Hi and welcome to the May
issue of Catch the Coach! It's been a
fascinating few weeks with the General Election, the first ‘Hung Parliament' in
a generation. However it all unfolds change is most certainly going to be part
of it. And change and managing change is a theme in this edition.
Thanks to everyone who came
along to The Mind Spa event at Molton
House last month and made it such a success. I hope that we'll be returning to
Molton House in the future.
This month I've been
helping a some public speakers to become more effective and compelling. And
that's in many ways the essence of this month's featured event Be your own Brand on May 26. It's an
event to help you raise your game, profile and profits on a limited marketing
budget. It's ideal if you're self employed, a business owner or freelance - or
in fact if you simply just want to present yourself more effectively.
News
Be your own Brand ... 10am-4.15pm,
May 26, British Library,
96 Euston Rd, London NW1.
"A unique one-day course to take you / your business to the
next level"
Are you an entrepreneur, sole trader or small business? Is marketing,
promotional and PR support beyond your budget at the moment? If so,
then you
must be your own brand. Leading coach and PR specialist, Rasheed
Ogunlaru,
shares insights into raising awareness of your business, promoting
yourself,
broadening your networks and boosting your business - and your
success. He
is joined by solicitor-turned-business advisor, Helen Parkins. Helen
will show
you how to develop powerful partnerships and when you'll need to
introduce the
right legal agreements and abide by current rules and regulations to
fast-track
your success and avoid the pitfalls.
Benefits of attending and areas covered:
Become clear about your
brand, goals and values
Communicate your offering
and services more clearly and confidently
Personify your product -
and be seen as a specialist in your field
Become clear about your
market, your customers and their wants/needs
Promote yourself as an
expert in your industry or locality and in the media
Precise marketing:
approaching the right customers directly
Build and develop your
network and learn how to network effectively
Only £65 including lunch and refreshments. To book email rasheed@rasaru.com
June 11 2010 10am-12noon. Join me for this inspiring and
practical event is ideal for you if you're thinking about, starting out or
building your own business. 9.45am-12noon, 19 Mar British Library Business
& IP Centre, 96 Euston Rd, London
NW1. Only £25. To reserve your space(s) simply email me rasheed@rasaru.com
Stepping back from your goals
Last week a good friend told me he was feeling overwhelmed by his goals.
He said he was stepping back from the planning, objectives lists and so on. You
may be surprised to hear that I encouraged him to do just that; step back from his goals and to give himself
the space to live and breathe.
You see while goals may be good to have they are not necessarily good to
hold. By this I mean we can find ourselves held hostage to them if we're not
careful. Sometimes we become blinded by the goals that we set. Sometimes when
we set a goal and become so wrapped up in the pressure of having to achieve it
that we make it doubly difficult. Meanwhile the reality of life is that life
changes, we change our priorities change.
By all means set goals and check in with them. But also give yourself
space. It is the space that actually holds the room for your growth and
progress. In this space some goals may even fall away. Time and time again it's when we've been working
tirelessly and push too hard that are the most agonising. And time and time
again it's when we step back and let go (usually out of frustration and
exhaustion) that progress happens.
Your life at work
Life
in the workplace can be tough. It's a sobering thought, but if you're employed
for most of your life then most of your life will be spent at work. And in many
ways the working world is faster and more demanding now than most of us can
remember.
Perhaps
like yourself, when I was employed, I faced daily pressures, change,
restructure, redundancy, uncertainty, bouts of unemployment, good and bad
bosses and egos (including mine). In all this it can be very easy to get overwhelmed
by work and overly embroiled in the personal, political and practical issues.
Ensure that life is placed before work in your
work-life balance
Remember organisations change / reshape:
ultimately it's political not personal
Work sensible hours and ask for support if you
need it
Take breaks, lunch and holidays or your health,
work and life will suffer
Never suffer in silence - nor speak out of
spite
Endeavour to build strong relationships: don't
give in to battling or bitterness
Keep your mind on your job rather than the
distractions and disagreements
When times are tough at work ensure support is
strong at home and socially
When
all is said and done you must listen to your heart as well as well as your
head. Most people I coach come to a point where they must be personally (not
just financially) satisfied with their work. Sometimes if you and your
organisation see things in different ways it may be the case that it's wisest
to move in separate ways.
If
you are at a point where you are seeking or facing change get support and you
may find that coaching may be very helpful to help you move up or move on.
Quick tips for change
Next
week I'll be working with a department in an organisation facing change. The
nature of life is change personally, professionally, environmentally and
globally. Some change is welcome and some far from welcome. But despite this
all change presents us with an opportunity to grow wiser, clearer and fuller.
Because
of the nature of change I'm increasingly asked to work with organisations to
help their managers, staff and teams. Very often this takes the form of workshops,
talks, seminars and so on - and sometimes it's by working with individuals.
Here
are some tips to help you with change of all types.
Awareness: Be
alert / watchful of what's going on in your team, organisation and sector
Anticipation: Life
is change, by knowing that change will come you're more likely to spot and be
ready when subtle or significant changes happen
Accept or anger?: These
are the two main reactions and some other emotions mixed in. Sometimes anger
may arrive before acceptance. Sometimes anger is useful for a while if
channelled well. But acceptance is necessary for long term growth
Adapt & abilities: Most
change requires adaptation. Sometimes this is just about a change of mindset
and some practicalities that are already within our skillset.. Sometimes it
requires new skills, information, support and resources. Find out about the
nature and specifics of the change so you can get the information and support
you need.
Appreciate: Life
is about growth. The more we appreciate life and all its ups and down and
changes the more you will appreciate and grow in yourself, work, relationships
and life.
Quote for the month
“The
only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements
anew each time he sees me. The rest go on with their old measurements and
expect me to fit them.” ~George Bernard Shaw
My Story - By Shabi Choudhri
When I first met Rasheed in 2008 I was at my lowest
ebb. My mother was seriously ill and I
felt helpless watching her health deteriorate.
I was also soon to be made redundant from our family run business which
I had managed for 20 years. Amongst this I was trying to find a job helping people to help
themselves.
Working
with Rasheed made me realise I had repressed my passions. He helped me to
reconnect with my objectives and acknowledge that anything's possible.
Having lived with lupus since 1993 I decided to do
the NHS-run Expert Patients Programme which enables people with long term
health conditions become better self managers - equipping them to feel less of
a victim and more in control.
I trained as a volunteer tutor and became the
committee secretary responsible for organising meetings. I've co-delivered
three courses successfully, became accredited and trained and delivered on the
self-management of coping with diabetes - a condition I also live with.
I'm proud to be a part of the Expert Patients
Programme . I have met brave and inspirational people. Although I don't yet
have a job in this area, I hope to soon.
I am remaining positive. Regardless
I am richer for having
experienced the Expert Patients Programme.
Shabi Choudhri
Looking for a coach?
We're
nearing the end of the tour. Before you go, remember you can book me for one to
one coaching for your life, your career, within your organisation, or for you
if you're a high profile/high achiever. So I've created a simple page guiding
you through each: *Life
coaching- get your life, career and relationships moving forward *Business
coaching - helping you make it as an
entrepreneur *Coaching
for your organisation - helping you boost morale, profit and performance *Coaching
for high achievers - private coaching to add happiness to your success
GET IN TOUCH: CATCH THE COACH!
I hope you enjoyed this issue. For information or to book coaching or speaking services - or if you've a request you'd like included in this newsletter, call me on +44 (0)20 7207 1082, email rasheed@rasaru.com or visit www.rasaru.com Best wishes, Rasheed.
