Newsletter August 2006

I regularly remind clients to recognise their own achievements. I had a reminder of this myself just the other day. It was just after a coaching session when I realised that I'd achieved one of the results I'd hoped for when I brought coaching into the business 6 years ago.

This was to create a source of income at quieter times in the year, such as holiday periods, individual sessions being easier to schedule than group events. I hadn't registered that this had happened! This reinforces for me the value of writing down aims and goals, not only so we can achieve them but so that we can celebrate their achievement!

I have individual clients and I coach/mentor individuals within organisations. I have a strong list of specialist contacts on which I can draw when necessary. For more details of how WORDS in ACTION can support you and your organisation to set, achieve and celebrate your goals, give me a call on 01700 500489

Do you live from one holiday to the next and if so is that how you want to live? Sometimes we find ourselves in circumstances where we do need to bend our heads to the autumn wind and keep going. But often it's we who assume that we can't make changes. I believe that we sometimes approach decision-making back to front.

Let's take a simple example: we say we can't go to a conference because we don't have transport and the office can't be left unstaffed. We allow the practical obstacles to dictate the decision instead of taking the decision to attend and then solving the practical challenges. The decision - making tail is wagging the dog.

In more complex situations, we may be using the practical difficulties as an excuse not to face up to the choice. But whatever the case, the only effective starting point is identifying what we really want to do. Then we can set to work to challenge any assumptions about the feasibility of our vision.

Cathy Layzell is an artist working in Norfolk. To see her beautiful portfolio of work, click on the link in 'Let me introduce...' Contact details for Cathy are on the website.

Some of you will remember Janette Blakemore who led a workshop on the Enneagram here on Bute. She now heads up the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Centre in Newcastle. Click on the link to explore the website - you can take a free test to whet your appetite. I'll keep you informed of courses that Janette is running.

Update on the Robin Sieger event on Bute! This is to be postponed until early 2007. If you would like to be kept informed of this please click on her name to email Alison Cross

'Those who cannot tell what they desire or expect, still sigh and struggle with indefinite thoughts and vast wishes.' Ralph Waldo Emerson