I met with a friend a week ago, who has a lively 3 year old and a baby on the way. I was talking to her about work life balance and a workshop I am running in September. Here is her story:
"No one tells you what to expect when you have a child and people are keen to offer their advice. But after a while, although they are well meaning, what works for them might not work for me. When you have a change in your life or are seeking work life balance, it is important to experiment and find out what works for you. Whether you decide to stay at home with your child or stay at work, it needs to fit around your life".
It is well known in NLP (neuro linguistic programming) that everyone has their own map of the world, their own reality. This means that what works for one person may not work for you. So, when you are seeking your own work life balance, you need to find out what works for you. It may be trial and error to begin, but set your priorities, stick to them and don't let other people's values get in the way. Also, if things get in the way, you may need to look at what is really important to you - do you need to iron everything or will some things just do? Or seek help if you need support to get your life back on track.
Oh and I mentioned a workshop at the beginning - the Make Time for your Life workshop is running in Hampshire on Saturday 15 September. If you would like to make more time for your life, click here for more information.
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Saturday, 16 June 2007
How can you get more motivated?
Motivation means to provide incentive, or move to action. Sometimes it can be hard to be motivated, to take action and it is easy to put things off or procrastinate. But wouldn't it be good to take make some changes and take back control of your life?
Normally when people want to make change in their life, there is something that makes them question the status quo. They may be disatisfied with their life, which is an incentive to make a change. But the hard thing can be developing the vision of what the change should be and then take steps towards making a difference to their life.
So what do you really want to change in YOUR life?
1. What do you consider as the top three achievements in your life so far?
2. What else would you really like to achieve? What exactly and by when?
3. How can you take steps to achieve this goal?
4. Who can support you to make this change?
5. How will you feel when you have achieved this new achievement?
Good luck, I know you can do it. Please share your successes with us, so we can learn from each other.
Normally when people want to make change in their life, there is something that makes them question the status quo. They may be disatisfied with their life, which is an incentive to make a change. But the hard thing can be developing the vision of what the change should be and then take steps towards making a difference to their life.
So what do you really want to change in YOUR life?
1. What do you consider as the top three achievements in your life so far?
2. What else would you really like to achieve? What exactly and by when?
3. How can you take steps to achieve this goal?
4. Who can support you to make this change?
5. How will you feel when you have achieved this new achievement?
Good luck, I know you can do it. Please share your successes with us, so we can learn from each other.
Monday, 28 May 2007
Are you ready for coaching?
It is a difficult decision to decide to work with a life coach. You may feel scared to make change or feel overwhelmed with the thought of taking your life beyond your comfort zone. On the other hand, it is easy to become stuck in a rut or be unfocused with regards to your life and working with a coach can help.
It can open up opportunities to do something you have never thought about before and can empower you to make amazing positive changes to your life.
So what are the benefits of working with a coach?
• You will be listened to like you've never been listened to before - without judgement, interruption or preconceived ideas.
• You will be challenged to come up with new ideas and ways of thinking.
• You will be given the time to focus on what YOU really want to do.
• You will make steps to change your life where you are supported every step of the way.
So are you ready for coaching? Answer yes or no to the following statements to find out.
1. I am committed to making an important change in my life.
2. I am ready to invest my time and money in my future.
3. I am prepared to move out of my comfort zone.
4. I want to turn my dreams into reality.
5. I would like support to motivate me to achieve my goals.
6. I want someone who will keep me on track when the going gets tough.
7. I am prepared to try something different.
8. I am able take responsibility for achieving my goals.
9. I am willing to take responsibility for my own actions.
10. I am willing to eliminate blocks that have prevented me from getting results.
If you have answered yes to the statements above, you are ready to work with a coach. Many coaches specialise in different areas, so work out where you want to make change. Whether you want a coach to help you to focus on your parenting skills, work life balance, career development, confidence or health and weight loss, there is a coach for you.
If you would like any more information, contact me today for a chat. Vist my website for more details at www.selfdiscoverycoaching.co.uk.
It can open up opportunities to do something you have never thought about before and can empower you to make amazing positive changes to your life.
So what are the benefits of working with a coach?
• You will be listened to like you've never been listened to before - without judgement, interruption or preconceived ideas.
• You will be challenged to come up with new ideas and ways of thinking.
• You will be given the time to focus on what YOU really want to do.
• You will make steps to change your life where you are supported every step of the way.
So are you ready for coaching? Answer yes or no to the following statements to find out.
1. I am committed to making an important change in my life.
2. I am ready to invest my time and money in my future.
3. I am prepared to move out of my comfort zone.
4. I want to turn my dreams into reality.
5. I would like support to motivate me to achieve my goals.
6. I want someone who will keep me on track when the going gets tough.
7. I am prepared to try something different.
8. I am able take responsibility for achieving my goals.
9. I am willing to take responsibility for my own actions.
10. I am willing to eliminate blocks that have prevented me from getting results.
If you have answered yes to the statements above, you are ready to work with a coach. Many coaches specialise in different areas, so work out where you want to make change. Whether you want a coach to help you to focus on your parenting skills, work life balance, career development, confidence or health and weight loss, there is a coach for you.
If you would like any more information, contact me today for a chat. Vist my website for more details at www.selfdiscoverycoaching.co.uk.
Sunday, 13 May 2007
Make time for yourself
I've just come back from a few days away. I find it is great every couple of months to take time off the treadmill of life, shut off from the normal day to day distractions and make some time for myself. We all try to fit so much more into our already busy lives, and taking time out can help us to refocus, as well as coming up with great new ideas.
When was the last time you totally switched off from life?
How did it feel, what did you see or do?
If you haven't taken time out recently, when do you next plan to do so?
Plan it into your diary today and take action!
When was the last time you totally switched off from life?
How did it feel, what did you see or do?
If you haven't taken time out recently, when do you next plan to do so?
Plan it into your diary today and take action!
Friday, 20 April 2007
Monday morning blues
In my last blog, I looked at completing a life audit, but at the forefront of many people's lives is their work.
How do you feel on a Monday morning? The weekend has just gone and you’ve got a whole week of work in front of you. It is the day that is known as the worse day of the week - but how can you make it more fun and have a happy Monday? Follow my top tips to beat the Monday morning blues:
1. Get a good night’s sleep on Sunday, so you wake up feeling refreshed on Monday morning.
2. Take time to have a good breakfast to give you the energy to get through the day.
3. Wear your favourite clothes to make youself feel good and boost your confidence.
4. Leave work five minutes earlier than normal so that you can take your time on your journey to work. If you can, get some fresh air to perk up your day.
5. You also may find it good to get in early, make yourself a cup of coffee before you get into the working day.
6. Make sure that your week isn't just about work - plan a night out with your friends or family. This will give you something to look forward to.
7. And if you really get to the stage when your job is not fulfilling your needs, do something about it! Decide what you want to do and take clear small steps to achieve your goal.
How do you feel on a Monday morning? The weekend has just gone and you’ve got a whole week of work in front of you. It is the day that is known as the worse day of the week - but how can you make it more fun and have a happy Monday? Follow my top tips to beat the Monday morning blues:
1. Get a good night’s sleep on Sunday, so you wake up feeling refreshed on Monday morning.
2. Take time to have a good breakfast to give you the energy to get through the day.
3. Wear your favourite clothes to make youself feel good and boost your confidence.
4. Leave work five minutes earlier than normal so that you can take your time on your journey to work. If you can, get some fresh air to perk up your day.
5. You also may find it good to get in early, make yourself a cup of coffee before you get into the working day.
6. Make sure that your week isn't just about work - plan a night out with your friends or family. This will give you something to look forward to.
7. And if you really get to the stage when your job is not fulfilling your needs, do something about it! Decide what you want to do and take clear small steps to achieve your goal.
Sunday, 15 April 2007
Life review
Although there are still 24 hours in every day, why do we find it increasingly difficult to have time to do everything we want to do? Even with new technology that should save us time, we now seem to need to do things quicker and more efficiently than ever before?
Having time to fit everything into our lives and be everything to everybody can be hard. Many of us need to carry out a full time job to allow us to live the life we desire and then need to fit in time to do the washing, clean the house, look after children or parents, and the other jobs that just seem to crop up (especially when we have been putting them off for a while!)
So, if you are in this situation, where you are struggling to meet the demands of everyone else as well as your own needs - what can you do?
Perhaps it is time for you to carry out a life review. Spend 30 minutes thinking about what you like and dislike about your life - consider the following questions to help you move along:
Do you want to carry on working the way you are?
What is it that you enjoy about your job?
If you could change your job or the way you work, what would be different?
Do you have enough time to spend with your friends and family?
Do you have enough time for your hobbies and leisure time?
How much more time would you like to create with your friends and family or for your hobbies and leisure time?
How could you create more time?
Perhaps you would find it useful to keep a diary of where your time goes? How much time do you really watch TV or spend on the computer each week?
Or do you simply not have enough time to do everything in your life? If this is your situation, consider one more thing - what could you delegate to make your life easier?
Just taking this short time out of your regular routine will help you to focus on what you really want and enable you to set some targets to help you to get there.
Having time to fit everything into our lives and be everything to everybody can be hard. Many of us need to carry out a full time job to allow us to live the life we desire and then need to fit in time to do the washing, clean the house, look after children or parents, and the other jobs that just seem to crop up (especially when we have been putting them off for a while!)
So, if you are in this situation, where you are struggling to meet the demands of everyone else as well as your own needs - what can you do?
Perhaps it is time for you to carry out a life review. Spend 30 minutes thinking about what you like and dislike about your life - consider the following questions to help you move along:
Do you want to carry on working the way you are?
What is it that you enjoy about your job?
If you could change your job or the way you work, what would be different?
Do you have enough time to spend with your friends and family?
Do you have enough time for your hobbies and leisure time?
How much more time would you like to create with your friends and family or for your hobbies and leisure time?
How could you create more time?
Perhaps you would find it useful to keep a diary of where your time goes? How much time do you really watch TV or spend on the computer each week?
Or do you simply not have enough time to do everything in your life? If this is your situation, consider one more thing - what could you delegate to make your life easier?
Just taking this short time out of your regular routine will help you to focus on what you really want and enable you to set some targets to help you to get there.
Thursday, 5 April 2007
Flexible working and work life balance
On 6 April 2007, new laws on flexible working are being introduced in the UK. Currently parents with children under six and disabled children under 18 have the right to apply for flexible working. The Work and Families Act 2006 has extended the rights to carers of adults who will be entitled to apply for flexible working.
The new rights will give an estimated 1.4 million more employees in the UK the right to request flexible working to care for an adult. The legislation has and will help those who have responsibilities for children and adults with caring needs.
But it has also raised other issues. How will it actually work in practice? One of my clients feels that she will not be supported to apply for flexible working, she says “early last year my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. At the time I had already used leave to help deal with various issues related specifically to her condition. I have every intention of trying to take advantage of the new flexible working legislation for carers. Will the company I work for agree? I don’t think so. The likelihood is that they’ll come up with some vague informal arrangement that leaves me feeling vulnerable and unlikely to do anything other than continue to take my annual leave”.
And also what about the people who are not affected by the legislation and may resent those who are able to arrive late or leave early? Another of my clients believes that "it almost feels that this latest legislation discriminates against people without children or caring responsibilities."
Some organisations have actually extended the rights to apply for flexible working to all staff. If extended across the UK, it would help all people to have the opportunity to work flexibly. In addition, it would have a positive effect on employee’s attitudes and morale and would lead to increased productivity. It would also allow employees to develop a better work/life balance, which is an increasing challenge in today’s society. But will this happen and if it did, how would it impact businesses across the UK?
The new rights will give an estimated 1.4 million more employees in the UK the right to request flexible working to care for an adult. The legislation has and will help those who have responsibilities for children and adults with caring needs.
But it has also raised other issues. How will it actually work in practice? One of my clients feels that she will not be supported to apply for flexible working, she says “early last year my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. At the time I had already used leave to help deal with various issues related specifically to her condition. I have every intention of trying to take advantage of the new flexible working legislation for carers. Will the company I work for agree? I don’t think so. The likelihood is that they’ll come up with some vague informal arrangement that leaves me feeling vulnerable and unlikely to do anything other than continue to take my annual leave”.
And also what about the people who are not affected by the legislation and may resent those who are able to arrive late or leave early? Another of my clients believes that "it almost feels that this latest legislation discriminates against people without children or caring responsibilities."
Some organisations have actually extended the rights to apply for flexible working to all staff. If extended across the UK, it would help all people to have the opportunity to work flexibly. In addition, it would have a positive effect on employee’s attitudes and morale and would lead to increased productivity. It would also allow employees to develop a better work/life balance, which is an increasing challenge in today’s society. But will this happen and if it did, how would it impact businesses across the UK?
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