by ctadmin | Jan 20, 2017 | Uncategorised
Two steps forward, one step back; if you’ve ever tried to help someone else to make positive changes to their lives, you’ll know that progress can be painfully slow. Just when you see that things are moving in the right direction, they revert to old ways which jeopardise all the effort they have put in so far. You might be a debt counsellor who is gradually helping someone to manage their finances, but just as things are moving out of the red, the individual splashes out on some unnecessary purchase. You could be leading a diet and fitness programme and after weeks of following a strict diet plan, your clients regularly indulge in a fat and sugar feast. These impulsive moments may be short-lived, but they can lead to feelings of guilt and disappointment. You might both be thinking ‘what’s the point?’ It takes more than a deep breath to find the energy and motivation to get back on track. Taking Action The majority of people would like to improve some aspect of their life and feel a greater sense of fulfilment. Yet even when we have the desire to change, it can be so difficult to initiate and sustain the changes that we need to undertake. We often turn to others to help us and this can be beneficial; it holds us accountable. A friend, a community leader or a professional, asking for help is a major first step in taking action. These people often provide practical advice on the actions to be taken. They might suggest small steps in the right direction and offer support at each...
by ctadmin | Dec 13, 2016 | General Posts
We live in a world where media headlines seem to be designed to pray on our insecurities and escalate our fears. In our own lives, we are often fearful of not living up to the unachievable expectations that modern society places on us. In addition we have innate fears that remain from our ancestral past, but still affect our thinking. A degree of fear is necessary and even good for us. We need to be fearful of danger in order to protect ourselves and those we care for. We need fear to fire up our ‘fight or flight’ responses in threatening situations and fear can also help us to live a less risky existence. The trouble is that too much fear can inhibit us and prevent us from living to our full potential. Fear is quite a dramatic word, so it is often replaced by other descriptions including worry, anxiety, apprehension, concern, tension or stress. Any of these can lead to us avoiding situations or opportunities that could enhance our lives. They can prevent us from taking action, leave us feeling exhausted and impact on our physical and mental health. Coaching and Mentoring An important role for any coach or mentor is to help the person or people they work with to recognise their fears, understand the cause and then take action to overcome the areas which are having a negative impact. What is it that is holding them back? Some of the causes are a fear of overriding responsibility for others, a feeling that actions could result in a lack of control, a resistance to change, previous bad...
by ctadmin | Nov 10, 2016 | General Posts
Many people dream of becoming a parent, but it isn’t until our children are born, fostered or adopted that we can truly understand the weight of the responsibility. Without a manual, a coach or any formal training, we are expected to know what to do in an endless array of situations. As parents we have many decisions to make and we want to make the right one, but there is always conflicting information, peer pressure and alternative options that make it tricky to follow your heart. Even if you think you are doing the right thing, it takes considerable confidence to go against the advice or example of others. The Importance of Communication Then there is the daily challenge of communication. Our children often decide to raise an important point or ask advice at the busiest times. They suddenly recall all the details of the day at bedtime, or mention something that needs further discussion when you’re running late for the next appointment. If we’re in a hurry, exhausted, or have a long list of tasks on our mind, it is easy to snap, say something in the wrong way, or simply avoid getting into an in-depth conversation. We might regret what we’ve said later, but the opportunity has passed. Occasionally missing out on a chance to really listen to our children or answer their question is not a big deal. If it happens all the time, the child may soon feel like they are not being heard, that they aren’t important and that no one believes in them. When we see undesirable attitude in children, it is often...
by ctadmin | Oct 16, 2016 | General Posts
Decision making is part of everyday life, but sometimes we reach a point where a more significant life decision is needed. There are many possible options ahead of us and we need to work out which route to take. We might feel pressured or fully motivated to follow one path and even doing nothing is a decision, even if it might not feel like it. Our crossroads might be the decision to apply for a new job and attend an interview, or when you are considering jacking it all in to travel the world. It could be the point at which you are deciding whether to rent or buy a home, or deciding whether to put your elderly relation into a home. You may be considering a marriage proposal or starting the divorce proceedings. When we reach these crossroads, we are often in the position of needing assistance from someone else; a Careers Advisor, a Mortgage Broker, a Care Home Manager or a Solicitor for example. These professional people don’t know the details of our situation, but they can have a significant influence on how we feel about the decision we have to make. Professional Support With an element of risk and the certainty of change, emotions can be charged at a crossroads. Whilst these professionals have a job to do, the way in which they communicate and the words they say can really make a difference. If you feel they have listened, that they have understood your situation and helped you to clarify your thoughts, you can gain confidence and reassurance about your next step. In contrast, if...
by ctadmin | Sep 9, 2016 | General Posts
Few people go through life without difficulties, disruptions and disputes, so we’ve all had to experience tough times. Although many others are probably facing similar issues, it can still be incredibly difficult to be open and admit things aren’t going to plan. We all face problems that we have no previous experience of and we want help to sort out. From a single view point, there can feel like there is no way out and we know that others may help, yet there is a sense that admitting all is not rosy is a sign of weakness. Most of the time, we put a brave face on in public. We try to conduct business as usual, pretending yet hiding the truth. We might spend the evenings crying or drinking as a result of the problem, but we say we’re ‘fine’ if anyone asks. Opening Up On a rare occasion, we might be in the company of someone who allows us to open up. They just ask the right question, at the right time and in the right way that allows us to be honest. This person could be your closest friend or a complete stranger, but something makes it possible to drop the mask. Just by allowing you to speak, listening and taking your issues seriously, they can really help release some of the pressure that has been building up inside. If they ask the right questions and encourage you to talk more, their input can clear the fog and help you to see the next step that you need to take. They might mentally or physically take your...
by ctadmin | Aug 8, 2016 | General Posts
The Law of Attraction has many fans and in its simplest form, it promotes the virtues of positive thinking and positive influences. There has been scientific evidence to show that a positive mind-set does have an impact on important factors such as our health, our confidence and achieving our ambitions. In addition we all know that our mood can be considerably lifted or dampened depending on who we spend time with. If we take on a positive attitude, actively work towards the things we want to achieve and believe in ourselves, we can improve our own lives. Not only that, but our attitude will influence others and help them to look upon things in a better light. “The people we surround ourselves with either raise or lower our standards. They either help us to become the best version of ourselves or encourage us to become a lesser version of ourselves… We all need people in our lives who raise our standards, remind us of our essential purpose and challenge us to become the best version of ourselves.” The Law of Attraction Being Influenced and Influencing Others We may not always make conscious decisions about who we surround ourselves with, but we know the people that make us feel good about ourselves, make us think differently, give us hope for the future and support our ambitions. We may not always realise that we are providing this service to others, but sometimes just being there to listen, compliment and reassure can make all the difference. We don’t need to do anything particularly amazing to inspire others, sometimes a smile, understanding and...
by ctadmin | Jul 11, 2016 | General Posts
Last summer, twelve 70 foot yachts left London on the Clipper Around The World Yacht Race. What makes this circumnavigation of the globe unique is that it is open to anyone who wants to take on the challenge. The crew on all other major yachting challenges are experienced sailors, Olympic athletes and others that have been working towards such an opportunity since they were young. The Clipper Yacht Race crews are made up of people of all ages, professions and expertise. Many of them have never been out on the water from more than a recreational boat trip before they sign up. Yet, this is the longest boat race, with around 40,000 nautical miles being covered in a journey that takes the best part of a year. On route, the crew face extreme conditions, live in close proximity to one another and face challenges that they will have no prior knowledge of. They will have to draw on huge reserves of mental and physical strength, keep going when they are exhausted and fully test their powers of endurance. One of this year’s competitors, Simon Parker opted to step off the yacht for Leg 7 of the race. Whilst he gained freedom from the close confines of the yacht, Simon didn’t rest. Instead he decided to cycle across America to see whether he could beat the boats using pedal power. Following a 42 day cycle ride of 3,750 miles, he arrived a day before his team reached port. Super Human Feats The fact that a relative novice can push themselves to the limit and find something deep within that forces...
by ctadmin | Jun 1, 2016 | Uncategorised
Every organisation wants a productive, positive and committed team, who support each other to get the job done. They want every employee to make a valuable contribution to the organisation and use their initiative to solve problems, spot opportunities and keep everything running smoothly. When they have found ideal candidates, they want them to be loyal and stay. In order to achieve these goals, you need strong managers. Any leadership role requires a diverse range of skills, yet many leaders aren’t given sufficient training to effectively take responsibility for a team. Individuals often end up in management roles because they have a wealth of experience in their field, but sharing this knowledge and empowering others is a completely different requirement. A strong manager has to both earn and give respect. They need to build trust within the team, encourage and reward, whilst also tackling problems when they arise. They need to understand the skills, expertise and potential within their team, which may not be completely evident in the job role that individuals undertake. They then need to use these individual strengths to best effect for the benefit of everyone. A good manager understands that a degree of flexibility and adaptability can be all it takes to help someone to fully engage and commit to the team. They know that feedback and appreciation can really motivate and develop the skills and confidence of others. They are willing to invest in training and development to build on existing skills. Effective Communication Skills All of these requirements are achievable if you learn, understand and implement effective communication skills. Learning to ask the...
by ctadmin | Apr 4, 2016 | Latest News
Being able to build a strong and broad network of relationships has been proven to lead to a happier and healthier life. It is also an essential component of a happy and healthy work environment. Whether in your business or personal life, effective relationships provide meaning, support, validation and a sense of belonging. Our relationships with other business owners can lead to new opportunities, partnerships and recommendations. Our relationships with customers can drive growth and build the reputation of our brand. Within the workplace, effective relationships can enable everyone to realise their potential and gel as a productive team. As humans, we have an in-built need to connect with others. Whilst technology has made it simpler for us to keep in touch, it has also made it too easy to hide behind technology and avoid connecting face to face. As a result, our communication and relationship building skills are being lost. The fact is that there are always going to be people that we have a natural affinity with. It is simple to build rapport with those people. There will also be people that we have to live, work or socialise with that present more of a challenge. We can all benefit from learning how best to build relationships with a full range of personalities. Teamwork and Leadership When we are working as part of a team, taking on a coaching or mentoring role or even leading a team, having some training in how to build good relationships with others can make all the difference to what we can achieve. When we understand how to say things in different...
by ctadmin | Mar 1, 2016 | Uncategorised
On each and every day, we rely on our interpersonal skills. Every encounter with another requires us to communicate. From a polite exchange with a stranger, to an in-depth chat with a friend or an attempt to resolve a problem at work, we need effective communication skills to get through the day. In the majority of cases, we don’t have time to plan and prepare a conversation. We speak, listen and respond to what’s been said. You may be well aware that our state of mind at the time can have a noticeable impact on how the conversation develops and the conclusion. If we are tired, angry or resentful the exchange is likely to be more difficult, even if we believe we’ve said the same thing as we always say. Our state of mind is also likely to be affected by past interactions with the same person or a specific situation that you are in. If we’ve been able to open up and be honest with someone in the past and our confidence has been kept and an issue has been resolved, we are likely to feel able to trust them again. If every previous conversation has ended in an argument, we probably act defensively and may be quick to interpret what’s said in a negative way. Enhancing your Interpersonal Skills In our formative years we learnt to listen, speak and pick up on other signals such as body language. We grasped the basics of communication, yet we may not feel that we’ve really learnt how to control our thoughts, words and non-verbal communication in ways that will improve...
