Help people generate their own solutions

  “People possess the necessary resources to find solutions to their complaints – coaching helps them tap into these resources so they can construct solutions." - Lipchik

While listening can be one of the most helpful things you can do for another person, over time staying stuck in problems can take its toll. Adopting some solutions focused language skills can shift people from talking about problems to creating their own solutions. Instead of launching into generating solutions for them try posing some well structured questions.

Solutions focused techniques lie at the heart of the Worklife Solutions FastTrack coaching process and is an important part of the coach’s toolkit. The roots of Solutions-Focused Coaching stem from counselling and therapy based techniques developed in the 1970s by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg at the Brief Family Centre, Milwaukee in North America. Solution-Focused Therapy’s philosophy is that all clients have strengths, skills and resources and that they are the experts on what they want to achieve.  The coach is not the expert, entrusted to “solve” the client's problems, but to act as a facilitator, and guide who empower their clients to create their own solutions and tap into their inner based resources.

 

Unlike counselling approaches which focus on providing clients with an awareness of the problem’s nature and origins (past based), solutions focused coaching emphasises focusing on possibilities and the clients preferred future. Thus instead of focusing on the problem, exceptions to the problem (ie times when the problem isn’t a problem) are drawn out. Often the solution is not necessarily linked to the problem at all.

 The power of solutions-focused coaching often stems from carefully thought out open questions applied at the appropriate time and designed to encourage clients not only to behave differently but also to view themselves differently.

 "One has not only an ability to perceive the world,but an ability to alter one's perception of it; more simply,one can change things by the manner in which one looks at them." -Tom Robbins, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

 

Some useful solutions focused questions include: 

LOOKING FOR EXCEPTIONS

 The purpose of this technique is to help people to notice the absence of the problem and to notice their successes.

• When's the most recent time that the problem happens less/not at all?
  
• What did you try recently that worked? What are you doing now that works? (Get details –“What difference did it make? How did you do it?”
  
• Tell me about the times it happens less.
  
• Tell me about the times that it doesn't happen.
  

 

COPING QUESTIONS

The purpose of these questions is to help people realise how resourceful and strong they already are. When clients are catastrophising or find it hard to see anything good in their life coping questions can help them to recognise glimmers of hope, courage or resourcefulness they already possess.

 

• How come it is not worse?
  
• How are you handling it?
  
• In spite of everything that is happening how did you ________ (get up in the morning; get here today, etc).
  
• What’s been a little bit helpful so far? (This can be a good question to ask when people worry they are not making progress.)
  

Labels: Happiness, Health

I just received an email from a friend saying her heart was healing nicely. Time heals all wounds they say....thinking of my broken toe here! Bet the same goes for the heart - like the toe: rest, don't put any pressure on it, expect it to take time, once repaired the break is much, much stronger than before!

So what does all the above have to do with being happy@work? Relationship strain is one of the primary reasons so many people are unhappy@work. Enlightened folks in many companies offer free relationship counselling for this very reason. Innovative companies take this one step further and actively sponsor membership to dating sites to help staff partner up!

Research suggests that people in happy relationships are more successful than those that aren't. Of course the same goes for those who avoid unhappy relationships and fly solo.

However, people benefit from being in a healthy relationship because they have someone to:
Encourage them to take risks or perservere
Boost flagging confidence
Coach and counsel them through challenges
Help them maintain perspective
Maintain healthy work-life balance
Enable them to pursue their dreams by financially support them
Share any financial strain or other challenges that may impact on work performance - family dramas and issues with teens is one area that instantly comes to mind

Labels: Health, Motivation, Productivity

"We are suffering from an epidemic of overthinking—caught in torrents of negative thoughts and emotions that overwhelm us and interfere with our functioning and well-being." Nolen-Hoeksema, professor of psychology at the University of Michigan

I recently received an email from a client asking me how she could stop over analysing everything. Her specific challenge to me was " How can Petra let her spirit run more freer? (and less dominated by the rational side of her)".

Rather than spend too much time thinking about this myself I did a brain purge - listing all the possible ways she could free her mind and let her spirit soar. "Just whatever comes up for you intuitively would be lovely!" she said. What an ideal client! I love to work intuitively. Little does she know that I am a recovering over-thinker myself. Still as they say, we learn best what we need to teach."

Here's my intuitive response:

Stop over thinking!

•MeditateNumerous studies have documented the health benefits of meditating daily. Increased creativity, clearer thinking, minimised stress and anxiety are just some of the many benefits. I learned the Transcendental Meditation technique over 13 years ago and have never looked back. See the resource section below

• Wear more colourful and flowing clothes. So many people's spirits are straitjacketed in tight, tailored, black suits. Woman especially seem to have lost their femininity at work

•Be silly, reckless, and childlike. Learn to adopt the spontaneous, playful curiosity of children. Spend time at a play centre, hang out with nieces and nephews if you have forgotten how and copy-cat your way to playfulness.

•Do at least one FTE a day - First Time Experience. This may be little like going down a street you have never been down before, or bigger like make an impulsive purchase or asking a complete stranger to dance!

•Have massages regularly to loosen up. It's hard to let your spirit soar if your body is tied up in knots.

•Take up dance - let your body move. Movement frees up tension and energises our minds and spirits. Take up a class or dance to your own music at home. Really let yourself go.

•Ensure your home and work environment reflect the way you want to feel. While studying interior architecture several years ago I came across a wonderful book, "the house is a reflection of self." This resonated with me. Look around your own home. Do the colours, shapes, textures, furnishings reflect the way you wan to feel? How can you create more spontaneity, intuition, creativity?

•Learn to say no. Taking on too much responsibility can cripple creativity. Learn to say no and delegate where ever possible. Practice creative procrastination - put off until tomorrow that which won't advance your life today.


•Monitor your words and thoughts. - "Must's, should's, have to's, can'ts, if's", are restricting words. Proactively weed them out and feed with "want to's" and more decisive, knowing words.

• See your freedom. Get a photo of you when you were most free - place it where you can see it everyday

•Affirm for what you want. Repeat, "I am a free spirit" or " everyday my spirit is feeling freer and freer" to programme your mind for success.

•Take regular holidays. Taking time out is a great tonic for the over-wrought soul

•Take up a creative hobby – painting, photography, creative writing, poetry, singing

•Set a freedom goal – make a project of it. Replace the word "goal" with " desire" to experience all the benefits shifting from over analysing everything will manifest

•Aromatherapy – smell freedom! Scents from essential oils like mandarin, orange and Ylang Ylang can alter brain chemistry and free up restrictive, analytical thinking. Pick up an aromatherapy book and find the scent that's right for you

•“Plan a day” where there is no plan – allow your soul to guide you. This reminds me of a very uptight friend of mine who turned up one day looking uncharacteristically untidy, "We're having a playful day" she proudly said.

•Take a load off your feet - Go gliding or soak in a flotation tank (a light-and sound-proof tank filled with water) like NZ Portrait artist Mark Olsen

•Free your working week. Create some more variety and freedom in your day. Cut down your work hours/times where you have to be available to others– so you can drive your time how you like

• Copy your way to freedom. Think of your least rational friend – copycat, ask them for tips, etc

•Leverage off your strengths. Make less rationality a research project – use your rational side to help you. Another rational solution is to complete a force field analysis:1. List all the forces against/things that constrain your spirit - if not "free" then what? "trapped"?? 2. Now list all the forces for a more free-er sense of self. 3. Now identify ways to maximise forces for, ways to minimse forces against 4. Develop an action plan

• Tap into the spiritual realm - Visit a psychic and have an intuitive, spiritual reading

• Trust yourself - make failure your friend. The fear of failure is one of the primary reasons people spend so much time over-thinking. Set a time limit on thinking and decide when enough is enough then commit to action. If it doesn't work out this time at least you'll know what not to do next time.

and not last, and not least....

•Trust your gut! As Einstein once said, "The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift." Listen to life’s whispers and act on your intuition. Intuitively I always “knew” I could build a house on the back of my section. Rationally I had no idea how!
Allow your intuition to guide you to the higher ground as Oprah does, "My business skills have come from being guided by my higher self or my intuition. I am who I am today because of... intuition, my ability to feel what is right for me and allowing that to be the strongest guide in my life. Intuition is akin to God. It is akin to being led by that which is greater than yourself. My intuition, my intention and my passion have allowed me to be who I am and will take me to higher ground..."
Everyone is intuitive – many of us have just forgotten how to listen. Listen to and strengthen your intuition – keep an intuition journal by noting all the times your intuition speaks to you.

Helpful resources:

Learn to meditate - read benefits and find out about classes

Women Who Think Too Much: How to Break Free of Overthinking and Reclaim Your Life" -
Read the article here

Labels: achieving goals, Career Creation, Happiness, Health, Intuition, Motivation, Powerful Creativity, Powerful thinking

August 2008

Table of Contents:

Hello again!

2. Looking after you – The holistic way: mind body and soul

3. Inspirational Quotes – “Holistic Health”

4. Resources to help

5. Closing Notes and update on Cassandra's creative endeavors

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I am back from my truly awesome winter escape in Hawaii and can truly testify to the positive healing and rebalancing that comes when you prioritise your health over all the other demands on you time and energy levels. To say this year has been stressful would be putting it mildly. I'm still in the midst of some personal dramas but I can definitely say I feel 150% stronger and calmer than I did before I left. Even my friends are saying: "Wow! You seem so relaxed about it. If that was me I would be spitting tacks!"

You may also recall from last month's newsletter my acupuncturist's views that on a global level negative energy and toxic emotions are sweeping the globe. This coupled with all the doom and gloom reported in the papers and large numbers of people expressing financial pressures and job insecurity are very real threats to keeping positive energy levels up.

In this month's newsletter I thought I'd share my own strategies for staying positive in the face of any life crisis. I've used those I've tapped into most recently prior to and during my time in Hawaii. Hawaii is a very spiritual place - especially the island of Maui. This quote I read somewhere recently sums up the positive power of going somewhere, like Hawaii, to reenergise, "People need to come here and relax. Sit on the country, feel the spirit of this country and go home and feel the same way." While you may not have gone to Hawaii yourself hopefully you will find some tips you can use to help yourself or someone you care about who may be struggling at the moment.

Passionately yours,

Cassandra and the Worklife Solutions team

ps www.cassandragaisford.com is live! Check out the Happy@work audio link of my interview on National Radio. Check out the Media Page http://www.cassandragaisford.com/media.html.

Download a sample chapter of Happy@Work : Job hunting for mid-lifers http://www.cassandragaisford.com/happy_at_work.html

I am working on some final edits to the “Happy@work: Job hunting for mid-lifers.” My agent has tried unsuccessfully to contact publishers in New Zealand and so we are reviewing our strategy. Instead of publishing in New Zealand first and then marketing in The States we are thinking HUGE (or as I have always maintained, and to borrow from one of Steven Covey's success principals, "begin with the end in mind"), and looking to publish in The States first! This is great news! I hope to have advance copies ready for pre-release purchase at The Joy'ance exhibition in Wellington opening on Friday 29 August. Come along and get your own signed copy. I'd love to see you.




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2. Practical Strategies for Looking after you – The holistic way: mind body and soul

When positive energy levels start to wane try some of my favourite strategies:

Book a massage: I had a massage before I went away so I was nice and relaxed (this way I could avoid getting terribly sick like so many people do when they stop everything and finally relax. Why get sick on holiday!) I also had 4 massages at various places around Hawaii - including a 3 hour pampering at the Maui Spa resort where I was saying. It felt so great not to have to drive "home" after my massage.) Having massages is a well known and well documented therapeutic tool - what many people don't realise is that a one hour massage is equivalent to having 6 hours rest!

Plan for a holiday: When everything was beginning to get on top of me recently I got on the plane and flew to Hawaii. Not only was this a great time to rest but I also was investing in my career development and longer term life goals - making the time away even more valuable. It was an investment in my health - body, mind and soul and also in my future income/career. For me, staying positive and energised at work and in life means having something to look forward to. Check out my on line diary for details re this exciting adventure.

Set a goal: I set a goal before I went to Hawaii to have my very first painting exhibition. This feels so exciting and definitely helps keep my positive energy levels soaring. It also helped me make the most of my time at the Sumi-E ink painting workshop with Max Gimblett in Hawaii. I felt so incredibly inspired and joyful while painting there that as soon as I got home to Wellington I took my best most joyful ones to my framer so they can be ready for our Joy'ance exhibition later this month. Max was standing right beside me - I'm sure his positive joyful energy rubbed off onto me! He was so impressed with my work he called them the little Gimbletts! "I see the car back seat full, chocka full on Gimblett’s, a real treat of an image. Demonstrates that the spirit is principled," he wrote to me. He even joked that I must have flogged some of his ones while he wasn't looking!

Check out the " final word and update on Cassandra's creative endeavors" section at the end of this newsletter or the blog to find out more about the upcoming exhibition and my exciting creative collaboration with other talented, passionate creatives.

Stay away from negative people and sad-rap: Part of my reason for getting away was to escape all the negativity that was surrounding me. Turning off the phone just wasn't enough! I also actively stayed away from the media and anyone whinging. Being around artists is so positive, especially on the island of Maui which is an incredibly powerful spiritual place. It was interesting, or should I say depressing to land at the airport and see the image of the Maori activist on the front page of the paper doing the "f*** off" sign with his finger- do people really think gestures like this are powerful?

Surround yourself with positive people and glad-rap: Passionate, positive people are like vitamins for your soul. I love, love, love surrounding my self with uplifting people, especially those that have transcended/overcome difficulties in their own life. I agree with the actress who played Phoebe in Friends who said, "I find people who can cope with life really inspiring. I like being around them."

Max Gimblett most definitely fitted this bill for me both virtually ( before I had met him) and even more in person. He was so open about his own life experiences, challenges with addiction and mental illness - it was incredibly powerful because he had moved through it and his life and his work was richer for it. This energy definitely flowed out to me and I felt a stronger better person for having been near him. Max is also a great affirmer - as you know I am a big believer in collecting positive feedback as a cure to all the toxic comments handed out so freely by others. This morning I received this email from Max - it is definitely going in my feedback journal! I share it with you to show that everyone benefits from kindness.

"Well, we are now friends forever you and I. The state is principled, friendship, if my quirks are held away the other person is perceptible. I naturally had no ideas about you and you stand revealed. What a fine person you are Cassie. Truly creative, a wild spirit that has a full go and mature, what a wondrous combo. You are contained about discussing your daughter, how balanced. Your considerable professional skills shine thru in your personal soul life. It was a genuine treat having you about, I really cannot imagine anybody else, and I missed our final meeting, as it were. - Max Gimblett"

Meditate: look after your mind and soul: 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 mediate 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 mediate 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. Any meditation technique that you prefer will function perfectly well. Some popular meditation techniques include transcendental meditation, breathing meditations, walking meditations and the Buddhist meditation. Meditating can be a simple as sitting quietly for 20 minutes focusing on one thing – whether this is a number you repeat over and over e.g. “one, one, one” or focusing on your breath.

Next weekend my daughter and I are heading of for a 3 day silent meditation retreat. See the resources section of this newsletter for further details in case this is something you would like to do too.

Soothe your soul: awaken the spiritual you. For artist Hyunmee painting is a spiritual process akin to meditation. She talks about her type of vision as an “abstract gaze,” a certain way of thinking and looking that prioritises states of formlessness and energy.

Works of meditative induced work are incredibly restorative to be around. When I gaze at my Max Gimblett paintings I feel profoundly serene. Perhaps you feel the same way when you walk amongst nature. Perhaps peace envelopes you when you are in a deeply spiritual place, or maybe you feel renewed when you do something you love. There is no perfect way to look after you mind, body and soul – there is just the way that is right for you.


There is now extensive research suggesting that spiritual people are happier and less stressed. Surveys by Gallup, the National Opinion Research Centre and the Pew Organization conclude that spiritually committed people are twice as likely to report being "very happy" than the least religiously committed people. An analysis of over 200 social studies contends that "high religiousness predicts a rather lower risk of depression and drug abuse and fewer suicide attempts, and more reports of satisfaction with life and a sense of well-being". And a review of 498 studies published in peer-reviewed journals concluded that a large majority of them showed a positive correlation between religious commitment and higher levels of perceived well-being and self-esteem, and lower levels of hypertension, depression and clinical delinquency.
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happiness#What_causes_happiness_-_scientific_research

Enrich your life with gorgeous colours:try the 21 day colour feast. Ban grey, black and any drab colours from your life. Surround yourself with colours that makes your soul sing – you’ll make other people’s soul sing too (even if they do have to wear sunglasses to just be near you! Oranges, read, sunny yellows, luscious green, cheeky purples and bubbly pinks have been scientifically proven by the Gaisford Institute to boost self esteem, confidence and happiness levels.

It was really affirming the other day when a lady came up to me at the bus-stop (thank you Yvonne) and said, " I read your newsletters - that's why I'm wearing this!" she said, pointing to her bright orange cardigan, "people say, 'that's bright' and I say, "and I feel bright too!"

Here is a man in Waikiki who loves gold more than I do!

3. INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES - Holistic Health
I find inspirational quotes to be one of best sources for feeding the spirit, which for me is an essential component of a holistic life style. I've been collecting them for years. Here are some of my favourites: (The first three are favourites right now because it reminds me how important being positive is, especially as a lady in a very negative work environment I have been employed to transform said, "when people are all positive I feel like saying, 'fuck off feelers!' " At first I felt really bad, and then I remembered that people like her are the ones most in need of healing. Other people there said, "We don't need all this flowery stuff "and they call me "pot plant!" Now I think it's funny especially as we are through the worst of it and now people are really embracing the positivity message - it didn't happen over night but it did happen!)

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." ~Marcel Proust

"In everyones life ,at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the spirit." ~Albert Schweister

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." ~Mahatma Gandhi

"Be who you are and say what you feel because people who mind don't matter and people who matter don't mind." ~Unknown

"Always be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else."
~Judy Garland

"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." ~Jim Rohn

"It takes courage to follow your fascinations, wherever they may lead. Yet, creativity demands that you trust and stay on the path despite obstacles. The good news is that it's possible." ~ Gail McMeekin,

"I don't want life to imitate art. I want life to be art." ~ Carrie Fisher

"In love the paradox occurs that two beings become one and yet remain two." ~Eric Fromm

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." ~Confucius

"My father always said to me, 'children should be seen and not heard 'so I became an artist." ~ Max Gimblett

"A quotation at the right moment is like bread for the famished." ~The Talmud

4. RESOURCES TO HELP

Life Coaching: A passion deficit can play havoc with your energy levels, self-esteem, confidence and emotions. Give yourself a passion boost and get your life back on track. Life coaching encourages you to dream. It allows you to imagine the ideal life you could have and then helps you create a plan to achieve all you want to be and do. Find out more about our unique “Free to be me” life coaching programme and get your groove back this winter.

Career coaching: If you are unhappy@work chances are it's affecting other areas of your life too. When you do what you love, you’ll have more energy and attract success into your life. Get a career makeover this winter. Career coaching can help you boost your intuitive intelligence, discover your life purpose, get clearer about your passions and goals and tap into proven strategies to help you achieve them. Find out more about our unique "Passion Driven Work" career coaching programme and fast track your career happiness and success.

Check out our website for more information about career or life coaching or contact me in person. We offer one off sessions, email coaching and face-to –face session individually tailored to your needs. Cassandra@worklifesolutions.co.nz . I’d love to hear from you.

Books - Listed below are just a few of the books written by myself and other career planning experts. You can buy these from our secure on-line store.

If you find any more brilliant ones please let me know - I’d love to share them with others.

Find your passion - eBook

Would you like to wake up every day looking forward to going to work? Do you want a job that is in harmony with your passions, values and deepest interests? Do you want a job that is deeply rewarding and gives you a sense of meaning and purpose, and that allows you to be who you truly are and who you truly want to be?

This book will help you find your passion and still pay the bills by:
* Increasing your awareness of your deepest passions
* Highlighting a wide variety of alternative career paths and companies that can fulfill your passions
* Identifying and developing a strategy to overcome any passion barriers
* Providing strategies to help you maintain a more passionate fulfilled you!
Available for immediate download and life-long reference from http://www.cassandragaisford.com/shop


Best Fit Career - eBook full of simple strategies to take the mystery out of finding your perfect career. Available for immediate download.

Happy@work- eBook full of simple strategies to boost your joy levels at work. Available for immediate download

Stress Busting - Simple but effective strategies to help you boost your energy levels and get rid of stress. Only $12.50! Buy now and reap the benefits of a stress free life.

“The Extraordinary Passions of Ordinary New Zealanders” Mike Fitzsimons and Nigel Beckford - purchase on line

Web resources - Listed below are just a few of the web resources sites that address issues related to living and working with more intuition. Self-help by searching for more on www.google.com. If you find any more brilliant ones please let me know – I’d love to share them with others.

1) Learn how to create your perfect career. Click on the video link of my interview with Brendan Pongia on The Good Morning Show.

2) http://www.cassandragaisford.com/media.html.We have just added an audio link of my interview on National Radio re happiness and passion@work.

3) A variety of articles about people using positive energy can be found on the Worklife Solutions site http://www.worklifesolutions.co.nz/newsart_articles.php

4) Boost you energy by tapping into the power of creativity - check out the cassandragaisford.com site for regular tips and updates on my blog.

5) Happiness at work - you can find this newsletter and regular happy @work updates here Stop by and add your happy@work comments.

6) http://www.holistichelp.net - a good selection of articles and tips to help you live well

7) http://www.infinitebeing.com/index.html - Discover New Vistas of Inspiration, Love and Creativity through Spiritual Metaphysics...created by one of my favorite authors Owen Walters.

Workshop resources - Mindfulness and Natural Wellbeing: Meditation retreat

A residential Insight meditation retreat led by Stephen Archer

Strathean House, Otaki 8-14 August 2008

The purpose of mindfulness meditation is to magnify well-being. Its practice helps us to recognise, and then be guided and healed by that within ourselves which is already whole and peaceful.

On this retreat we will create an environment of silence and tranquillity in order to help everyone relax and \"come home\" to themselves in a natural and tender way. We will practice mindful sitting and walking meditations within a simple structure of group sessions, regular instruction periods and individual supervision.

This retreat is suitable for beginners as well as those more experienced in meditation.

Further info Phone Stephen 0274 356 352 or email: stephenarcher@insightmeditation.org.nz

STEPHEN ARCHER has an honours degree in Eastern religions and trained as a Buddhist monk for 13 years in the Theravada tradition. He is guiding teacher at Te Moata retreat centre and director of Wellness Solutions Limited. He leads insight retreats nationwide.

Gift Vouchers – Help someone you love fulfill their potential and achieve greater success in their life. Enquire now about our gift vouchers.

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5. Closing Notes and Update re Cassandra's Creative Endeavours

As I have mentioned setting goals and tapping into creative energy are great ways to look after mind, body and soul. While in Hawaii for a bit of worklife balance and to join Max Gimblett as he shared his Sumi-E Ink painting techniquesI created a new range of works for my very first exhibition. I really feel so excited about them - I don't even mind if no one buys any because I would love to keep them myself. This is exactly how I felt about the piece that won the Supreme Prize at the Wai Art Awards. The fact that it sold and that the person truly fell in love with the work made parting with it an honour. That is why I paint - to share my passion and uplift others. This is a view shared by artist Wassily Kandinsky when he wrote, "Concerning the Spiritual in Art", "What is the message of the competent artist? To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist." Check out the powerful creativity blog to find out more about the upcoming exhibition and my exciting creative collaboration with other talented, passionate creatives.





I hope to see you at the exhibition. Until then I wish you an positive, energetic and passion filled August

Passionately yours

Cassandra

Ps Don’t forget to check out our practical and inspiring eBooks on a range of topics including how to find your passion and still pay the bills, overcoming obstacles, and powerhouse interview techniques. http://www.cassandragaisford.com/shop/ New eBooks are being added regularly in response to emails from many of you telling me what you'd like to read!

You’ll also find gorgeous photos, paintings and other artworks to give your environment a boost. http://www.cassandragaisford.com/shop/.I've been adding new pieces of work regularly – including the one which recently won the Wai Art Awards.

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I LOVE TO HEAR YOUR SUCCESS STORIES. PLEASE SEND ME A NOTE!
You can email me at: Cassandra@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 about contacting the author is attached:

The author of this newsletter is Cassandra Gaisford. Cassandra is a leading expert on the topic of creativity, passion, career success and worklife balance. Cassandra is a popular and widely recognised artist, author and motivational speaker as well as a columnist and career expert for the Dominion Post. Her free Newsletter is available at her Web site: http://www.worklifesolutions.co.nz

Labels: Happiness, Health

Winter is a taxing time for many of us in the southern hemisphere. But it's not just us down under who are struggling to keep our positive energy levels up: on a global level, according to my Chinese acupuncturist, negative energy and toxic emotions are sweeping the globe. The good news is that come 22 July, she says, we should be through the worst of it. So hang in there - hope is on the horizon...maybe in as little as 3 sleeps away.


As for me...I'm one sleep away from getting on a plane and winging it to Hawaii to join Max Gimblett for a painting workshop. For me, staying energised at work means having something to look forward to.

I hope this month's happy@work update gives you some tips to stay positive and energised at work too.

Passionately yours,
Cassandra


1. When energy levels start to wane try some of the following strategies:

1.Clarify the source of your angst. Where there is a problem there is a cure. Help yourself and help others by completing the happy@work survey - your responses will help you identify what's zapping your energy and begin the process of identifying a cure.

2.Move! During time of stress we can become lethargic and lack energy. During such times we can feel that we don’t even have the energy or time to exercise. This may lead to feelings of depression as well as increased irritability. Numerous studies have shown that exercise promotes the production of positive endorphins, which play a key role in making us feel better about ourselves and our capacity to cope. Research from Princeton University in the States, even suggests that regular physical activity may grow new brain cells. Exercise also helps to activate both hemispheres of their brains so that they can then begin to rationalize – bringing a new perspective as well as greater tolerance to life’s stressors. As one of the senior managers I am working with recently said, “I took a leaf from your book and went to the gym. I feel GREAT!”

3.Prioritise. Ticking off the rats and mice activities can give you a false sense of achievement. Priortise - sort the important but not urgent tasks from the non important but urgent and spend your time working on those things that matter most.

4.Work smarter not harder. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. Really discipline yourself to clarify where the inefficiencies are. You may be surprised how much wasted time is your own fault. Identifying your strengths and weaknesses can be helpful here: sometimes your greatest strength can be your greatest weakness. For example I am great at ‘winging it ' and doing things at the last minute. It’s a strength in situations where immediate decisions have to be made or when I don’t have a lot of prior warning. It’s a weakness, though, in situations where I have advanced warning because even though I have a big lead time I can leave things to the last minute and create additional stress by not allowing enough contingency space. Similarly I can tend to be disorganised which means that I spend a lot of time looking for things. Other people I know are energised by new ideas and doing things differently – this can be a great skill but sometimes this can mean spending a lot of time “reinventing the wheel” unnecessarily.

5.Work with passion! Charles Kovess, author of “Passionate People Produce,” describes passion as: “a source of unlimited energy from the soul that enables people to achieve extraordinary results.” Often when you feel stressed, you can feel too tired to do anything at all. Often the things that you love to do are the first things to be traded just to get through the day.

Passion gives people energy, vitality and a heightened sense of well-being. It’s one of the greatest stress busters of all, and promotes the generation of endorphins – feel good chemicals that give us an extra spring in our step. When you tap into something you deeply believe in you may be amazed at the results.
If you need some help rekindling your passion, or even discovering it in the first place, contact the fabulous coaches at Worklife Solutions (www.worklifesolutions.co.nz) and ask them about their unique passion@work and life coaching solutions.

6.Maintain the balance. Working harder not smarter is a key reason people spend a disproportionate time at work. In our over-achiever society, where everyone spends more hours every week working or traveling to work, than outdoors exercising, or spending time with their families and friends, the whole concept of stopping and resting to restore ourselves is almost regarded as a crime.

A key outcome of overload is increased stress levels. Some of the symptoms of stress include reduced cognitive or thinking capabilities. As a result people under huge stress often make more mistakes, have memory losses and take longer to achieve less. So taking a break is a great way to revitalize your performance and to work smarter not harder. Because I know how essential it is that I model this to you all I am off to Hawaii for 14 days of "me time"...that's right - I'm going away sans family, sans laptop, sans cellphone etc etc...I 'm also avoiding any crowds by parking up at a spa resort in the mountains post my workshop with Max Gimblett. For me, staying energised at work means having something to look forward to. Check out my on line diary for details re this exciting worklife balance adventure.

7.Gratefully grateful: Noting down all the things you are grateful for is a great energy and happiness booster. Psychologists have found that people who keep a Gratitude Journal, and write in it regularly, significantly increased their levels of energy and satisfaction with life.

Affirm the positive on a daily basis and watch your energy levels soar. The mind makes real what you attend to...the more you focus on what is right in your life, the more happiness you will radiate and attract. Positive thoughts generate positive feelings - it's that simple.

8.Tap into creativity - Many people get caught up in the classical definitions of an artist when they think about creativity, but you don’t have to be an artist, painter or sculptor to be creative. Imagining what doesn’t yet exist and then bringing it into being lies at the heart of creativity. Strengthen your creative muscles by identifying all the things that get in the way of a more energetic and then surround yourself with positive images that shift you from problem thinking to affirming creative solutions. One of my clients complained that her job was so boring she had no energy. I suggested she keep her eye on her mid to long range goal of starting her own business by placing an inspiring image near her PC at work. "Just looking at this image makes my work so much more bearable - it reminds me of what I'm working toward, " she told me, smiling from ear to ear. Download our Creativity Ebook for more simple but effective ideas.

2. INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES RE ENERGY
"Without passion you don't have energy. Without energy you have nothing" - Donald Trump, property developer

“Passion is a source of unlimited energy from the soul that enables a person to produce extraordinary results.” – Charles Kovess, author

"The key that unlocks energy is desire. It's also the key to a long and
interesting life. If we expect to create any drive, any real force within
ourselves, we have to get excited." - Earl Nightingale, motivational speaker

“Out of need springs desire, and out of desire springs the energy and the will to win.” - Denis Waitley, author

3. RESOURCES TO HELP

Life Coaching: A passion deficit can play havoc with your energy levels, self-esteem, confidence and emotions. Give yourself a passion boost and get your life back on track. Life coaching encourages you to dream. It allows you to imagine the ideal life you could have and then helps you create a plan to achieve all you want to be and do. Find out more about our unique “Free to be me” life coaching programme and get your groove back this winter.

Career coaching: If you are unhappy@work chances are its affecting other areas of your life too. When you do what you love, you’ll have more energy and attract success into your life. Get a career makeover this winter. Career coaching can help you boost your intuitive intelligence, discover your life purpose, get clearer about your passions and goals and tap into proven strategies to help you achieve them. Find out more about our unique "Passion Driven Work" career coaching programme and fast track your career happiness and success.

Check out the Worklife Solutions website for more information about career or life coaching or contact me in person. We offer one off sessions, email coaching and face-to –face session individually tailored to your needs. Cassandra@worklifesolutions.co.nz . I’d love to hear from you.


Books - Listed below are just a few of the books written by myself and other career planning experts. You can buy these from our secure on-line store.
If you find any more brilliant ones please let me know - I’d love to share them with others.

Find your passion - eBook
Would you like to wake up every day looking forward to going to work? Do you want a job that is in harmony with your passions, values and deepest interests? Do you want a job that is deeply rewarding and gives you a sense of meaning and purpose, and that allows you to be who you truly are and who you truly want to be?

This book will help you find your passion and still pay the bills by:
* Increasing your awareness of your deepest passions
* Highlighting a wide variety of alternative career paths and companies that can fulfill your passions
* Identifying and developing a strategy to overcome any passion barriers
* Providing strategies to help you maintain a more passionate fulfilled you!
Available for immediate download and life-long reference from http://www.cassandragaisford.com/shop

Best Fit Career - eBook full of simple strategies to take the mystery out of finding your perfect career. Available for immediate download.

Happy@work- eBook full of simple strategies to boost your joy levels at work. Available for immediate download




Stress Busting - Simple but effective strategies to help you boost your energy levels and get rid of stress. Only $12.50! Buy now and reap the benefits of a stress free life.

Web resources - Listed below are just a few of the web resources sites that address issues related to living and working with more intuition. Self-help by searching for more on www.google.com. If you find any more brilliant ones please let me know – I’d love to share them with others.

1) Learn how to create your perfect career. Click on the video link of my interview with Brendan Pongia on The Good Morning Show.

2) http://www.cassandragaisford.com/media.html.We have just added an audio link of my interview on National Radio re happiness and passion@work.

3) A variety of articles about people using positive energy can be found on the Worklife Solutions site

4) Boost you energy by tapping into the power of creativity - check out the cassandragaisford.com site for regular tips and updates on my blog.


4. Update re Cassandra's Creative Endeavours
As I have mentioned I am off to Hawaii for a bit of worklife balance and to join Max Gimblett as he shares his Sumi Ink painting techniques.

While I am there I will also be creating a new range of works for my very first exhibition. Check out the blog to find out more about our exciting creative collaboration.



Until I return I wish you an energetic and passion filled July:)

Labels: Happiness, Health, Motivation