Life Coaching and Business Coaching Blog

Any of my clients and those that decided to request a free coaching session will hear me talk about Neuro Linguistic Programming (or NLP for short). I use this technology within my coaching programmes and also within other areas of my life to enable me and others to get results.

The best definition of NLP that I have seen is “software for the brain”. Put simply, it allows you to re-programme your mind to think differently and make changes. It also helps you to communicate effectively. These changes can be related to anything from managing the way you feel to helping you perform better at work. The application of NLP is endless.

I learned my NLP skills through books and on a Practitioner course, but this isn’t mandatory In fact, you can start learning how to use NLP by reading my newsletter and referring to my blog.

Going forward, I will be featuring bite sized chunks of NLP in my newsletter on a regular basis so stick with it if you want to learn more. If you are already an experienced NLP user then you can use the material to refresh your memory. I will be including both basic and advanced techniques. When you read them they will be in a simple language for you to understand, which will mean you will digest them and be able to use them straight away.

There is no time like the present! So let’s look at a technique called….

Modelling

You will find that a lot of the techniques and concepts within NLP are simple. Modelling is no exception. It works on the assumption that if one personal can achieve something anybody can. Now I appreciate that there are exceptions to this rule, but in the main this does hold true.

Let’s take an example. You play golf and want to improve your swing. If you find somebody else that does this effectively, understand what is going on inside their head when they hit the ball and think the same, everything else being equal, you will get the same results. Simple isn’t it?

This can also apply at work. Have you ever been curious about why somebody seems to be achieving more than you in a certain area? If you can understand what they are thinking and doing to achieve this, apply it in your own work and you will get similar results.

I used a modelling technique some time ago when I was finding it a challenge to build a strong relationship with somebody senior within an organisation. I just could not suss this guy out, but I needed him to help me. I booked some time with one of his direct reports that had a great relationship with him. Within fifteen minutes I understood his strategy. I applied it myself and hay presto! The relationship was great from that point onwards. Proof that this stuff really works.

If you think that it would benefit you to model somebody in a particular area then let me give you some questions that you can use with them:

• What is going through your head when you are doing that?
• What kind of things are you aware of at the time?
• What are you saying to yourself and others?
• How do you feel when you are in that zone?
• Do you do anything before this to help you prepare?
• How do you use other resources to help you get those results?
• What is your posture like when you are doing this?

There are lots more open questions that you can use, but these should give you a good start.

Remember, you can model absolutely anything. Just take the time to start getting curious about how other people are getting results.

Darren 

I have been reading a book called ‘The Inner Game of Work’ from Timothy Gallwey, which helps you to overcome mental obstacles so that you can perform better at work. As a career coach, I am often picking up interesting books like this and hunting for tips that I can share with my clients.

Anyway, I hit upon a section called the Work Triangle, which I found interesting and wanted to share with you. It breaks your work down into three aspects: Performance, Learning and Enjoyment as per the triangle below:

Work Triangle

What I took from this is that when you are assessing how you are doing at work or in your business it helps to consider these three elements. Here are some example scenarios:

• You could be in a role where you are performing well, but learning very little
• You could be in a role where you are learning loads (you may be new to the role), but your performance is low to medium
• You could be learning lots and performing better as a result
• You could be enjoying a role to the extent that it is increasing your energy levels, which in turn increases your performance

Get the idea? There are lots of ways you can use this Work Triangle. Examples include:

• You can use it to assess your current role or a future role
• You can use it on an activity or project basis to help you select the right type of work
• If you have staff, you could use it with them in performance reviews of personal development planning
• You may have a job that is low paid, but this is countered by the fact that you may be learning lots or really enjoying it

The Work Triangle is a simple, yet powerful tool and a useful way of considering your work.

If you are interested in progressing or changing your career please visit my web site http://www.my-life-coach.co.uk/html/life_coaching_my_life_coach_no.html  and sign up for a free coaching session.

Darren

Have you been thinking about taking a free coaching session …

READY TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE OR BUSINESS?

I have three free coaching slots remaining during May and one of them can be yours. If you are ready to change and would like to sample some coaching please visit the link below to register. First come first serve!

http://www.my-life-coach.co.uk/html/life_coaching_my_life_coach_no.html

Coaching really works. If you are finding it difficult moving forward in your chosen direction then contact me today - I will be able to help. I can also help you change your behaviours and the way that you think. Most of the people I work with are very surprised at how just one hour of coaching will make a massive difference!

Here is a reminder of the free coaching sessions on offer. Click the links for more details:

Personal Coaching

• Career Management & Change
• Procrastination
• Time Management & Prioritisation
• Work-life Balance
• Weight Management & Fitness
• Fear and Phobia Removal
• Addiction Removal (including nicotine and alcohol)
• Finding a Partner
• Self-Confidence
• Stress Management
• Defining your Purpose & Life Planning
• Parent Coaching
• Is your issue/challenge not listed here?*

Business Coaching

• Support for Coaches
• Creating Your Business (including transition out of day job)
• Transforming Your Business
• Leadership and Executive Coaching
• Programme & Project Management Coaching

How aware are you of your energy levels? If you can learn about the regular times in the day when you are feeling most energized and when you are feeling tired you can adjust your routine to suit. For example, if you are feeling most alert and energised at 2pm that would be a great time to hold a challenging meeting or tackle a complex problem. If you are most tired at 11am you could schedule a task that is easy to do, which is not too tiring.

There is a very simple technique that you can use to help build your awareness. All you need to do is score your energy level from one-to-five on an hourly basis where one is very tired and five is highly energized. Analyze your results at the end of the week and you should be able to spot some patterns. You can then rearrange things where possible to fit with the natural peaks and troughs in your energy levels.

Give it a try and let me know how you get on!

 
I wanted to tell you about a great new service that has recently been added to the My Life Coach Portfolio. I am now offering Parent Coaching through Jeni Hooper who is a good friend of mine and an expert in the field.
 
I can tell you first hand that Jeni knows her stuff and can help you transform your children and relationships with them. The good news for you is that you can take advantage of a free session. 
 
The coaching is delivered over the telephone at a date and time that is convenient for you.
 
Interested? If so, follow this link for more info: http://www.my-life-coach.co.uk/html/parent_coaching.html

Darren
 
© 2009 My Life Coach. All Rights Reserved

Have you ever found yourself stuck and not knowing what to focus on next? I found myself in this situation with my business recently. It happens every so often and usually means that I need to do some strategic planning. The problem is knowing where to start. You have so many things to think about and options that you could be progressing how do you make sense of it all? It can be quite overwhelming!
 
Well, I usually turn to three places when I am in this situation. The first is my coach who helps me think through my options. Yes, I have a coach. In fact I have two. One for professional purposes and the other for personal/life coaching. The second place I go is into my Life Aligner Pro PC application. I use this to store all of my roles, goals, actions etc. and it keeps me organized. You can get your copy of Life Aligner Pro (free download) by visiting:
 
http://www.greatgoalsetting.com
 
The third place I go is into my Mind Mapping software. I swear by it. Mind Mapping is one of the best concepts that I have found for structuring my thinking. I am a highly visual person so it works great for me. I used my Mind Mapping software to work through my business strategy for the year and get my thinking and priorities straight.
 
You can get yourself some FREE Mind Mapping software called FreeMind by following the link below:
 
http://freemind.sourceforge.net
 
If you haven’t tried Mind Mapping or you are used to paper based approaches then I recommend that you give this a try. It’s free after all. Let me know what you think…

Darren

Would you like to become a successful coach? If so, please drop me an email. I have helped dozens of my people build successful practises that they either run on a full time basis or on a part time basis in parallel with their day job. It’s a fulfilling way of either replacing or significantly topping up your current income. What’s more, you get to change hundreds or even thousands of lifes for the better!
 
Follow the link below to learn more about the support that i offer new coaches and existing coaches. If you reply to this email you are welcome to some time with me over the telephone or Skype to explore this further.
 
http://www.my-life-coach.co.uk/html/support_for_coaches.html
 
You will find a link below to an article from the Coaching Academy (Europe’s Leading Coaching Provider). When they learnt how fast my practise was growing they contacted me and interviewed some of my clients. One of my clients talks about how she transitioned from a full time role into a practise where she is earning the same level of income and working less hours!
 
http://www.my-life-coach.co.uk/ionlywanttocoachparttime.pdf
 
Another great E-Course has been added to Life Aligner Pro, which covers Your Inner Circle of Success. Everything we do can be placed into just two Success Circles: the Outer Circle and the Inner Circle. That’s it - every move you make belongs in one or the other, and if you really want to succeed, you need to fill up the Inner Circle faster than the Outer. To learn more and access the E-Course, download the FREE 21-day trial of Life Aligner Pro today…
Darren
 

© 2009 My Life Coach. All Rights Reserved

One of the first Personal Development books that I read was ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Stephen Covey. I can remember working in a team of consultants and our manager was that impressed by the book that he purchased a copy for each of us. Many of my colleagues couldn’t be bothered with it, but a couple of us took the time to read it and we have been benefiting from applying the habits ever since! They are based on common sense and will transform your life if you take the time to internalize them.

I am delighted to announce the launch of Life Aligner Pro. Significantly Improve Your Personal Life, Career or Business. Discover the Secrets of Personal Change and Achievement through Powerful Software and e-courses.

FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW, watch my four minute video now and learn how you will benefit from Life Aligner Pro!

Here’s the link ->
http://www.lifealigner.com

Darren Cockburn
My Life Coach

P.S. If there is somebody that you know who could benefit from my services, I would appreciate it if you could forward my details to them. The high level of referrals I receive helps me keep my coaching rates affordable. Thank you.

web: http://www.my-life-coach.co.uk
email: darren@my-life-coach.co.uk
skype: my-life-coach
tel:  07806 779029

 
Hi,

 
Firstly, apologies for not being in touch for a while. I hope everything is good with you.

I have been quiet over the last couple of months with my head down working with a partner on a secret project producing a unique combination of personal development software and e-courses.

This new product is literally days away from completion and I am excited about releasing it. It enables serious personal and business change.

Soon I will be posting another blog entry introducing the product and an invitation to the first 100 customers to PURCHASE IT AT AN EXCLUSIVE LOW PRICE with a stack of free bonus gifts.

I am limiting this initial launch exclusively to blog readers like you before advertising to everybody else. In fact, I am so confident that you will love it that I am also offering you a no quibble satisfaction guarantee.

I can’t reveal what this product is now, but stay tuned and watch out for the next blog entry within the next few days, which will contain full details!

 
Regards, Darren