Ever do life coaching in front of a mirror?

Any coaches out there will know what I mean. You start going through some stuff in life and then you get a new client. The two of you get chatting and then all of a sudden, you discover that they are going through exactly what you are going through.

I was recently coaching someone when I realised this, or should I say remembered it. I actually laughed to myself and literally said to that person “I’m going to have a little chat with myself right now. Feel free to listen in!”

You see, when we need to understand something in life, the universe doesn’t just give you the skills, as otherwise there would be no challenge and no reason to grow and develop. Rather, it gives us situations where we are able to practice those skills.

For example, if you know you need to be more patient in your life, it will keep putting you in traffic jams. Should you need to learn to relax more, it will give you more people that try and make you angry.

There is a great bit in the book Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman where Socrates is rude to some spiritual people and polite to an angry person. When asked why, Socrates tells Dan that he gave them what they needed at that time in their lives.

What lessons are you being taught right now? Maybe you aren’t a coach, and so may not have people reflecting back to you what you need to understand. However, I can pretty much guarantee that you have ’stuff’ (technical term!)` going on around you, and it is that ’stuff’ which is there to teach you the things you need to learn in order to get to the next level in your life and personal evolution.

Sometimes, and you may be there right now, the lessons seem to be coming from all angles at all times. You may feel overwhelmed. Believe it or not, this too is yet another lesson. Where else in your life do you need to be able to balance things more effectively? Where else may you need to learn to say no?

Stop for a moment right now and think, unemotionally, about everything that is going on around you right now. Make a list of each of them, and then besides that, write out what you think it is there to teach you. The universe is always giving you the exact learnings you need and at the right time, so work out what it is you need to take away from this time in your life. Now you know what you are there to learn, don’t fight against it, but instead be curious as to how you can learn  quickly and effectively (and hopefully painlessly!) from this situation which has given you the chance to become even more of yourself.

Now, look at your past and recent actions. Notice how they have served you, and how some of them may not. Decide what you need to do differently from now. You will need to change your behaviours in order to get through this. Like a fly trying to escape through a window, you can try and bash yourself through, but the chances are that you will just end up tiring yourself out and giving yourself a headache. Instead, look for an open window, and if there isn’t one, maybe there is someone around you who can open one for you… if only you would ask them?!?!

When you get good at dealing with your current level of ’stuff’, the universe will upgrade you to a different level of ’stuff’. However, now you have the skills to deal with it, so the challenge will be different. The good thing about this is where there is adversity, there is also reward.

Wherever you are right now is exactly where you are meant to be. Learn from it. Grow with it. Ask for help if necessary. You will come through the other side a stronger, more complete person. You only have obstacles if you are going somewhere, and you know the place you are going. Enjoy the journey, live in the moment and when you notice this happening again, its ok to laugh!

How is Personal Development affected by the credit crunch?

Everywhere you look at the moment, people and organisations seem to be making cut-backs; down-sizing, streamlining, anything possible to reduce costs and outgoings. This leaves fewer people to do the work left behind, and an increase in the number of people expected to multi-task or be multi-skilled. The ones left doing the jobs are expected to be able to carry businesses through the current tumultuous times and into the expected bounce back predicted in this week’s budget. This also leaves a lot of people out in the job market, many of which never would have imagined having to apply for jobs ever again.

So how are the decisions made about who to keep and who to hire?

Well, it is an interesting situation, unprecedented in the information age. Equally skilled people are attending interviews and trying to outbid for jobs, offering to work for less than other qualified candidates just to get the position.

But is cheaper labour the only consideration for employers? Well in a few instances I am sure it is. However, in the majority of cases, there are more important things to take into account. Below are some of the qualities and values that are desired in employees now.

Attitude – Nobody owes you anything! You have to be prepared to work for what you get, no matter how long you have been in the industry. Adopt the attitude of enthusiasm, willingness to learn and being open to new ideas.

Teamwork – With teams now smaller, personal relationships will be even more strained. People who are able to get on with others are now at a premium. Be someone that is affable and easy to get along with, rather than someone who is critical and judgmental of others.

Flexibility – The phrase “not in my job description” will not be used for a long time with being followed swiftly by a P45! Be prepared to take on new tasks, try things outside of your role, and generally muck in where necessary.

Responsibility – Take ownership of tasks, be interested in the overall outcome and results and be focussed on the success of the business as if it were your own.

Willingness – To learn, to change, to try new things. You have to be open to change and embrace the new economy. It is the ability to let go of the past and embrace the future that will make you successful.

Optimistic – There is enough negativity in the world. People want to be around those who make them feel good, that help them to experience the positive aspects of the world, rather than just reflect and repeat what so much of society is saying.

Extra Mile – Above all, this is the most important quality. Just doing enough is not going to get you noticed or appreciated. You have to be willing to do more than is asked, to find ways to add even more value, to yourself, your boss and without doubt your customers. There are so many ways to add value in every situation you will find yourself in, so practice doing it whenever and wherever possible.

 

So whatever situation you find yourself in, adopt these qualities and approaches in your life. Although the above are focussed on work, they can just as easily be applied to any other area of life.

So how is personal development affected by the credit crunch? Well, it is actually doing better now than ever before! Working on your mindset is the key to adopting the above concepts, and there are seminars, books and audio programs out there to do exactly that. Personal development is something that is attracting people from areas that may have previously been more reluctant to want to work on themselves.

The ideas taught at such seminars give you the cutting edge over the competition. A better outlook on life, improved communication skills, and an improved understanding of people in general are just some of the things you can expect from attending such events. You just can’t afford not to know this stuff if you want to be at the top of your game in any field!

Get yourself along to an event in the next few weeks, and watch the results you are experiencing in life skyrocket! Check out the video below for an idea on how to apply these ideas!

Breakthrough To Success Weekend – Manchester!

What are you up to this weekend?

 

I am going to be spending my time with thousands of like minded people at Breakthrough To Success – Christopher Howard’s incredible 3-day seminar where he teaches about NLP, Personal Development and success strategies. It really is an outstanding 3 days… I should know, I have been there 4 times now!

 

Seem a little excessive? Probably… but the last time I went I was on the crew team! You see things a little differently from that perspective, let me tell you!

 

It’s amazing, because I always wondered where the energy came from for those people to be jumping around and energized for the whole weekend. Well, the truth is that they do ply the crew with copious amounts of coffee and the occasional biscuit (if you are lucky!), but the real energy comes in helping others have such a good time!

 

Seriously, I wrote a whole post about how you should re-write your goals to serve others more (click here to read it) but you really do get a buzz when you think about making someone else’s experience better. Plus, surrounding yourselves with people who feel the same amplifies it to another level. Maybe we should take this learning and apply it to our “real” lives!

 

Anyway, if you are going to be at Chris Howard then come and say hi! I will be the one in the black crew t-shirt (you should be able to find me easily enough). If not, book yourself on to one of his upcoming courses and see what all the fuss is about yourself! I guarantee you a great time which will literally help accelerate the results you are achieving in your life right now

 

Click here to book onto Breakthrough To Success!

 

I better get some sleep now! Got a long drive to Manchester in the morning, but I will be kept company by a couple of other crew members… we just can’t get enough of each other clearly!

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Oh, have you checked out the Channel Swim pages yet? Go to www.DanStorey.com/channelswim to find out more. It will be updated regularly also!

 

Also, I have put in a new email system, so make sure you register your email at the top left of the page so I can keep you up to date with everything that is going on!

Wealth & Success Evening – 31st July

Dan Storey is hosting a seminar on Wealth Creation and Retiring Young; discussing both the mindset and the tools needed to make it happen. Coupled with a presentation about Success University, the evening promises to change your outlook on your financial position and will inspire you to take action in the direction of riches and abundance.

Watch the video below for a quick introduction and some more information.

Hope to see you there!

 

The Secret is Spreading!

The power of positive thinking is spreading and has reached the realm now of the rich and famous! In a recent interview, Will Smith talks about how he uses the Law of Attraction and the principles from the book The Alchemist to help him achieve success. Check out the video below to see a clip from the interview between him and Tavis Smiley.

 

It’s funny where you start to notice these ideas and concepts popping up. I just watched Vanilla Sky again for I think the third or fourth time, and I think I am actually starting to get it! (those of you who have seen the film will know what I mean!). At the end of the film, Tom Cruise is told that in his ‘lucid dream’ he can manifest anything just by thinking it. Of course, this is supposed to be in a dream, but the overlaps between that film and the Law of Attraction are innumerable.

 

So just a quick post today. Enjoy the clip with Will Smith… its only 111 seconds out of the 86,400 that you have in a day so don’t miss it!

 

Make sure you come back on Monday as I will have some very exciting news for you all! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

 

An Incredible Example of Human Possibility!

I have been getting into the quantum physics again recently… still chuckle when I say that to myself, although it seems more normal each time I repeat it! Anyway, one of the beliefs in quantum physics is that we are intimately connected to, and part of, the universe, and that if we are able to tap into it, we have access to all of its resources and energies.

 

Whilst this may seem to make sense in theory, I, like many of you I am sure, need a concrete example or two just to convince me fully! Well, that is exactly what I have found for you today, a truly remarkable example of what we all have access to but often forget that it is out there!

 

As you watch this, remember the presupposition that accompanies the quantum theory, that is:

 

“Whatever you think you are… you are always truly much more!”

 

 

Help the Planet – 11th Hour

As many of you will know, ecology and recycling are issues that are close to my heart. I believe it is down to all of us to do whatever we can to preserve this planet. As it has been said, “we did not inherit this planet from our ancestors, but we are borrowing it from our children!”

 

I have just found out about an amazing new initiative called 11^th Hour… a project led by and involving some of the planets largest names from all fields. A documentary, presented by Leonardo DiCaprio, highlights the plight of the planet’s ecosystem to keep up with man’s ever increasing desire to use up its natural resources. With global warming, increasing use of fossil fuels and a population that is growing exponentially, some scientists fear that we may even have already gone too far!

 

However, far from being all doom and gloom, the overwhelming message is one of possibility and solutions. Some of the ideas coming out of the film are incredible, and show what we are capable of in terms of creation rather than destruction. The knowledge that this technology is out there already means that we are already making steps in the right direction; the time has come, however, to really step up our endeavours.

 

I ask you all to visit the site, register and have a good look around. There is so much incredible information, as well as practical exercises that you can do to help make a difference! I am just looking through some of the ideas that I can start immediately this week. So far I have come up with a few great ways that I can help reduce waste in the office… am sure more will come once I get all my creative energy onto it!

 

That’s enough for now! If you take this planet seriously and care for its wellbeing, take action now. Visit www.11thhouraction.com and do everything you can to make this world habitable for generations to come! For a little more information, simply watch the video below!

 

 

Alternative Driving Lessons!?!?

What can driving from Winchester to Gloucester teach you about personal development?

 

Initially, you would probably not think very much… but you would be wrong to think so!

 

I did this journey for the first time the other day, and it taught me so much about myself. I was already in quite a reflective mood as I started my journey, but little did I know about the collection of realisations that lay ahead of me.

 

Lesson 1 – Plan!

This may seem obvious, but how many times have you had “sort of an idea” of which way to go and then just set off? I have not yet entered the realm of the Sat-Nav and therefore rely on route planner (not printed off!), memory and instinct. How many people do you know who start new things in life in this way too?

 

So I knew I just needed to find one road that would take me cross country toward the M4. The problem was that I had never travelled that route before and so did not really know which way to head. I did however know a similar route, but that was more than just a little out of the way. So as I hadn’t planned, I head off in the direction I thought was correct.

 

Lesson 2 – People will often work harder to maintain the status quo rather than change for the better!

I checked later on a map… I went a long way off line! All it would have taken would have been a little planning or asking for help and I would have been a lot more effective and successful. Does this sound a little familiar? Sometimes when a change is necessary, doesn’t it seem as though you will do everything you can NOT to change, and use up all your energy and effort keeping things as they are?

 

Lesson 3 – Be Patient!

As the journey continued, I was reminded once again of Evan Almighty, and the point that God makes that when people pray for patience, they are not given patience but are provided with opportunities to practice being patient! Well, let me tell you that after that journey, I must be the most patient person on the planet! Drivers completely oblivious to everyone else on the road; petrol stations closed when you are desperately low on fuel; very slow lorries on single track roads… I could go on!

 

When I finally made it to my destination, I had learnt a lot! Isn’t it funny that you learn your important lessons at curious moments? Not only will I apply those lessons to my journey planning but also to my everyday life! I hope they help you too!

 

I count myself lucky I didn’t come across this couple!

Just to make you feel good!

Acts of Random Kindness – ARKs!

I’m still chuckling to myself after watching Evan Almighty!

 

If you haven’t watched the film, Steve Carrell’s character, Evan, is asked by God to build an ARK, and then faces some hilarious challenges along the way as he slowly changes into Noah. If you have seen Carrell in some of his other films, you will know his style of comedy, and he certainly puts on a good show.

 

What does any of this have to do with Personal Development?

 

Well, the story finishes as God tells Noah that the way to really change the world is through Acts of Random Kindness (ARK). This reminded me of when I watched Pay It Forward (no, I promise this is not a movie review site!) and the power that doing good things for others can have.

 

Well I realised that maybe I should make more of a concerted effort to do more ARKs. After all, not only is it incredible to be on the receiving end of such an act, but it feels pretty good to deliver one also! It can be something as small as a smile and can grow as large as you wish, depending on how generous you are feeling I suppose! However, as they are unexpected, even the smallest act can have a great impact!

 

I found a video to give you an idea of what others are doing! Brian Williams (www.onemillionaok.com) has been travelling around teaching the principle of ARKs to thousands of young people, leading to numerous kind acts. Watch the video below to give you an idea of how he has been doing that!

 

Your challenge, at least for over the weekend and ideally beyond, is to deliver at least 1 ARK per day and document your acts here in the comments section. Let’s see what kind of an impact we can make on the world in such a short time! Enjoy!

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