Sharon Langford

16 Steps to having your own desert island

Sharon Langford — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:55:09 +0000

I was clearing out my office today and I found a great little book which I’d picked up on Virgin Trains. The booklet is called ‘Be inspired by time’ and includes contribution from Richard Branson himself. I was particularly taken by his ‘Sixteen Steps…’

Pursue profit patiently
Take account of the variables
Adapt to the situation
Know how you need to do things
Recognise the opportunity
Inspiration can come from anywhere
Research can reveal a way round ‘no’
Respect others, irrespective of what they can do for you
Reputation is everything
Never gamble on something that you have no influence over
Enjoy what you do
Employ the best people that you can
Support and belief can take you far
Use your money to do things
Make every second count
Begin in now.

Although it has a strong business development angle to it, I think that many of these messages apply to personal life too…. perhaps rather than ‘pursue profit patiently’, it’s more ‘pursue success patiently’.

Where does confidence come from?

Sharon Langford — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:42:38 +0000

How many times do you hear people say; ‘I just wasn’t born confident’. I hear it frequently.

Approximately 50% of your pre-disposition to poor confidence is down to your genes. Of the remaining 50%, 10% may be down to your life experiences (let’s face it, if you have a stream of poor experiences you too could feel less confident!) However, that leaves 40% within your control (*), and that’s fabulous news.

You don’t have to be controlled by your past, what your mother did or how you were treated by your siblings. I realise it’s easy to say, and more difficult to change. However, if you see some your actions as ‘habits’ (which they are) rather than faults in your personality then you have a much greater chance of changing your behaviour and actions in certain circumstances.

Next time your find yourself reacting in the ’same old way’, remember that you won’t get a different result until you choose a different reaction.

(*) NOTE: Data references from research into happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky

www.sharonlangford.com – for confidence building coaching, training and mentoring.

5 Tips to Great Confidence:

Sharon Langford — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:51:56 +0000

On a daily basis, remind yourself of something you’ve done well.
Seek out time with people who are supporters rather than people who drain you.
Take a small step towards one of your key goals.
Learn from situations when something goes wrong.
Talk and think about what you want to happen rather than what you don’t want to happen.

Confidence is…..

Sharon Langford — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:35:04 +0000

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

More Confidence Tips

Sharon Langford — Wed, 06 May 2009 09:55:04 +0000

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

Sharon Langford — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:22:49 +0000

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?

Sharon Langford — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:45:00 +0000

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?

Sharon Langford — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 11:22:21 +0000

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

Confidence Tricks

Sharon Langford — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:41:40 +0000

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

Sharon Langford — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:00:35 +0000

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