Confidence is…..

I created this ‘wordle’ (visit: www.wordle.net) on words which I associate with confidence…..

More Confidence Tips

Do you find yourself focusing on the bad things? What you don’t have? The mistakes you’ve made?

Perhaps you spend time thinking – “I’ll never get that job/house/goal, because people like me don’t” The sad truth is that by saying or thinking such thoughts, the chances are you won’t get what you want.

Optimisim is a key to confidence. Change your thoughts and you will change your results. Give it a go… rather than thinking the negative, choose to think what you DO WANT….. for example:

‘I want an exciting job’
‘I will meet some interesting people at tonight’s party’
‘My job pays the bills and for that I’m thankful’

More later!!

Top Coach 2010

Sadly, I didn’t quite make the semi-finals of Britain’s Next Top Coach – I was in the top 15. An achievement I’m very proud of – thank you for voting for me…. I shall be back for the 2010 competition!

Tomorrow I will be heading off to see the semi-finalists present their 12 minute coaching tips. This will be done live, recorded and then the next round of voting starts.

I don’t have a favourite – perhaps I will after I’ve seen them all present on Saturday.

If you missed my tip, it’s still available on the Top Coach website. Click ‘Sharon’s 4 minute coaching tip’ to view it.

What do you want to achieve? Maybe you’re already there?

I recently came across this story in a book. Although I know it’s done the rounds of the internet before, I feel it’s worth repeating here…..

A Harvard MBA took a vacation to a sunny clime where he hired a fishing guide named Joe to help him to land a Marlin.

Joe was in his forties and lived in a modest house by the seashore with his wife and two children. Every day, Joe rose when the sun was warm and took a swim in the ocean with his family. Three days a week he escorted clients out to sea in his boat and they would fish until they hooked a big one.

The four mornings when he chose not to work, Joe would sit in his hammock and read from breakfast until it was time for mid-day lunch with his wife. Almost every afternoon, he picked his kids up after school and took them on ‘an adventure’ or to his workshop for handicrafts. After a long dinner ‘en famille’, Joe and his wife would walk to a nearby cafe where the locals gathered to discuss issues facing their community.

As the vacationing MBA appreciated, Joe’s fishing expeditions were first rate; Joe was a skilled guide, knowledgeable not only about anglers’ tackle but also marine biology, oceanography, meteorology and other subjects about which vacationers were curious. The MBA saw potential for a big, profitable enterprise.

He explained to Joe that it would be easy to put together a group of venutre capitalists to “build your under-performing business”. Instead of inefficiently taking one client out at a time, Joe could have a fleet of high-tech fishing boats, each accommodating a dozen or more clients. With a little strategic advice, he could branch out into related businesses; perhaps build a high-rise hotel on the beach. Most important, Joe could go on TV and become the marketing face for his business, creating a brand that could be franchised at other sleepy fishing communities: “A guy like you could become a celebrity”. The MBA then delivered the clincher: “When that happens, we have an IPO (stock market flotation) and you get rich!”

After listening patiently, Joe asked, “And what then?”

The MBA quickly answered; “Well, you retire to some nice place on the beach, do a little fishing and reading, and get to spend some time with your wife and kids…..”

If you’ve not already done so, then check out my free video coaching tip at ‘Britain’s Next Top Coach’…. http://www.britainsnexttopcoach.tv/contestants/sharon-langford I’m currently in the Top Twenty – aiming for one of the 12 semi-final places; you’re vote will help me! Thank You.

Are you fed up with all the bad news?

I sometimes wonder whether all this bad news is just plain bad for us! Let’s face it, if we are to believe the news we’re facing total catastophe; perhaps the placard carriers message ‘The end of the world is nigh’ is right. I hope not.

So, I was delighted to come across this book – ‘The Optomist’, by Laurence Shorter. It’s title very much speaks for itself… but don’t take my word for it, you can get a free copy of the e-book version from The Book Depository. Follow this link:

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/blog/post/tag/free-e-book-the-optimist-by-laurence-shorter?utm_source=NL-Body&utm_medium=email-Newsletter&utm_term=blog-about-The-Optimist&utm_content=Free-ebook&utm_campaign=Newsletter-April-09

If you’ve not already done so, then check out my free video coaching tip at ‘Britain’s Next Top Coach’…. http://www.britainsnexttopcoach.tv/contestants/sharon-langford I’m currently in the Top Twenty – aiming for one of the 12 semi-final places; you’re vote will help me! Thank You.

Confidence Tricks

Do you ever have those days when you feel low and down? Your self-esteem’s taken a battering – perhaps your boss has had a go at you?

It can be a challenge to pull yourself up again, and this is where some simple ‘confidence tricks’ can come in handy. One of my favourites is this one……

Keep a note book or cuttings album of achievements. Put copies of ‘well done’ messages in it, cards, notes etc. Paste in some favourite inspirational quotes or pictures ….. this book then acts as your ‘blue day’ book – on days when you’re feeling low, or your self-esteem’s been a bit battered, take it out and check back on all the things you done well.

If you’re feeling low then the chances are you’re finding it difficult to focus on the resources, strengths and talents you DO HAVE – having this book to hand helps to remind you.

Want more regular tips? If so, stay in touch by subscribing to this blog and by signing up to my e-newsletter, issued monthly – go to www.sharonlangford.com and complete the sign up box.

And, if you want to know what I look and sound like, then check out my coaching tip and vote for me in ‘Britain’s Next Top Coach’…. http://www.britainsnexttopcoach.tv/contestants/sharon-langford

Newsletter Subscription offer – Free AND chance to win Amazon Gift Certificate

Would you like the chance to win an Amazon Gift Certificate? Well, you’re in the right place. Between now and 30th April 2009, I’m offering new subscribers to my FREE newsletter the chance to win a £25 Amazon Gift Certificate.

Read more about my newsletter here: http://www.sharonlangford.com/index_files/Page363.htm and to enter the competition, click on the following link:

http://www.sharonlangford.com/index_files/Page735.htm

What I’ve learned…..

A friend recently sent me the following…. I don’t know who it’s attributed to, but it made me think and I thought you’d like to read it too….

I’ve learned…. That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I’ve learned….. That when you’re in love, it shows.

I’ve learned….. That just one person saying to me, ‘You’ve made my day!’ makes my day.

I’ve learned…. .That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world

I’ve learned…. That being kind is more important than being right.

I’ve learned…. That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I’ve learned…. That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in some other way.

I’ve learned…. That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I’ve learned…. That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I’ve learned…. That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I’ve learned…. That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I’ve learned…. That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.

I’ve learned…. That money doesn’t buy class.

I’ve learned…. That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular..

I’ve learned… That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I’ve learned…. That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I ‘ve learned…. That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I’ve learned….. That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I’ve learned…. That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I’ve learned… That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I’ve learned…. That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I’ve learned… That life is tough, but I’m tougher.

I’ve learned…. That opportunities are never lost, someone will take the ones you miss.

I’ve learned…. That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I’ve learned…. That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I’ve learned…. That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I’ve learned…. That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I’ve learned…. That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you’re hooked for life.

I’ve learned…. That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.

I’ve learned…. That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

Neat eh?

Have you voted yet? If not, visit the Britain’s Next Top Coach page, register and vote…. as a registered user you’ll also get access to more inspirational videos etc delivered by the competition’s experts….. what have you got to lose! Click here http://www.britainsnexttopcoach.tv/contestants/sharon-langford

Support for YOU

Many of you are facing difficult times right now. Whether you’re in your fifties, forties, thirties or just starting out in your career after leaving school or college – life is tough.

Some people have said to me, ‘I’d love some coaching, I just can’t afford it right now – the mortgage and feeding my family is my priority’. In response to that, I’m going to spend the next 6 months working on some short articles, e-workbooks and audio/video clips which can provide you with if not free then certainly low cost support to help you through these challenging times.

I fundamentally believe that this period is going to be a real turning point for many people. A chance to reflect on who they are and what they want – a chance to focus on what really matters. And if you’re starting to feel like that, then I’ll be able to provide you with some support.

So, stay in touch by subscribing to this blog and by signing up to my e-newsletter, issued monthly – go to www.sharonlangford.com and complete the sign up box.

And, if you want to know what I look and sound like, then check out my coaching tip and vote for me in ‘Britain’s Next Top Coach’…. http://www.britainsnexttopcoach.tv/contestants/sharon-langford

Sometimes you have to stop to get started

Have you ever found yourself so over-whelmed you just don’t know where to start?

You’re not alone. When you have too much to do it’s easy to either i) do nothing or ii) do something, but not the right thing. Does that sound familiar to you?

The best thing that you can do if you’re feeling really over-whelmed is to STOP. Take a bit of time out – breathe and then review what you’ve got to do. Even if everything feels important, identify the three most important things you’d like to make some progress on in the next week then choose to invest some time in those things…. even if it’s just a small step.

So, when you’re a bit lost; the best way to get started is to STOP.

Check out my coaching tip and vote for me in ‘Britain’s Next Top Coach’…. http://www.britainsnexttopcoach.tv/contestants/sharon-langford