Are you worried your organisation might trim staff numbers in the wake of the global credit crisis? Is your industry get hammered by negative publicity? Do your co-workers complain or worry out loud incessantly? Or are you feeling so stressed out that negativity has spread its suffocating tentacles around you? While you may have reason to feel down, with proactive action and a positive attitude you can survive and thrive in the wake of this crisis.

First, stay positive. It’s important not to panic. Wisdom suggests that when life turns to custard everyone would benefit by cultivating a calm, optimistic and pragmatic attitude. One of the best ways you can do this is to take control of the suggestive elements in your environment. Make a commitment to ensuring that what you are seeing, hearing and doing are consistent with the goals you want to achieve. Here’s how:

1. Choose your attitude:
As Viktor Frankl, Austrian Psychiatrist and survivor of the worst horrors imaginable during his imprisonment in various concentration camps said, you may not be able to choose the circumstances of your life, but the one thing no man can ever take from you is your attitude. “We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms -- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
Sometimes, according to Frankl, disasters, setbacks and disappointments are gifts waiting to be revealed. In other words, we can choose to find meaning and purpose and even divine guidance during stressful and uncertain times. For example, Viktor’s experiences and compassion for his fellow human beings led him to work at ways to help people maintain their will to live. After his release he became world famous for developing “meaning therapy,” a valuable therapy technique he perfected during his time in the concentration camps.

Many other people have similar stories where what at the time looked like the end of the world, turned out to be an experience that steered them in a more positive direction - in some cases turning out to be the best thing that ever happened. As one client told me recently, "If I hadn’t been fired I’d still be looking out the window wishing I was somewhere else. I would have settled for less, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I’d be someone else. Someone less."
If Viktor Frankl, can find meaning and purpose in his unimaginable suffering, then I'm positive we all can too. How could your current negative situation turn out to be a silver-lining in disguise?

2. Fake it until you make it.
Proactively cultivate confidence and optimism. Opinions vary re whether we are really headed for a recession. Even the experts can’t agree. Things may not be so bard after all. But many economists agree that pessimistic, recessionary thinking and self-talk can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

As the National Bank economists said in their August 2008 Economic Outlook, “We cannot stress the importance of confidence enough. It’s not a key driver of wealth, but critical for maintaining momentum. Economics and business cycles are as much about human behaviour, the feel-good factor and risk appetites – as well as the laws of supply and demand.... it’s a game of confidence.... the danger is that fear and caution becoming self-fulfilling. Signs of improving confidence is the first critical step.”
One way to fake it until you make it is to affirm for what you want and keep your mind off what you don’t.


3. Meditate! Control your thoughts - control your destiny. Learn to meditate and practice this daily. Recent research published in New Scientist, has revealed that meditation can help to calm people and reduce fear. The research found that regular meditation can tame the amygdala, an area of the brain which is the hub of fear memory. People who meditate regularly are less likely to be shocked, flustered, surprised or as angry as other people and therefore have a greater stress tolerance threshold as a result.

Research also proves that people who meditate regularly suffer less from anxiety and have increased energy, creativity and self-control. By meditating regularly, the brain is reoriented from a stressful fight-or¬-flight response to one of acceptance, a shift that increases contentment, enthusiasm, and feelings of happiness. Make meditating for at least 20 minutes a day part of your daily routine for optimum success and well-being.


4. Bibliotherapy - Read your way to positivity! Immerse yourself in books which inspire and motivate. Tune out negative news and bad events and tune into positive news and information. Check out this link for more signs of economic optimism. We make real what we attend to so start collecting your own glad-rap clippings.


5.Be your biggest fan. Practice positive self talk. Under times of stress, or if you're a pessimist by nature, you're likely to spend a lot of time with negative self-talk. "I can't do this." "Nothing works out for me." Or, "I’m not a very confident person," are all common examples. Whatever situation you are facing pay attention to what you're telling yourself. All the above statements are all examples of really crippling affirmations Talk and affirm the positive instead. It will make a dramatic difference in how you feel. Make a conscious attempt to shift the focus on any pessimistic thoughts. Try saying things to yourself like, "I know I'll get through this." "What could I do today to stay relaxed?" "There are many things I do well and today I'll stay focused on those." “I’m a capable, confident person”

6.Get outside! True happiness comes from being outside. Just like plants, we need at least 20 minutes of sunlight every day just to restore our hormones to normal levels. Medical research suggests some people need as much as two hours a day of sunlight to avoid seasonal affective disorder. Walking outside can also help you gain a new perspective on a troubling situation. When you go outside and take a walk, you increase the electrical activity in your brain, you breathe negative ions and see in three dimensions. With time alone engaging the whole brain, you have an opportunity to process things that are troubling you and to see things more objectively, sometimes the solution is quite simple. Tap into the healing power of the great outdoors by walking near the sea or natural bush.

7. Be grateful! Celebrate what you do have. Sometimes it can be so easy to focus on what you don’t have that you forget to acknowledge all the things that you have in your life. For example good, health, a loving partner, freedom to do what you have supportive friends, a roof over your head, someone who loves you, a good education, living in a peaceful part of the world, experiences you’ve had, all the things that are good about you and that others appreciate etc

8. Rewind! Reflect back on previous crises - remember the positive changes which occurred as a result. Trust this will happen again. Keep a silver linings journal. Divide the pages in half. On one side record the thing that’s upset you and on the other side, the opportunity that could come of it. You may find you have to add this part later – sometimes the silver lining takes a wee while to be revealed.

9. Invest in colour. Surround yourself with colours and scents which reflect the way you want to feel and be. Many people love yellow when they are sad. Vincent Van Gogh, who suffered from depression, often painted in yellow – yellow skies, yellow grass, and yellow houses. Yellow! Choose a colour that that makes you feel fabulous! Boost your optimism, happiness and success by contacting me for a personalised colour analysis session. Visit me at Thecolourgirl.com to find out more - click here

10.Get around the right people. Take a wide berth away from moaners, pessimists and whingers and get around the people who know how to find opportunities in the midst of any life crisis. Associate only with positive, success-orientated people. As motivational guru Brian Tracey says, “Fly with the eagles. You can’t fly with the eagles if you’re scratching with the turkeys.” Walk away from the go-nowhere types. If those negative tigers you work with aren’t going to change their stripes get out fast. Start looking for another job before their pessimism or cynicism affects you too.

11. Listen your way to success. Help feed your positive vibes by listening to motivational tapes, CD’s or podcasts. The average person drives 12,000 to 25, 000 kms a year which works out to between 500 and 1000 hours per year. Put that time to good use and engage your brain. You can become an expert in your field by simply listening to educational audio programmes as your go from a to b.

12. Be visible. Now is not the time to go on leave. Out of sight out of mind – you may find your position could be axed while you're gone, Even if things have slowed down and the workload isn’t what it used to be now is not the time to cruise in around ten o'clock either. It’s all about perception management – if you look busy chances are the bosses will think they can’t do without you. Make it clear how invaluable you really are by identifying ways to stand out and distinguish yourself. If you're in sales, get your numbers up. Nobody will be laying off star salespeople. Get out from behind your desk and increase your visibility – proactively network and help others achieve their goals with your help whenever possible.

13. Create some spin. Future proof your career by making sure you're adding value at work by going above and beyond your basic job responsibilities, Be the first to initiate new ideas or to put your hand up for new assignments when asked. Don’t be shy about blowing your own trumpet – make sure your boss knows how you are adding value without being too self-focused.

Show how multi faceted and adaptive you are. Don't get a reputation as someone who is change adverse or who only does what they are told to do. Keep your eyes and ears open and proactively look for opportunities to get involved. Volunteer for value-add tasks, including tasks for which others may be responsible. Be a team player and pitch in wherever you can. Doing your job and doing it well is not enough in these economic times. Be prepared to show how you can go the extra mile.
Update your skill set. Future proof your career by staying in tune with marketable skills and experience. What social, economic or technological changes are coming up and how can you be work-ready with the skills, knowledge or training required?

This may mean forking out of your own pocket but the reality is companies get rid of people whose skills are obsolete. Take classes, join trade organisations, and prove you're in the know. Consider going back to school, perhaps even by correspondence, to show your employer you're serious about your career and your performance. Ask your way to success by finding out what is most relevant and needed by your current organisation. Future proof your career and ensure a good return on investment by finding out how marketable your new skill set will be outside your organisation.

14. Think and act positive. Attitude counts - a lot. Employers want people who can show resilience and boost morale during tough times. No one likes a whiner. It’s draining and counterproductive. Research shows happy, optimistic workers are less likely to get laid off than people who think and talk negatively and seem to dislike what they do. I have seen so many careers prematurely derailed because of negative attitudes. People seem to think they are bullet proof and neglect the importance of how they interact with others. If you moan about your job or complain about the boss odds are your manager may rationalise that giving you the sack would really be doing you a favor. You won’t turn any clients on by engaging in recessionary banter either.

15. Network! Network!Network! So many people wait until they’ve lost their job until they start tapping into their networks. Chances are that by the time this happens you’ll be calling out of desperation, needing their help to find work. Increasing your chances of keeping your current job or transitioning reasonably painlessly into a new job following a layoff often depends on how consistently you've contacted - and maybe even helped - lots of people when you didn't need them. Remember it’s not what you know but who you know and how they feel about you. Maintain positive relationships and don’t burn any bridges.

16. Get career fit. Update your CV, start visioning where else you might like to work or what else you might like to do, touch base with recruiters and sign up for electronic job alerts. It doesn’t hurt to keep your eye out for future opportunities and if you're mentally prepared for a move, you'll make a more informed and wiser one than if you wait until you're desperate.

17. Pursue your passion not your pension! Maybe your current position is perfectly "safe." But think about it for a while and you may find yourself wondering: Is "safe" good enough? Maybe it's time to change jobs anyway -- and heed the immortal words of Keith Richards, "I'm gonna leave while it's still fun/ I'm gonna walk before they make me run." Don't know what you're passionate about? Find it here!

Doing what you love and doing it well is also a cure during economic downturns. There will always be a demand for people who love what they do and who do it well. The key to recession proofing your career and surviving and thriving in the face of uncertainty is knowing how to do what you love and still pay the bills. If you have no idea how to find your passion Happy@Work Job Hunting for Mid-lifers+ will show you how. Follow this link to for free downloadable preview http://www.cassandragaisford.com/happy_at_work.html

18. Keep your dreams alive. Look at the big picture and the life you really desire. Don’t let present day worries rob you of your passion and enthusiasm for your dreams. Do something everyday to help make your dreams a reality. Get inspired! Start an image board with things you want accomplish or achieve. Look at it daily. Believe they will happen - tick them off as they do. Surround yourself with inspirational people who believe in you and the beauty of your dreams and do something everyday that you love!



If you have no idea how to boost your happiness at work Happy@Work Job Hunting for Mid-lifers+ will show you how. Follow this link for a free downloadable preview

Labels: Happiness

posted by Cassandra  # 11:17 PM  0 Comments

You have the power!

I received this email today from one of the MANY inspirational newsletters I subscribe to (this one from Bruno's One Minute Commentary). I loved it so much I wanted to share it with you - it's so simple and so true. "When you smile the world smiles with you.

We all have incredible power but often don't realize it. I am talking about our SMILE power. Want to see if you have it? Next time you meet someone with a crabby face, smile and watch how he changes. Or when you're in an elevator with people you don't know, smile, say something friendly, and watch everyone's mood lighten up. But why should we use this special gift? Well, that one is easy. It's our responsibility to make other people feel good if we can. And smiling is one of the best ways to do so.

You can never give away a smile
- it always comes back.
- Anonymous

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.
- Phyllis Diller

Bruno&'s commentary
People have been talking about Mona Lisa's smile for 500 years! If you want another proof of smile power, watch how a telephone conversation brightens up when you smile as you talk, even though your conversation partner can't see you. Your smile alters your voice and sends out healthy energy and suddenly everything becomes positive. Need another proof? Smile at a child; you will get one back, immediately! And best of all: It's impossible to become angry when you smile!

Are you smiling right now?

Close Up are doing a story on what appears to be our banks not passing on the official cash rate cuts to their business clients. That is, since July of last year the OCR has been cut by 4.5% while base lending rates to businesses have only been cut by 0.6% in the same period.

Some say our business owners are now subsidising our home owners.

Close Up would like to speak with a business owner who has recently gone bust and if they've had a bad run with their banker - all the better.

If you can help, please email Matt Chisholm - matt.chisholm@tvnz.co.nz

It's time for the banks, who's lending policies many blame for this recession, to come to the party and share the pain instead of profiting in times of boom and bust.

I sent my own bank an email with tips re how to save your home for there comment and never heard from them!

Sick of all the sad-wrap? It's time for some glad-rap

Business is booming - despite what the media tells you - many businesses are not only surviving, they're thriving. Here's just a few:


Chocolate: cure-all even in the gloom. Cadbury chocolate confirmed this week that when the going gets tough, most of us reach for chocolate. Sales are up by 7%, with Dairy Milk streaking ahead with an 11% increase in sales.

Check out Deanna Gracies’s order book – this amazing jewellery designer says business has never been so good. Her order book is jam-packed. If you’re in the market for a custom designed work of art contact Deanna now before you have to go on a waiting list! Recession? What recession? There’s always a market for quality pieces of art that sets the soul ablaze with joy.

To get hold of Deanna and view her latest works click here


Wood exports are also up with strong demand from China. Praise be to wood, the natural choice.

Upholstery cleaning services are up as people hang onto their furniture. Now that’s got to be good for the environment.

Pre-loved, second hand retailers are all thriving in this economic environment. I’m amazed at the bargains you can pick up at the local Sal-ie Army store! I just picked up a great potato masher for 10cents! Check out quality second hand clothing stores and look fabulous for less.

Loan companies are doing very nicely as people seek refuge from poor cash flow. I’ve noticed a whole raft of innovative companies starting up to help people collect bad debts too. Just shows where there’s a crisis there’s an opportunity.

Education providers are doing very nicely thank you as people take the opportunity to upskill. If you’re going to be poor you may as well invest in your future. Some institutions are turning people away as numbers overflow.


Kiwibank profits are up as people switch banks and go with kiwi owned.

Air New Zealand has money in the bank while other airlines are in the red and some close their doors.

Holiday bargains are helping boost sales for the tourism industry.

Fuel prices continue to go down as do mortgage rates and house prices – making many things more affordable for people.

Check out more good news here

This will be "home" for the next 3 + years - the architecture studio at Victoria University. Lucky for me my previous study has been recognised so I don;t start until June this year. So I'm making the most of some outdoors time and engaging in creative play at my rural retreat.

You can follow my own transformational journey as I morph into an architect here. It is a dream and passion I have held for years and now it’s finally coming true! Maybe folliowing my own courageous journey will inspire you.


If you could do with a courage boost you'll benefit from my new eBook Boosting Courage - The Competitive Edge


Boosting Courage - The Competitive Edge is based on the practical and proven techniques that we use when consulting with clients on a one-to-one basis. Discover how you too can overcome barriers, boost your confidence and be more successful. .
.
The strategies in this workbook will teach you how to:
• Understand the psychology of fear
• Reprogram your mind for success
• Identify and successfully overcome common fears
• Minimise the risk of things going wrong by helping you make informed decisions
• Dress for success and stay calm under pressure
• Feel the fear and do it anyway
• Fulfill your potential

Download a free sample and purchase here


Fulfill your potential and live your dreams today!

Labels: diary of an architect, Powerful Creativity

I've always found tremendous comfort and excellent tips from a variety of newsletters I subscribe to. Sometimes they are not relevant, sometimes they are bang on the money - giving me just the boost I need. I set up little folders in Outlook and save them across for a time when I need a motivational kick start again.

Spurred on by my passion for helping others and the joy I get from writing and sharing knowledge with others, I have been writing my own eNewsletters for over a decade now! The feedback I get from the thousands of people who subscribe keeps me writing and there is always some new challenge or some amazing new idea that I have just got to share.

In the case of the newsletter below I was inspired by a talk I saw on Ted.com - along with some amazing occurences of "flow" in my own life.

If you like this newsletter sign up for monthly inspiration delivered right to your door. My eNewsletters are free, practical and positive - increasinglyl rare qualities in today's competitive climate.



Newsletter October 2008

Table of Contents:
Hello
Creativity, fulfillment and flow
Tips for those wanting more Creativity, fulfillment and flow
Creative quotes about flow
What I'm up to
Helpful resources
Until next time



1. Hello

In a wonderful instance of synchronicity the other day I received an email with a link to a talk by one of my favorite creativity experts Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi.

In the talk he asks, "What makes a life worth living?" Money cannot make us happy, he says -- instead, he urges us to learn from people who find pleasure and lasting satisfaction in activities that bring about a state of "flow." Check out his talk here

The timing of this email to his podcast was amazing. I was just sitting down to write this newsletter, following on from a survey I had created two weeks ago about flow and finding your career nirvana.

One of the questions I ask is “what is flow? For me creativity, fulfillment and synchronistic support to things that I am passionate about is all about flow When I’m in flow things seem to happen so easily. Like the commission I was given and recently completed to create a beautiful, soothing painting. Follow the creation process here

2. Creativity, fulfillment and flow

“All My life I have been mistaken in measuring the significance of any work by the struggles that went into it.”
Henri Matisse, Artist

Some of the most common questions I am asked by people who seeking coaching is, “How can I find out what I’m good at?” and “How can I be sure that I will enjoy it?” Whilst these questions may seem daunting, the past is often a good predictor of the future. Often we just need reminding of the times and circumstances in our lives when we felt inspired or energized by something, and of the times when our skills just seemed to flow. Such times can provide clues to our passions and unique strengths and talents.

I feel most in flow when I am creating. I lose all track of time when I am painting. The most fulfilling part of this is creating something that is innately satisfying to me and that the recipient truly loves. I feel excited, energized and truly complete. Sometimes before I sit down to paint I find it really hard to get going. During such times I find Picasso’s words of wisdom, “Inspiration has to find us working” motivates me into action.

I discipline myself and say I will give it 30 minutes and that's all. Very often I find that 3-4 hours later I am blissfully painting and find it hard to tear myself away.

Coaching, and writing articles and books that help people to follow their bliss produces the same state. I feel a huge sense of purpose and people comment positively about my flow-inspired works. Business psychologist and author Jasbindr Singh's fantastic foreward for my new book confirms how much spiritual and creative flow has gone into creating this book. Read her foreward here

3. Tips for finding your flow

Learn from others: - How do you know if you are in the flow? Check out some of the signs and read some inspiring examples of people who have achieved success and fulfillment through powerful creativity

Watch Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi's talk on creativity, fulfillment and flow


Find your flow – take the career nirvana quiz. Get 5 other people to sign up to our newsletter and take the quiz too then email me when you have completed it and I will send you a complimentary eBook on how to you’re your bliss

Self-develop your way to flow: - You can read more about the spiritual, healing power of art on my blog as well as see images created with flow and art that has truly healed people’s souls.


4. Creative quotes – creative flow

"The first step (to higher happiness) is to develop the habit of doing whatever needs to be done with concentrated attention, with skill rather than inertia. Even the most routine tasks, like washing the dishes, dressing, or mowing the lawn become more rewarding if we approach them with the care it would take to make a work of art."
- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi , Psychologist


"A really good picture looks as if it's happened at once. It's an immediate image. For my own work, when a picture looks labored and overworked, and you can read in it—well, she did this and then she did that, and then she did that—there is something in it that has not got to do with beautiful art to me. And I usually throw these out, though I think very often it takes ten of those over-labored efforts to produce one really beautiful wrist motion that is synchronized with your head and heart, and you have it, and therefore it looks as if it were born in a minute."
- Helen Frankenthaler, artist

“Natural abundance comes from “getting into the flow” by doing work that that brings a sense of inner excitement. The phrase “follow your inner joy” is actually the key to abundance. Once your follow your inner most joy and adapt your situation to doing work that you love, then synchronicity begins to flow. Synchronicity is the Universe’s way of telling you that you are on the right track.”
- Owen Walters, Author

5. What I'm up to

Happy@work
Amazing flow has been happening with my creative project Happy@work: job hunting for mid-lifers. Just when I’d been stopped dead in my tracks by huge printing costs helpful people suddenly appeared – including a publisher who is very interested in taking over the project. Check out the amazing “go-incidences” that have miraculously come to my aid.


RSVP TO LAUNCH:

Don't forget to put a bright orange circle around the 28th of November 5:30 - 7:30, at Exhibitions Gallery, Featherston Street, Wellington.
Secure you place of happiness by RSVPing to cassandra@cassandragaisford.com.
It promises to be a great night! Check out the amazing people who will be there to entertain you

Click here for Happy@work updates, tips to increase your current levels of happiness and see the work in progress.


Coaching creative people
This year, as many of you know, I have made a concentrated effort to move away from work that doesn't fill me with joy toward work that does. It's a no brainer...but it did take some time to crystallize. Sometimes the most innovative solutions are the simplest.

While exhibiting alongside deNada fashion as part of the Joy'ance exhibition I was approached by Nada to help her grow her business and still retain her life. I was flattered and immediately leapt to the challenge. It was a mutual colliding of passions

Find out more about deNada and how coaching is helping her business continue to create amazing produces and services


New paintings
Hot on the tails of two very successful commissions I am feeling reinspired. Preview new works of art for upcoming Jouissance exhibition and check out the journey from blank canvas to work of art


I’m on canvas!
Life took a surprising turn...finishing with this delightful and quite unexpected email from Mark Olsen
"I have just finished and named a painting after you for an exhibition that I have in Christchurch this Thursday - will send an image tomorrow - Mark"


Here she is...She is part of a collection for an exhibition that Mark Olsen is having with Fisher Galleries in Christchurch, opening this Thursday night

6. Interesting Links and helpful resources

Get a business coach
If you would like some help starting or growing your business please contact me - I'm passionate about your passion and helping you succeed!

Boost your creativity
Create a work of heART - Register now for creativity workshops.
Learn how to:
start out on your own creative journey
Break through barriers that are blocking your creative expression
Tap into latent, undiscovered talents
Create your preferred future
Next workshop Saturday 22 November in Wellington. Contact me to register or for more details

Think and grow positive
Coming up with fresh and innovative ideas requires positive, proactive and inspired thinking. Get rid of negative thinking and boost your creative powers. hear an excerpt from The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale to help you think and grow positive


Learn to value creativity
What will the world of work look like in 2030? This is when kids starting school now will graduate! We don't even know what the world of work will look like in 2 years let alone 21 years. The future of work requires creative thinkers about to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Are school educating kids out of their creativity? Hear UK author and creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson

7. Until next time

We can stay in touch via my blog – I’ll be posting regular updates on the powerful creativity blog and happy@ work blog too. I’m currently teaching myself the joys of podcasting – stay tuned to both these blogs for progress. I have some very inspiring audio interviews with people living and creating with passion, which I’ll upload soon.

Don't forget to put a bright orange circle around the 28th of November 5:30 - 7:30, at Exhibitions Gallery, Featherston Street, Wellington. Secure you place of happiness by RSVPing to cassandra@cassandragaisford.com.
It promises to be a great night!


I love to hear your success stories. Please send me a note...
You can email me at: info@cassandragaisford.com
Copyright (c) 2008, All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce copy or distribute this newsletter as long as this copyright notice and full information as below about contacting the author is attached:
The author of this newsletter is Cassandra Gaisford. Cassandra has an intense passion for art in all its guises. She believes in the power of creativity to transform people’s lives, making them feel refreshed, playful, inspired and adventurous.
Cassandra is a leading expert on the topic of passion, career success and worklife balance. Cassandra is a popular and widely recognised author and motivational speaker as well as a columnist and career expert for the Dominion Post. Her free Newsletter is available at both her web sites: www.cassandragaisford.com

So many of you have been asking when the book is coming out. Just as I have been thanking you for your patience and continued interest, so too have my prospective publishers been thanking me.

Just the other day I received this email:

“Unfortunately you caught us at a difficult time, in light of the economic downturn. It’s been an incredibly tough year for the local publishing industry. Therefore, could I please just ask you to bear with me just a little longer? I should have a clearer idea of where we’re at in a week or two. Many thanks, once again, for your forbearance. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can.”

So Happy@work is still live, but just not published. It’s a catch 22 for all involved – the book is needed but the money to produce is tight. Meanwhile I still have my backup plan in place – self-publication. The wonderful team at Fitzbeck Creative are beavering away tweaking the gorgeous graphics and polishing other elements. Either way, international publisher or self-publication, Happy@work will be released this year. I didn’t come this far to have it sit around collecting dust.

Plus, as you may have read in last month’s newsletter, I believe in the transformational power of this book with such a passion I’m willing to back myself 150%. I’ve actually been applying the principals of the book as I take a big career leap and pursue my passion for architecture. You can follow this exciting journey here http://www.cassandragaisford.com/2009/01/architecture-of-work.html - - there's lots of real time tips to help anyone contemplating a big change in career

In the meantime don't forget you can download free chapters and pre-purchase a signed copy from www.cassandragaisford.com - click here to be taken straight to the link

Labels: The Book

“The best thing you can do right now is to get a safe job,” my well meaning mother told me when I announced I was going to use the economic downturn to go back and retrain. Forget about the fact that there aren't many "safe" jobs out there, and I've plateaued in my current field. I NEED a new challenge or I'll go stir crazy “That’s scary,” said a friend. “I need some of what you have – courage, pleaded another, inspired by my ability to surge forward in the wake of challenges. “How do you do it?” asked another.

Fear is the biggest risk
To survive through a recession, over 43% surveyed in May 2008 by Uk firm Common Purpose think it will be important to take more risks. In today’s complex and rapidly shifting business world, it seems that being paralyzed by fear into inaction is the biggest risk of all, and the predictions are that people’s appetite for risk-taking in the workplace is likely to increase as the economy enters a recession. Taking calculated risks is very different to acting rashly – risk is an inseparable part of entrepreneurship, innovation, progress and success. The challenge is, however, that biologically human beings are hardwired to avoid risk at all costs. Proactive, vigilant, inspired and courageous action is needed in buckets full to steer away from the inherent risks of inertia toward to sunrise of success.

My favorite strategies for boosting courage and taking risks during the fear of a recession:

People often ask me what the secret to my success is – the great news is that there is no secret. The success factor is simple – remind yourself that you are in control, take calculated action toward your dreams, have a back up plan in case it all goes to custard, and, very importantly, have faith that what ever happens you’ll handle it.

Some of the things I do to boost my courage – especially in the face of discouragement, negative input and other potential handbrakes are:

Get inspired – I feed my courage with inspirational input from a variety of sources. These include books about people. I'm proactively weeding out badrap and filling my daily diet with gladrap - good news stories and signs that my new career direction is, or will, show an upturn in the not too distant future. With predictions of on going housing shortages and the Government announcing pllans to finance the building of new home, coupled with natural disasters requiring more housing to be created - and an increasing need for sustainable, affordable home - I reckon I'm pretty safe with architecture.
e living their dreams, inspiring quotes, DVD’s; goggle searches, positive people

I take action in spite of fear or uncertainty – better to take baby steps toward your preferred future than no steps at all. Currently I’m walking toward studying architecture full time by looking at funding options, minimising my outgoings i.e. renting my house, talking to people who can help etc and having a back up plan like doing papers by correspondence if it all turns to custard

I’m following my passion – trust your feelings. What inspires you? Gives you life, feeds your soul, and absorbs your every waking moment. For me it’s organic architecture and creating happy, healthy environments. The wheel hub on the back of my car say’s, “I’m following my passion, are you?” It’s a humorous and daily reminder to walk the talk

Living with purpose – linked to passion is purpose – the idea of working in a field to improve people’s lives gives me a motivating, sustaining sense of purpose

Stay away from critics – right now my own family is totally unsupportive of my plans to go back and study so I do the only thing I can do and shut them out of this part of my life. I know from experience they always come around – they just lack the vision I have to know where and why I am heading off on a new course. I do this with no attachment – free of negative emotion

Share my experience – I guess you could call this a form of paying it forward. By putting into practice what I am learning and sharing it with others I draw strength especially when people email me their support and tell me how I inspire them. I gain encouragement by encouraging others.

Mediate and maintain worklife balance – mind, body and soul are all connected. During times of change I put extra effort into ensuring I eat well (I barely touch a drop alcohol, I keep to a ration of 1 coffee a day, drink plenty of water, take vitamin b supplements, eat fresh fruit and vege), ensure Ilaugh a lot, take time out and meditate regularly are just some of the ways I manage what often is the stressful process of change – even happy times are stressful times and more so when you’re caught in transition.

Maintain the faith – related to meditating and taking time out is the importance of maintaining a positive expectancy spiritual perspective. This feeds hope. Without hope and a philosophical approach you have nothing.

Keep my eye on the future - I always, always project out 2-5 years and anticipate how life will be when I have achieved my goals. That way I’m future proofed to ensure success and I have something exciting to inspire action.

Gratitudes – whatever happens I remind myself of how lucky I already am. you are when I focus on this luck more good luck comes. I’m lucky I wasn’t caught in recent Australian bushfires, I ‘m lucky to have opportunities, I’m lucky to be healthy, I’m lucky to have this laptop on which to write, I’m lucky to be born in a country that gives women choices. I’m lucky to have the friends I do etc So much to be grateful for.

Gratitudes are an important part of training your mind for success – it would be easy to focus on the things that are going so well or are troubling me at the moment, and the many answered challenges that lie ahead – but doing so would be totally detrimental to going forward with any semblance of confidence.


Look, listen, feel, think, speak and act in the direction of where I want to be. Listening to inspirational music like Duffy’s song “distant dreamer” helps reignite my motivation to act!

“ I know there’s better things to come. When life gets tough and I feel like giving up, I hold onto a distant star. I’m thinking of all the things I’d like to do with my life. I’m a dreamer, a distant dreamer. Dreaming for a brand new day,” she sings.

What’s the worst that can happen – anticipating all the things that could go wrong is a great way to get the demons out of your mind and start tackling solutions. Whenever I am feeling fearful I get out a piece of paper and list all my worries and fears – and then I list some more. I uncover more by asking myself the following: “and what else could happen? And what else?” Then I assess the likelihood of them really happening.

Many of our worries often have very little likelihood of happening at all – especially if you take proactive steps to avoid or minimise them.

Supposing your worst-case scenario did happen – would that really be so bad? For example, if I really stop to think about it going off to study architecture is a bit scary – there’s a lot to learn and money is going to be super tight. I’ve already minimized financial pressure by reducing spending in advance and renting out my house.

Re having a lot to learn – the worse that could happen is that a flunk out and don’t make into year 2 – places are highly competitive and reserved for top performers. If I failed would this be so bad? The “fear” fo this happening means I’ll work dam hard to make sure I don’t fail but if I do I’ll find another way to make my dream a reality – I take courage and inspiration from reading about the many architects that never finished, or even began, formal training. Architectural greats like Frank Lloyd Wright, Carlo Scarpa, and Tadao Ando spring quickly to mind.

Keep your goals visible and affirm for what you want - Related to the above I recall how, after failing my first exam, at University many years ago, I turned that setback into a teaching moment by looking at what I did wrong and changing the way I studied and prepared dramatically. I put a note over my desk where it was clearly visible which said, “ I have failed this time but next time I will get 80%.” My friends cautioned me that I was setting myself up for failure. “ It’s not realistic to go from 25% to 80%,” they warned.

Because their doubts where bringing me down I moved the post-it note somewhere more private, but still visible, and stopped telling people what I was trying to achieve. Keeping negative thoughts away, keeping my goals visible, affirming for what I wanted, and taking proactive, constructive steps to achieve my goals helped me get 78% - 2 % short of my intention but still a most excellent and pleasing result!

Keep your emotions in check - You may begin to feel tremendously courageous and have a great need to exercise your will and to determine where you are going and what you are doing. Be warned that because you will be motivated by tasks that relate to your own personal objectives you can be drawn into conflict with others. Sometimes this can arise from what they consider your selfishness and excessive self-involvement. Or as you pursue your own goals you may come into conflict with another whose goals are not in harmony with yours. No matter which of these alternatives you encounter, this is a time for enlightened self-interest. But you must continually remember the people around you and be very careful not to alienate them any more than necessary.

Unless you learn to keep your emotions under check there is a real danger of needless disputes, irritability, emotionalism, rash action and hastiness, which may result in problems later.

One of the ongoing challenges is to successfully let off steam without making an unnecessary shambles. If you frequently feel somewhat discouraged about yourself, you should be especially careful as you may be hyper-sensitive. You may see everything that comes your way as a threat and react much too defensively. If you have a bolder and more self-confident temperament you may be inclined to act too quickly, to be hasty and overcritical of others.

If you are like me you may find, while all your energy is going into building up your courage, it is difficult to handle other people for a while. At such times I often head off on a self-imposed retreat until things, or rather I cool down and regain perspective. In some cases it is a matter of allowing other people involved in some way, whether this is family, friends, or business associates, to cool down too.

Future Proof Your Income - Are you worried your organisation might trim staff numbers in the wake of the global credit crisis? If you are self-employed, are you worried your business won’t survive? While you may have reason to worry, with proactive action you can survive and thrive in the wake of this crisis.

• First, stay positive. It’s important not to panic. Many of the strategies I have shared in this eBook are ones I practice diligently – every minute of every day. Any little streak of negativity can open up hairlines cracks in my wall of confidence.

• Next think of ways to generate revenues or cut costs. Proactively identify ways to work smarter not harder - either by generating more revenue using existing capacity or by trimming waste. Concentrate i on finding places to pinch pennies, or identifying cheap new sources of revenue. Or both. This is something I have done last year as I laid the foundation for the years to come. I’ve already mentioned renting out my home, starting a new business line and trimming expenses.

• Be visible. Now is not the time to go on leave. Out of sight out of mind – you may find your position could be axed while you're gone, Even if things have slowed down and the workload isn’t what it used to be now is not the time to cruise in around ten o'clock either. It’s all about perception management – if you look busy chances are the bosses will think they can’t do without you. Make it clear how invaluable you really are by identifying ways to stand out and distinguish yourself. If you're in sales, get your numbers up. Nobody will be laying off star salespeople. Get out from behind your desk and increase your visibility – proactively network and help others achieve their goals with your help whenever possible.

• Next ensure there is always a demand for your services by creating exceptional value.

• Update your skill set. Future proof your career by staying in tune with marketable skills and experience. What social, economic or technological changes are coming up and how can you be work-ready with the skills, knowledge or training required? This may mean forking out of your own pocket but the reality is companies get rid of people whose skills are obsolete. Take classes, join trade organisations, and prove you're in the know. Consider going back to school, perhaps even by correspondence, to show your employer you're serious about your career and your performance. Ask your way to success by finding out what is most relevant and needed by your current organisation. Future proof your career and ensure a good return on investment by finding out how marketable your new skill set will be outside your organisation.

Pursue your passion not your pension! Maybe your current position is perfectly "safe." But think about it for a while and you may find yourself wondering: Is "safe" good enough? Maybe it's time to change jobs anyway -- and heed the immortal words of Keith Richards, "I'm gonna leave while it's still fun/ I'm gonna walk before they make me run."

Doing what you love and doing it well is also a cure during economic downturns. There will always be a demand for people who love what they do and who do it well. The key to recession proofing your career and surviving and thriving in the face of uncertainty is knowing how to do what you love and still pay the bills. If you have no idea how to find your passion Happy@Work Job Hunting for Mid-lifers+ will show you how. Follow this link to for free downloadable preview

And finally, cultivate confidence and optimism. Opinions vary re whether we are really headed for a recession. Even the experts can’t agree. Things may not be so bard after all. But many economists agree that pessimistic, recessionary thinking and self-talk can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

As the National Bank economists said in their August 2008 Economic Outlook, “We cannot stress the importance of confidence enough. It’s not a key driver of wealth, but critical for maintaining momentum. Economics and business cycles are as much about human behaviour, the feel-good factor and risk appetites – as well as the laws of supply and demand.... it’s a game of confidence.... the danger is that fear and caution becoming self-fulfilling. Signs of improving confidence is the first critical step.”

Labels: achieving goals, Overcoming setbacks

People often ask me where I get my courage from. Strangely enough sometimes just one quote, one line in a book, one inspiring statement is all that it take to quell my fears, boost my courage and inspire me to action. Here's a few of my favourites:

“We plant the seed in the desert & God brings the rain.”
Terry Harnett, accountant and clairvoyant

“Don't fall into the trap of imagining that everything has to be perfect. It never will be. Your task is to figure out what you want. Then allow the Universe to begin bringing together the resources necessary for you to have your dream” . Then it's time for you to take a leap of faith and go for your dream. Don't imagine that any of the heroes or heroines you look up to hasn't gone through this same process. They have! They've all been scared as they looked out over the chasm they needed to leap across. “
- Lynn Robinson, author,


“My grandmother always wore a gold Neferititi necklace. My mum gave it to me two years ago, and I always wear it when I need to summon up extra strength.”
-Keira Knightley, actress

“Without courage - the state of quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger with self-possession, confidence and resolution- you will come to a halt. Or if you do go on, you will sit halfheartedly and spend most of your time avoiding pain, which is to practice delusion instead of enlightenment. Freedom from suffering lies in the opposite direction: you not only bear the inevitable ordeals, you turn them into vehicles for enlightenment.”
- Patrick Ophuls, spiritual author

"One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest."
- Maya Angelou, accomplished poet, an award-winning writer, a journalist, an activist, a performer, a dancer, an actress, a director, and a teacher

“Our belief at the beginning of a doubtful undertaking is the one thing that ensures the successful outcome of your venture. To learn to believe is of primary importance. It is the basic factor of succeeding in any undertaking.”
- William James, psychologist


"We need to teach the next generation of children from day one that they are responsible for their lives. Mankind's greatest gift, also its greatest curse, is that we have free choice. We can make our choices built from love or from fear."
- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, psychologist

For a man to achieve all that is demanded of him he must regard himself as greater than he is.
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe German poet dramatist, novelist, and scientist
“There is no one in your way except you and your doubts about you. It is easy to stay the same. It is not easy to change. Most people choose to stay the same all their lives. IF you take on your self-doubt and your laziness you will find the door to your freedom.” -Robert Kiyosaki, property investor, author and millionaire

Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today?
--Mary Manin Morrissey, author

"More firm and sure the hand of courage strikes, when it obeys the watchful eye of caution."
- James Thomson , American developmental biologist

Labels: Motivation