As the world looks on at the UK election results and what happens next remember that the outcome is actually very clear… YOU are the Prime Minister.
Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading coach, motivational speaker and author of The Gift of Inner Success. His clients include entertainers, enterpreneurs and organisations. He helps people find fulfilment in all areas of their lives from within.He regular speaks on life, work and relationship issues in the media - inc appearances on ITV News and BBC Breakfast
This week a report indicated that up to one in twelve people in London alone may lose their jobs in the next year or so the light of the economic downturn. Thousands in the banking, finance and construction have lost their jobs already. Redundancy, whoever it affeacts can be a devasting. It can be a huge opportunity for reinvention and to become who you are. The key is to ensure that you have the mindset to turn setback into an opportunity.
I coach many people who have been or are facing redundancy. Sometimes I’m approach by companies to provide outplacement coaching. Ten years ago I myself was made redundant after 10 years. Whilst it was difficult, it was the birthplace of me pursuing my dream of being a singer/performer … and then that leaad me to become the coach / speaker I am now.
I am not alone. 90% of the people I meet when I run workshops say that in reflection redundancy is the best thing that has happened to them. Very often the careers we fall into have been such based on what others wanted us to do or what we feel that we should do, rather than that we want.
If you have lost your job or are facing it, here is an opportunity for you to explore and pursue what you truly want to do. Here are my tips to help you on your way.
Rasheed Top Ten Tips… from Redundancy to Reinvention
1. Give yourself the time and space time to be, breathe, reflect and even grieve.
2. Find out exactly what the redundancy or restructure will mean and what the options / severence entails.
3. Seek support: including from close friends and loved ones - and from professionals in / beyond work who can help.
4. Take your time: to consider what you really want to do next in your life and career and follow your heart.
5. Practicals: Brush up your CV and your interview skills, identify all your strengths and skills. Ensure you stand out.
6. Get hold of my ‘Moving ahead in your career’ free guide - visit my resources page it will help you focus on what you want in a job
7. Write a list of all the people you know who can help you (inc contacts, friends, former colleagues and who they know)
8. When applying for jobs: keep your spoken/ written correspondence clear, crisp, concise and captivating.
9. Spread the net: include internet, networking, agencies, contacts as well as newspapers for your job search
10. Tell people: You probably know 200 people or more tell them what you’re looking for…together you may find it…
It’s a small world
Above all believe in yourself and know, build from and celebrate your strengths.
If redundancy or the treat of it is affecting you - or if you’re considering your next steps - then you may find the ‘moving ahead in your career’ free article in my resources page useful. You can download this straight away of this by registering for me free newsletter.
Best wishes, Rasheed
Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading life coach, motivational speaker and business / corporate coach.
Just a quick reminder: in all the excitment of recent world events, you may have forgetten that you are in fact the President of the United States of Yourself. Have a nice day.
Yesterday was Remembrance Sunday and tomorrow 11.11.2008 marks the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
Around the world Heads of State have and will lead commemoration services. Silence to honour those who lost their lives in the Great War, World War II and all wars will be held at war memorials, places of worship, in organisations and beyond.
The invitation of all this is that we move from war to peace. But how much is it that we have learned from the past? How much have we learned from the world’s part and your own past?
As long as there is conflict in our mind and division between people there is little hope for peace. But by spending a little time looking at what it is that give cause to ALL conflict there is a chance that we can move to peace in our mind, in our lives, in our relationships, communities and globally.
Conflict emerges as soon as we forget our innate connection to ourselves and one another. As soon as we forget we are one people and one world. It emerges when we tie ourselves to dogma, division, distinction.
Peace in the world becomes possible as soon as you and I arrive at ‘peace of mind’. Peace of mind emerges when we see the whole rather than pieces. It is possible when in every moment we remember we are interconnected, interlated, interdependent. One and all.
Peace.
Rasheed Ogunlaru is a motivational speaker, coach and author of The Gift of Inner Success
Today the United States wakes up to a new President elect in Barack Obama.
Across the world the headlines, airwaves and websites are full of jubilation, expectation, speculation and evaluation of what that means to world affairs, Americans and those around the world enthused and inspired by the events.
The reminder is that YOU are the president of your life and your world. That is the case and will always be the case. You may often lose sight of it or feel that it is not the case but it is. The invitation to you is to embrace your world.
To me as a life coach and motivational speaker what has happened in the U.S is the invitation and realisation that in fact we are all inter-related, interdependent. This is quite literally and metophorically what has unfolded consciously and subconciously. And from this space you and your world can merge.
All the that divides human kind is all drawn out in the mind. The invitation is to move beyond by moving back into the heart and embracing yourself and life as it is…in all it’s magic, majesty, complexity, simplicity, difficult, change and mystery.
Enjoy your term.
Rasheed Ogunlaru is a life coach, business coach and motivational speaker and author of The Gift of Inner Success
Yesterday I in my November Newsletter I wrote about change.
Change is the word on so many people’s lips at the moment. Not least in the United States where today the country goes to the polls. The lead candidate Barrack Obama has forged his presidential ticket around change.
But what about change in your life. What is your relationship to change? Do you fight it or embrace it? We often forget that life is change. The world, seasons, time and all people change. It is the very nature of the material world wee live in.
But too often we leave change in the lands of our leaders: political, business and community. Whereas in fact true change can only happen in the hearts and minds of ourselves. Gandhi said it all when he said ‘we must be the change we wish’ to see in the world’.
Whatever may happen on the world politcial scene, as far as your life goes, the invitation for you is to personify and embody the world it is that you wish to live in. For we shape our worlds with out outset, our mindsets and our behaviour. Have a nice day.
October marks Black History Month. As a speaker it’s a time where I’m asked to give a number of talks and workshops. Today and tomorrow and I will be speaking at two events to mark the month. In my talks my focus my very much on the here and now - and YOUR life. Too often we learn too little from history or remain overshadowed by the past and fearful of the future. The focus has to be on the here and now.
Of course there should be learning from histoy. Of course we should be mindful of tomorrow. But make no mistake that the only way to create to create tomorrow is to build it today. The only way to make the most of history is to take the learning right now.
It is the same in our everyday lives. Far to often we project our yesterdays into our tomorrows all the while overlooking the only thing that we actually have right now. I invite you right now to look at his story or her story but at your story and where it is that you are right now.
Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading life coach, speaker and business coach. He is also author of an inspiring range of books, CDs and MP3s including ‘Become who you are’.
Over the last few weeks there has been increasing concern about the domestic and world economic outlook. The financial markets, after years general growth, are slumping.
I remember as a child studying economics and the nature of risk and opportunity, boom and bust. I also remember finding economics rather abstract as it was all based on chance, confidence…and money; a material construct.
Our day to day lives is much the same. People experience ups and down in their moods, in their careers, relationships and fortunes. Our confidence is also often just as volatile.
The ‘problem’ is that we live dualistically: seeking pleasure and avoiding pain. Seeking sun and avoiding rain. Seeking happiness and avoiding unhappiness. In fact but both are two sides of the same coin. One is directly related to the other. Seasons change.
The more it is that we understand the nature of life and it’s ups and downs the more it is that we discover understanding. And the more it is that we flow with life and its changes.
Ironically it is this acceptance that is the birthplace of balance, wisdom and true fulfilment. The barriers and the divisions begin to disolve and we begin to reconnect as one.
Rasheed Ogunlaru…. Alternatives Coaching Circle 7-9pm 17 Sept 2008, London
In our noisy, busy, must-do-and-have material world the one thing we generally lack is true peace of mind and contentment. At the same time there has been a growth in self-help and personal development with a range of professionals to help people find that ‘peace of mind’.
At 7pm on 17th September I’m looking forward to speaking to an audience of my peers to give an address called “Coaching with Compassion… Space, silence and stillness … the tools of the heart”.
If you are involved in coaching, personal development, NLP, spiritual growth or have a deep interest in this area you’re most welcome to come along and you may find the eventing insightful and inspiring. Click here for details and to book.
When I was around 20 years old in my first job as a press assistant in the media I was sent on a customer service course. I wasn’t pleased to be sent as I felt that my customer service was among the best of my colleagues. But I’m glad because the course was superb and underscored the importance of deeply valuing your customers, an issue which has been dear to me ever since.
Almost two decades on many of us feel we are not heard or aptly served when in stores, dialling call centres, making complaints or in our day to day dealings with companies and businesses. All to often it is purely about process, procedure, protocol and profit…rather than people. Funnily enough the process, procedure, protocol and product should be shaped around the customer in order to deliver profit.
As as a life and business coach today I’m amazed at the number of people who do not have the people and communication skills to serve their customers - and indeed to serve them throughout their careers. Without these customer satisfaction is just a pipe dream.
I gave an hour of my time to aspiring young entrepreneur last week who I’m sure will go far. However a couple of his associates were very late so I ended the session with a succinct lesson on customer care.
*Be personable: be polite, pleasant, honest and tailor your service to each client… make every customer feel special and valued.
*Be Professional: ensure that you deliver what you do to high standards with professionalism throughout the process.
*Be Prompt: deliver on time on time every time… do what you say, when you say and keep good time.
The funny thing about customer care is that it is built on a few simple principles, which if you truly value, are easy to deliver on and will win you loyal custom. If you do not truly care about your customers they will, sooner or later, vote with their feet as loyalty has been built on cash.
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Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading life coach, speaker and business coach. He is also co-author of A Zest for Business.
"Sooner or later you will hear what you heart has always been telling you; stop trying to be who you think you should be - become who you are" - Rasheed Ogunlaru
Leading life coach and inner fulfilment speaker, Rasheed Ogunlaru
explores how to balance being true to your ‘self' with finding a
‘meaningful' life path in today's material world. [read more / hear extracts]
