Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Being Kind……….


I have just returned from a lovely 5 day break in Sydney.  During my visit I experienced 3 solid acts of wonderful kindness.  A free desert offered to me at a well known restaurant…just because, a replacement glass of bubbles at another, as the maitre d decided it looked flat as she put it on my table, and last but not least was a lovely room upgrade at my hotel from the gorgeous duty Manager.  All of these acts were spontaneous, generous and were offered with genuine warmth. 

Sadly, I also experienced one act on the opposite end of the scale, also to do with a glass of bubbles (hmmm note the theme here!).  I was poured a glass and unfortunately it was flat.  When I raised this with the lady in charge, I was rewarded with a barrage of very strange accusations, in a rather bullying manner. She seemed to take the matter very personally and of course there really was no need to.  I was very taken aback.

The people who were kind were relaxed, seemed happy in their World and their kindness shone out.   The lady who reacted did not seem happy or relaxed; she was shouting instructions at people all around her. 


Needless to say it is fairly obvious who I will keep returning to when I visit Sydney and who will I recommend at any given opportunity.  Thank you to those lovely people who made my visit extra gorgeous.

They were: Sunny at Mr Wong, the Maitre D at Jackies (so sorry did not get your name) in Paddington and Mandy the Duty Manager at the QT Hotel.  You guys rock…….



Saturday, October 26, 2013

So much wisdom can be shared in such few words

I am completely guilty when it comes to being verbose.  Why use 10 words when you can use 100?! I seem to come from a camp where I have learned more is more rather than less is more.  Not just when it comes to words either, I'd like to add.  'nough said! (just to show I can abbreviate with the best of them!)

I do have a love for words, and one of my great career memories was working with a project team where we used to have "word of the day".  Each day a word was presented to the team by one of us and we all had our chance to explain what we thought it meant.  A great brain workout and a great start to the day.  I suppose this goes to explain, in some small way, why I am not a fan of abbreviated language or words.  I am known for using texts with full sentences and have often defended this amongst those that think I'm nuts (many good friends actually!).  I realise that I'm in a minority -  I'm just a bit of an old fashioned communicator, clearly hanging on to old fashioned language values.  I'm happy in my skin with that…for now!. I also feel that misunderstandings can come all too often with abbreviated communication, but let's not get me started on that again. (earlier blog)

On stating the above,  I do also believe that great messages for insight, inspiration and motivation can be brief and extremely powerful. They sort of deliver a sound bite with a punch, if you get my drift.

Here is a great example that I have just come across, and it moved me to write this blog entry.

Here's to powerful brevity, shown here in an example and context of learning and inspiring. This is also a message that I fully subscribe to and hopefully encourage.  Wish I'd written it! Wise words.  I hope you enjoy.  Have a fantastic week.





Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Sunday, October 13, 2013

The Banksy Project - Makes Me Smile & Warms My Heart

I love this story. Banksy a very collectible UK artist has been secretly operating in NYC. I heard today, that apparently a Kiwi lady bought one of his pieces from his $60 street stall, with no idea that it is worth thousands. Go Banksy, such a cool, unique and original thing to do.  


Link to Herald Article....


Link to Bankys Website....


Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Slowing Down & Switching Out!


I felt it was a good time to write this blog while I am chilling out with some quiet “me” time at my beach bach.

I’m good at being on my own.  Are you?  Many people around me often ask if I get bored with my own company and the answer is always the same…a strong resounding NO.  I relish it! The question comes up as I often travel alone and I often choose to hang out on my own.  This might make me sound like some kind of recluse, but I can happily assure you that I am not.


Being a coach I am very involved in others amazing and busy lives and it can sometimes be intense.  I also have an active (sometimes over active) social life and many varied and wonderful interests that keep me busy and active.  I love to be out and amongst it.  Whilst I wouldn’t change any of that for the World, I need to have a life plan that keeps me grounded, positive and creative in my thinking. I am also someone who can switch off, and I take great pleasure in regularly chilling down and being with just me.  I like me, I like my company.  I can happily occupy myself for hours!! 

We live in a World of constant stimulation and with constant demands.  We can suffer from being continually “active” in our heads, even if not in a physical sense.   It can be relentless.  So, to counter this, I take the time to enjoy my own space, regularly.  To re-group, re-plan, slow down and just “be”.

Continual over stimulation, whether it be mental, physical or dietary, creates non-stop demands on our time, energy and resources.  We seem to do things faster and cram more in our days.  We may feel exhausted at the end of the day, yet many of us suffer from bad sleep.  Our diet can also add to the symptoms of being over stimulated, from needing that next coffee/sugar fix, a quick lunch on the run, the pleasure of a “happy hour” glass of wine to reward us for our big day/help us unwind….and so the cycle begins again.

Are you in the cycle of feeling constantly stimulated or rushed?  Could you be a habitual rusher?  Do you feel like you are always on the run, feel like you are racing to catch the next train?!  Do you sometimes ask yourself: “Why I am running around like a lunatic? “ “Am I a lunatic?” “Why am I even doing this?!”  “I know this is not a priority, but…. “

Could some of this rushing around and over stimulation create some sense of purpose and therefore maybe it’s secretly enjoyable?  Done, tick.  Done, tick.  You know the gig.  Do you feel guilty about relaxing?  Do you know how to relax?

Maybe reflect over your past week/month, do my words speak to you?  Even day-to-day tasks such as grocery shopping, collecting the kids from school can start to feel like a major thing to accomplish and therefore add to the rushing/racing feeling.  If you are a habitual rusher, the reduction of stimulation and adrenalin creating activities could be a very good thing to explore.

A simple start would be to practice taking a little time out.  Slow down a little.
I believe it is important to spend some time with yourself regularly, and maybe by doing this we can give ourselves a chance to get some creative thinking and relaxed planning happening.  A time to breathe and take a fresh, calm perspective.  Time to notice the priorities versus the urgencies.  Rediscover what’s important to you. Rediscover “you”. 

Cut out the stimuli for a bit.  Try to break the habit of being constantly stimulated by moving, rushing, doing.  Avoid filling those free gaps with “stuff”.  Learn to enjoy “your time”, it’s precious, just as you are.

It’s about quality rather than quantity, so start with small steps.  Book a half hour/hour appointment with yourself a couple of times a week.   Put the phone on silent .  Use these times to do things you WANT to.  The first sessions could be used working out the things you’d like to do, things that you have lost touch of maybe, your interests, your “thing”. Reconnect to you.  Maybe some time with a book and a cuppa, taking a bath, researching your next holiday, picking flowers, going through your cook books, painting your nails, walking the beach, writing, drawing etc.  The simple things.  You deserve this. 



Being able to be with yourself may help build your confidence and self esteem.  It will show you how resourceful you can be personally, without the need for external approval and support.  Being without constant external stimuli will help you relax.  Choosing some alone time may also help slow down your heart rate, your breathing, and therefore could reduce any anxiety feelings.  And while you’re at it, why not be kind to both your mind and body by cutting down on the dietary stimulants; caffeine, sugar and alchohol (that was tough to type – eek!!).

Who knows, you might become like me, where you relish the thought of a little bit of solitude, to quickly recharge the batteries, to reconnect to your priorities, to design the next cool phase of your life, to reflect on what great things you have around you, or….. just to turn the noise down for a while. Mmmmmmm……….

Good luck, live easy and go well.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Only The Lonely an article by Stephen Fry

This man brings so much joy to many, if only he could feel that joy for himself more often. I could read his writings all day long, a wonderful writer and orator, one of the best. Why is that the most talented are often the most troubled? What a price many of them have to pay. What he writes about loneliness is fascinating and insightful. The World is definitely a much better place with Mr Fry in it and I hope he is in it for a long time yet.

Read his post "Only the Lonely" and I hope some of you find it as insightful as I have.  

From Stephenfry.com

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

How Women See Themselves vs How Others See Them

I coach and have coached a large number of gorgeous, amazing, talented, capable, wonderful Women;  and I'm still amazed how they can often lack confidence in themselves.  If you were to meet them, you would know exactly what I mean.  These Women are smart, beautiful, caring, funny, warm and above all brave and courageous....even if just for hiring me to work with them :)

I am inspired and motivated by them, and as a coach I learn so much from each one, not just for myself but for other clients.  There is a wonderful sharing of ideas that these Women contribute to more than they realise. I often feel like a conduit between them.  By them coming to me and sharing their dreams, their concerns, their fears and their lives, they are indirectly helping each other and often their fears and concerns are exactly the same.  Funny huh?  I think this wonderful and moving video demonstrates this beautifully.  A wonderful experiment with profound results.

How Women See Themselves vs How Others See Them

Girls, ladies, women........here's to us!

How about sharing this with another beautiful Woman that you know?  Thank you to my beautiful girlfriend Jo who forwarded this link to me in the first place.

Keep playing and laughing.