Coaching For Success - Life Coach Carole Ann Rice looks at the agony of the comfort zone

Ever heard yourself or a colleague or friend sigh “I just sort of drifted into this” when taking a rain check on their career and where they’re headed? Unless you were one of those totally weird kids who at the age of six who knew they wanted to be an accountant, the majority of us strayed from the path of our dreams of being astronauts, vets or famous novelists and, like rudderless ships, “drifted” into our current situations.

How or why we ended up so carelessly sleepwalking into something that could well keep us shackled and unhappy for over 40 years of our working lives, should be viewed as a wreckless mistake instead of a common norm. Studies have revealed that students with clear set goals of what they wanted in life were more likely to achieve them than those who drifted without focus at the whim of fate.

Little wonder then that the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in a survey published last year revealed that only 35% of employees actually engaged with or felt a passion for their work. Great chunks of lives spent biding time, making do and putting in the hours simply to get to retirement with some sort of pension and nest egg to make up for the lost years of youth, energy and passion.

Sorry to depress you but if this sounds like I could be reading your mail then it’s time to wake up and smell the nursing home.

Golden hand cuffs such as pension schemes and private health insurance do go some way to add security. But safety nets soon tie boulders around your dreams if your heart yearns for a high wire act or the trapeze when it comes to your career. Suddenly what was the comfort zone is feeling distinctly uncomfortable.

There are many ways in which coaching can help people re-engage with where they are now even if the position they hold only partially meets their intellectual capabilities. Taking more risks, learning to be more confident, devising and stategising new goals within the organization or within a sales context can breathe new life and new possibilities into an established role.

Often after you have been established within an organization for some years it can seem like the grass elsewhere is always more verdant and the need to move on becomes a burning issue. Sometimes the desire is simply to establish whether or not you would “make the grade” in another set up and this could lead to the out of the frying pan into the fire syndrome.

Coaching can help get to the heart of the discontent whether it is to truly pursue a long held dream and completely re-train and turn your life around or simply make more of where you are now, what you are doing and how to maximize your potential within that established framework. You go from drifting to directional, sleepwalking to nowhere to slip streaming success. You may not remember why you got to where you are but you will definitely know where you’re heading.

Carole Ann Rice is MD of The Real Coaching Co. Book a free 30 minute session now http://www.realcoachingco.com/

How to Make 2011 YOUR Best Business Year Yet!

What’s your Resolution for 2011?

Eat less? Exercise more?

Can we show YOU one that’s much more enjoyable? How about this for a resolution?.

‘I resolve to attract more clients, make more money and build a business I love, with less effort, more ease and FUN!

Don’t believe it? We can show you how.

Join Susan Tomlinson and Carole Ann Rice, Real Coaching Solutions, at our next Business Building Breakfast. A fresh way to grow your business, meet like-minded people and start your day with energy and enthusiasm.

Why wait until the New Year to plan for success? Find out......

How to Make 2011 YOUR Best Business Year Yet!

By attending this breakfast workshop you will learn....

Simple steps to grow your business in 2011 and beyond.

How to manage your mindset so that you attract more clients and make more money

Ways to remove obstacles and blocks to your ultimate success.

Your ticket price covers tea/coffee and continental pastries, includes the workshop, and the opportunity to mingle and make new contacts with other like-minded business folk, in the sublime surroundings of the elegant St Stephen’s Club.

For further details please contact Sarah Moorhouse sarah@realcoachingsolutions.co.uk
'"I have attended a couple of events organized by Real Coaching Solutions in the recent past. I had a great time meeting like minded people, who share the same passion - healthy and sustainable business.

I believe that Susan and her company have a fantastic package for small business owners - empathy, integrity and hands on advice, which helped me to crystalise my thoughts and ideas related to my relatively new business, quite effortlessly.

I would like to recommend Susan's services to others who are looking for innovative support and fresh ideas for their unique business."

Jana Stanton

http://www.westminsterhypnotherapy.eu/

Coach Carole Ann Rice looks at how to get unstuck from PVA – Pre Vacation Panic

You’ve made those guilty impulse buys in the soar away sales; packed a suitcase the size of the Empire State and triple checked the tickets, passport and money situation that it’s almost become pathology. So why are you feeling stuck in PVA – that’s Pre Vacation Panic?

Preparing to leave the workplace for a fortnight in a palm-fringed nirvana should have you kicking back and living in margherita time up until the departure lounge.  But instead a dread-like fear has entered the equation making you even question why you booked a holiday in the first place.

There’s so much to prepare, loose ends to tie up, people to inform and work to complete before you leave, and you just know you’re working yourself towards a fortnight on a drip in a foreign hospital.

Will they cope without you?  What if they cope too well in your absence?  Will or wont you be missed?   Will your clients move to a competitor?

 And what about that Machiavellian newcomer waiting in the shadows for the ideal time to “cover” for you while you’re away?  What if said wanna-be does a better job at it too, become the blue eyed Next Big Thing and you’re out of the picture before you can say P45?

No wonder we have to pay a king’s ransom to throw yourself to the furthest corner of the world to get away from it all.  We live and work in environments dominated by emails, voice mails, deadlines and targets and all with demands on our time that expect a five minute response and turnaround. 

Lunches are for working through, commuting is catch up on the laptop time and evenings are for preparing for the next day.   Weekends? What weekends?

 The idea of taking the Blackberry to the beach and a few work files to glance through on the plane is becoming increasingly attractive but that way madness lies.

Coaches often work with executives close to burn out working to the mistaken belief that they are indispensable.

 They are perhaps failing to trust their own value, have forgotten the meaning and purpose of what they’re doing and think that work/life balance means having a half a day at the weekend in which to sort the laundry.

Some self coaching questions at this time could include:

•    What can I do, dump or delegate in the time remaining?
•    What do I need to believe in order to leave work happy and contented for my holiday?
•    How have I created this situation of ……….
•    What unhelpful thoughts do I need to let go of here?
•    Is the fear real or my imagination?

None of us can ever truly predict the future and trusting that all will be well in our absence takes a leap of faith.  But with the right amount of preparation, trust and a reasonable assumption that the world wont come crashing down as soon as you wave “adios” to your colleagues, you can have the holiday you deserve and return refreshed to the situation you left a fortnight before.

Carole Ann Rice is MD of The Real Coaching Co.  Find out more at www.realcoachingco.com

Killer Ice-breakers – 7 questions to help you win friends and influence great business contacts by Life Coach

Who hasn’t felt their heart sink and their stomach churn when you can hear the roar of chatter behind the door as you approach a networking event?

It’s the nightmare scenario everyone faces as novice networkers. But there are a few things you need to bear in mind if you want to make these events purposeful instead of painful.

The main thing you need to do is use your ears. Your ears never get you in trouble! People love to talk about their selves, their passion about their business and who they are. Let them.
They’ll think you’re fascinating and charismatic and all you did was nod in the right place and more importantly, picked up clues about how to helpthem, connect them to others or form a strategic alliance.

Let them do all the work and let your ears do the detective work and this way you don’t leave the event exhaustedand feeling as if you’ve done nothing but hard sell yourself for hours.

Tuck one or two of these up your sleeve to ask:
1. What’s do you love about your job? (See their passion)Their faces should light up at this point and if they don’t that in itself is another clue as to who they are and what their business needs. People will immediately warm to you for asking this. Good ice breaker.
2. How did you get started in your line of work? (Their life story)You may get someone’s life history here especially if they are successful but again a good way of seeing what makes the person tick

3. What separates your business from your competitors? (What makes them different)This gives the other person permission to brag and show what they excel at. What their USP is. Nod, smile and look impressed. You’re learning new things all the time.
4. What’s changed in your industry over the last few years and what do you see happening in the future? (Their challenges) This allows the person to show off their knowledge and expertise. They know more about this subject than you but it also gives you an insight to their challenges from their observations and speculations. Use this information for follow up.

5. So, what's next for you? Where will you be in 5 years time - beach or boardroom? (Their Big Dream)Some want world domination, others a quiet life; a global empire or a “nice little living” but whatever it is the individual wants now you are privy to their Big Dream How could you help them get there? Who or what do you know that could help them (and benefit you?)
6. What’s one of the funniest things you’ve experienced in business life? (Relax them)A funny and memorable story will have you both giggling. Everyone adores someone who made them laugh, even if they themselves were the one to tell the funny story! It makes everyone feel more relaxed and it makes you memorable.
Have your own story up your sleeve and share it too.
7. What’s your ideal type of client/customer? (Who they are looking for)Celebrities, the rich, the poor, the needy, the pregnant, married, single, with children, high powered corporate, small business owner, international, local, CEO, entrepreneur? Why not pass on leads or offer referrals at this stage?
This implicitly tells them you’ll look out for them and could encourage reciprocation. Makes you looklike a good networker.
And finally don’t cross examine, be human and share your stories too where appropriate. Don’t try to sell and doexplore common ground. Introduce them to other networkers, even if you’ve only just met them too.Remember also that you’re not just here to socialize. Be goal-focused and have an intention from the event andif you can enjoy yourself.
There’s nothing more attractive than someone having fun and making it look effortless.
Want to book a free 30 minute coaching consultation with Carole Ann Rice ? Visit her at http://www.realcoachingco.com/

Stop People Pleasing – Now! – Life Coach Carole Ann Rice looks at how you can please yourself and keep your friends too.

Do you worry inordinately about what people think of you?


Would you rather bite your tongue, swallow back your true feelings and “go with the flow” than say what you really think? If you frequently feel misunderstood, overlooked or powerless in situations which, deep down you know are of your own making, then you could be one of life’s people pleasers.



You pride yourself on being “nice” of putting other’s needs before your own and yet sometimes it can feel as though nobody puts you first or understands what you really want. It may feel good at the time to fit in and be accommodating to others, perhaps it makes you feel loveable and needed. But being easy-going may mean you are treated as a dog’s body or a pushover.



People pleasers may on the surface desire harmony but underneath may be people riddled with self doubt, can often feel isolated and alone and someone who certainly is not their own best friend.



If this is you then you’ll recognize the signs. From going along to another party you’d rather avoid to lying sleepless in bed wishing you’d had the courage to say the things you really believed in.



One of my clients, a self-confessed people pleaser, said “when I am being nice I’m telling a lie” as he knew it was a cover-up for his real feelings which he didn’t respect enough to express.
If you can relate to this here are some coaching questions to ask yourself and some practical tips to try to go from people pleasing to pleased person:



Ask yourself:



· What am I really scared about people knowing about me?· Why am I trying to please people all the time? What do I get out of it?·





What is the cost of needing to be liked?·





What would it take to value myself more?·





What do I want from others?·





What do I need to trust in order for me to speak up for myself?



Practical tips to try today:



· Volunteer less





· Say “no” more often to small things and build your confidence gradually





· Have healthy boundaries with others





· See how people respect others who know and express their own mind





· “Get” that it’s entirely OK to have opinions and desires different from others.





· Dare to be true and authentic. Being you is entirely enough.



Worried about what people think about you? The bad news is that other people talk and think about you a lot less than you would imagine. They are far too occupied thinking about themselves. What is important is what you think of yourself, liking what know and truly accepting the good in that.



For more information or to book a free 30 minute coaching session visit Carole Ann at http://www.realcoachingco.com/

Not enough time? Always exhausted? Coach Carole Ann Rice reveals the Secrets of how to Work Smarter not Harder.

If you often sigh that there are not enough hours in the day or find yourself working later into your evenings and taking work home at weekends; it could be time to re-assess how you could do less but achieve more.

Today in the UK one in six people work over 60 hours a week.  Outsourcing our lives via nannies, cleaners, dog walkers or even hiring someone to sort our photo albums or visit ageing parents is increasingly becoming the norm.
Since when did this this frantic state of busyness become a “good” thing?  Having our private lives commercialized means we are increasingly becoming disconnected with our families, the seasons, our communities and even with our sense of self and spirituality.  Overwhelm is an all too common by-product as we feel out of control and disenfranchised from life.

The key to any successful person is not only managing time well but also factoring in the highly essential need to take time out to play and have fun.  Remember fun? 

This is as crucial to our success as any other element of our working lives.

This isn’t the rehearsal and do you want to say on your final day here on earth that you wished you’d spent more time at the office?

But the good news is that burn out doesn’t have to beckon.  You can create more, get your work finished on time, have a life and still feel energized – and all without a prescription, chocolate or chardonnay!
Here’s how.

1.    Zap Your Tolerations

Tolerations create small leaks of energy.  Have enough tolerations in your life and pretty soon you’ll be running on half a tank.  What might you be tolerating in your life?  Get a pen and walk around you house listing the things unfixed or annoying. You can do this in all areas of your life and then start working through the list and zap them.

Common tolerations include: a messy office or home, unfinished decorating, IT problems, thoughtless colleagues, no healthy food in the fridge, paperwork mountains, niggling health problems (toothache, insomnia etc)
Commit to zapping your energy leaks today.

2.    Manage your meetings.  Do you have to go to so many?  Would the minutes be enough for you to get the flavour of issues discussed? Question every meeting you are asked to attend. Try to organize quick and well paced conference calls instead.

3.    Plan your day.  Make a realistic list of the most important things you must achieve that day.  No more than 5 goals and focus only on them.  Delegate where you can.

4.    Group activities.  Schedule the most important tasks first then group remaining activities together such as phone calls, writing proposals, reviewing documents.

5.    Create supporting habits. We as humans are nothing but creatures of habit.  Are your habits supporting or sabotaging you?  Analyse how you work.  What do you avoid doing until last? Are you always over committing?  Is being routinely late acceptable?  Good habits include saying “no” more often, making time to plan and organize i.e. white diary space, doing the tough stuff first, taking small breaks.

6.    Simplify.  As you go through your working week make a note of systems, processes or communication that can be simplified or even eliminated.  Could you check emails on the on the hour instead of every minute?  Do you use an automated system for reminders and follow ups?

7.    Be a cool communicator.  Be specific in emails, phone calls and correspondence.  State times, requirements and deadlines to avoid email ping pong of questions bouncing back.  Be polite but professional on the phone; avoid lengthy chats about holidays, family and the flu.  Keep your communication friendly, clear and brief. You can save hours this way.

8.    Find role models or hire a coach. This is the fastest route to productivity.  If someone is several steps ahead of where you want to be seek them out and learn how they do it.  A coach also helps keep you on track and accountable. 

9.     Be responsibly selfish.  Don’t let other people’s needs, deadlines and work distract you from your own agenda.  Volunteer less.

10.    Avoid energy vampires.  We all know the sort of people who make your heart sink and leave you feeling depleted or anxious.  Keep contact to a minimum, lay down strong boundaries, don’t get into their “story” and make your communication clear.

On a final note, work can be rewarding and engaging but don’t let it become your master.  Time is a precious and the only resource we all have and once it’s gone it’s gone forever.  Use it wisely.

Why not book a free 30 minute session with Carole Ann? Visit www.realcoachingco.com

Five Steps to Raise Your Media Profile – by Coach and Writer Carole Ann Rice

As the one-time Fashion and Lifestyle Editor of the Birmingham Post I received six “thank you” bouquets in one week. I write this not to boast about my literary expertise but to share the story behind all those fabulous floral tributes.

They were sent to me from business owners, small, large or just by individuals that I had written about and featured on my pages.

The articles written had generated such an unprecedented upswing in business the featured individuals wanted to thank me and show me their gratitude for the increase in custom and, in some cases, the follow-on interest which lead to TV and radio coverage, getting yourself or your business featured in the press is a guaranteed way of not only getting more sales but of raising your profile, creating a competitive edge, gaining credibility and establishing you as an expert; if not the expert. Why not become a household name?

Journalists need good stories and news. It’s what fills their pages and makes their life easier for them. Could you or your business be the Next Big Thing the media need to know about? Does the world need to know what you have to offer?

The route to developing a media profile is not a complex one but one that needs some honing and consideration before you embark on the journey. Just like anything concerned with business building the results won’t happen overnight but with persistence and tenacity you will eventually get a return on the time and investment you put in.

Here are five starter points to help you set your compass to magnetize the media and considerably expand your business and personal potential.

• Be clear about your intention – Ask yourself what you would like press coverage to give you. Is it to inform, educate, establish or introduce yourself or your products or services? What do you want people to know about what you do? What is your offer and why would people want to read about you? Would you like to establish yourself as an expert in your field?

• Placing your story – where and what publication would your “story” fit into? Is it ideal for the business or lifestyle pages of your daily paper? Would it be best placed in the weekend supplements, the woman’s pages or new gadgets features? Don’t rule out specialist publications and periodicals; there are thousands out there, which could give you concentrated exposure to a specific target market. Finding a suitable publication in which to place you story is essential.

• Do your research – each day the nationals has different themed pages – careers, health, business, beauty, women, books etc – start to find out who edits the pages you want your story to appear in. The glossies work approximately 3 months ahead to plan seasonally and again check the themed pages and research who is responsible for editing them and directly contact them by email or telephone. This way you can start to compile a data base of contacts as you go.

• Have a compelling story – finding a story that the journalist will be interested in is the key. What sets you apart from others in your profession? Do you have case studies or clients willing to testify to your services? Identify your USP and don’t hold back in selling it. You need to explore your offer and give it a commercial twist. For example if you are a financial consultant could it be that you help people save money, become money magnets or know how to make passive incomes? Shout it loud and proud think – what would make my story interesting to others? Are you noticing current trends that you think the press would be interested in? E.g. you’ve seen a 50% upswing in your clients booking upmarket camping holidays.

• Look for hooks - Using current affairs or the latest news stories as a hook is also a useful way of developing an angle. For example money-saving tips in the current economy go down well; recycling, green issues and even the seasons can all provide a relevant peg.

Be creative and helpful. Don’t make the journalist have to think how they are going to use you – show them. Develop top tips, offer free samples or invite the reporter to personally try your services. Remember too that one press release sent out randomly may not bring the results you desire. But with persistence and ingenuity you will eventually see that harnessing the power of the press can really work for you and your business.

Carole Ann Rice is co--author of Find Your Dream Job (Marshall Cavendish £12.99) and is a life and leadership coach. Why not book a 30 minute free session with her now?

www.realcoachingco.com

Business Fast Track Coaching Intensive Workshop

Business Fast Track Coaching Intensive Workshop, 14 April 2010

An Exclusive Event for Coaches, Consultants and Small Business Owners

St Stephen's Club, Westminster, London

Carole Ann Rice and Susan Tomlinson, Real Coaching Solutions, are hosting a very small and private Live and In-Person 1-day Business Fast Track Coaching Intensive in the beautiful St Stephen’s Club, London, on 14 April, 2010.

If you are ready to take a big leap in your business in 2010 then join us for our one day Business Fast Track Coaching Intensive Workshop. We will be working with a very small number of motivated coaches, consultants and small business owners who are ready to learn new dynamic tools, tips and techniques to take away and put into practice immediately.

By attending this event you will:

Ensure a clear and focused vision for your future success

Generate new ideas for attracting clients and increasing your revenues

Learn new business models for delivering your products and services,

And find more time for your life.

As a bonus you will receive a copy of our guide to Boost Your Business Success in 2010 which takes you through the 6 key steps to grow your business. Plus we will share with you our unique list of contacts and resources.

Based on our own knowledge and experience of building and developing businesses we will focus on:

Creating a powerful, compelling vision for 2010 - do you have a vision for your business which you feel passionate about? Find out how developing your vision can transform your business into a unique proposition, becoming the driving force for all actions that create business growth

One-on-one coaching “hot seats” with Carole Ann and Susan to identify the strategies to boost your revenues and develop your business model. You will have an opportunity to be coached on any issue you want help with in your business.

Creating a plan to overcome obstacles - identify what may stop you achieving your results and learn practical strategies to confidently handle objections, self doubt, set backs and mistakes.

Marketing approaches to attract more clients consistently- learn our own tried and tested approaches to attracting rather than chasing clients, which have helped us to create a full practice of coaching and consulting clients. Find out how to consistently fill your marketing pipeline using easy to set up systems.

Increasing your visibility and how to master the media - step by step strategies to help you increase your visibility, credibility and expertise to become the 'go to' person in your field. Being quoted in the media can raise your profile and give you a competitive edge. We will share 5 steps to help you magnetise the media and expand your business potential.

Support, masterminding, networking, sharing resources and potential collaborations - in a supportive environment with a small group of likeminded business owners you will be inspired with new ideas and approaches.

We look forward to you joining us for this Unique Business Fast Track Coaching Intensive Programme – taking you and your business to the next level.

Save £300 by Investing in the Business Fast Track Coaching Intensive Programme Today!

Total Value £550

Book here http://businessfasttrackcoaching.eventbrite.com/