Always look on the bright side of life!

The volcanic ash fallout obliterated many people’s hopes of travel, either for business or for a well earned holiday. Suffice to say I was affected by this. My dream trip to the Bahama’s was suddenly pie in the sky as the air space closed and passengers were stuck in foreign countries looking for ingenious ways to get home.

To say I was disappointed was an understatement but there was nothing I could really do about it, other than be grateful that I wasn’t waiting hours at an airport desperately trying to get home. The key to this was acceptance. Accepting what had happened and then trying to make the best out of a bad situation. After some calls to hotels, I was all geared up for a holiday in Cornwall where I would still be able to take some time out and relax.

So what do you do when things just don’t go to plan? Here are five tips that may help.:

• Acceptance – this really is the key to most things in life...once you have accepted the situation then your mind is free to move on to look at your options


• Avoid dwelling on the situation – by churning the disappointment over and over I wouldn’t gain anything other than the continued feeling of disappointment


• Be willing to compromise – a trip in the UK wasn’t what I had looked forward to, but it was still a holiday


• Focus on the positive – the fact that I wasn’t stranded in a country without somewhere to stay and little money was a relief


• Keep your sense of humour – a little light-heartedness goes along way and really helps your body fight stress and anxiety

Needless to say the break was wonderful and although it wasn’t the Bahama’s I was grateful I could still get away.

Helen Mills
Financial Controller

www.London.dalecarnegie.com

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

During last week's first session of the 12 week Dale Carnegie Course our class members were asked 'what do you expect from the trainer and the team leaders?' A resounding Acceptance came back! They awakened in me that for human beings to pour out their creativity and their not yet used infinite capacities, and to achieve the business results and outcomes they desire, a sacred space of acceptance of who we are is at the core. Who we are is already complete and perfect; our Selves are waiting for us to let it out! And the Dale Carnegie Corporation has been providing this environment for nearly 100 years!

Today, please, turn to your colleague, your customer, your boss, your CEO, your vendor, your competitor, your friend, your lover, your best friend, your spouse, your child or a new person and do one thing today: listen from nothing. Listen to them with your heart and ask them what is it like being you? And listen. This is Acceptance :)

Lizzie Thomas

Trainer

www.london.dalecarnegie.com

Live a mellow world of acceptance

Life has a wonderful way of throwing us challenges which are both beautiful and detrimental to our being at peace with ourselves or others. How we handle these everyday situations is key to our personal success and self belief. I recently met a gentleman from Japan who emanates a being of calmness who has accepted life for what it is. He is a 9th DAN (ranking) Black Belt Karate Master from Okinawa. He travels the world visiting different countries where his Karate Dojo's (training rooms) have been set up.

When visiting my sons Dojo he took time out to speak with me personally about why he enjoys travelling and mentoring his instructors and students alike. His teachings are based not just on technical abilities but on who his students are as people. Learning to accept that all emotions are in their own way beautiful, learning becomes even more powerful.

When he moves, he glides. When he speaks, there is silence. When he listens, there is understanding.

"Everything in life that we really accept undergoes a change" Katherine Mansfield. British Author (1888- 1923)

Today, do something for yourself and learn that acceptance allows you to see beauty, enjoy the transition to a more fulfilling and mellow life.

Frank Steggall

Consultant

www.London.dalecarnegie.com