Be Amazing – New Zealand premier site for health, wellbeing and development

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 CV, (curriculum vitae), or resume, is not only a very important document to open the door for an interview but it is also a powerful Self-reflective tool. In connecting with others, words are only 7 per cent maximum of that connection, or communication (Albert Mehrabian, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, UCLA). So we have to be clear on the format and use of words in putting together the CV.

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.

"Key traits written all over PM's speech notes" - Dominon Post 21 May 2011. The photo of John Key in the Dom Post speaking at the announcement of the 2011 Budget is a great example of how our every move can be caught on camera and that even our own scrawled comments or speech notes can become the centre of publicity. As a seasoned Toastmaster I was contacted by Kiren Chug of the Dominion Post and asked to comment on Prime Minister John Key's use of notes when speaking. Read the article...

While we don’t always have control over the circumstances of our lives, we do have control over how we react to them. Our beliefs shape our thoughts and our thoughts motivate our actions. Building a robust belief in ourselves, in our strengths, and in our ability to take appropriate and effective action will help us weather the storms of life, recover from adversity, and strengthen our ability adapt to change

Should You Hire A Career Coach? Sara Eckel of Forbes.com talks about what to look for, what to expect and how to avoid scams.

We all tell ourselves stories about who we are and who we think we could be. Are your stories helping or hindering you to live your best life? Are they making you feel strong and capable or weak and unable to act?

We all tell ourselves stories about who we are and who we think we could be. Are your stories helping or hindering you to live your best life? Are they making you feel strong and capable or weak and unable to act?

The career aptitude test (also termed ‘career-building assessment’) is a good tool for you to take advantage of when you are trying to figure out which direction you want your life to go in . Trying to decide what career you want for yourself can be a very daunting task. With so many possible roads to go down, how do you find your path in life? Taking one of these assessments is a good starting point to find what what type of occupation would be good for your personality type.

This year I am approaching the holidays a little differently. Well for me it is different, for most of you this may be a normal way to view the Christmas holiday period.

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!

We're passionate about supporting you to Stay Amazing through the loss of a job. We've not only been there ourselves, but we've helped hundreds of people like you to survive, and in 2009 we published a book about how we, and others around the world have survived. Here are our top 10 Tips;

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.

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.

The holiday period for most of us is a time of relaxation and an opportunity for finding another perspective on what balance means. This perspective often causes people to question why they do the work they do and often creates some dread about going back to work.

There are many great coaches for you to choose from, and they're featured in this amazing website so that you can find out more about their work, and what they have achieved. To help you decide who is the right person to work with you, try checking out our tips for idendifying a coach to help you be even more amazing.

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.

1. Check the details – what time do you have to be there? How long will it take you to get there and where will you park if you’re driving? (Remember to take into consideration any road works or traffic jams!).

A recent study found that over the course of their life about 40 per cent of people experience large changes in their levels of happiness. I am sure this is no surprise to you as we all have days that just don't go the way we planned or have levels of sadness, disappointment, resentment and frustration. Are you feeling content with your life right now? Not how you feel your partners life is or a work colleagues but your own. When was the last time you asked yourself "am I happy?".

As a linguist I have always been interested in improving my linguistic ability. Learn about a new approach to Linguistic Excellence using NLP to develop latent skills you may have only ever dreamed about.

Last year I had the privilege of hearing Meg Poutasi the CEO of the Pacific Cooperation Foundation speak of her experience as a young female leader who transitioned from law into a role supporting her cultural heritage. She shared her feelings of isolation at the top, being perceived as too young to know anything and the personal burden she carries of not failing her people. To follow are her key tips for anyone wanting to succeed in their workplace.

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.

1. Be truthful – if you overstate your achievements then it’s likely that you’ll find yourself doing work you’re not capable of doing...or the reference checking process will expose anything you’ve misrepresented.

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…

A new paradigm for career development has come about as a result of the massive change that has happened in the business environment over the last 5 or so years. For the coaching and career counselling fraternity this means that we need to rethink our approach to doing career work with clients.

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.

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. . .

He was literally doubled up. First he coughed, then he spluttered then he erupted into a staccato laugh that sounded like a machine gun firing. At one point he was gasping for breath and could hardly breathe.I love it when I get this kind of response to a joke!

First of all, ‘Congratulations’ to you and your partner! What an exciting time for you, as your baby grows and you prepare for the arrival of a brand new person into 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?

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 see lots of resumes every day and most people realise it needs to be tailored to suit the role which is a big job! Something that is often forgotten until the last minute is the cover letter but it’s the first thing that the prospective employer sees! By not having a tailored cover letter your application can be dismissed pretty quickly and fall into the pile in amongst all the other applications. So how do you write the ideal cover letter?

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.

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....

Getting your career back on track after having a baby can be very exciting...but also surprisingly difficult for a variety of reasons. To help you out, we explore some of those reasons in this factsheet, and highlight some hints and tips to overcome them!

Want to know how you can maximise every opportunity in your current role and get yourself out of a rut? To follow are 3 tips to help you feel energised and actually want to go to work in the morning.

Have you returned from a fabulous holiday break and realised nothing has changed in your work environment? Does your time on the beach, tramping in the hills or reading on the deck seem like a distant memory? Did you leave work on the 23rd of December thinking "I just need to relax, unwind, laugh with my friends, eat great food and spend time out of the office and then I will feel so much better"? If this sounds like you, read on...

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.

I felt compelled to share with you some facts about stress because it is something that affects us all at some time or other and it can be mild or debilitating. Stress has been the main point of discussion at home this week because of everything that is going on.

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.

Even when you are not job seeking it is important to have an up-to-date CV that accurately reflects your skills and experience. Your CV should always be at the ready. You never know when an opportunity may present itself to you. So how do you create a great CV?

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.

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?

Can a Book Change Your Life – Only If You Let It! A review of Stephen MR Covey’s “The Speed of Trust”.

I am sure we all sit back at times and reflect how deeply the Internet has irreversibly changed the way we do the ‘normal’ things in our lives these days. “The Wisdom of Crowds” and “Crowd-Sourcing” provide us with a glimpse of where that trend is heading and how we can maximise the benefits to our business in an ethical manner by both knowing about them and how to make the best make use of them in improving both quality & bottom-line performances.

Some books can be even more than life changing...they can be life and career changing! Here's one that inspired me to move to New Zealand from the UK, and quit my life in the corporate world.

Have you recently attended an interview for a role you really wanted and come away thinking - "that went reasonably well". Then receive in your inbox the next day a "dear john" email.

David Savage talks to interviews Christchurch Career Coach and Author Kathryn Jackson about her new book: How To Keep Your Cool If You Lose Your Job

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

Books have been my friends since I was a small girl. I really can’t choose a favourite as many have had such a positive influence on my life. I will, however, share one that really made an impact on me.

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?

It’s ‘that’ time of year again when we dig out our ‘to do’ list for the last twelve months, enjoy a smug 5 seconds of celebrating what we accomplished and then feel guilty at the remaining actions that we never even got close to achieving. I’m completely guilty of ‘over promising and under delivering’ when it comes to my own New Year goal setting so this year I’m going to do things differently – everything is going to be about my career.

It’s ‘that’ time of year again when we dig out our ‘to do’ list for the last twelve months, enjoy a smug 5 seconds of celebrating what we accomplished and then feel guilty at the remaining actions that we never even got close to achieving. So how are you going to make certain that January 2012 is different? What can you do to make sure that you're likely to ACHIEVE the career goals that you set yourself? What will it take to motivate you to keep going...even if the going gets tough?

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.

Stress features in the lives of most people – in paid employment, self employment and those who run households. It can be as deadly as a cancer or as subtle as a mosquito bite!

Increasingly I find that people I work with are extremely capable, work hard, deliver results, however they put their work demands ahead of their own (including career planning). Does this sounds like you?

The program has been running with great results now. much to the relief of students and parents. STUDENT COMMENT: i gained so much more interest in succeeding well in my goals, learning about my abilities and career choices and knowing how to love myself which gives me a lot of confidence for my future. i also learnt how to control anxiety in stressful times like my exam times. Katie.

Are happy being who you are? Or instead, are you trying to be the person you think others want you to be? Are you constantly holding back, afraid that other people won’t like or accept you if they get to know you and find out what you are ‘really’ like? Well the news is all good. You were put on this earth to be the person you truly are. You CAN learn to accept and love yourself just as you are. Follow the seven tips below and learn to love yourself.

Looking for work can be a difficult experience and sometimes recruitment consultancy staff are not as helpful as you might have expected. Something to keep in mind is that you are using their service for free. They are paid by the employer and will put more effort into communicating with them than you. However, all is not lost. You can find a new job with the help of a recruitment consultant.

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.

On September 4th 2010 a substantial earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale rocked Christchurch. Suddenly managers and leaders were required not only to help their team continue delivering against business requirements, but also operate in a working environment that saw over 2,500 aftershocks within an eight week period. I was asked to provide a coaching tool to support some of those managers and I hope that you find this information useful.

Redundancy and the impact it has. Have you been hit by the big R? Have you, or someone you know, been made redundant due to the 'current economic climate'. You may have arrived at work one day to discover that you no longer have a place of work to go to.