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Generally, until we learn better, we identify ourselves with our mind. We think our thoughts are simply “me thinking” and our feelings are “me feeling”.

What do Paul Henry, David Garrett, Tony Veitch, and ex New York Governor Eliot Spitzer have in common?

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?

You know what it's like when you meet someone who you 'click' with? You feel at ease, relaxed and almost immediately you relate to them? You understand 'where they are coming from', and you are 'on the same page'. Sometimes this feeling is spontaneous,it seems to just happen.I bet you also can think of times when you have had the opposite feeling? There may be people in your life that you really cannot seem to relate to in any way, shape or form. This feeling or lack of it,is called rapport.

There are now many coaches out there to choose from, some specialising and some offering a range of services, but even though coaching has earnt it's place as an effective way for people to improve themselves and their world, the skills of a coach, plus experience and competence can vary. Use this guide to help you choose the right coach for you!

Pick up any book on personal growth, self improvement or successful thinking and you will find one of the first concepts is usually to ask clearly for what you want. That is assuming you know what you want in the first place!

How close are you to your money? Do you know where it goes? Do you know when it’s coming back? So many of us happily spend away without keeping control of the dollars and cents, which means, we can easily fall into the debt trap which then creates stress and possible conflict.

It is a brand new year, and traditionally this is a fabulous time to create some inspiring goals! You feel inspired and motivated and then, something happens and after a few short weeks you let it all go. You just can't seem to maintain the momentum! It is very common. How do you keep inspired and motivated? It is very easy if you follow some simple rules. You need to create 'Stickability' to your goals so you will be more likely to achieve them.

It is a brand new year, and traditionally this is a fabulous time to create some inspiring goals! You feel inspired and motivated and then, something happens and after a few short weeks you let it all go. You just can't seem to maintain the momentum! It is very common. How do you keep inspired and motivated? It is very easy if you follow some simple rules. You need to create 'Stickability' to your goals so you will be more likely to achieve them.

What is a TRIGGER? A TRIGGER is some kind of cue that ‘TRIGGERS’ a certain thought – it’s essentially building an association between an object and a specific thought or feeling – In setting up a TRIGGER, YOU CHOOSE the thought or feeling to be associated with it.

As a Life Management coach and therapist, meditation is always something that I recommend to my client’s as it is a wonderful way to unwind from a busy day, recharge in the middle of the day or set yourself up for the busy day ahead. If you are battling low self esteem or you lack the confidence to go after your dreams then this practice will help to give you clarity and direction.

I learnt another valuable lesson this week and would like to share.

An important component of goal setting is who we are BEING, not just what we are DOING. Taking action is vital in order to bring about changes but unless those actions are rooted in our vision of or future; lined up with our values; and use our own particular strengths, then they are just a bunch of activities and may not be effective. I have made many attempts to clear up my cluttered study. This is one place my usually well-organised approach to running my home falls to pieces!

Why does talking about something sometimese make you feel better about it and sometimes worse? Peter Campbell explores the neurolinguistic roots of successful counselling.

Planning on studying at university, or know someone who is? Find out how university entrance works, and figure out what you need to do to get into the university programme you want. Universities have moved on from ‘bums on seats’, where eventually everyone could get into university. In the past you either got 3 C’s in bursary, or turned 20. Now funding has gone down, and there are caps on how many students universities can enroll. Students need to know what is required or they could miss out.

Planning on studying at university, or know someone who is? Find out how university entrance works, and figure out what you need to do to get into the university programme you want. Universities have moved on from ‘bums on seats’, where eventually everyone could get into university. In the past you either got 3 C’s in bursary, or turned 20. Now funding has gone down, and there are caps on how many students universities can enroll. Students need to know what is required or they could miss out.

One of the biggest questions which comes out of the NLP models is “What do you want?” If you come to see me for any anything, then that will be the first question I ask you. It is something you could begin asking yourself more often. What do I want? Often this is interpreted as “what don’t I want” and can be distracting and a wee bit limiting, but getting clear on what you actually want is a valuable place to begin.

In my previous article I described the challenge that faced me during my coaching training with Debbie Ford once I came to the realisation that no one was coming to my rescue and that if I wanted to live the life of my dreams, I must take full responsibility for all aspects of my life and for making that dream become a reality.

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.

Once you've set your goals, it's really important to break them down into a manageable action plan to avoid procrastination or overwhelm.

Let me share with you a 3-step formula I’ve been using for many years. It’s a formula I have also seen other people use in order to achieve the goals they want, anything from a simple goal, through to a major life achievement. It has helped me, for example, choose the right A level subjects, emigrate twice, become a national champion speaker, and win an international writing award.

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.

Are you being the best you can be? Want to have more control of your life? What can be holding you back?

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.

Some people have a great ability to keep the head under pressure in front of others. They steer their focus away from a feeling of risk and doom, to one of being in the moment - performing in the same way as they had mentally rehearsed their performance. And of course, with more experience, the easier it is to (in the words of Adam Ant) stand and deliver!

"So what do you want to achieve?" I asked a recent client. "Well, really I just want to achieve a work/life balance," she responded. "Hmm, and what exactly is a work/life balance?" Like many others, she seemed confused. She mumbled something about, "having more time for herself" and then confessed she didn't really know. I told her I thought that the concept of work/life balance was a load of nonsense and, in trying to achieve it, we’re faced with yet another source of stress and angst.

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!

Amidst the tragedy of the recent earthquake in Christchurch, stories of a myriad of unselfish acts of kindness have shone like a beacon of hope amidst the darkness. This has prompted me to share my own story of how my life was once touched by an unexpected kindness from strangers.

Have you ever thought about becoming a professional Coach? More and more people are and since I began Coaching in 2003, much has changed. And so updating an older article I wrote some years ago, here are some things to know about the Coaching world and becoming one.

Until 2 years ago my biggest adventure had always been the travelling we (my hubby and I) had done on our big OE 27 years ago. I’m sure you know how it is; you finish your training, or study, save like crazy and sell everything off and away you go. Off to see the world. Generations of kiwis have done it, and plenty more will continue to do so, almost as a rite of passage.

I hear this over and over - “One Day, when everything is sorted…. then I will ......(live the life I really want to live…”) In my work, I meet a lot of men who are holding off from living the life they want now, and seem to think that there will be an ideal time, in the future … when things will be different in some way. I hear them say… When: • my finances are more secure.. • the children grown up and leave home • the house is paid off.. • I have a better paid job.. • I have time…

Setting and getting goals is exciting, inspiring and challenging - well at least I hope they are for you. And the 'journey to the goals' so often is such a rich experience on it's own. That is great - but what about when you finally achieve that big big goal? You're on a real high, buzzing for maybe a few days, maybe weeks.....and then, you get that sinking feeling, that little voice in your head ( or is it your heart?) says 'So what!?"

Our desire for change can start as a nagging feeling that life could be better than it is, or it could stem from a deep dissatisfaction with some particular aspect of our day-by-day existence. As well as opening up possibilities for personal growth and positive transformation, change can bring up all sorts of fears and conflicting feelings. Your approach to change will determine the outcome.

Over the past few years I have become more and more fascinated with the power of the human mind and what can be achieved by unlocking the door to our sub conscious. This has lead me to Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), life coaching, healing with crystals, various forms of meditation and lately hypnosis.

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. . .

I love personal development books, you could say I have 'wee' bit of an obsession with them - judging by my bulging bookshelf! Some of the criteria I use choosing these books are, they must be practical, easily implemented and have plenty of good examples to illustrate the concepts.

I love personal development books, you could say I have 'wee' bit of an obsession with them - judging by my bulging bookshelf! Some of the criteria I use choosing these books are, they must be practical, easily implemented and have plenty of good examples to illustrate the concepts.

Having had the privilege of working with many thousands of individuals over the last 20+ years one of the things that keep arising is how most people are like square pegs in a round hole in their job. Most people find themselves doing what they do to keep food on the table for a number of reasons: following parental suggestions; it was the only job going; a friend got me the position; it seemed to relate to my years of study; or I saw it advertised…

LIFE COACHING is like your GPS FOR LIFE.. You punch in your destination and away we GO.

If you don't know what you're aiming for, you're sure as heck not going to hit it!

Our thoughts decide our destiny. What we think day to day will determine how we live our lives. We can choose thoughts that keep us stuck such as ‘I am not good enough’ or ‘I can’t do that’ or we can choose thoughts that will empower us and allow us to get the most out of life such as ‘I love a challenge’ or ‘I am successful.’

When I went blind, I discovered I had a story to tell. At first I thought I was boring everyone to death but I soon gained confidence as people started to give me positive feedback. Telling my story involved not speaking from notes but speaking from the heart, as my notes I could no longer access, but my heart I could. The more I interacted with my audience and my heart the better my story became! There is a story in all of us - what is yours?

It can be challenging at this time of year to find a way of enjoying the holiday season in a way that is meaningful to you personally. There may be pressures to spend too much, eat too much and do too much and not a great deal of time, energy or money left over for what really matters to you. I would encourage you to take a few moments to consider how to get the most out of the holiday season and make this time of year more meaningful.

This book contains information and applications for almost every area of your life and could have a major impact on the relationships you have with your partner, children and animals - if you let it.

Are you finding that you have to do more and more work presentations and experience issues when you get up in front of others to speak? This article is designed to help you understand what you need to do to get good at public speaking so that you can overcome any issues.

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.

It seems, getting enough sleep is now a hot topic and is being studied in relation to learning, remembering, maintaining information context and even managing your preferred weight!

It’s all about enabling yourself to pick up information through your senses, principally so you can gather information more effectively as you work with people. Building on and developing sensory acuity means that people not only learn how to gather information about those around them, but also gather insightful information about their own behaviours and attitudes, empowering them in creating more deliberate, helpful styles of engagement with others.

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.

Ever felt that something that you’ve experienced or that was done to you is holding you back? Forgiveness is giving up a grievance, which you are entitled to. It doesn’t mean forgetting or reconciliation; it doesn’t mean condoning, it’s not about justice and doesn’t make what happened ok.

While Bach Flower Remedies are able to work will all other treatments, supporting them where necessary, there are many advantages to using Bach Flower Remedies over other types of treatments. With diagnosis made by emotions and negative soul qualities Bach Flower Remedies work directly with the body’s energy system often times avoiding unnecessary physical illness.

Most of us have goals, and by and large, we are probably pretty good at achieving most of them. Most of us have dreams, and by and large we only dream about them. Only a few turn their dreams into reality. Simple as it may seem the techniques which you use probably automatically and subconsciously for achieving the small things are the key behind getting those dreams.

What are the gifts that matter the most to you? Which memories bring the greatest pleasure when you look back over past Christmases? How much does it really have to cost? Where will your focus be during this year’s celebrations? Who will you share your precious time and attention with?

"Start where you stand and make the road by walking." Antonia Machado

If you’re a human and if you have recently been affected from close by or from afar by natural disasters, as recently people in Canterbury and Japan have been, there is a high chance that you’ve been ‘stressed’ by these events. Most likely since you’re reading this, you are an adult and have unfortunately unlearned how to deal with such levels of stress appropriately. By now this may be making you display some form

We all face challenges in our lives which, when we look back, we realise with the benefit of hindsight, that they were defining moments. Moments which shape us into who we become, and where we learn important lessons about ourselves and how we respond to circumstances.

We all face challenges in our lives which, when we look back, we realise with the benefit of hindsight, that they were defining moments. Moments which shape us into who we become, and where we learn important lessons about ourselves and how we respond to circumstances.

Every now and then it is helpful to go back to basics.It is so easy to get caught up in the cycle of rush rush rush with no time for yourself, no time to plan, no time to relax, no time for anything except the hurly burly rush that is life in our busy world. Meeting everyone else's needs at the expense of your own, is often part of the psyche for women in our society.

There are times when we need to push past our natural inclination and ‘not be ourselves’ to get the result we need. In a performance review you may need to tell someone they are not measuring up. Do you tiptoe around the point, or are you able to talk about the things you need to, in a way that confronts the problem and sets a plan in motion to overcome it? Some confrontation avoiders see every hard conversation as a potential confrontation and often will do nothing and hope it goes away.

When we speak of wealth most of us think of money and lots of it. Some of us dream of being rich one day and that’s where it ends, some of us strive hard to get the financial status we desire and some of us are already earning what we want plus more. So what sets the dreamers and the strivers apart from the ones who are earning more than they ever expected. I believe there are three key aspects to being in the financial position that you desire and they are;

As a Leadership Coach I meet many people who not only want to not only be succesful but want to make their dreams come true. Yet nearly all of them in the end fall short and fail. This article explains the number one reason why people fail and what you can do about it so it doesn't happen to you.

We live in a society that doesn’t fully understand emotions and that most often encourages us to push them aside in favour of “getting things done.” Ironically, what keeps us from really getting things done or from even knowing what is most important to do are the very emotions we have pushed aside...

There is a reason why we are here living in the world and it’s our responsibility that we tap into our inner core and be all that we are made to be. I remember striving hard in my career for financial gain to build that wonderful future I had been told about but it left my soul void of life, leaving me to ask questions like ‘What am I here for?’ and ‘What’s my purpose?’.

You've been working hard, you are a business expert and everyone knows how good you are at your job and now that special day has come that the boss invites you into his/her office and gives you the promotion you have been working for. Great news - right? You are now a boss, you now have people reporting to you and your whole working life is now about to change forever. Here’s a few tips to avoid those common first time manager mistakes

The emotional waking up process for me was very slow, hindered by the fact that I believed that I was already awake. I could see that others had a way to go, but me? No way! I was one of the lucky people who just managed to have it all together; but I was very excited about the idea of working, in some capacity, with those who didn't, to try and bring them to my advanced state! Oh, how the arrogant fall and oh, how very hard.

A few years ago I went through a period of rapid growth which stemmed from my intention to be true to myself and follow my heart. Up until then I had resisted because I wasn’t ready to spread my wings and fly out of my comfort zone and, I had all kinds of excuses for staying where I was.

You’ve probably had times in your life where you’ve achieved a goal so easily that it seemed totally effortless. You established a goal and then it just seemed to arrive, as if you’d picked it out of a catalogue, placed your order and it was delivered to you at just the right time, all wrapped up and nicely packaged.

You’ve probably had times in your life where you’ve achieved a goal so easily that it seemed totally effortless. You established a goal and then it just seemed to arrive, as if you’d picked it out of a catalogue, placed your order and it was delivered to you at just the right time, all wrapped up and nicely packaged.

Grief is a natural process that allows us to accept the unacceptable over time. It allows the hurt to diminish and become manageable and through grief we come to terms with what has happened.

Planning another pregnancy after losing a baby can be a very difficult time.... Giving myself permission to have 'fun' again helped enormously with my healing process.

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.