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Who are your hero's in life? Are they real people or characters from a comic book or film? Are they world famous, or are they unknown? What traits do you recognise in the people who inspire you to achieve more? We were posed the questions this month - who are our heros, who would we like to spend a day with and what would we like to learn from them?

HOW TO TAKE THOSE FIRST DIFFICULT STEPS… Are you one of the many people who have set a personal/business/work goal or a resolution, or said you’ll do something – even something small, but never actually achieved it – or even got started on it?

So how can your attitude shift the relationship between two people? I was reading a newsletter by Mark Peysha, the CEO of Robbins-Madanes Training and he was reflecting on Dr Martin Luther King. His thoughts really resonated with me as I had been having a discussion this week on this topic but couldn't articulate what I was trying to say. Quoting Mark: You and I are equal. You and I are different. You and I are the same. Read on to understand what Mark means by this paradox....

It's just been a week now since devastation hit the beautiful city of Christchurch and turned the lives of many into states of panic, sadness, confusion, sense of loss, anxiety and fear, to name a few dominant emotions. But what has been, and is so very apparent, is the mix of compassion, resourcefulness, kindness, selflessness, and resilience which has been displayed by those who are in the immediate region and those in the rest of the country who are taking action to help make a difference.

In recent research conducted by Leadership Management Australasia, nearly 4000 respondents in Australia and New Zealand were asked how they felt about their jobs. The survey revealed more than 60% of the workforce either hated their jobs or didn’t care about their work, as long as they got paid. It showed nearly half were considering looking for a new job while 62% either hated or were ambivalent about their work. (Source: APN).

The other day, I received an email from one of my clients who said she realised that she was not talking to her inner child because she was feeling resistance and felt uncomfortable while talking to her inner child. So, she stopped. And that meant, she didn't get to feel good. It was as though a light bulb went off in her mind, as she realised that she was listening to her feelings instead of being a strong and conscious person who could take charge of her thoughts.

As a leader, if you want people to follow you, inspire them with a compelling vision, affirm the importance of their roles in achieving success, and then give them the resources they need to innovate and make the vision a reality ... they will find the way! By David Savage with extracts from the the book The New Leaders by Daniel Goleman

So what is the miracle mindset all about anyway?

In an experiment in the USA, a teacher was given a group of under-performing students to teach for a year. Although the students were considered ‘slow’ the researchers told the teacher that the children were the crème de la crème; naturally gifted and expected to excel. The teacher accepted what she was told and expected top performances from every child. Her brain had being ‘programmed’ by what she’d been told and thus what she would experience.

Our actions are based on our words; our words are based on our thoughts; and our thoughts are based on our beliefs – beliefs about the world and our place in it. Words are powerful – they can build us up or tear us down; they can inspire us or make us so afraid of failing that we fail to act at all.

Sometimes it can be hard to maintain your enthusiasm and keep your eye on the goal, here are some great tips to give you instant motivation so you will be highly energised and more focused on your way to achieving your goal.

Most people would consider that intelligence is measured by our IQ but what's the point of having a high IQ if we don't use it? Perhaps a better measurement might be the gap or distance between knowing and doing? The closer the gap the smarter we are for instance. If we know that regular exercise is good for us and do it, then that's smart. Making good choices is perhaps the true measure of intelligence.

It’s year end – a time to traditionally take stock of the last twelve months and look forward to consider our hopes and dreams, and our wishes for the year ahead.

What does success mean to you? Is it being the best at what you do in your career, in your life? Maybe it is having a fabulous house or that amazing car? Being wealthy or maybe being happy?

My clients seem to share one thing in common which, I guess, is why they seek me out. They all want something more out of life and, in fact, they want it badly enough however, there is something getting in the way of them achieving their desired goal.

I recently watched a TED video with Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and it stimulated my thinking further. If you have started looking for another job it does not mean you have to mentally check out of your current one. This is a common occurrence; most people who have had enough of their current environment will no longer participate fully, will shy away from additional responsibility and ignore any new opportunities that might come their way. Does this sound like you?

When you meet someone new, do you find yourself curious to know what they do and why? Are you interested in the things other people do well and equally, the things people love to do as work?

Over the past five months we have been under considerable stress in Christchurch as a result of the constant aftershocks. The latest quake on February 22 seems to be the final straw for many. Much of the central city is destroyed and there has been an exodus from Christchurch. Those that remain are burdened with the clean up and the costs: financial, material and emotional.

When you take on a Coach there are a few essential ingredients you need in place to make the most of it ... Yep, the right goals for a start and a solid game plan. But also, it's how you engage with the coaching and the little things you can do to maintain the focus you need to nail your goals!

By now my partner is tired of hearing me repeat the same mantra over and over when I listen to him coming from a place of negativity however, it has given him food for thought and it has been proven time and time again to be true. The mantra I am talking about is 'What you focus on is what you'll get.'

When you speak the same language as someone else it's easy to believe that all parties have the same understanding of each word. If this were really the case we would rarely misunderstand each other.

My cloud came when I found myself sitting in the waiting room of the eye department at Dunedin Public Hospital on the 27th March, 1997. I couldn't have imagined then the life I am living now. Talk about being blind! In this article I share with you how I went from that day to the celebrations of my 10 years blind party.

Role models enter our lives for a purpose, to help us grow and develop to be all we are capable of being. From the distance of time we can acknowledge significance of the impact of their example and influence upon our lives. . .

When I first started researching business philanthropy I was amazed and shocked to read how many articles openly pitched philanthropy as a marketing strategy. With statements such as ‘boost your business by creating a compelling charitable profile’, it’s plain to see that for some businesses their philanthropic investment is simply ugly lip service.

Change your thoughts, change your life.

It seems like every day there are more articles and books being written about positive thinking. Some support the benefits of positive thinking and others warn against its pitfalls. I wonder, is either approach right, or is there another way that will support us in leading a happy and fulfilled life?

January is nearly over – does it still feel like a ‘new year’ to you or has it already become just ‘more of the same’? We tend to start out with a burst of enthusiasm - ‘this is the year I’ll…’ - and then all too often we find ourselves bogged down, not really getting anywhere with making the changes we dreamed about. Here are some ideas to keep you moving towards your goal; one effective step at a time.

What's the best book you've ever read? Hmmm .... ask me an easy one why don't you! That's up there with 'what's the meaning of life'. There are so many to choose from .... Barefoot Doctor's Urban Warrior .... Quiet Leadership by David Rock .... Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching ... Mind Power by John Kehoe ...

What's the best book you've ever read? Hmmm .... ask me an easy one why don't you! That's up there with 'what's the meaning of life'. There are so many to choose from .... Barefoot Doctor's Urban Warrior .... Quiet Leadership by David Rock .... Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching ... Mind Power by John Kehoe ...

When you think of getting through to Customer Services, what comes to mind, a 'brick wall'? Yeah, I had those conversations too, but hey, I've have the other kind also - the ones where the right voice on the other end of the line transmits the right piece of knowledge and a solution then falls into the place; the world becomes a vastly better place, sun breaks through storm clouds and angels sing so on and so forth etc. etc.

One of the most important things we need to do when setting goals, making decisions, or taking actions is to get a clear picture of what we actually want to achieve – to clarify our purpose, the desired outcome and the benefits of those goals, decision or actions. To get a clearer image of what we really want it can be helpful to focus on both the big picture and also the details that make up that bigger picture. This was brought home to me in quite a simple but effective way a few days ago.

Who recalls stomping their feet and yelling this statement at their parents as a teenager? Well Jon Bon Jovi sang “it’s my life, it’s now or never”. Are you singing at the top of your voice and tapping your feet yet?! He went on to sing “I ain't gonna live forever. I just want to live while I'm alive,it’s my life!”

I drove around the inlet today. The road is winding and narrow and it’s often hard to see what is coming in the other direction, so I’m always on the alert. Even so, I was quite surprised to be confronted by a pilot vehicle coming rapidly towards me carrying a sign announcing there was a WIDE LOAD FOLLOWING.

How can you tell if clutter has become a problem? Use this checklist to help you evaluate your own clutter situation. If you answer yes to any of these questions it may be time to stop and take stock of your surroundings and make a plan to clear the decks so you can enjoy what you own rather than feeling owned by your belongings. Be kind to yourself while doing this - most of us could benefit from making a bit more space in our lives.

Myth 3: How I think about my audience doesn't matter. Truth: How you view your listeners is more important than the words you say.

As you just might get it! Step back for a moment and observe yourself. What have you been thinking about? Is that what you want? Did you know that you have 5 times more neural networks for negative than positive? Any wonder it can be challenging to keep a positive mindset sometimes.

Why some goals never become reality and how to make sure they do! We use goals as a way stating our intention for the future and (by achieving them) shaping it. BUT goals gather dust too and many go no further than being just a good idea

When you hear that word 'but' don't you just grind your teeth? You know that whatever nice thing was said in the first part of the sentence is about to be negated. You steel yourself as you prepare to receive... the real truth.

Is fear sapping your energy and holding you back from achieving all you want to in life? A simple change in focus can help to free you from debilitating fear and propel you into enhanced self-belief and bring about successful results in your life. Learn how to use the power of your mind to unlock the motivation and determination required to bring about your success. Put your renewed energy into taking positive action that will help you achieve your dreams.

Living passionately is about having a swing in your step, feeling great with high levels of energy, motivation and inspiration.

At some stage most of us go through a time when we have to be strong and brave. In Christchurch at the moment people are asking “how long will this continue?” For some of us this question really is “how long do we need to be brave?” Sleepless nights, fear and anxiety have their impact on all areas of your life, affecting your personal health and relationships. Here’s how to build resilience and courage.

Sebastian should be reading quarter of an hour a day said his teacher across the desk at his school interview...

From the 26th of September 2011, a ban on bullfighting in Barcelona ends a tradition that is hundreds of years old and etched into the DNA of Spanish culture. Whilst for some it’s a loss of identity and for others it’s an evolutionary step forward, one thing is for sure …. it demonstrates that leaders need to sometimes play a long-game to create change.

Most of us go through a time of adjustment when looking for a new job, and many experience anxiety and uncertainty during the process. Recognising that these feelings are normal helps you remain positive. Building some structure into your day helps to maintain motivation and balance during your job search.

When speaking with your coach or on attending a seminar, keep these mind-sets in mind. The following are examples of which mind-sets produce no-results and which mind-sets produce breakthroughs and insights for yourself.

First, we'll discuss what consideration is not, because, as in the process of elimination, you can never truly see something, until you recognise what it is not.