hour of work?
Here is the challenge: send me your list as a comment.
Sunday 26 July 2009
Staying focused on your goals
Apart from knowing what you want to do and having the confidence to realise your potntial, it is vital that you remain focused. The following article by Hugh Russell provides a good starting point for you to gain and maintain focus.
Being productive at work is directly dependent on your ability to focus on your current activity. I cringe when I think about how much time I have wasted thinking about where I was going to go for lunch! Those thoughts would start as soon as I got to work and would keep bubbling up until I actually arrived at the restaurant. I accomplish a lot more at work when I spend those distracted moments focusing on completing my activities instead. This same logic applies to how many times I stop to check Outlook for new e-mails. Rarely do I get an e-mail that cannot wait a few hours to be read. Staying focused is a skill that you must learn and continually practice. Below are steps for increasing your productivity by increasing your ability to focus.
1. Create and maintain an open item list that contains all of your commitments.
Your mind will wander less if you know that you have captured your commitments and that you are actively working on completing them.
2. Remove distractions from your work environment.
Clear your desk of distractions.
Shut your door to discourage interruptions.
Mute your phone, pager and/or mobile phone.
Get a comfortable chair.
3. Remove distractions from your computer.
Turn off the radio or your iPod.
Log out of your instant messaging software, Facebook, or your favorite internet site.
Mute your computer so that you will not hear when new messages arrive.
4. Give yourself permission to focus on one activity.
Many of us feel guilty if we are not working one hundred miles an hour while multi-tasking but as we begin to see beneficial results from focused work, we will begin to feel less guilty and more satisfied. It may take some practice before you are able to completely focus on one activity. When other thoughts come up, simply notice the thoughts and then release them.
5. Work for fifty focused minutes.
When the time period is up, finish your current task. It is more important that you complete the task than it is for you to adhere to the fifty minute guideline. As your ability to stay focused grows, gradually increase the length of your work period.
6. Take a 5-10 minute break.
Get out of your chair and move around. Do a few light stretches. Clear your mind. Don’t think about what you are working on. This break will allow you to recharge your battery so that you can fully focus during the work period.
7. Select the next activity to work on and begin the next period of focused work.
Being productive at work is directly dependent on your ability to focus on your current activity. I cringe when I think about how much time I have wasted thinking about where I was going to go for lunch! Those thoughts would start as soon as I got to work and would keep bubbling up until I actually arrived at the restaurant. I accomplish a lot more at work when I spend those distracted moments focusing on completing my activities instead. This same logic applies to how many times I stop to check Outlook for new e-mails. Rarely do I get an e-mail that cannot wait a few hours to be read. Staying focused is a skill that you must learn and continually practice. Below are steps for increasing your productivity by increasing your ability to focus.
1. Create and maintain an open item list that contains all of your commitments.
Your mind will wander less if you know that you have captured your commitments and that you are actively working on completing them.
2. Remove distractions from your work environment.
Clear your desk of distractions.
Shut your door to discourage interruptions.
Mute your phone, pager and/or mobile phone.
Get a comfortable chair.
3. Remove distractions from your computer.
Turn off the radio or your iPod.
Log out of your instant messaging software, Facebook, or your favorite internet site.
Mute your computer so that you will not hear when new messages arrive.
4. Give yourself permission to focus on one activity.
Many of us feel guilty if we are not working one hundred miles an hour while multi-tasking but as we begin to see beneficial results from focused work, we will begin to feel less guilty and more satisfied. It may take some practice before you are able to completely focus on one activity. When other thoughts come up, simply notice the thoughts and then release them.
5. Work for fifty focused minutes.
When the time period is up, finish your current task. It is more important that you complete the task than it is for you to adhere to the fifty minute guideline. As your ability to stay focused grows, gradually increase the length of your work period.
6. Take a 5-10 minute break.
Get out of your chair and move around. Do a few light stretches. Clear your mind. Don’t think about what you are working on. This break will allow you to recharge your battery so that you can fully focus during the work period.
7. Select the next activity to work on and begin the next period of focused work.
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