Diggles Doodles

Taking stock and adjusting goals

2010-12-26T12:14:00.004+01:00

This time of year is good for taking stock of where you are in life and what you want to do for the future.

It's a good time because often there is time to think, a natural hiatus in the normal rush of life, even if only for a few hours. This time to think is very valuable - we spend so much time in the immediacy of living our lives we often don't take time to stop and plan our lives.

So just a thought.......coming up to New Year and the advent of New Year's resolutions......plan your resolutions carefully. Make them realistic and achieveable (you know the SMART Specific Measurable Achieveable Realistic and Timed acronym) - all too often resolutions are so ambitious that they will never be met. Set realistic goals and stick to them. Plan what and how you are going to do so and how you will reward yourself when you achieve them. Write them down and note how valuable achieving them will bee to you.

Do these things and you are much more likely to achieve them!

Go for it!

Remember there is no such thing as luck. Luck is what happens when planning and determination meets opportunity!

Choice is always an option

2010-12-21T09:34:00.004+01:00

Well - it's wintry outside for the UK that is! Minus 10 to minus 15 seems the norm currently - quite a rarity for the UK in December. I love it! Not the cold per se but the crispness and the clarity of the air. It's what winter should be like - not tepid, dull, damp and grey as it so often is.

I've just finished work for some well earned (I think anyway) R&R and I feel great for this time of year - I've got loads to do still and will work whilst the holiday is on but I feel that I have choice.

That is so important - choice. If I can share a 'learn', there is always choice when you think about it. I find that some of my clients get stuck and start thnking they have no choice. They always do have choice but can't recognise it - I help significantly by helping them realise the fact. A friend of mine used to say, "If what you are doing is not working, do something different!"

Simple advice but very valuable - if you are not comfortable currently, change something - in a sense it does not matter what, change it!

You soon realise you do have choice - an empowering thought.

Enjoy!

Virus woes

2010-12-13T16:13:00.003+01:00

Sitting, or should I say half lying here and alternately shivering and then sweating, I have a wonderful virus to thank for feeling somewhat 'under the weather'. I think I've got real flu! No, not 'man flu' - the real one that wipes you out for at least a few days!

I have to say that whilst I believe in 'live and let live' as a principle, I can find little to recommend viruses and am currently hoping my immune system is engaged in some truly vicious and malevolent virus murder!

That being said - there is always something positive to draw from any situation. Being off work I realise that things will happen without me because they have to. Maybe I'm not that indispensible after all - sobering thought that!

Time to think is good - I must make time to do so more deliberately!

I also realise just how much I enjoy work, the hassles, the challenges, the people! It's frustrating to have to stop for while but it must be good for me in one sense.

Ho hum! It could be worse! Die you horrible viruses! Die!

Use of Coaching for Managers

2010-05-31T17:20:00.004+02:00

So many Managers are promoted to a managerial position and are then left to 'sink or swim'. Rather typical of this country and economic hard times.

These managers can and do survive but those without a degree of imagination or perhaps basic ability will either fail or will turn out to be poor managers. You know the type I mean, the dictatorial type, the weak type, the type that manage through positional power alone, the lazy type!

Clearly for some it is personality and basic ability that they will never have (believe me they exist! I've had three in my working life!) but, for the vast majority, a bit of encouragement, training and introduction to the incredible power of taking a coaching approach to their day to day work can make huge differences.

Being able to take a coaching approach as a manager is hugely empowering, not only for the manager but for the employee. It allows for a situation of mutual respect, mutual trust and creation of options. Working life for all parties can become enjoyable again.

Of course, it requires the manager to have the ability in the first place but also requires them to be willing to learn, take risks inherent in 'letting go' of some control, recognising that their employees may be betteer than they are at some things and trusting.

The end result is well worth the risk and investment of time and effort.

Integritus Ltd runs Coaching for Managers courses recognising the potential for growth in business that comes from learning new skills. http://www.integritusltd.co.uk/

Protecting your well-being

2010-01-14T14:56:00.005+01:00

This blog, I hope, will inspire you to be confident in yourself. I know that some of you, maybe a majority, will say that you are perfectly self-confident. OK if you are, great, well done, please maintain this, it's good to know.

Enough of you to matter, will not be quite so lucky and will on occasions suffer self-doubt. Sometimes this may become sufficiently large to impede your enjoyment or prevent you functioning as well as you might do. Let me proffer a couple of simple techniques to help overcome this sort of issue and trust that you will find them useful.

Self-doubt often arises from your perception of what others think of you. For example I have always wanted to have some standing within the context of some people quite close to me. Sadly my perception is that this has rarely been the case for many years to my personal detriment. There is also probably some truth in this as they can act, at times, in a way that over-rides my views and opinions. Somewhere between my perception and the evidence of their behaviour is the truth. Why do I share this with you? - well simply this I have learned, more and more, through time and experience to stick to my inner belief and rely on how I feel about things relating to this. This is what I want you to do. Your views and opinions are important. Without belief in yourself it is hard to function. Give it a try and go with it. Accept that, whilst on occasions you will actually be wrong (after all you are human and being wrong is allowed) most of the time you will be right and it is right to do what is right for you. Take the risk and you will more often than not prove to be right.

Give more credence to those that know you well and do apprecite you for what you are, for your views and for yourself.

Self-doubt can also arise from negative inner focus. That is your mind concentrates on what you have not done so well rather than what you have actually done very well indeed. To counter this and get into the habit of positive thinking. Also to notice constantly all the times you do well (instead of ignoring these times), write a simple list out at the end of every day all the things that you have done well that day. Be thorough and note how good it made you feel. Believe me there will be loads to write.

Reward yourself when you do something which goes particularly well.

It takes a few days (I've forgotten how many the experts say it is but something like 20 days) to build a new habit so you need to persevere and become easily familiar with a new way of thinking.

Self-doubt is quite normal and whether it to greater of a lesser extent in your personal make-up, it is worth acting to build your inner confidence as you will feel better, achieve more and be even more valuable you and to those around you than you are now.

Enjoy!

2009-12-25T14:17:00.001+01:00

A little Christmas Cheer - apologies to teetotallers.

50:50 Gin and It (Italian Vermouth) Large hunk of ice - very very nice.

The profit in persistence

2009-10-16T16:41:00.005+02:00

Hi All,

The word persistence has, perhaps, a negative connotation. Some people who are overly persistent become irritating.

Could it be argued in the UK that largely we are a polite reserved nation and tend not to be very peristent? Particularly when selling ourselves and our businesses.

This article is short and to the point. If you are in business then it pays to err on being more persistent than less. The economic environment being as it is currently means we have to be more forward driving to succeed. If we are not then we will lose out to those who are.

You do not have to be unpleasant, be just politely insistent and persistent.

If you ask for business once, ask again after a slightly shorter time period than you would have done before.

Use different media routes to get the message to your clients and customers.

Phone at least one more time than you would usually do.

Devise one more different way of approaching a client or customer than before and use this way.

Take the extra risk.

If you are rejected then move on to the next client and remember it is not a personal slight against you, they are just not ready right now.

Go for it, take the risk - when it pays off, not only will you be proud of yourself, your profit will increase as a result!

Teamwork - an essential skill

2009-09-04T15:47:00.006+02:00

Hi All,

An excuse to talk about the fact I play a trombone and am looking forward to the Autumn Programme with Djanogly Community Orchestra based in Nottingham.

I mentioned this in my last tipsletter (newsletter) - you could sign up for this by clicking on the link to the right either to my website http://www.integritusltd.co.uk/ or to my archived tipsletters.

An orchestra is clearly a group of people who come together (in our case voluntarily, the main and virtually only criteria being that we all play at grade 5 or above) to make music. This requires us to work together to combine our expertise and make (hopefully) a combined sound which is worth listening to.

The skills and attributes we all need, apart from being able to play an instrument, are:

being able to take direction
listening to each other
time awareness (most important)
time management
being able to work in a smaller groups as part of the larger group
planning
having a goal
self-discipline
a willingness to support each other
making our contributions to the benefit of the whole group appropriately
asking when we need help

I guess I could find more to add but these are enough to make the point. Whether in business or leisure, we will all, at some stage need to work as part of a team. The items in the list above are applicable to any team situation whether working or playing.

These things need your attention and a positive attitude from each of us. Can you add anything else to this list? Share when you find something......

Life is a Bowl of Cherries?

2009-09-01T17:13:00.003+02:00

Hi Folks - an article from my Free Monthly Tipsletter

Life is a Bowl of Cherries

It's always a mixture?

Another fruity contribution after my banana view of setting goals!
My inspiration for this title is, in actual fact, a piece of music I play (or at least would like to be able to play better). Did you know I play Bass trombone in Burton Big Band. This piece has a lovely bass solo which, at the moment, I cannot do justice to. Belive me though - I will! I will succeed! Hah!
As is my wont, I began thinking about the words and thought, 'is life really like a bowl of cherries?'
My conclusion is that yes, it is! Here's why.

Looks good and full of promise. A bowl clean shiny luscious cherries is really attractive. Life is like that - full of attractive looking opportunities and you can choose any one, or even more than one at a time to enjoy.
Cherries are not always the same size, they come in different textures, tastes, colours and flavours. I think life is like that too - things you tackle are never the same, some are sweeter than others. Some don't look so good and are disappointing, others that don't look so good turn out to taste fantastic and so-on.
When you eat them there is always the real fruity part which you enjoy and there is always the pip which you need to throw away but which if planted will grow. In life everything you experience has both good and bad sides. Like with a cherry though, you can choose to enjoy the good parts and opt to throw away the hard bits or learn and grow from them. Those hard bits can be valuable though, because you learn from them and grow as a result from them. the choice is up to you!
This is really the whole point of this article. You can choose to get value from all aspects of life. Some of life is easier to enjoy than other, but the there is always value to be gained from every situation.
Choose to take the best from life!

Marketing by Letter Writing

2009-08-26T12:24:00.003+02:00

Marketing by Letter Writing

A forgotten art? Some tips

There is a rule of Marketing which originated from a Dr. Jeffrey Lant known as the 'Rule of Seven' which infers that you need seven contacts in 18 months to make a sale to anyone who may be interested. Personally I think in today's crowded markets with the advances in media, ads, texts, nuisance e-mails (except mine of course!) leaflets and so-on, it is rather more than seven.

To make seven contacts, you could possibly consider writing a letter. Below are some simple tips to help you write such a letter.

Research your recipient and use a name rather than 'Dear Sir or Madam' etc.

Remember to keep a database (with due regard to the Data Protection Act of course).
If you need to tell them about what you do (a feature) then add the benefits of using your service. What makes you unique?

Add a p.s. - ps's catch the 'skim-readers'

Make sure your envelope stands out from the crowd when your recipient picks up the pile. Either have them printed (a message on the flap is worth doing - remember how you would normally open an envelope! - from the back.) Or, very cheaply, buy some small coloured sticky labels - a couple of round dots will catch they eye brilliantly. Yours letter will be opened before others then.

Format your letter well - make it visually attractive. Consider printing it on coloured paper - this is more noticeable than white.

A picture paints a thousand words - include in the text a picture of your product if possible and use word-wrapping to make it look good.

A well written personal letter mass-produced using mail-merge is easily possible nowadays - go for it - give it a go.

How to make a decision - a useful tool

2009-08-01T13:03:00.004+02:00

Making Decisions
A useful technique
Cartesian Logic! Uh? What? ....?

Cartesian logic is a great way of making a decision. A fancy name for something really quite simple and straightforward. However it is something that we just do not do normally. Well, at least on any deliberate basis anyway!

When making a decision use the grid below. The process of doing so allows you explore the options you have comprehensively whilst considering the environment in which you are making the decision. The 'If I..' relates to the top line of the grid (Do not... & Do this) whilst the 'What would...' relates to the left hand column (Not happen & Happen).

Having been through this process, usually it will become clear to you what the driving forces will be and enable you to make a decision.

Goal setting and Bananas

2009-07-29T12:08:00.003+02:00

Setting Goals - Why you should think of bananas!

Why use a picture of a banana to discuss setting goals? Well, it is a good representation of some of the key principles if setting goals that I'd like to share with you.

Set goals which satisfy values. A banana has to be peeled to find the value within. If you set a goal, for example to earn £50,000 a year, OK but what value in you does that satisfy? The money in itself will never be enough on its own to have meaning. What will it enable you to do? Feel good? Know you can buy some extra's? Enable you to have relaxing holidays etc. etc. ? So peel off the outside of your goals to set out the core inner value. You will be far more likely to reach them then.

Don't throw away the inside and keep the peel by mistake, it will not taste well! If you ignore the value of your goal and only keep the surface you are likely to throw it away and not achieve anything. You eat the inside of the banana and it becomes part of you. So should your goals. So make your goals part of everything you do. Don't throw away the peel put it on the compost so it contributes to the next goals growing successfully.

A banana is curved. Set your goals knowing that you may not be able to travel a straight line to reach your goal. You may have to take a curved route so be prepared when you set your goals.

Your goals, year on year, if, in part financial, will not necessarily follow a straight-line plan your goals realistically to reflect this. Of course, by inference in the last point I am suggesting you set goals for more than one year hence.

A banana is part of a bunch - set more than one goal, you can have goals for all parts of your life. Include your work, leisure, family etc. This way you will be able to achieve better work/life balance.

Once you begin to eat a banana then you must eat it all or it will go off. leave it and it goes brown and becomes useless. So it is with goals once you have set a goal then pursue it until it is reached or it will cease to be of value to you.

Dave Lees
IntegritUs Ltd
www.integritusltd.co.uk

It worked

2009-07-14T09:40:00.002+02:00

Yesterdays Blog - adjusted my attitude and it worked - had a great day. Doing the same today!

Mindset is vital

2009-07-13T11:26:00.003+02:00

It's a glorious day today. I'm not talking about the weather although that too is glorious. When i think that and genuinely believe it the the day proves to be just that.
I have chosen to have a successful day.

There have been times over the last week when I've struggled to maintain a positive attitude. However, I forgive myself. I am human and have human frailties. I know that by setting my mind right today I can switch that around.

Your mind brings about what it is that you think. Think of money coming to you and you will receive money. Think success and you will be a success. Think happiness and you will be happy.

Go on it works! Enjoy

Apathy, Ability or Procrastination

2009-06-17T17:28:00.003+02:00

If something goes against us, what do we do? Do we moan? Do we whine? Do we make excuses for ourselves.
I'd argue that on occasions we all do all of these. Whether they are symptoms of apathy, procrastination or lack of confidence in our own ability, I don't know but ask, 'How useful is it to behave like in these ways?

Not at all.

The only way to change things is to be pro-active. Do something to change the situation. In fact do anything but be negative in any way.

Believe me you will enjoy the changes you bring about!

Setting Goals

2009-06-11T09:57:00.002+02:00

Dear All,

Setting goals and making them live is so necessary. If you get stuck or doubtful, think about what you are aiming for.

In my coaching and mentoring experience the vast majority of people I coach have, at some stage, lost their representation of their goals. 'If you don't know where you are going how are you gong to get there?' 'If you don't know where you are going how do you know when you have got there?

Write down you goal for 5 years from now! Go on do it now! It will help give you direction. The work backwards in time putting things in place to bring about your goals.

Cheers,

Dave

Got stuck or set in one way of doing things?

2009-06-07T17:16:00.002+02:00

Do you ever get stuck and find yourself unable to decide which way to move forward? We all do from time to time. I know I do.
There are some great ways of freeing up your ideas and your ability to take action. Try writing down loads of ideas on a piece of paper - accept any idea for writing down even if it seems bizarre - you'll find something comes out which gives you an option.

As a business mentor I spend much of my time working with individuals to give them options and ideas - more often than not freeing up their own creativity - we all need ideas, help and support from time to time. www.integritusltd.co.uk.

What do you do to help your creative ideas - please share........

Don' t join the recession

2009-03-15T21:30:00.003+01:00

I'm fed up of the doom and gloom. The irresponsible media trade in bad news has done nothing but depress spending. There is still money out there. Start spending again! Stop buying newspapers and go on a positive drive to enjoy life.

Buy local

2009-01-31T21:42:00.000+01:00

Am I one of the few to encourage buying locally? In times of partly manufactured and hyped economic downturn then the least we can do is spend locally. I don't want to go too far down the road of 'jobs for the boys' but I guess when the cips are down I'd rather support my friends and neighbours who are local.
I guess I'm also an advocate of spending - full stop. I reckon we have money but have been frightened into keeping it in our pockets or under the bed (or even in the bank!).
Let's get out there and turn thing back the other way again.
Spend more it will help and come back to you eventally.

Diggles