Impact Positive on Positive Thinking

Thanks to Karen and Carrie for their feedback on my recent half hour workshop on 'The Power of Positive Thinking.

Karen Rainford http://dressingyourrooms.co.uk/index.htm

Says: October 5, 2009 at 3:54 pm

"Just wanted to say what a great event this was! Have tried to take it all on board and have tested out most of Angie's tips! Seem to be working! One thing I did do on way to a client last week when feeling tired and crabby, was to force myself to grin like a Cheshire cat whilst driving along. Looked a bit silly no doubt but felt much better very quickly!!!"

Carrie Phillips Independent Financial Adviser at Wish Financial Ltd http://www.alphafinancial.com/index.asp Says:

“I attended a Women In Business meeting where Angie was presenting on the topic of positive thinking. With expert insight into the topic, easy to digest sections and an energetic delivery, it was impossible to leave the room without feeling more positive! Angie is clearly passionate about what she does and her enthusiasm and knowledge shine through. Her session was well thought out and well tailored to the audience; a true professional.” October 12, 2009

Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Expert

The Power of Positive Thinking

Thanks to all who attended Women in Business Sussex last week and joined in the fun of positive thinking - especially Julie Maxted of Holbrook Pages www.holbrookpages.com/ for letting me demonstrate with her how negative thoughts can drain your energy, whilst positive ones can give you strength.
Photo by Andrea Sarlo www.andreasarlo.com/

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Positive Thoughts Give Us Energy
So what are the benefits of thinking positively? A whole range of benefits can be achieved including:

Increased Confidence ..........................................Less Stress
More Skills ..........................................................Greater Achievement
Improved Networking.........................................Improved Relationships
Less Time Worrying............................................ Quicker to take action
More Perspective .................................................More Rational Thoughts
Personal Satisfaction ............................................Emotional Wellbeing

So why not talk to us today about how we can help you to think more positively and reap the benefits both personally and for those around you, whether at work or in life in general.

Call Angie on 07779 639569 or 01403 888044 or e-mail angie.martin@amhr.co.uk

Playing to our strengths

Delighted that my Strengthscope Report confirms that DEVELOPING OTHERS is one of my Significant 7 Strengths:

©Strengths Partnership Ltd
Developing others
You promote other people’s learning and development to help them achieve their goals and fulfil their potential

· You believe that people should continue to seek our opportunities to learn and grow throughout their lives

· You recognise others' strengths and potential and help them optimise these
· You are able to effectively mentor and coach others
· You look for ways to challenge others, finding new experiences for them to help them grow

Extract from Angie Martin's Strengthscope Report

We are accredited in the use of ©Strengthscope. To find out more, please ring us on 07779 639569 or 01403 888044

Update - twittering more than blogging

Apologies to my readers if you have missed my blogs, but Twitter has taken over as I have been travelling around over the last few months. For those of you who know, or have been following me, you will know that I am a novice and pretty unskilled at all things virtual! So, having discovered Twitter and put it into my blog, I have found it a much easier way of keeping you up to date as I have had little time at the computer. So, if the blog appears to be old news, please keep an eye on the right hand side of this page where the Twitter feed will give regular reflections and updates.

Having taken 3 weeks h0liday in June, much work has been planned into July August and September, and as many freelancers and small business owners will appreciate, more time spent 'in the business' leaves little for working 'on the business'. A balance that is vital but often hard to achieve.

Iceland Super Jeep June 09

KEEPING LIFE IN BALANCE

is good for mind and body. Give us a call if you would like to discuss ways of taking stock of where you are now, and finding simple ways to change that balance if it is not where you want it to be.

Laughing on the Indian Ocean

Just a note to let you know that Guy and Andy are still safe and rowing courageously on the Indian Ocean having shaken off a Bronze Whaler Shark, tossed out a few flying fish who came to call, and learned to surf the boat down massive waves.

Yes, they are still laughing despite it all! You can hear Guy's amusing 'lavatorial' podcast on their blog at http://blog.indianoceanrace.com/

Laugh and your world will laugh with you

Photo by Andrea Sarlo www.andreasarlo.com

Some of my strategies for staying positive:

• Smile when I wake up in the morning. Think of something I am looking forward to. For those of you who are night owls, I am one of those irritating morning larks who sings in the bathroom!



• Smile at the shop assistant who has me as the 1.00000.....th customer to smile at that day.



• Smile and greet all my neighbours I see, even the ones who don't do it to me - it's my choice - they are not going to change that!



• Make contact with all the people who are important to me. Family, friends, clients, colleagues..... Meeting up, phoning, e-mailing, twittering, writing, texting... there are now so many ways to keep in touch.



• Laugh and smile with the kids. Children feed positively on encouragement and recognition for their efforts. Have you ever wondered why laughter and tears can be both the product of something you find happy or sad?



• Organise an Easter Egg Hunt.



• Spot the comedy programmes on the TV or share a DVD – on a wet morning yesterday I sang and danced with Mama Mia. Can’t believe I didn’t go to see it when it came out at the cinema.



• Look forward to the next networking or company social event – or organise one myself(if it isn't getting much enthusiasm or interest, take positive action to make it something people want to be part of) and laugh with others whilst there. What amazing opportunities could open up through meeting new people.



• Listen to a great audio book on the way to work, (takes away the stress and boredom) or stick with the liveliest of the music on my IPOD.



• Say thank you and mean it.

.......... the list could go on. Thinking about the things that make you happy or laugh and just doing them could make a difference to both yourself and those around you. Don't wait for others, take positive action, it's a choice you can make.

Do you need courage?

This week Horsham men Guy Watts and Andrew Delaney set off for Australia as the days count down to their record breaking attempt to row the Indian Ocean:


Commencing: 19th April 2009 at 11:00am
From: Geraldton, Western Australia
Finishing: Mauritius, Indian Ocean
Distance: 3,780 nautical miles
http://www.indianoceanrace.com/Photo by Andrea Sarlo




Having followed their preparation over the last 12 months, I have been awestruck by their energy and determination. It takes courage to face mountainous waves, whales, sharks, swarms of jellyfish and temperatures exceeding 40 degrees. Good luck Guy and Andy.



Very detailed research that produced the Lominger leadership competencies, identified courage as one of the 8 key leadership success factors. This is broken down into 2 clusters and 7 different competencies:

Dealing with Trouble
Command Skills
Conflict Management
Confronting Direct Reports
Managerial Courage
Standing Alone
Making Tough People Calls
Hiring and Staffing
Sizing up People

Do you need courage to be demonstrated in your organisation? If so, where and how does it need to be demonstrated? If it is not being demonstrated, what is the root of the problem? One client identified that some of the major disruptions in her company arose because one of her managers was not skilled in, and in fact afraid of, confronting his direct reports who were not performing to the required standard. Another manager was regularly stressed and therefore not performing to their full capability as they avoided conflict – to the detriment of outstanding customer service when dealing with complaints.

Once you have identified where courage is needed, and established where the gaps are in your team, steps can be put in place to help develop more courage. Often it can be the result of inadequate training, or lack of confidence.