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

Humph!! - so I might as well be positive

On returning to work this week after a wonderful visit to Ireland it was clearly perceptible how positive people are becoming. Whether it is the prospect of a change in Government or better economics, personally and in society in general or perhaps just because the sun is shining - well almost.

Ireland is a beautiful country and life passes at about 1/10th of the frenetic pace we follow in London. Surrounded by so much natural beauty one would think it is hard to get depressed.
One evening I was chatting with some locals over a couple of pints of the black stuff and we were comparing the two countries from a number of perspectives. They were interested to know how bad things were over here and I felt like they were seeking re-assurance that we were all in the same boat. As a result I have to say that my heart goes out to Walter in Dublin.
Well the craic ended up with a whimsical view from Sean "as long as we have our health and a pint in our hand it cannot be all bad".
And, you know, I think that is how we must view life and to engage with it in a way that provides for the reality or the metaphor of what Sean said.
Sláinte

David Pickering
Consultant

www.london.dalecarnegie.com

What challenging times?

Five months into the role...Wow, it feels like it went very quick.

I was told I started in one of the hardest times the business has ever faced. I wouldn't know, for me there's no benchmark to compare it with and also we had and still have some great opportunities.

Do you think having a positive attitude can affect your results? Do you think we can choose our attitude and set ourselves for success? I am convinced of that.

Worrying about the economic crisis and thinking people won't spend money on training was not on my agenda. I strongly believe in what we offer, it not only changes people's lives but more importantly it helps improve business results. That's the reason people and businesses see the value in investing in this type of development, even in these challenging times.

Have a positive outlook no matter what's happening around you, you'll see better results for yourself and for your business.

Corina Balaneanu

Sales Consultant

www.London.dalecarnegie.com