A good friend asked me a great question this week and I am still pondering over the answer. She asked me whether I still want to coach now that I am working for someone else full-time. Now, don't get me wrong, I still use my coaching skills all the time at work and I am planning to do my Executive Coaching training next year so this is not a complete change in direction. It is more about whether I want to work one on one with people outside of the 9 til 5.

And here is where I probably need some coaching myself as I really am sitting on the shelf.

I love working with people 1-2-1 and I have had some great successes. To be fair, all those clients who have stuck with coaching for their 6 sessions have done tremendously and that really is worth all the effort. What disheartens me is those who come for 1 or 2 sessions and say that coaching is not for them when in fact they are looking for a magic wand and I don't have one. What I have is a toolbox of tricks you can use to transform your life but they are there to be learnt and practised which takes time and effort. Trust me, I have been using them for many years and I still have the odd blip even now.

I know that if I had a steady stream of clients knocking at the door saying that they wanted to change their lives and they were prepared to do it I would be very keen to welcome them in. So maybe it is me who wants that magic wand?!!! Change is exciting and I will carry on supporting people change because of that excitement.

It worked! So I am back up and running at last! 10 weeks, 10 whole weeks! How did that happen? Life just flies by and sometimes we have to take a step back and look at where we are or we miss bits. I suppose that is where I am now.

For the past 10 weeks I have been working at my new job and enjoying all the benefits you get from working in a corporate environment: a team, knowing the rules of engagement and facing the challenges the corporation gives you. But I must not let sight of who I am evenings and weekends and that is a coach and a damned good one if I say so myself!

Recently I have seen a couple of my clients go out into the big wide world with their toolbox full of tricks to survive anything life can throw at them. It is an exciting time for them but a little sad for me cause I loose the connection, often, just at the time when the fruits of my labour are there to witness. I am lucky that a few of my ex-clients keep in touch or are in the media often so I can see how well they are doing in life. I can not take the credit for their development as it is all their own hard work but at least I may have supported their focus a touch.

In this day and age I really think that you can do whatever you want. The hard part is knowing exactly what that is and many people feel dissatisfied in life because they never find that passion and give up looking. Or you turn one or two wrong corners along the way. So be it...life is a journey however cliche that may sound and as long as you have some fun along the way, I say go for it and laugh at your own mistakes. It was a lesson I learnt the hard way, but a lesson that has stood me in good stead.

Enjoy
x

So, I have tried to add a new blog a few times and have had no luck. Nor can I fathom out the troubleshooting pages as I am really not a techy person. I need to speak to a human being. But in the absence of either I will try just once more! Here goes...post...

What a week, what a whirlwind. I had forgotten what starting a new job was like. Meeting loads of new faces and finding out about loads of new services you did not know existed. I have not experienced such a thorough induction since sitting in a classroom at the police training centre, but that can only be a good thing. I have more faith in a business that gives you the tools to do the job up front rather than one or 2 I have worked for who expect you to guess, then we all know who is to 'blame' when the wheel comes off....

And I suppose, there's the rub; this is going to be the acid test. All the positive work I have done on myself, all the courses and the concepts that I thoroughly believe in and practise on a regular basis, how are they going to stand up to the rigures of the corporate world? How will I stand up back there with the IT not working (it took me 3 days to log on and I only huffed once, not a bad start), sitting in traffic late for a meeting (how busy is it out there?!!!) and of course the red tape, the inevitable 'because we have always done it this way'.

Watch this space folks to see how things go!

Oh, and by the way, I will still be taking on private coaching clients so get in touch if you want to change your life too...these ideas really work, which is why I invested so much in myself to find out what I really wanted from life!

Like many people, I have been keeping up with the Olympics, excited by the fact that it is in our own country. This is actually a big move for me. I have vivid memories of being forced to watch the Olympics as a kid, names such as Seb Coe and Steve Ovett are etched in the mind of my youth. But to be honest, there is nothing really since then, I can't remember ever having watched a single Olympic event since I left home.

Other than noticing how very fresh faced they all seem to look (well all those without a horse), I am bowled over by the amount of positive vibes being generated at the moment. Wouldn't it just be great to always live in a world where we applaud people for giving their best, for magnificent effort and spirit. Chris Evans on Radio 2 has commented on how fab the atmosphere is at the Olympic City, an air of anticipation, excitement and understanding.

So for 2 weeks we have our own little utopia in the middle of that great city and I am pleased to be doing my bit to cheer everyone on. My only slight concern is with all those lovely young people apologising for only getting bronze or silver. I can understand on one level because we all want to be the best but the American census reckons that there are 7 billion people in the world...so wanting to be first rather than second or third out of 7 billion is just a bit greedy, methinks. Enjoy, you are all fab!

I can't believe it has been a month since I last added anything to this blog, where does the time go to? Mind you, how often do we say that? Ages since I spoke to someone or visited them, tempus does indeed fugit.

Well, the truth is that I have been busy looking for a job. For a while now I have been concerned about how I would occupy myself over the summer holidays away from the teaching and I am really missing a few of the little luxuries I have been without over the last 18 months, most notably holidays!

We were lucky enough this year to be invited to a family holiday in Cornwall which was smashing, but as it approached, I realised that it might be a long time off til the next one. So, I decided that I would start looking round, only with the proviso that the job must be one I really wanted as I will be giving up some good stuff for it, it must be worthy of that.

I was shocked and delighted to be offered only the third job I applied for, for the British Red Cross. I am now working my notice from the jigsaw of roles I have built up for myself including the teaching and getting learners into volunteering for the WEA, which I will miss. What I am hoping is that as I walk round those Xmas markets in December, our next planned holiday, I will look back at this decision and know it was the right one. But, Walker Wellbeing remains as the coaching is vital, for me and for my clients who really want to change. Like me, looking at the journey and making those big decisions.

A co-incidence??

Well, after my chance encounter with Sir Steve Redgrave last week, I was wandering round the local charity shops on Saturday when I found a copy of a book he has put his name to...'You can win at life, unlock your potential and go for gold'. A little corny I must admit but I had to buy it (an investment of £1.99). What a co-incidence, or is it? The book is full of useful advice on how to believe in your dreams and go for it which is basic coaching and exactly what I was teaching about at the school where I bumped into him!

I am off on holiday in a couple of weeks and will be taking the book with me. Some might suggest that reading it will be a bit like a bus man's holiday but I have to admit that I am developing a little bit of a crush on the man so it won't be all work...!

On the down side, I had a phone call of a potential client last week who has since been avoiding my calls (or am I just being paranoid?!) In my game it is very difficult to know how to judge the situation. Have they found someone else to coach them? Have they changed their mind? Or are they just too lacking in confidence to follow through with the commitment? Ironically, as a confident person myself, I just want to know so I can feel less like a stalker when I call for the 3rd time, no hard feelings at all. Fingers crossed she might get the confidence to tell me thanks but no thanks by the 4th time, before I get a knock on the door for harassment!

A friend in need....

Yesterday I had my wings clipped, or so it felt. I had a problem with one wheel of my car the other day so the tyre is with my local garage and bang, yesterday, a second puncture and no spare left. Massive trauma according to me as I have had a car since I was 17 and had 'things to do' on my list that only a car owner could ever complete.

24 hours later my faith in human nature is so boosted that I can not thank my heros enough. Firstly, my father-in-law took the tyre to be repaired/replaced this morning so when I got back from Birmingham this afternoon the car was ready to go. Secondly, my partner got up with me this morning and at 7am we were walking into town to get the bus to his friend's house to borrow his van. At the bus stop Jon saw the taxi queue and decided that a cuppa at his friend's was more important than saving a few pounds to get there so off we went.

Now, Jon's mate is a gardening man. He puts up fences, cuts down trees and basically does anything he can to make your garden rosey, so, as you can imagine, his van is not the tidiest, cleanest or, dare I say, new. I have turned heads today as the most unlikely of drivers of said vehicle but it has been so much fun. Every crunch of the gears and over/understeer I did.

And to top it off Steve Redgreave and a camera crew were at the school I was teaching at as I left and waved me through.

Thanks to you all and I so appreciate the support. x

Celebrating the Jubilee

What an interesting weekend it has been, all red, white and blue and perfect Bank Holiday weather!

I must admit that I am in 2 minds about the Royal Family. I seem to recall that my mum (who was the biggest influence on my values and beliefs), was a bit of a royalist and would get us to sit through all the programmes on tele. But she started to loose faith with the last generation as she was neither a Fergie nor a Diana lover. Having no mum to natter to for the last 15 years, I felt for Harry and Will when Diana went and have watched them grow up proud and strong. They really do appear to be just normal lads about town, if you can say being heirs to the thrown is at all normal!

I suppose, my thoughts recently have been more about obligation and lack of choice. OK they may have a huge amount of money and I can't even stretch to a new pair of trainers for my running, but I have choice. I get up in the morning and if I don't want to do my hair then so what? If I don't want to go somewhere or do something then a quick phone call and I am excused. But what if you really don't fancy standing in the rain by the side of the Thames getting soaked cause Nan has invited you to her party?!

OK, the money without the obligation may be a different thing but for that I will have to go back to buying lottery tickets!

Happy Jubilee...Launa x

A quickie!

Just a quick one as I am going to grab some of that wonderful sun while it is still out there...what a wonderful week. there is something to be said for doing  what you really want to in life and the fact that what I do is work with people to support them in getting what they want to out of life is just the icing on the cake.

I have had some great teaching sessions this week and some super coaching clients. There is positiveness in the air which is so important in fighting off the doom and gloom that the media are determined to spread.

Believe in it girl (and boy) and it will come

xx

The coaching is coming together...

Well, my first week not working for 2nd Skin Lingerie and I am there more than ever! With three coaching clients this week, up in the little consultation room above the shop, and I notice from my diary that I have 3 more appointments next week so this coaching thing is really coming together.

It is a funny thing, coaching. I would like to think that I had never heard of it 18 months ago but then I see from my management training notes that there is a whole section in my ILM that I had completely forgotten. Well, not completely as I have certainly been using these techniques for a very long time. And even some NLP too. Not the exercises but the basics on communication skills that I have gleaned over the years in the police and as an adult ed teacher.

What I find most challenging is really getting across to people what coaching is, especially as I come after various opinions they may have formed listening to people who call themselves coaches but what they do is so very different (counselling? therapy? mentoring? consulting?). I am the sounding board you need to talk things through with. No judgements, no shoulds and no opinions. Just giving you the opportunity to explore the way you want to take your life and put together an action plan to do it. Works for me and I am pleased to say that it works for the 6 clients I am supporting this fortnight. Fab.

Big Bra Lady...thanks

It has been the end of an era passing this week. On one hand I am excited that things are indeed flowing my way and the universe is looking bright upon me, on the other hand closing one door and trusting that the others will stay open is a risk, but a risk I am now confident enough to follow through.

When I left my highly stressful public sector job last year, knowing that I could not survive a minute longer in that environment, it was a leap into the unknown, but then some people would say that the ONLY thing that me and Madonna have in common is our ability to re-invent ourselves.

The first person to have faith in me to rebuild my shattered confidence and move on was Karen from 2nd Skin Lingerie who not only gave me a job, but gave me a home for my business, St Andrews St in Droitwich. As I have developed and grown in strength over the last year she has supported my mad schemes and dragged me along to events and networking to promote the coaching and training I do, mentoring me into the business world as I have coached her into policies and procedures!

This week, I have had to face the truth; Walker Wellbeing is getting too big for me to develop alongside the paid work I do for Karen and I have had to give in my notice. I would be lying if I said I ever want to see Sage again but I have felt supported and safe at a time when I needed it most. If you ever need to buy a good fitting bra, I can recommend the perfect place to go.

Launa
x

Borrowed from a friend!

So today's blog is all about gremlins! This is mainly because I am battling one right now.

So a gremlin is really your inner voice, the little fella that sits on your shoulder and whispers in your ear quietly but persistently. And if you don't listen they just get louder and louder. Mine right now is saying "everybody knows this stuff already, just put the ipad down and go back to doing what you've always done" . Actually he is shouting very loudly! This sets off my self doubt alarm bells and I begin to question myself and what I'm doing. The trick here is to BREATHE, sounds stupid I know but in gremlin taming the first steps is just to pause and acknowledge him. Take a moment to breath and consider what he is saying rather than accepting it as an absolute truth.

Believe it or not gremlins are actually our friends, I like to think of them as angels in disguise. Why? I hear you say, can a gremlin possibly be my friend. Well all gremlins have a positive intention, they are trying to protect us from something. Mine is playing to my security belief. He is worried that if I put this stuff out there and nobody reads it or comments on it, I will feel insecure and he wants me to play safe!

So what do I do? I acknowledge him and say thanks for caring, I understand he wants me to stay safe and I get the message that I need not to take the stats to heart! But it is important to me that I share this stuff so it can help others just in case they don't know about it and now he knows I am safe he shuts up!  Sounds so simple but I've been battling him for 5 hours and I am well practised at gremlin taming!

So what does your gremlin say to you on a regular basis? Next time he starts to whisper , breathe and listen to what he has to say because he really does care.

Check out Lorraine's blog on wordpress...tea, cake and happiness, for more thoughts on staying positive.

Thanks Lorraine!

Stress and the art of dog ownership

What a difference a day makes!!!

Ok, it is a couple of weeks since I wrote last but I laugh when I read what I did write.

Following a lovely sunny weekend when we took Hope out walking over the fields we have been hit by:

• One very poorly dog who obviously ate too much sheep's poo along the way and a £50 quid vets bill
• A week of awful rain when no human/pet wants to go anywhere so they just drive you up the wall
• The start of a new term when you try to fit loads more stuff into a week you really don't have time for.

I used to get very stressed working full time for the public sector. Though I carry an unhealthy loathing of the organisation I last gave my heart and soul to, I appreciate that it was not all their fault. Saying 'no' has as much to do with realising that you physically can't, even though it is fab and enjoyable, as for those people who I coach and train who do not have the self respect to appreciate they have the right to say 'no'.

Things are going to have to give...watch this space and thank you, Launa

Enjoying life as a dog owner.

This weekend has probably been the first one where I really have begun to understand what this having dogs is all about. Firstly where was Thursday late afternoon when my brother bought his puppies over to walk with their sister. That turned out to be a total of 5 dogs and 5 members of our family strolling through the woods.

Saturday Jon and I embarked on a walk over the fields to 2 of our favourite pubs. We have discovered that if you walk the dog far enough to start with she just collapses under the table while we have a beer or two, perfect. Then today, strolling round the gardens of a stately home, not feeling under any pressure to go in and pay the ridiculous prices the NT charge non members but soaking up the Downton Abbey ambiance for free.

All these months I have been teaching and talking stress management and I have found the perfect antidote. That is, of course, once the puppy classes have started to work!
Launa
x

Poorly Pup

So, after a year of solid slog on my new career, passing exams in Personal Development Coaching and NLP, I finally decided to give myself a weekend off this Easter and you guessed it, I am full of cold.

I suppose it serves me right for gloating at my friends, all around me, who have been falling like flies recently. I should have known that once I decided to stop, the germs would descend, that is how it always works with me Always? Yes, NLP, always.

Still, it is a good time of year to feel so sorry for yourself that you need chocolate and you know that once the bugs have gone you will be out running round the beautiful Worcestershire countryside again so there is no need to worry about calories.

Time to indulge,
Launa. x

Busy but positive week...

Shattered but excited. It has been a very intense week, finished off by my practical NLP exams, but I have passed and feel very comfortable with my knowledge level.

The WEA, who I teach for, have asked me to do some coaching workshops this week which have been demanding but so much fun. It is taxing to be on the ball for 100% of the time as you facilitate a discussion but great for the confidence as you are able to answer everyone's questions and give positive, practical examples of how coaching works.

To be honest, now that I understand how it works and have experienced coaching first hand I am more surprised that we don't all have one and don't all chase the dream rather than put up with second best. But then, I can not criticise because we all have so many demons that I suppose some of us just can't over come them. 

What about joining me and giving it a try though??

Launa
x

Get a life!

So, only a week til my NLP exam and I feel like I should be:

a) working harder
b) worrying more.
Firstly, I feel like I have so much in my head I can't cram any more in and secondly I really don't know where the time goes to. Have I got a life at last?

I have spent so many years listening to people who say they can't exercise or eat healthily or whatever because they don't have the time and I have always pooh poohed the idea. After all I got my MA with the OU, trained 5 days a week and worked very long hours in the pub trade at the time. But cats don't need walking and if you are not with the right man you don't want to sit around nattering and enjoying the company.

So now is the time to feel really grateful for what I do have and appreciate that if I don't get the qualification this time then there are always re-takes. But I am a positive person so I will do just fine next weekend. The time and the words will come.
Launa
x

A mad mad world

For the past couple of weeks I have been living in a whirlwind, trying to fit everything in and running from one job to another. All in all I have 3 start up businesses and four part time jobs to help pay the mortgage. Someone asked me yesterday where I get my energy from and I hadn't even noticed that I needed that much. It really makes you realise that you CAN change your life for the better you just need to start NOW.

A year ago I was in a very stressful life; a full time job I loved to hate and they hated me too, a real clash of cultures! Out of work everything was cool but I could not appreciate it because I was so highly strung with it all. 12 months on I have work that I love, people around me that I have chosen to include in my life and they are all, without exception, fab: A positive and very hopeful future. As the boss at 2nd Skin says...'bring it on'.

Don't get me wrong. There are still days when the shadow of before casts a cloud over this happy chappy but I have enough around me to drive it away ASAP and move on.

Thank you universe and thank you to every person who has stood by me 2011-12, you are much, much appreciated.

Launa
x

New shoes

I had a lovely unexpected treat today. Sat in the office at 2nd Skin Lingerie I was given a pair of lovely pink shoes by young entrepreneur Chloe Tomalin. Director of The Nilamot Group at the age of only 16. I hope she does not mind me mentioning, but I have been coaching Chloe to help her with focus and direction; she is a woman of many passions! I was however never expecting such a generous gift and was so overwhelmed that I even gave her a hug (and other than Jonnie, I am not particularly touchy feely!)

New client today too, my first for NLP techniques, so it has been a grand day. Topped off with doggie walking with Hope and pilates with Sarah (check out Taylorfitpilates, the best in Bromsgrove). A grand day indeed.

Launa
x

Busy, busy, busy

What a non-stop weekend it has been! working in the lingerie shop yesterday, getting the new stock prices on the system followed by a good session with the NLP girlies. I am currently training to be a practitioner, so much to learn but it is fascinating.

Part of my qualification is to answer 104 questions. I am on 80 now with one weekend to go so I have fingers crossed. Jon and I have agreed that we will take the mutt up the Malverns next Sunday if I have finished all 104 so that is an incentive. She was fab at puppy training today but we know it is cause her bestest friend in the whole world, Alf Taylor, came round to play last night. He is twice her size after all.

So, with article for the Worcester Standard written and photos of said mutt on Facebook at last, I am ready for that beer and a chilling session. Yes indeed.
Launa
x

Sleepless night thanks to local politics

OK, so it is not particularly the local politics that has kept me up but my blood starts to boil and that triggers a few things that I would rather not dwell on, but why is it that we live in such a can't do world?

Without going into too many details, I was asked to help organise an event for a local school which I have done exactly as they asked and a week beforehand they change the goal posts giving me a lot more work and that sleepless night.

Well, to be even more honest, I don't have the time to do what they now want me to do so I have had to pass it on so a big thanks to ST for this one.

Being a positive, go getting person is a great way to be but boy, does that make me bloody annoyed with the other half of the population whose glass is empty, never alone half empty. Mmmmmmmm, planning a stress management class for next week. Need to take note of some of the exercises for myself!

x

Confidence course ongoing

Last year I started teaching for the WEA as you know. I realised over time that there must be many women out there who would like to tap into such a course but in the evenings, after work. For the last 3 weeks, finishing next week, we have been running a course out of Karen's shop, 2nd Skin Lingerie in Droitwich. Most of the learners are customers of hers or heard about the course from the local paper as they were kind enough to print an article for us.

I have so enjoyed putting this together. For me, I have been able to share some of the stuff I have learnt on my personal development journey and I have also been supported by local professional women who have given their time to talk about areas outside my reach such as health and fitness and style analysis.

Tonight, one of the learners commented that she would miss the course when it finishes next week and I know I will, thank you universe for the opportunity to share.

Launa

Surrounded by NLP

With only a few weeks to go until my practitioner's exam I am surrounded by NLP workbooks and websites, hard to believe that only a few months ago I had never even heard of it. My coaching training provider offers a package deal for all its courses which I decided to invest in as I am a student at heart. When I looked closer I began to realise that I did in fact know something about NLP because I have had the exercises done to me in the past as part of my personal development journey. I have great faith in their ability to change a life for the better and am looking forward to being qualified to use them with my PD clients. It is just a shame I have to be tied to the computer for the next 4 weekends to get that revision nailed!
Launa
x

Catch up......

Well, looking at how long it has been since I last wrote on this blog just shows you how busy I have been and apologies to my hoards of fans out there!!!!

I can only gasp that it is March already and I am still chasing round life like a mad women but it is so much fun (and how much less stress than working for a load of public sector workers with no soul).

Most important to me at the moment is that I feel like I am getting to grips with what I want to do and have found a title for myself...Personal Development Coach and Trainer. I have been lucky enough to have delivered some one off confidence workshops recently and they have been so successful and massive fun. I know I can support people to change and get the best out of themselves. What I have definitely learnt in the last couple of years though is that they need to want to change, that bit I can't make a difference to, as hard as it may seem. 

Happy to share, happy to support, but then it is up to you. Cool. x

it's that time of year again...

We have just lived through the most indulgent season of the year; where calories are in abundance and no relative will take no for an answer. It’s bleak outside. We all want to curl up with the duvet and a good book or watch the latest BBC drama but what do we plan instead? With the pantry still full of Christmas leftovers we endeavour to face our New Year’s resolution once again and loose a pound or two!

Every regular gym user will know that January is a nightmare for your normal routine. You can’t get into the fitness class you go to every week because of newcomers and there is a queue for your favourite piece of CV equipment. But you know that all you need to do is have patience because by February the numbers will be back down to normal; as the duvet monster wins the battle and we put our gym membership down as a whim of an idea.

Sound familiar to you? Year in, the same old vow which lasts a few weeks and is forgotten? But should we really be so hard on ourselves; how can we honestly expect to face such dramatic change to our lifestyle at such a bleak time of year?

Any good fitness instructor or nutritionist will tell you that the answer to positive sustained change is baby steps. Nothing changes overnight. Plan the route you want to take one step at a time and give yourself forgiveness and understanding if you stray from the path occasionally; don’t throw in the towel. Baby steps will win the day when you really want to make a change to your life. Stick with it and by New Year 2013, you will be the regular at the gym waiting for the treadmill to be free knowing that by February…