I think it's pretty safe to say that we, as humans, enjoy success and dislike failure. No one sets out to fail at something - we set out to succeed. But what happens along the way? More often than not, we experience some degree of failure before succeeding and this failure can give us feelings of discouragement or make us quit.
Sir Winston Churchill says that "Success is going from failure to failure without loss in enthusiasm." A look at almost any historic figure will show you many failures prior to success. Look at Thomas Edison, for example. He is one of the most successful inventors of all time. Do you think he sat down with an idea and created the wonderful inventions that we enjoy today? It wasn't quite that simple. Many of his inventions failed 700 or more times. But do you think he gave up? Quite the opposite - he considered himself quite successful. How can that be with more than 700 failures? In his own words, he successfully discovered 700 ways that don't work. That put him that much closer to achieving his goal. Lucky for us that he chose to stick with it!
Admittedly, most of us (myself included) don't have the enthusiasm or the determination to keep going after 700 failures. But there are ways to keep from feeling like a failure. Here are a few questions that you can ask yourself:
* What is failure?
* Do you feel like a failure? Does feeling like a failure mean that you are a failure?
* Can you learn without failing? Does failing at something you do, make you a failure as a person?
* Can you think of anyone who has never failed at anything?
Carefully consider the answer to each of these questions. Although it can be quite difficult at times to separate who we are from what we do, that distinction is necessary. Just because we fail at something doesn't mean that we are a failure as a person. It simply means that we have something to learn. My challenge to you is to face your failures and embrace them as progress toward your success.
Wishing you much success,
Coach April
www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
Monday, June 16, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
What makes happy people so happy?
This is the second installment in our "8 Habits of Happy People". In part one, we identified 4 habits of happy people as acting happy, living in the moment, exercising, and getting enough rest. I challenged you to try at least one of these habits and see how it worked. Did you try one? I'd love to hear your comments about it.
Now, let's take a look at four more habits of happy people. Again, I challenge you to try at least one and see how it works for you.
5. Take care of yourself. At first glance, this may sound a little selfish but it's quite the opposite. We all need some time to ourself - this could just be alone time, finding a hobby, reading a book, taking a bubble bath, calling a friend, or whatever. Find something that refreshes you and make some time to do it at least once a week.
6. Do something for someone else. Try doing something out of the ordinary for someone else. This could be volunteering a few hours for a charity, sending a card to soldiers overseas, donating to a homeless shelter, or visiting a retirement home. There are many different options that only take a few minutes of your time but will lift your spirits immeasurably. Knowing that you've made the world a better place in some small way can bring you happiness.
7. Surround yourself with happy people. Have you ever spent time with someone that is really miserable? It likely didn't make you feel happy. Just as being around an unpleasant person can bring you down, surrounding yourself with happy people will lift you up. Find someone that seems happy and spend more time with them.
8. Take control of your life. Sometimes our lives feel like they are out of control. This leaves us feeling helpless, stressed, and unhappy. By taking control of the areas where you feel helpless, you create space for happiness. Identify the areas of your life that you need to take control of and focus on one at a time. If you are unorganized, strive to organize your life. If you need to lose weight, set a goal and develop a plan to move forward. Happy people control their own lives.
You can see that there are many different options for living a happy life. Embrace one of these ideas and get moving on it. Your happiness awaits!
Wishing you success and happiness,
Coach April
www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
"Bringing Inspiration to Life!"
Now, let's take a look at four more habits of happy people. Again, I challenge you to try at least one and see how it works for you.
5. Take care of yourself. At first glance, this may sound a little selfish but it's quite the opposite. We all need some time to ourself - this could just be alone time, finding a hobby, reading a book, taking a bubble bath, calling a friend, or whatever. Find something that refreshes you and make some time to do it at least once a week.
6. Do something for someone else. Try doing something out of the ordinary for someone else. This could be volunteering a few hours for a charity, sending a card to soldiers overseas, donating to a homeless shelter, or visiting a retirement home. There are many different options that only take a few minutes of your time but will lift your spirits immeasurably. Knowing that you've made the world a better place in some small way can bring you happiness.
7. Surround yourself with happy people. Have you ever spent time with someone that is really miserable? It likely didn't make you feel happy. Just as being around an unpleasant person can bring you down, surrounding yourself with happy people will lift you up. Find someone that seems happy and spend more time with them.
8. Take control of your life. Sometimes our lives feel like they are out of control. This leaves us feeling helpless, stressed, and unhappy. By taking control of the areas where you feel helpless, you create space for happiness. Identify the areas of your life that you need to take control of and focus on one at a time. If you are unorganized, strive to organize your life. If you need to lose weight, set a goal and develop a plan to move forward. Happy people control their own lives.
You can see that there are many different options for living a happy life. Embrace one of these ideas and get moving on it. Your happiness awaits!
Wishing you success and happiness,
Coach April
www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
"Bringing Inspiration to Life!"
Friday, May 30, 2008
What makes happy people so happy?
Have you ever wondered how happy people can always seem to be happy? I'll be the first to admit that I'm not happy all the time. I'd like to be, but I'm just not. How can we be happy when things around us just aren't going well? As it turns out, we do have control over our own happiness! That's great news, isn't it?
Over the next couple of days, we'll take a look at the 8 habits of happy people. These are relatively simple things that you can do to take control of your own happiness and begin to live an intentional life. Let's look at the first four:
1. Act happy. This is probably one of the most difficult ones to master but it can have a profound effect on you and the people around you. Acting happy includes laughing, smiling, being friendly, and maintaining a positive attitude. Pick one and try it out!
2. Live in the moment. Don't waste your time worrying about the past or the future - the past can't be changed and the future hasn't happened yet. You have today, so make the most of it!
3. Exercise. Studies have shown that daily exercise helps people feel better. I can't give you all the scientific reasoning behind it but I do know that endorphins are released when you exercise and these endorphins can elevate your mood. Even a few minutes of physical activity each day can help make you happy. Try something fun like a hula hoop or a scooter!
4. Get enough rest. This one can't be emphasized enough. Have you ever met someone who has only had a few hours of sleep? Likely not the happiest person you've ever met. Long term sleep deprivation can lead to more serious issues beyond a bad mood. Getting 7-9 hours of rest a night is ideal to maintaining a healthy, happy attitude. Make sure to get to bed at a reasonable hour and wake up refreshed and happy!
Pick one of these habits and get started on becoming a happier person! Check back tomorrow for the next four habits of happy people.
Wishing you much happiness,
Coach April
www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
Over the next couple of days, we'll take a look at the 8 habits of happy people. These are relatively simple things that you can do to take control of your own happiness and begin to live an intentional life. Let's look at the first four:
1. Act happy. This is probably one of the most difficult ones to master but it can have a profound effect on you and the people around you. Acting happy includes laughing, smiling, being friendly, and maintaining a positive attitude. Pick one and try it out!
2. Live in the moment. Don't waste your time worrying about the past or the future - the past can't be changed and the future hasn't happened yet. You have today, so make the most of it!
3. Exercise. Studies have shown that daily exercise helps people feel better. I can't give you all the scientific reasoning behind it but I do know that endorphins are released when you exercise and these endorphins can elevate your mood. Even a few minutes of physical activity each day can help make you happy. Try something fun like a hula hoop or a scooter!
4. Get enough rest. This one can't be emphasized enough. Have you ever met someone who has only had a few hours of sleep? Likely not the happiest person you've ever met. Long term sleep deprivation can lead to more serious issues beyond a bad mood. Getting 7-9 hours of rest a night is ideal to maintaining a healthy, happy attitude. Make sure to get to bed at a reasonable hour and wake up refreshed and happy!
Pick one of these habits and get started on becoming a happier person! Check back tomorrow for the next four habits of happy people.
Wishing you much happiness,
Coach April
www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
Monday, May 19, 2008
Have you made a difference today?
It’s no secret that we live in a “what’s in it for me” society. In our overloaded and busy lives, many of us seldom take the time to do something that doesn’t directly benefit us. We defend our actions by saying that we just don’t have the time. We’re busy, we’re stressed, and we have other things on our mind. But how can we change this? In all honesty, it’s quite easy to change this and begin making the world a better place. And it doesn’t have to be a big action. In fact, little actions can compound and make a big difference. Here are a couple of simple things that you can do today to make a difference:
• Smile. This is perhaps one of the easiest things you can do. It doesn’t cost anything and tends to be contagious. Smiling at someone might be just what they needed to feel better. Because they feel better, they may pass the smile on and create an epidemic of smiling. It wouldn’t hurt for the world to be a happier place, would it?
• Do something nice for someone else. Look around and see what you can do for your fellow man. Perhaps you can allow the person in line behind you with only 2 items to check out before you. This will only cost you a couple of minutes and your kindness will brighten someone’s day. Perhaps you could call or send a card or email to a friend telling how much you value them. It just takes a couple of minutes and will really make someone feel great. The possibilities are virtually endless!
• Make a donation to a cause you are passionate about. Many of us have very busy schedules and find it difficult to volunteer our time. How about making a cash donation? When you sit down to pay your bills, send a check or online payment to the charity of your choice. Many of these organizations are able to do wonderful things with your money. If you are able, spend a couple of hours helping a charitable cause. You don’t have to make a huge commitment to make a big difference.
These are only three simple ways that you can make a difference in the world. The good news is that doing something for someone else makes YOU feel good. So go out and start making the world a better place!
Sincerely,
Coach April
www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
Bringing Inspiration to Life!
• Smile. This is perhaps one of the easiest things you can do. It doesn’t cost anything and tends to be contagious. Smiling at someone might be just what they needed to feel better. Because they feel better, they may pass the smile on and create an epidemic of smiling. It wouldn’t hurt for the world to be a happier place, would it?
• Do something nice for someone else. Look around and see what you can do for your fellow man. Perhaps you can allow the person in line behind you with only 2 items to check out before you. This will only cost you a couple of minutes and your kindness will brighten someone’s day. Perhaps you could call or send a card or email to a friend telling how much you value them. It just takes a couple of minutes and will really make someone feel great. The possibilities are virtually endless!
• Make a donation to a cause you are passionate about. Many of us have very busy schedules and find it difficult to volunteer our time. How about making a cash donation? When you sit down to pay your bills, send a check or online payment to the charity of your choice. Many of these organizations are able to do wonderful things with your money. If you are able, spend a couple of hours helping a charitable cause. You don’t have to make a huge commitment to make a big difference.
These are only three simple ways that you can make a difference in the world. The good news is that doing something for someone else makes YOU feel good. So go out and start making the world a better place!
Sincerely,
Coach April
www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
Bringing Inspiration to Life!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
It's your choice!
I often hear people saying that they don't have a choice...about their job, their financial situation, their coworkers, their life, or whatever else. What a defeatist attitude! We always have a choice! From the most minute details of our lives to the major decisions, we have many choices - even if it is just our attitude. Granted, we don't get to choose certain things that happen in life, but we do get to choose how we deal with those things. In those choices, we determine whether we move forward and soar or allow ourselves to be held back, feeling sorry for ourselves. What do you choose?
The next time you find yourself saying that you don't have a choice, look closely at the situation and remember that you do have a choice. Ask yourself what the one decision is that will move you forward. Then take action on it. It's not always easy or quick, but you can learn and grow even from difficult experiences. You can create your ideal life with the decisions you make and the actions you take. IT'S YOUR CHOICE!
Wishing you success and happiness,
Coach April
http://www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
The next time you find yourself saying that you don't have a choice, look closely at the situation and remember that you do have a choice. Ask yourself what the one decision is that will move you forward. Then take action on it. It's not always easy or quick, but you can learn and grow even from difficult experiences. You can create your ideal life with the decisions you make and the actions you take. IT'S YOUR CHOICE!
Wishing you success and happiness,
Coach April
http://www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
Friday, May 2, 2008
Why use a coach?
Throughout the course of a day, I find myself meeting many new people at networking meetings, association meetings, or various other meetings. When I tell them what I do for a living, most of them have never heard of a career coach, or, if they have, don't have a good understanding of what a coach really does. Because everyone understands why athletes use coaches (to improve their performance), I often use this as an analogy for what I do. My clients are already successful people - they just want to fine tune their skills to achieve more. By successful I don't mean only financially. Success is measured differently by everyone. My clients come to me with a specific challenge they are facing whether that is increasing their productivity, moving up the corporate ladder or starting a new career. A large part of the time, that challenge may be balancing work and life, getting unstuck, or overcoming other obstacles or challenges. I provide them with the perspective and support they need to move forward. It really is a magical process with truly amazing results! Clients are able to move forward and soar to new heights.
So what could coaching mean to you?
* More time
* More money
* More direction
* More success
* More of whatever you want
If you're not convinced of the benefits yet, contact a coach and try it out. Many coaches will offer a complementary sample session to let you experience coaching for yourself with no commitment. Call today and start getting MORE!
If you'd like to schedule a complementary session with one of our coaches, call our office at 972-625-5900 or visit our website at http://www.nexuscoachingpartners.com. We can help you get MORE!
So what could coaching mean to you?
* More time
* More money
* More direction
* More success
* More of whatever you want
If you're not convinced of the benefits yet, contact a coach and try it out. Many coaches will offer a complementary sample session to let you experience coaching for yourself with no commitment. Call today and start getting MORE!
If you'd like to schedule a complementary session with one of our coaches, call our office at 972-625-5900 or visit our website at http://www.nexuscoachingpartners.com. We can help you get MORE!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Take charge of your career
With the changing environment of the workplace, it has become more and more challenging to move up the corporate ladder than in the past. Gone are the days when the boss could walk by your desk and see how diligently you were working. As more employees are telecommuting or reporting to bosses in different geographical locations, being a visible employee and advancing your career takes careful planning and focus. It is now necessary to take responsibility for your own career advancement.
Here are several ways that you can take charge of your own career:
1. Talk to your boss. Have a direct conversation with your boss about your future with the company and your career goals. Stress to him that you are interested in being a valuable asset to the company. This shows both confidence in yourself and interest in the success of the company.
2. Ask for more. Let your boss know that you are willing to take on new projects or assignments that will further develop your skills and help the company. Taking on more responsibility will make you more valuable to the company.
3. Sharpen your professional and people skills. Continual learning is important to sharpening your professional skills. Because the marketplace is continually changing and evolving, keeping up to date on these changes will further increase your value to the company. Being professional, friendly, outgoing and helpful to coworkers, other departments and customers will help you develop relationships that could provide opportunities for you in the future.
4. Find a mentor or coach. A mentor can help you develop the skills you need as you move up the corporate ladder. Whether you have a mentor inside or outside of the company, a mentor can provide valuable career guidance to you as well as useful information. A coach can help you develop strategies and provide you with valuable perspective as you face the challenges of moving forward in your career.
5. Sell yourself and build your reputation. Careful self-promotion is a good way to create visibility within your department or company. Make sure that influential people are aware of your major accomplishments and the benefit to the company. Building your reputation as an innovative, dependable, professional, and valuable employee will further help you sell yourself.
To learn more about developing your career, check out Get Smart! About Modern Career Development by Dr. Michelle Casto or call Nexus Coaching Partners for a complementary consultation to get your career moving forward. During the month of April, we are also offering 20% off our career assessments. Call us today and see if we can help get you moving forward!
Warmly,
Coach April
www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
"Bringing Inspiration to Life"
Here are several ways that you can take charge of your own career:
1. Talk to your boss. Have a direct conversation with your boss about your future with the company and your career goals. Stress to him that you are interested in being a valuable asset to the company. This shows both confidence in yourself and interest in the success of the company.
2. Ask for more. Let your boss know that you are willing to take on new projects or assignments that will further develop your skills and help the company. Taking on more responsibility will make you more valuable to the company.
3. Sharpen your professional and people skills. Continual learning is important to sharpening your professional skills. Because the marketplace is continually changing and evolving, keeping up to date on these changes will further increase your value to the company. Being professional, friendly, outgoing and helpful to coworkers, other departments and customers will help you develop relationships that could provide opportunities for you in the future.
4. Find a mentor or coach. A mentor can help you develop the skills you need as you move up the corporate ladder. Whether you have a mentor inside or outside of the company, a mentor can provide valuable career guidance to you as well as useful information. A coach can help you develop strategies and provide you with valuable perspective as you face the challenges of moving forward in your career.
5. Sell yourself and build your reputation. Careful self-promotion is a good way to create visibility within your department or company. Make sure that influential people are aware of your major accomplishments and the benefit to the company. Building your reputation as an innovative, dependable, professional, and valuable employee will further help you sell yourself.
To learn more about developing your career, check out Get Smart! About Modern Career Development by Dr. Michelle Casto or call Nexus Coaching Partners for a complementary consultation to get your career moving forward. During the month of April, we are also offering 20% off our career assessments. Call us today and see if we can help get you moving forward!
Warmly,
Coach April
www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
"Bringing Inspiration to Life"
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