What's your motivation?

I don’t know about you but I love setting myself little goals to complete (or not so little if you include a house renovation). Sometimes it’s about saving money for that holiday, losing weight to get into THAT dress or collecting £xxx from our customers per month.

But sometimes we may falter along the way and find that we don’t want to refuse that big piece of chocolate cake at the restaurant, or simply that we have lost our motivation.

So here are some tips to keep on going if you are finding it tough:

Once you’ve set yourself a deadline make a conscious effort to review your progress a third of the way through or sooner if possible. Look at how it’s going and if there is anything you are struggling with.

Look at what isn’t working and why?

Are there any patterns to why it isn’t working?

Make a small change to what you are doing to get yourself back on track. For instance if you aren’t saving up for that holiday as quickly as you would like is there anything else you can cut back on to save money? If your customers are not paying as quickly as they promised, can you get the sales team involved in talking to the client?

Don’t give up! If you want to get into THAT dress, go look at it, imagine yourself in it. If you want to go on holiday, imagine yourself lying on that sunlounger or taking in the city’s delights. And if you have a project at work that isn’t going as smoothly as you would like, talk to your boss and explain your situation. Ask for help and assistance to get back on track. Discuss the deadline and see if it’s realistic.

Once you made some changes, set yourself another review date, preferably half way through, to see if the changes you have made are working. And when you have reached that goal, don’t forget to reward yourself, even if it’s a cup of tea with a slice of cake.

Helen Mills

Run Clown Run!

3 months ago I signed up to take on what seemed like the challenge of a life time, to run 6 miles in aid of Sports Relief. My main aim for doing so was to improve on my health in time for the summer, whilst raising money for a good cause.

The past 3 months have been fall of temptations and procrastinations to do anything but the gym and there have been times when, let’s say, I have let the odd one get the better of me. However with the motivation of helping others, as well as the thought of letting all my sponsors down, I would head down to the gym.

On a gorgeous Sunday 25th March, dressed as a clown and deprived of an hours sleep thanks to the clocks going forward, I joined the first leg of runners at 10:15 to take the challenge on. It was a great atmosphere, with people of all ages running/walking/hopping/skipping for 1, 3 or 6 miles around The Mall – Buckingham Palace. Now in my leg, there were not many people dressed up and being the only clown it was very easy to spot me, so much so I gained a lot of attention from the supporters including the children, one of which asked for my photo as I run past him. I managed to run most of the way and probably could have completed the run a lot quicker if I wasn’t too busy looking at the celebs; I didn’t even stop to talk to my family or fellow runners. The run its self was the best run I have had, and without all the practice I would not have managed to complete the run within my target of 1 hour, or to be a head of my personal target ready for the summer holidays.

I have learnt a lot the past few months, with the biggest being if you want to achieve a goal which looks unachievable set yourself smaller goals which will help you to go beyond your target.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my supporters for their support and motivation over the past 3 months.

Stephanie Fletcher

Wheres The Motivation?

It was two weeks ago, on a wet and cold Thursday evening (a bit like today), and I had just fought my way through rush hour, and I sat on the sofa, with a cup of tea watching Come Dine With With Me, for what was suppose to be a 5 minute rest, before I went to the gym.



5 minutes slowly turned into 10 then into 20 minutes, and before long I had lost all motivation to go. I sat there an hour later, regretting not going straight from work, as then I would not have had the temptation of saying “I will make up for it tomorrow” or “it’s too cold to go back outside”. My mother didn’t help by convincing me that it is too cold outside, and that I had had a long day either.


We were watching BBC Ones The One Show, when Fern Cotton and Gary Lineker did an advert for run 1 mile for Sports Relief on 25th March. It was then, I got my motivation! Seeing and hearing how my contribution to running a mile would help raise money for charities all over the UK and the World, and how it has bought families, communities the young and the old together has inspired me. I instantly logged on on-line to sign up, where I then had the dilemma of running, 1, 3 or 6 miles. I thought to myself that 1 mile would be a “walk in the park”, 3 miles would be achievable, but 6 miles would be a challenge for someone who was at her peak 10 years ago, and whom needs to reach her target by May.


2 weeks on, I am training 4/5 times a week to complete my first ever charity run, and finish the 6 miles in an hour. So far, it’s going well, I have inspired another fellow “Get Fit” lady, who has seen me on numerous occasions in the gym to enter, as well as the men of Dale Carnegie London, and I have even broken my record by 2 minutes, but it hasn’t been easy. I am a very sociable person, and I can easily be persuaded into activities which are not fit related, but my motivation is at an all time high so I have actually said no, on the odd occasion. I have been inspired to not only reach my own personal goals, but hopefully help to achieve others along my way too. It’s not always about reaching your targets, but how you achieve them, and trying to keep motivated as you do so. To achieve my target, I will be doing a range of events, including one which will be a big test to me……..a day’s silence!! If I can achieve that, then I can achieve anything, and so can you.





Stephanie Fletcher

Happy New Year

Well it’s 2012 and what will the year bring..... What goals and dreams will be achieved?

Promotion within the business
More bonuses
New place to live
New relationships
??????

I was inspired last night to listen to an enthusiastic group of people setting their goals and visions for the year ahead at the first session of the Skills for Success Course at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel.

The group talked about the importance of setting goals and the power of leading an intentional life. As you think about the year ahead, as many of us do at this time, an effective way to make sure we achieve our goals is to write down a vision for 2012. If you choose to take some time out today to do that here are a few simple tips to writing an effective ‘Vision & Goal Statement’
Write in the Present tense – start your vision with the words “It is (Pick a date) and I am ...... By locking in on a set date and writing as though things are already happening it makes it real for us and easier to remember where it is we want to get to.

Write using Powerful language – the words you write should stir your enthusiasm and if when you read it back you’re excited about what you read and looking forward to making it happen you’re on the right track.

Write in Positive language – Talk about things you will be doing rather than things you won’t. For example rather than saying ‘I won’t be stressed and worried at work when something goes wrong’ try something like ..... ‘I’ll be happy and relaxed when problems come up at work and deal with them effectively.’ The reason behind this is our brains are generally more inspired by positives than negatives .... give it a try!

We encourage the clients we work with to set goals for themselves and their businesses and love helping people achieve things that they didn’t think was possible.

We wish you every success in achieving your goals and dreams in 2012. Anything we can do to help give us a call or come along to one of our free sessions.

David Anderson
Managing Director

How to deal with difficult people? What if he is your boss?

You know these people that think they are always right? People who cut you off before you finish your talk, because they know the words you are going to say.
I had to work with this person for many years as a key colleague at my organisation.

Looking at things from the other way around, I felt that if I left him to treat me like this, he would remain behaving that way, or even doing it more and more. On the other side, if I confronted him, then we could end up in a big fight where nobody wins. What would you do if this person was your boss? And quitting is not an option!

After some years, I realized that there are more than the two options of to fight or fly. There are other options like to understand that the reason this person is behaving in this way, is because it’s the only way he knows. Think about! He is doing his best to deal with this issue and, more than often they are treating us like that because they honestly think it will be in our best interest. They think this is the best way to make us put into action.

Be honest, we can’t blame someone for something that we are already doing as well. When we strongly believe in something, we become defensive to protect our ideas such as where our company should be going, the education of our kids, where we should live, etc.

My message: Be compassionate, try honestly to see things from the other person’s point of view and be sympathetic with the other person’s ideas and desires. This is the way that we will make them feel more comfortable with us (less aggressive / defensive) and opening channels of communication. This will allow you to get their will and achieve your goals.

Merry Christmas & A Happy New year

Jose Bort

Never give up your dreams

Image courtesy of The Big Issue

I have been known in the past to talk about Billie The Big Issue Seller, mainly because personally I find her extremely inspiring.

From the time I have known her – about 8 or 9 years – she has met Boris Johnson, The Prime Minister (and been inside Number 10 Downing Street), appeared on Radio London talking about the Night Walk, had numerous articles written about her, the latest one being in Time Out Magazine a few months ago and is somewhat of a celebrity in her own right on the corner of Cranbourn Street and St Martin’s Lane.

The reason for me talking about her once again is because in less than two months time she will be employed and helping people who are in need of drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

Just over a year ago we stood on her pitch chatting about the winter weather and how cold it was – I think at that point snow had fallen in London. She told me that she was worried about being out in the cold in the mornings as her health is not too good due to the years of abuse she put her body through. She just didn’t want to do it anymore. As we were chatting we got on to the subject of working with people who needed help to conquer their drug and alcohol addictions and that she would be perfect for the role. It was something I knew at the time Billie would be good at as she has a real way with people. I will never forget how she looked out for me, hugged me and listened to me when my father was going through terminal cancer. She was amazing.

It was Billie’s dream and one that she held on to.

A few months ago her long term relationship ended and she was almost forced back on the streets again. It’s the only time I have ever seen Billie lost and quiet (you can hear her cheery voice from a good distance). She was scared as she didn’t want to go down that road again. Her customers rallied round and gave back to Billie what she had given to them in all the years she was on that corner. We gave her encouragement, towels, bed linen, curtains....customers looked after her dog when she couldn’t have her and they even gave her money to see her through whilst she was unable to work in order to sit at the council and beg for somewhere to stay. She was given emergency accommodation and started to get back on her feet.

Image courtesy of the London Housing Trust

It was at this accommodation that she met the landlord who helped house people with drug and alcohol problems and they saw her in action. Saw how she dealt with people. And how she really understood them as she had been there. She didn’t judge, but listened.

Around that time Billie started taking days off from her pitch, which is rare for her and it turns out that she was put on a course to become a drug and alcohol rehabilitation counsellor so she could do this properly. They loved her so much and admired how she helped people that they offered her a job. She has her own office, computer and above all respect.

So as from the end of January, Billie will be starting a new phase in her life. With everything she has been through – and from what I have read, she has been through a lot – she deserves to have this chance. She will be missed on the corner as she is more of a friend than a Big Issue Seller, but I am over the moon that she is doing what she loves especially as she told me that she was made to do this job.

And it goes to prove that when you have a dream, a goal, an ambition, never let it go, hold on to it and take little steps to make it happen. Grasp opportunities and say out loud what you want. Your dream can come true too!

You can read Billy's story here
Helen Mills

It feels like Spring!

The sun is shining, the temperature has reached 17 degrees and the flowers are blooming...it’s finally feeling like spring!

It’s amazing what a little bit of sun can do to your mood, it puts a smile on your face when you get up and makes you feel optimistic about the day ahead. After the cold, snow and grey of the last few months it finally feels like things are changing and that anything is possible. The sun always helps to lift my spirits and make me feel happy.

‘The world always looks brighter from behind a smile’ Anonymous

With spring comes new beginnings, so what better time is there to take another look at your news years goals or even to set some new goals.

1)First look at what you have already achieved this year. You may not have reached all your goals but I bet you have done more than you first thought. Write down what you already done this year and this will give you a boost for achieving your next set of goals.

2)Goals are not just limited to your career. You can set goals in any area of your life, goals typically fall in to the following categories – family, social, financial, career, health, spiritual, mental state and community.

3)Make sure that as well as concentrating on what you want you also look at what you are becoming. Setting self-improvement goals will allow you to accomplish your goals more quickly and effortlessly.

4)Share your goals with those around you so that they can support you and assist you in reaching your vision.

Achieving your goals will probably involve time and effort but make sure you have fun while you are doing it and wear a smile on your face. Enjoy the sunshine!

Sophie Whittall
Marketing & Admin Co-ordinator

http://www.london.dalecarnegie.com/

Reaching Milestones

What is it about turning another year older that makes us think about things a little differently? As you might guess I write this having just celebrated my birthday!

It was a few years ago when I turned 30 that birthdays started to have a little more significance and made me think differently. It was probably because I'd always had in my mind a number of things that I wanted to have achieved by the time I reached that milestone age it was the usual things based around Career, Property, Friends & Relationship. I'm pleased to say that 30 came and went without much drama .... I was content with where I was and what I'd achieved. Four years later I still find myself reflecting on what the year has brought and what the year ahead will bring. It's dangerous turning a year older as it causes us to evaluate what we've accomplished. It won't surprise you that working in the business that I do I'm a believer in setting goals, working with individuals and organisations asking them on a daily basis what is it they want to achieve and by when, you can't help a little bit rubbing off on yourself.

If I look at the goals that I've set for myself in this past year I've achieved about 70% of what I hoped to and on reflection I'm delighted with that. A few years ago I might have beaten myself up about what hasn't happened yet, what hasn't been achieved and focused on that missing 30%. I've heard the argument many times of people not setting goals for fear of disappointment when they don't hit them, If running a business through a recession has taught me one thing it is how important it is to focus on our successes as we pass each mile stone as I know that is what will take us to the next goal. That said it is I believe important to evaluate goals and see how they can be set again or adapted to fit our new circumstance. In business and in life we don't always set achievable goals .... on reflection perhaps a goal to learn more about wine in this past year and develop a flat stomach were not two goals that should have been set in the same year..... You guessed right .... The Wine Won.

As I'm writing this Blog I also have a document open called 'Goals for 2011' I'm sitting on a plane on my way to a meeting in Denmark with other managers from the Dale Carnegie business. One of the things that I look forward to most about these meetings is as well as getting new ideas from my colleagues it causes me to set goals for the months ahead and reflect on what has been achieved in the past business quarter. By the end of the day tomorrow I know that I will have a document full of new ideas and things I want to achieve.

If you'd like to find out more about setting goals, building a vision and making sure that as you cross that next mile stone; whether it be a Birthday, New Year or Business Quarter that you are happy with what you've achieved then come and join us for free at the first session of the next Dale Carnegie Course on either the 1st of March or the 4th of May. By the end of the evening you'll have new goals and breakthroughs in place.

Give us a call to discuss your goals or book your place.

David Anderson
Managing Director
http://www.london.dalecarnegie.com/

Creating and Achieving Breakthrough Goals

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www.London.dalecarnegie.com