Having an unexpected day at home due to my car deciding not to do what it’s designed to do, I’ve used the time, I hope sensibly, to go over most of what I’ve learned over the last year.
So if you’re interested then do read on – and if you’re not that’s fine! I don’t expect everyone to be!!
Stephen (LC) has introduced me to masses of different tools to improve my outlook on life and given me methods of focusing on my future. Helping me find out who I am, who I want to be and discovering the ‘real me’
Initially I needed to see I really did have a future which could be what I wanted it to be. To realise it was within me to create a future I wanted and to be in charge of that future rather than react to the circumstances I found myself in. The 6ft and 30 seconds exercise proved how fast I could change that outlook within me if I created it in my mind and focused 100% on it.
So here, in summary, are some (but not all) the things I’ve learnt and how to use them to my advantage
(Most of the following headings are clickable to posts or pages I’ve written in the past – as this post is a summary of all the different tools I’ve been given I’ve not repeated them in full – so – if you’re interested then click away!)
Values
I found this incredibly difficult to grasp! Don’t ask me why – I just did! But I have my values on cards now and I can spend many an hour re-organising them. I have my top ones and I now know the Rules I need to apply to them to meet each Value, not only for me but from others. These are fundamental to everything. These are the ones I would say to everyone are the ones which are so important to grasp and live by and are the backbone of his coaching – the life raft to cling to and turn to. I tend to re-order them as time moves on – which is good – after all that’s the idea – to move forward!
The figure of Eight
Understanding how I do this and then spotting when I run it is very important. I do still do it. Though less and less and – mostly – now I can bring myself out of it on a positive when I do fall into the trap.
The Focus Triangle
What you focus on is what you get. So if you’re inner voice is giving you positive vibes and you stand tall and straight then the future is much more positive than slouching and letting your inner voice give you negatives.
For Every Negative list 10 positives
I didn’t stick at this one and rather wish I had. I should do it more as it’s so simple and is great for focusing the mind! And I was supposed to give myself a reward when I kept clear of negatives for – I think – 10 days in a row! Well it’s never too late so perhaps I should start doing that now!
The Different Versions of Me
I’ve learned that we all have different versions of ourselves which we bring into ‘play’ in different situations and environments. Actually understanding them and the power they hold and feeling comfortable with them has been vitally important.
Strengths
Reading the book Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath. At the back of the book you get a code which you feed in on the website and then carry out an assessment. It has really helped to understand what my top 5 strengths are and how using them in conjunction with others – who have different strengths – will get the best from a situation
Being my own Life Coach
Realising I’m my own best friend and that I can give myself advice and also become my own Life Coach and help myself that way too.
The feminine Me
To find and understand that my strength lies in being feminine was an important and vital step
Goals
Stephen gave me a very valuable list on setting goals, but also showed me what happens when the goal isn’t good enough. (see diagram) A small goal requires small action – which then gives a small result and so gives me ‘proof’ that I can’t achieve anything fantastic. So it’s important to set high goals which require massive action as the results will be better and the proof of achievement also greater.
So re-reading my ‘Goals’ of earlier this week for my Dream Future they need to be greater and bigger and better – and more focused! Playing the piano and learning French maybe and are important to me but they are hardly Goals in the bigger picture!! Even saying I want to be a better photographer isn’t a goal! After all I’ll be better by learning one small technique.
I definitely need better Goal Setting!!
Summary
This is just some of what I’ve learnt and what Stephen has guided me through. There has been a great deal more! What I really do need to do now is use all the tools I’ve been given.
I need to do my homework and my homework is my life!
Am I right Stephen‽‽