Recommended book

I was recommended this book some time ago and finally got round to buying it. I haven't quite finished it yet but I am thoroughly enjoying it. Nice easy to understand language and to the point comment.
So, if your looking for a bit of a pick me up book but know you need some no nonsense help - pick up a copy of this.

How to find a Life Coach who's right for you

I am always interested to find out where my clients find out about me. It is obviously good for my market research. Most come upon me by a google search. However, how do they know I am right for them before they make an appointment to meet me?

I am quite explicit about who I am on my website; it details my background, my studies into Life Coaching and it has a (now quite dated) picture of me. But is this enough? And what if someone looking to find a coach to fit their needs has to spend hours trawling coaches websites to find a good match? Are they not likely to give in before they even start on a coaching journey?

I also make it quite clear to people I meet that they should take time to think about who they want to work with, maybe meet with a few coaches before making a commitment. I am not and have never been 'scared of competition'. I don't even see other coaches as competition because we are talking about human lives and we as coaches have a responsibility to our clients. We should offer choice and accept we may not always be the best choice for that individual. It is a financial commitment for people to work with a coach and this must be respected by those taking the money.

I always let my clients know my course is recognised by the ICF which is crucial in this line of work. At a time (not for long thankfully) where anyone can claim to be a coach, our clients should be able to make an informed decision about this based on qualifications. Many don't even question training in their lead up to finding a coach.

So, I want to finish by highlighting a website which brings all of this information together. Those looking for specific/niche help in a coach will be able to find it here. They can rest assured that qualifications count before being welcomed onto this site as a coach (mine are currently being verified but I should appear soon!). There is lots of choice with many coaches from many backgrounds. I also like the fact that fees are explicit. I for one am not keen to contact people offering services without the cost - what is there to hide?

The Life Coach Directory is a network of Life Coaches all based in the UK, each coach listed has had their qualifications and insurance checked thoroughly, so all visitors to the site can be assured of their professionalism. Visitors to the site can search by their county, town or postcode to help them find a Life Coach in their area.

The Life Coach Directory also has lots of information and advice on the areas life coaching can help with, including career, confidence, stress and work/life balance. This is a free an confidential service for all to use.

You can see my profile with the Life Coach Directory here Kelly Thacker - Lustforlife

Cant find time to read?

I love reading. I like to read a range of things; cooking magazines, self help journals, personal development books, fiction and more. I love talking about reading and referencing my thoughts and opinions from books that have struck a chord with me on some level.

However, these last few months have been particularly busy for me. I am juggling many different projects as well as continuing and growing the personal coaching side of my business. The other day I was struck by how little I had read this year. I have been given a highly recommended book to read which has sent me straight into a deep sleep three nights in a row after only a handful of pages. I was involved (or not as the case was) in a discussion about recently released books. I couldn't comment due to the lack of reading on my part. I have to admit to being a little embarrassed about this.

I imagine many people are in a similar boat to me; too busy to read during the day and too tired to read at night. I suddenly wasn't happy however with the solution being no books being read at all. So, I continued to engage in this conversation regarding books. One of the party involved may just have the answer. I was expecting it to be something that would create a hook for me, a new level of motivation, some vision that would somehow make me want to grab a book and read it from cover to cover. And came it did but much simpler than anything I could have figured out alone.

Audiobooks. Yes, simple but brilliant. A resource created for those who struggle to read. Well that was me. Not due to bad eyesight but lack of time and energy. And stop right now those thoughts of the elderly collecting their huge plastic encased tapes from the local library. I had those too. Having looked into it I found we have advanced hugely since those days and the internet provides vast amounts of new releases ready to be downloaded onto those modern gadgets; ipods and mp3's.

In a fast paced world there are still the resources to help us partake in the activities we wish, we just have to find them. And when we do? Pass them on.....

Good Company

I am sitting in a coffee shop, looking out of the window onto the spectacular view of Edinburgh Castle. I could sit here all day. As I take some deep breaths in to relax my body and mind, I partake in one of my favourite pastimes: people watching. I watch people out the window; couples strolling through Princess Street gardens, harassed shoppers partially sprinting in and out of shops, individuals wandering aimlessly in no direction at all. I watch people in the cafe; drinking their hot drinks followed by muffins of every flavour, tapping away on laptops (like I am), reading books, chatting with friends. I am however, most interested in those who choose to sit alone. The majority are.

What is it that makes some people relish their own company and come into an establishment like this one to spend time with themselves and some dread the thought of being alone even for a few minutes? I consider this as I sit looking around me. Those in company look like they are enjoying themselves, no doubt about that. They smile and chat and smile and look lively. But I can't help thinking there is a bit of effort required. Not that I am knocking hanging out with good friends, its something in life that I look forward to with great delight. However, on contrast to those facing an empty chair, there is a greater sense of relaxation and comfort. It is all a bit more natural and laid back. So, what is it that makes people decide to sit or stroll alone and have they sussed something in life that the others have not?

I try to practice and preach that time alone can sort a lot of things out. You have some quality thinking time to place some of those thoughts which would otherwise be buzzing around in your head. And even if you do no thinking at all, you are still grounding yourself and bringing things to a halt in ways you could not if you are always in other people's company. Being alone has massive benefits.

You should try this week to venture off on your own with no plans in mind and see where it takes you.

My husband is about to go on a walking holiday for a week by himself. The reaction from some is very interesting; people who cannot understand this and those who positively condone it. I am the latter and am relishing the time that this will leave me on my own too!

New '5 minute life coach' videos

I am trying a new concept in coaching. I have decided to make mini videos with inspiration, tools and tasks for you to think about and complete. These are just little snippets to keep you going and aren't replacing my sessions. Please rate them and send me feedback. Much appreciated. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/user/lustforlifecoaching

THE THOUGHT IS USUALLY WORSE THAN THE ACTUAL THING ITSELF

So, I have just returned from the gym at the time of writing this and as I was pumping iron, or sweating like an idiot, I got to thinking. I realised as I was striding on the cross training that I wasn't having such a lame time after all the huffing and puffing I had done earlier.

About three hours before I go to the gym, and this happens every time, I begin to tell those around me how awful it is that I HAVE to go. Everyone makes all the right noises, sighing with me, giving me the 'how bad it must be for you' face and generally feeling my pain. This throws fuel into the fire and just provides me with more reason to moan – I am getting the reaction I want.

But pounding it out in my trackies I think about how I am feeling now that I have made the short walk across the road from my work and undressed then dressed in the cold tiled dressing room. I am feeling okay. Actually, I am feeling rather good. Yes, I am sweaty and unattractive (I have never been bothered by this). Yes, I am getting progressively more physically tired. But I am rather perversely enjoying myself. I like feeling my blood pumping and my heart pounding. These are signs of health and although I could be fitter, I feel healthy. I have my ipod for great tunes and can destress from the day's work. I don't need to talk to anyone or explain myself. I am happily doing my own thing.

And afterwards? Even better. I feel like I am one step closer to achieving my ultimate fitness. I feel great about my motivation and the fact I forced myself to go to the gym. I feel far hungrier for my dinner and therefore, enjoy my food more. I feel vibrant and full of energy.

So, why is it the very next time I go I will, rather predictably, not look forward to it? It seems crazy when I look at the facts. That is because it IS crazy. If I enjoy it at the time and love the after effects then there is no reason not to be excited beforehand.

But I am living in a society where people don't like going to the gym. There are some people to whom this actually applies and they should find another way to get fit – there are hundreds. I get so swept up in the negative emotions surrounded by the gym and what it stands for that I genuinely believe I hate it. I don't and now that I can see this, I am going to change.

I have coached many clients who have similar feelings about other aspects of their lives. One woman had a huge problem with her time consumption over the weekend. This was mainly due to children's activities, clubs, parties etc. Her weekend was so filled with social events, she hated the thought of it becoming Saturday again. On further exploration, we found that actually, there were very few activities she didn' t like 'in the moment'. She told me she was dreading a meal out because it meant even less time at home. Thinking about what the meal meant, she quickly realised she loved going out for food and always enjoyed the event but was filled with anxiety at the thought. These feelings were not based on any reality. With this in mind she was able to relax and see each activity for what it truly was. She now loves Fridays!

Think about which things stress you out and try to understand why. Are your feelings based on any fact? Or do you usually enjoy the event? Try not to get caught up with how others around you react. Enjoy each part of your life for what it actually is. And if you really don't like it, change it.

Banish those Post Christmas Blues

We make new year's resolutions for all kinds of reasons; the start of a new year feels significant and should be marked with new guidelines and guidance, we feel let down by our efforts last year or simply that everyone else is making them and we feel obliged.

Whatever the reasons, it is highly likely that come February the 1st you will either have forgotten your pledge to yourself or have simply crumbled under the constant pressure of life. This leaves us feeling defeated, deflated and disappointed in ourselves. This is no way to banish those post Christmas blues.

We spend hours thinking of the 'ideal' gift to give, we write lists of who we must buy for, we write hundreds of cards needing hundreds of stamps, we go crazy stocking our cupboards with 'nibbly bits' and quirky drinking atire that we don't need and probably won't use. We invite people over for 'festive cheer' and spend more time with the family. We put lights up, we put trees up, we cover our lives in tinsel and a permanent smile. We dress up and go out and socialise with those we would never dream of socialising with in a million years but you do it because it is Christmas and anything goes at this time. We sing songs and eat cake and drink more than we like to. We stay up late and get up early and light the fire.

Then suddenly, we realise the gifts have all been opened, the food has been scoffed, the fire has gone out, the family have left and the tree needs to come down. Our lives which have been hanging at the top of the log flume in excitement for the last few months, have now reached the bottom when we realise we are wet and cold and the thrill is over. Then to top it all off, the credit card bill arrives through the post.

It is little wonder at this time, we choose to make some better choices for ourselves; no alchohol for the month of January, loose that stone you just put on eating turkey and chocolates, start going to the gym, stop going to the pub, pay off that debt. Why is it then, we find it almost impossible to stick to it?

'United Unique' (a partnership of 4 professionally trained life coaches) bring you the answer and just in the nick of time. They are hosting a 3 hour 'Mastering Your Future' workshop in Glasgow, Kelvingrove Museum Saturday 16th January 2010, 10am-1pm.

Their workshop is to help people understand what they really want from their future and how to make inspiring goals to keep them on track to achieve. Learn how to alter what you want in a way that excites and invigorates you everytime you think about it. Find the tools you need to grow your confidence in any situation so you can start this year with a bang. Understand your emotional side and get to know who you are so you can know how best to move forward. Learn positive ways to deal with your negative chatterbox and boost your ego with their positive self talk session.

All this for £35. You can book through their website at www.unitedunique.co.uk by sending the booking form via email to unitedunique4@gmail.com

If you think you want things to be different this year then this workshop is for you. Take control of your future, understand you mind, explore your emotions and get set for the best year of your life. You wont need mince pies and baubles to get you back to the top of that log flume. Just a zest for life and hunger to succeed.