Well I apologise for my lack of commitment this week but I hope you, blog, understand why I have been absent. I have been preparing for a job interview which took place today. I have given it my all and felt pretty confident but did not get a look in which shocked me somewhat.
These really are tough times, compounded by the media's ever complaining about job losses and cut backs. As a positive thinker I find it increasingly difficult to put that spin into action, and I make no apologies for having a good cry when I got home tonight because I really did want that job.
But lets look at the spin, what is the reality of it all. Working for yourself is hard, it takes time, effort, money (there's the rub) and a self belief far beyond anything I was mustering this afternoon when I got the rejection call. So I revert to two steps forward and one back while I work on the truth that , in fact, I do want to work for me and I do want WalkerWellbeing to succeed. I just have to believe it. And I do. 'The universe provides me with what I need to make my dreams happen'. Thank you Helen for those wise words.
Launa x
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Sunday, the end of a busy weekend.
You know, a few weeks ago I was on a course with a wonderful woman by the name of Helen Ford. Please check out her website too. She said something, a bit off the cuff, but I wrote it down and think of it every day and here it is for you...'If you give love, you are going to get love'. OK, knowing Helen, it was probably not that off the cuff especially as she is absolutely right. The amount of time, thought and energy people give to you and your life is amazing when you just give to them too, no commitment, no value judgements, you just believe.
A friend of mine today asked to come round for a cup of tea and, even though I had loads to do , I thought that I would love to see her so I found a window, as you do. She arrived with three lovely flowering plants she had found for me at a sale. The fact that she had thought of me at that very sale and that I had three empty pots ready for me to find flowers for (my only gardening, as Jon does it all otherwise, but refuses to plant anything that can't be eaten), did not go un-noticed nor unappreciated, so thank you universe and thank you to a dear friend who shall remain nameless as she is YET to be self employed and deserves a plug for that.
We are all unique and special. as one of my clients said yesterday, we just need to believe. x
A friend of mine today asked to come round for a cup of tea and, even though I had loads to do , I thought that I would love to see her so I found a window, as you do. She arrived with three lovely flowering plants she had found for me at a sale. The fact that she had thought of me at that very sale and that I had three empty pots ready for me to find flowers for (my only gardening, as Jon does it all otherwise, but refuses to plant anything that can't be eaten), did not go un-noticed nor unappreciated, so thank you universe and thank you to a dear friend who shall remain nameless as she is YET to be self employed and deserves a plug for that.
We are all unique and special. as one of my clients said yesterday, we just need to believe. x
Working for fun!
Just a quick one this morning following on from my natter about management styles the other day. I helped out another friend last night who is in the catering business, check out KB Catering. Working with good managers really reaffirms my belief that you get the best out of staff if you treat them with respect. Yes you need the boundaries in place so everyone knows who is boss when the final decision has to be made but what is wrong with it not being your idea that is finally chosen as that decision?
Zumba-ing around the marquee preparing poppadoms. Fun!
x
Zumba-ing around the marquee preparing poppadoms. Fun!
x
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Culture and ethics
Yesterday was a full on but fun day which really makes me feel like I am beginning to be in the world I want to live in and all the books are right, you do create your own reality. Not because you magic it from thin air but because you make the choices and you make happen what you want to happen in your world. How heavy a start was that...
So, I started the day at 7am for the first time in many months by attending a business breakfast club. I felt at ease amongst people who had also chosen their own paths in life and believed in what they were doing. We were given a talk on changing the culture in your business and how that will increase productivity and, to be honest, they were preaching to the converted. OK, I am a business of one at the moment but of course I have a culture and I was not surprised to find out the results of the little exercise we did which showed that I stood for honesty, integrity and transparency. I actually believe in these values unlike some places I have worked for who write codes of ethics about them which might as well go straight in the bin!!!
I then worked for my friend in the lingerie shop during the day and we discussed the morning's talk. It was not suprising that we agreed on the need for team ownership of a business and the need to really put people first. That's why I believe in coaching and that's why I work to develop myself and others towards their full potential.
So time to create another day. x
So, I started the day at 7am for the first time in many months by attending a business breakfast club. I felt at ease amongst people who had also chosen their own paths in life and believed in what they were doing. We were given a talk on changing the culture in your business and how that will increase productivity and, to be honest, they were preaching to the converted. OK, I am a business of one at the moment but of course I have a culture and I was not surprised to find out the results of the little exercise we did which showed that I stood for honesty, integrity and transparency. I actually believe in these values unlike some places I have worked for who write codes of ethics about them which might as well go straight in the bin!!!
I then worked for my friend in the lingerie shop during the day and we discussed the morning's talk. It was not suprising that we agreed on the need for team ownership of a business and the need to really put people first. That's why I believe in coaching and that's why I work to develop myself and others towards their full potential.
So time to create another day. x
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Zumba - join the party
So, another note to self...I do not have to write on my blog every day. Not because I don't want to to be honest as I have been keeping a diary on and off for more years than I care to admit to, but because life does just get in the way. Yesterday I was Zumba-ing as I have been tonight and I will be tomorrow, six different locations and 4 different instructors, one of whom is me. The Zumba revolution has been a manic one has it not? My friend qualified in Germany 3 years ago as you couldn't even get a course over here when she heard of it and her business is booming. I love covering classes but generally can't be bothered to keep regular classes as you have to work so hard behind the scenes. Saying that, I have taught for Curves for a few months and my ladies are lovely, they make me smile every class.
But, and there is always a but, I heard the phrase Zumba-wars used yesterday and have read some sad stuff on Facebook about instructors slagging off each others classes and being spiteful to each other. OK, I am an idealist on one level but I am also a realist on another and a Life Coach too so I believe in the power of the individual. In the same way that there are loads of supermarkets to chose from in town and loads of garages for you to get the car MOT'd at, why can't we have loads of Zumba classes, giving everyone a chance of enjoying this fab way of exercising? You might go to one class and think it too slow or too fast or too crowded or too quiet for your tastes, but the next person will love it because it is slow, fast, crowded or empty so LET IT BE. That's the love of Zumba...there is no right or wrong way to do it, we are all just helping people to love exercise.
Rant over. Enjoy your Zumba and chill, I certainly do.
Launa
x
But, and there is always a but, I heard the phrase Zumba-wars used yesterday and have read some sad stuff on Facebook about instructors slagging off each others classes and being spiteful to each other. OK, I am an idealist on one level but I am also a realist on another and a Life Coach too so I believe in the power of the individual. In the same way that there are loads of supermarkets to chose from in town and loads of garages for you to get the car MOT'd at, why can't we have loads of Zumba classes, giving everyone a chance of enjoying this fab way of exercising? You might go to one class and think it too slow or too fast or too crowded or too quiet for your tastes, but the next person will love it because it is slow, fast, crowded or empty so LET IT BE. That's the love of Zumba...there is no right or wrong way to do it, we are all just helping people to love exercise.
Rant over. Enjoy your Zumba and chill, I certainly do.
Launa
x
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
The night before
It was a late night last night so I am writing this on the following morning, my rules so that's fine.
It is hard to believe now as it was so long ago but I was a serving officer in West Mids Police, straight out of uni from one institution to another. Thanks to the delights of Facebook I have managed to get back in touch with a few of the people I worked with then which lead to an invite last night to a leaving do. As I have fond memories of working with the chap that has now as of midnight last night officially retired, I went to pay my respects and am very glad I did as it was a lovely evening catching up with people who I had spent so much time with all those years ago.
Whenever people ask me why I left the police I can hardly remember, I just always thought that the grass was greener and looking back in many ways it has been, in others obviously not, one big area of course being the money. Money has never driven me (good job at the moment!!!) but as I left people were saying even then 'what about your pension'? That was 13 years ago and I would still have 9 years to do I think, so I would have sat still in a job I was not convinced about for 22 years for a good pension. I am not saying I was right and everyone else wrong as I can only answer for myself but I feel that the next 9 years holds so many exciting and wonderful things for me to do, waiting around for the time do do them is just not an option for me. What I do wish for those who are treading that path is a healthy and happy nine years and a long time thereafter so they can really feel the benefits of that long wait. Maybe I am a teeny bit envious of that lump sum after all. x
It is hard to believe now as it was so long ago but I was a serving officer in West Mids Police, straight out of uni from one institution to another. Thanks to the delights of Facebook I have managed to get back in touch with a few of the people I worked with then which lead to an invite last night to a leaving do. As I have fond memories of working with the chap that has now as of midnight last night officially retired, I went to pay my respects and am very glad I did as it was a lovely evening catching up with people who I had spent so much time with all those years ago.
Whenever people ask me why I left the police I can hardly remember, I just always thought that the grass was greener and looking back in many ways it has been, in others obviously not, one big area of course being the money. Money has never driven me (good job at the moment!!!) but as I left people were saying even then 'what about your pension'? That was 13 years ago and I would still have 9 years to do I think, so I would have sat still in a job I was not convinced about for 22 years for a good pension. I am not saying I was right and everyone else wrong as I can only answer for myself but I feel that the next 9 years holds so many exciting and wonderful things for me to do, waiting around for the time do do them is just not an option for me. What I do wish for those who are treading that path is a healthy and happy nine years and a long time thereafter so they can really feel the benefits of that long wait. Maybe I am a teeny bit envious of that lump sum after all. x
Monday, 20 June 2011
Moving bras
Are there too many causes in the world? Are people just too busy living their own lives to give an hour here or there?
Don't get me wrong, I certainly was until lightening struck earlier this year. It just surprises me that as I move in totally different circles now some people give so much while others give so little, if anything at all. And it is not all about money, I mean time or commitment or a kind word or two.
Sunday, 19 June 2011
Chaining at Tescos
What a fab day I have had today. There is something about a large group of women (and one man) chaining together 100s of bras in Tesco's foyer that stirs the imagination, especially when half of the volunteers are women's rugby players and insist on wearing the brightest bras they can find on top of their rugger tops!
Though I must admit that the more mature of us got into a conversation about how many people actually choose to shop at Tesco on a Sunday. We were the ones old enough to remember the days when shops were shut on a Sunday and how quiet that was.
Back at home I found myself reading through my course notes on values and beliefs, specifically how we are molded into our V&Bs from an early age and often go through life firmly stuck in these ways without ever challenging them. I count myself as one of the fortunate ones as I have managed to learn day by day. I have challenged my own V&Bs so that they are indeed my own, whether you like them or not. I really would recommend to people to have a go at this. Do you hear yourself say or do something and you just don't know why? It feels uncomfortable but you just can't put your finger on it? Then try asking yourself whether you want to own this action or belief? After all adults have a choice, oh yes we do.
So, as for Sunday trading, I am far from being a Christian but I do think that slowing down occasionally is a damned good idea, recharge the batteries...after all in this life, every little helps (sorry).
Launa x
Though I must admit that the more mature of us got into a conversation about how many people actually choose to shop at Tesco on a Sunday. We were the ones old enough to remember the days when shops were shut on a Sunday and how quiet that was.
Back at home I found myself reading through my course notes on values and beliefs, specifically how we are molded into our V&Bs from an early age and often go through life firmly stuck in these ways without ever challenging them. I count myself as one of the fortunate ones as I have managed to learn day by day. I have challenged my own V&Bs so that they are indeed my own, whether you like them or not. I really would recommend to people to have a go at this. Do you hear yourself say or do something and you just don't know why? It feels uncomfortable but you just can't put your finger on it? Then try asking yourself whether you want to own this action or belief? After all adults have a choice, oh yes we do.
So, as for Sunday trading, I am far from being a Christian but I do think that slowing down occasionally is a damned good idea, recharge the batteries...after all in this life, every little helps (sorry).
Launa x
Saturday, 18 June 2011
A few little frogs
OK, so the two big ugly, warty toads are still looking at me but my excuse is that it is Saturday and I need to face them on a week day when I have access to people, but today I did in fact eat a few small frogs and it feels good. For those of you who are wondering what on earth I am talking about, it is putting off what you can do today for a good week or two.
Next week I am going to face my warty toads...the strategy for my future. I have never been a strategist at heart though I can do it and I need to know where WalkerWellbeing is going so Marketing and Business Plans here I come. Thankfully I have a coaching session on Thursday with a fab coach from London who will help me with a plan. And, no you can't have her details!!!
Friday, 17 June 2011
Day two, amazing positive thinking...
Well, as the end of day 2 approaches I get to thinking about what I have been up to. One day a week I work for a friend of mine who has her own lingerie shop. We have been stock taking recently so I have been on the shop floor chatting to some of the customers. My friend (check out 2nd Skin, Droitwich) specialises in a number of things including bras for big ladies. Over the last week or two I have heard a number of women talk negatively about their bodies because their bust is so large. OK, so I can't identify with that on one level, but I do compare as I have had a life time interest in reducing the size of my apple stomach.
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Approaching the end of day one
Hi! Am I supposed to be on here more than once a day? I am assuming that because it is my blog then it is my rules, so yes I can go on here whenever I want. And that goes for you too, you may join me on the blog whenever you want but I am a coach so I must stipulate that this is a happy blog, a fun blog and a positive one. There is enough sadness and negativity in the world already without us adding to it so please go elsewhere if that is what you are looking for.
It has been a very peaceful day. Started off with a coaching client over the phone, she was fab and I am sure will be achieving her goals at a great rate of knots. A friend of mine who is also a coach commented today that coaching is doubley fab because you get so much out of it as the Coach too and that is true. There is so much to learn out there and you never stop...U3A shows that.
I am now off to teach Zumba, covering for a friend of mine who is away with work. She is a very special person who has been through some tough times, so loads of love to her if she ever reads this. Friends are priceless.
Speak to you soon. x
It has been a very peaceful day. Started off with a coaching client over the phone, she was fab and I am sure will be achieving her goals at a great rate of knots. A friend of mine who is also a coach commented today that coaching is doubley fab because you get so much out of it as the Coach too and that is true. There is so much to learn out there and you never stop...U3A shows that.
I am now off to teach Zumba, covering for a friend of mine who is away with work. She is a very special person who has been through some tough times, so loads of love to her if she ever reads this. Friends are priceless.
Speak to you soon. x
2nd blog
Hey, it worked!
I didn't want to write too much in case I really was in the wrong place at the wrong time, which would not have been a first.
So, why Life Coaching? Well I suppose I have come to the place in life where I have had enough of working so damn hard for other companies and want to do something for myself. A friend of mine suggested I had some Life Coaching to find out what I could do self-employed and that was it, I was hooked. Here I am now studying and practising hard so that I can make a difference to people's lives in the same way I used to strive to do as a manager.
Believe in youself and you can achieve anything...that's for me and you. x
First blog-if this is the right place to do it...
Hi, for those of you who dont know me I am Launa, trainee Life Coach, part time Zumba instuctor and basically up for anything that makes a bit of money until I become a high flying full time coach.
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