As my work  in the secondary school environment increases, so do the number of requests I receive regarding coaching for life and soft skills.

This week I have read some interesting articles about the education system and the options available to young students. Here are a couple which certainly gave me food for thought:

After a Decade of Education, Why are our Kids so Uneducated?

University Challenged

Providing options to students is definitely the best way forward and  more choice for young people has to be a good thing .

If you are struggling with career choice, soft or life skills and require coaching then please contact me

I have had a fantastic week by changing my weekly routine and varying my activities. The difference it has made for me both physically and emotionally has been remarkable.

My daughter went away for the week so my husband and I went out for supper on several occasions; we walked to the pub for a few beers, attended the local pub quiz night, caught up with friends we had not seen for a while and took a day off to test drive new cars and have lunch out.

As a result, I now feel refreshed, energised and motivated about the week to come. I have planned and prepared what I need to do for work this week and completed tasks on my ‘To Do’ list that have been on there for some time. It also fired me into action to tidy up my front and back garden. After four hours of hard work I sat down with a cold drink and appreciated all my hard work. This is a job that has been on my list for a few months so  the feeling of achievement is amazing.

I am certainly looking forward to work this week. The change of routine has given me the drive and motivation to plan and prepare my weekly goals, increased my work focus and raised my positive mental approach. I know I am going to have a good week and will use my energy to obtain some outstanding results for my coaching clients.

Why don’t you have a go at doing something different this week and see what positive impact it has on you?

If you need assistance in making a change in your life then contact me.

If you want to be successful in achieving your goals then you need to define them in a specific, measurable and realistic way. A goal without a plan is just a wish and the probability of achieving it becomes very low. To get results you need to have a clear outcome and a well planned strategy which is based on a positive and focused approach.

When I coach my clients on goal setting I like to give them the opportunity to express themselves and encourage them to link their emotions with their goals and consider the following key factors:

• Reason – What is my motivation to achieve this goal? How committed and determined am I?
• Be Specific – What do you want? How are you going to do it? What do you not want?
• Make it Personal – What can I do to achieve it?
• Define your Senses – What will I feel, see or hear as I achieve my goal? How do I want it to feel?
• Resources – What and Who will help me to achieve my goal?

I find this a little more personal and friendly than the usual “SMART” goal setting approach, but of course that can work too.

Combine the above points with creating choice, being flexible and developing opportunity and you are well on the way to a successful outcome. When setting goals I always consider this quote “It’s not what happens to you but how you react to it that matters” -Epictetus.

If you need assistance in achieving your goals then please contact me