SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE ONWARDS & UPWARDS

February 2005

Welcome to February's issue of Onwards and Upwards.

Last week, I attended an intensive seven-day course run by NLP World in Brighton. What an experience! I'm still reeling from the enormity of everything I learned and the worlds of possibility that opened up to me. As well as learning a whole gamut of new techniques that will revolutionise my coaching skills, I achieved much more than I ever would have thought possible towards my own personal development. For more information about NLP World and their courses, see below. I will shortly be adding details about the new services I can now offer to my website, so do check in soon!

Watching the snow fall onto the daffodils brave enough to make an early appearance, I am eagerly anticipating the onset of spring. For me, this is the true start of the New Year - seeing the first buds peeping out is a reminder of 2005's bursting potential. What will your flower look like?

Have a great month!

Claire Bradford

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eco-friendly coaching!
Ecology has always been a subject close to my heart. Last month, I touched upon our global responsibility for the future of our planet. As I understand it, this means making sure that our individual actions, indeed our very existence, impact as little as is practically possible on the environment. Simple things, such as using eco- friendly washing products, not taking the car on short trips, recycling and composting our waste and picking up litter are all ways we can help to reduce our carbon footprint (see the Centre for Alternative Technology to calculate yours).

Last week, on my Practitioner's training, I learned a new slant on the definition for the word ecology. In NLP, ecology is the study of consequences - the results of any change that occurs. Just as we (hopefully!) are concerned about the effects of our actions on the natural environment, we should also look at the effects of our actions and decisions on our social environment and within ourselves.

Making decisions based on personal or social ecology can sometimes be obvious: a sporty two-seater won't work as a family car, however sexy it looks in the showroom. Not every decision is so clear-cut though. I often hear clients struggling with a goal they have set themselves which may look good on paper but, after a bit of digging, turns out to be incongruent with their values or beliefs. In short, their goal is not ecological for them.

If you find yourself struggling to manifest a goal you have set yourself, try this exercise* to discover the hidden fears, beliefs and values that might be holding you back: write down all the reasons why you DON'T want that goal in your life. Let your darkest thoughts surrounding your goal reveal themselves on paper and keep writing until you can't come up with any more. These are some of the fears, beliefs and consequences surrounding your goal or decision and they might include the one(s) that are holding you back. Once they are all out in the open, you may find some issues you need to work through before you are ready to achieve your target. Reframing or redefining your goal to address the conflicting value or belief could also work to integrate the goal with your personal ecology. Of course, working with me as your coach and NLP practitioner would help you enormously here, but you knew that already, didn't you? ;-)

*with thanks to Lisa Wynn and associates

Read more about personal coaching services...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Relocation: Defining your identity
The above exercise is perfect for people considering moving. If you are at the stage of just considering whether relocation is for you, you might find the follow exercise a little more manageable. The idea is to take notice of what is important to you in your daily life (some things get into such a routine that we can take them for granted until they are no longer available to us) so that you have clear criteria for what you need in your new location. Every day for a week, note down what you did, what you thought about it and what, if anything, you would like to change about it. Here are some examples:

Sunday: To church. I love being part of a real community. I wish there were more opportunities to mix with such a wide variety of people in other contexts.

Wednesday: At the gym. A fab step aerobics class! Think I'd go mad if I didn't have this facility so close.

Thursday: Took the dog for a walk. Trudging round the block. It would be great if there were somewhere close I could take him off the lead and let him run.

Write down all your thoughts as they occur to you - don't edit them. Highlight anything that comes up that you consider to be key to your identity. Keep this list - we'll be working further on it next month!

More about relocation coaching...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This month, I'm crazy about...
...NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), Time Line Therapy and Hypnotherapy because they are all new skills that I can offer to my clients now courtesy of the accelerated seven-day practitioner course from NLP World.

I've long been a believer in trusting the unconscious mind but had never realised just how fundamental its effects can be on our goals, decisions and actions, both ambitious and everyday. To paraphrase Terry Elston, NLP World's director, the conscious mind is captain of the ship and the unconscious mind is the crew, the engine and the ship itself. It doesn't take much to realise how our apparent 'failures' are a result of a conscious decision in conflict with the values of the unconscious mind sparking a mutiny! NLP, TLT and Hypnotherapy all work together with the unconscious mind and the results are astounding and quick.

If you would like to experience the rollercoaster of learning that is the NLP World Practitioner's course, click on the link below. They also offer NLP weekends, for those who would like to know more about NLP but don't want to commit to a week.

And, of course, if you want to experience the power NLP, TLT and Hypnotherapy can have on your life and decisions, call me to arrange a consultation session.

Email NLP World for more info on the 7-day NLP Practioner Course

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Straightforward Coaching

Claire Bradford, of Straightforward Coaching, is a life coach who specialises in relocation and weight loss. For a complimentary consultation session, giving you the opportunity to experience coaching and decide whether it is right for you, please contact me.


SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE ONWARDS & UPWARDS

To unsubscribe, please click here