Friday, 24 August 2007

Keep It Simple review - it's not rocket science




Still reading the book in snippets. So the first chapter interested me, as it is titled "The things we do are definitely not rocket science". This appealed to me as this is a term I use on my website (http://www.newclarityforyou.com/) to explain coaching.

The author Fergus O'Connell of the book "simply brilliant) says it's all about common sense. in our complex high tech world we seem to have lost sight of this and tend to try and complicate things. He has a list of tools to use such as;

  • look for simple solutions

  • ask: "what would be the simplest thing to do here?"

  • "tell it like I'm a six year old"

  • KISS - keep it simple stupid!

I like the common sense approach as procrastination can come from trying to over complicate things and therefore not moving forward.

Another element is to chill. sounds a bit hippy and flower power but there's an element of truth here. To over complicate can lead to having too much information and getting in a tiss! This can lead to anxiety and being "unchilled". Taking the rough with the smooth can be a simpler way. Realising that there are good and bad days, highs and lows, positive negative. Instead of running away from the negatives, try riding the storm, because the positive by the law of nature has to come around.

My final thought is a concept i learnt during my Results training. It's about keeping out of the detail and keeping it simple. There are 4 stages apparently we can go through when completing a project;

  1. vision
  2. planning
  3. detail
  4. drama

The vision and planning are productive and energising. The danger zone is getting stuck with the detail (not keeping it simple!) and then the drama, which is the "what if this happens..", "what if i can't do .....).

the key is to keep up with the vision and the planning!

good luck!


Wednesday, 15 August 2007

Keep it Simple


Have been recommended a book called "Simply Brilliant by Fergus O'Connell" which I've just ordered from Amazon.

It's all about not over complicating things as this can lead to procrastination, which i can be the master of!

I'll update on interesting findings when it arrives.

To start on my new found simplicity I'm keep this entry short and "simple!!!"


Monday, 13 August 2007

Solution Focused Coaching = New Opportunities!


Seeing things in a different light is so important and refreshing. I coached a friend today who had just found out he might be loosing his job.

In true coaching style we explored his options and alternatives. One of the things he started with was "what if.....". As a coach this is key to how our brain works and spirals into the negative. "what if..." means we don't have all the information we need and our brain fills in the gaps. This is the danger zone, as our brains aren't always that clever and can lead us into panic.

what I admired about my friend was that when we explored the alternatives he was really positive and saw things in a different light. The possibility of giving up a current situation, was seen by him as a new avenue to explore and a new chance to meet people.

it taught me the power of coaching and exploring alternatives, which leads to solution focused ideas and positive thought.

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Tuesday, 7 August 2007

welcome to my blog


Welcome

New Clarity for You is a career transition coaching website that helps you gain clarity about what to do next in your career!

Stuck in a rut, want a change, want more, need someone to help you sort out the key steps to help you get there, then New Clarity for You helps you make that change.

The name was chosen because it is exactly what is says on the tin. It helps you gain clarity in your life. Coaching is not rocket science, at times it seems quite simple, but it is this simplicity that makes it work. As a coach I act as a facilitator to help you gain clarity of what you already know deep inside.



What I do is

I specialise in career transition coaching which helps people to find a job that is right for them.

I help people who are unhappy in their current career and want a change. Examples of some of the people I have helped are;

* people who are starting a new career and returning to education with many of my clients qualifying as Nurses and Midwives.
* people starting their own business and through coaching have worked out the steps they can take to improve their income.
* people who are unhappy in their current position and through coaching have got a promotion and got their buzz back.
* people who have no idea what they want and through coaching have gained clarity and insight into realising what it is they do want to do.

I have extensive experience in coaching people from a wide range of careers, particularly teachers and students. I work well with clients who need motivation and clarity in finding out what they want. I help clients gain this clarity about what they need to do, to find contentment and fulfilment in their working life.
My down to earth approach and genuine belief in the importance of loving your job, is what drives me. After years of being unhappy in my own career I value the courage it takes to seek out what will really makes us happy. I have a passion to share the fulfilment I have experienced in finding a job that I love, and the difference it has made to my life.

Who I am is;

I am a certified Life Coach with over 10 years experience of lecturing and managing in the Further Education Sector. Combined with extensive experience of training in the corporate sectors, my key roles have been to develop people and help them reach their goals.

My expertise in coaching is based on a strong Psychological knowledge after been Head of Psychology in a South London College for over 8 years.

I came to coaching during a genuine crossroads in my life. I didn't know what was wrong, I just knew something was not right. I was desperately looking to others for the answers. I completed a 3 months coaching programme and at the end I'd got a promotion, sorted out my relationship and entered the New York marathon! Coaching gave me the tools, to cope not just in those 3 months, but even today. It gave me a greater sense of who I am and what I want, and keeps me moving forward.

My style

Due to my Psychological expertise I am very flexible in my approach and believe in making the coaching fit the individual. I use a variety of coaching models that see fast change and ones that see lasting change as well. I use a mix of coaching techniques supported by psychological theory and disciplines. For example, the Cognitive Behavioural approach gets people to change their behaviour, by changing the way they think. For more about this, see my blog on ........


Models:



Clarity 1 = this model is a 3 month programme of 1 hour a week. The philosophy behind this is it takes 6 weeks to break a habit and 6 weeks to build a new lasting one. Exciting goals are set in the first session, that are then achieved over the 3 months. These goals are your dreams and make a huge difference to your life. Issues that have held you back before are explored and this results in powerful change. This is really effective for issues such as exploring career transitions.

Clarity 2 = This is for people who may have a clearer idea of what they want and are looking for fast solutions. This can normally be achieved in 1-3 sessions. This solution focused approach seeing clients leaving the first session with solutions they can move forward with.

Testimonials

"Before I started coaching I hated my job and used to dread going to work. I am now in a job that I love and I love going to work! Nicola helped me gain clarity about what I wanted and helped motivate me to get it." (M. Devlin, London)

"I achieved more in 3 months than I ever imagined possible. Other things I have tried have been short term fixes, the 3 month programme really helped me explore what was holding me back and made the changes possible" (T. Roberts, Leeds)

"Coaching has been an amazing experience for me, and has given me the tools that enable me to cope with anything life throws at me! Nicola thankyou for rescuing my 2005!" (J. Allen, Leeds)

"I was sick of going to others looking for the answers. The amount of money I had spent of clairvoyants/tarot cards was ridiculous. I wanted to find it for myself and get help to cope on my own. Nicola's coaching helped me gain confidence in my own decisions and I now trust myself." (S. Johnson, London)

"It's been life changing! It has a positive impact not just on the areas I wanted to work on but on all areas! Thank you" (M. Oakfield, USA)

"I have been dieting all my life and always starting new diets unsuccessfully. I've now lost the weight I've wanted and have a really healthy lifestyle. As a result of Nicola's energising coaching I've joined a running club and am about to run my first 5k race!" (J. Sommerville, Liverpool)

"I found Nicola's friendly and no-nonsense nature made a refreshing change from other life coaches. I recommend her highly to anyone wishing to break through something that has been holding them back in their life" (H. Selby, York)


A coaching blog to help you gain clarity about what coaching is and elements it can cover. Stuck in a rut, want a change, want more, need someone to help you sort out the key steps to help you get there, then New Clarity for You helps you make that change.