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POWER to Live More with Jo Dodds

193 Episodes

44 minutes | 8 days ago
Richard Sams on Show #196 : Effective Entrepreneurial Work-Life Balance
Richard Sams is the Co-Founder and CEO of MOHARA, an innovation delivery specialist company that builds tech products. His team works with startups, SMEs, and corporate clients looking to develop non-core products, mitigate risk, and seek opportunities to innovate within their sector or branch into new sectors. MOHARA’s Head Office is in London, with offices in Brighton, Bangkok, Cape Town, and a new office in Dallas. Richard believes that good products and business ecosystems start with good people and that great ideas conceived by talented people need to be seen.  Today, Richard and I discuss his journey from a career in teaching to starting his business. He shares how some of his teaching skills were transferable to his startup and how it has developed over the years. He reveals why he believes people have been an essential element to his success and how his self-development passion drove his company. He discusses why it is  crucial to take time for yourself as an entrepreneur and what he does to maintain balance between his work life and home life. He shares how taking time away can make the time you are at work more effective and the challenges that the coronavirus pandemic and quarantine has presented to him and his business. He also shares how he stays organised, develops his knowledge, and how his business passion helps him to live more. “Take whatever problem there is head-on, and just go and fix it.” Richards Sams This week on The Power to Live More Podcast: How Richard went from teaching to starting MOHARARichard’s teaching skills and experience that helped him in his entrepreneurial venturesHow the business developed over the yearsHow people, relationships, and partnerships have been essential to Richard’s successHow a desire for self-development and filling skills gaps drove Richard to grow his businessWhat Richard learned from working with his Dad when starting MOHARAHow Richard took some time back for himself during the hectic schedule of starting his businessStrategies Richard uses to make sure he has time for himself and maintains a work-life balanceHow procrastination can be productiveChanges and challenges that Richard experienced during the lockdownHow Richard stays organised in his business and personal lifeWhat Richard does to develop his knowledge to stay at the forefront of innovationHow Richard picks himself up when things go wrongHow Richard’s passion for his business helps him to live more Resources Mentioned: Slack Connect with Richard Sams: MOHARA WebsiteMOHARA on LinkedInMOHARA on InstagramMOHARA on FacebookRichard Sams on LinkedInRichard Sams on InstagramRichard Sams on Twitter Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC The post Richard Sams on Show #196 : Effective Entrepreneurial Work-Life Balance appeared first on POWER to Live More.
49 minutes | 15 days ago
Brian Jones on Show #195 : Recognising Your Own Business Opportunity
Brian Jones is the Founder and CEO of VA Platinum, a team of experts in outsourcing and offshoring for business owners. When Brian found the 70-hour work week he was doing just wasn’t working for his work/life balance, he decided to use virtual team members to lighten the load. After drastically reducing his work hours and giving himself more time for the things he loves, he wanted to do the same for others. He founded VA Platinum to help other business owners take back their time by utilising his superstar team of staff based in the Philippines. Today, Brian shares the story of what inspired him to transform his work-life with virtual assistants and the lessons he learned when starting out. He shares the resources he uses to help clients build a virtual team and how business gurus, inspirational leaders, and mentors have helped him along the way. He reveals his average working day and how he stays organised to make sure everything gets done. Brian shares tips and tools that can help you work with a virtual team and help clients overcome the fears of outsourcing. He also shares why he uses a Mindset Mentor, what he does to help him deal with days when things go wrong, and what makes him feel like he is living more. “I had to learn a lot about developing structures, systems, templates, ways to check-in with teams.” Brian Jones This week on The Power to Live More Podcast: The journey that led Brian to start his home-based businessThe inspiration that helped Brian make the transformation from office to remote workingSome of the lessons Brian learned while setting up his virtual teamHow Brian’s business has evolved over the yearsHow Brian helps his clients set up their virtual teamHow following the teachings of other successful entrepreneurs has helped Brian build his businessWhat an average work day looks like for BrianHow Brian stays organised during his work dayHow the COVID pandemic has changed Brian’s daily life and businessTips for outsourcing elements of your businessHow Brian helps clients overcome fears of hiring a virtual assistantWhat Brian does to keep learning and the resources he usesWhy Brian chose to use a Mindset CoachHow Brian copes with days when things don’t go according to planWhat a day of ‘doing more of the things you love’ looks like for Brian Resources Mentioned: ● The 4-hour Workweek By Tim Ferriss● The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber● The Lean Startup by Eric Ries● Loom● Skype● Time Doctor Connect with Brian Jones: ● VA Platinum Website● VA Platinum on LinkedIn● VA Platinum on Facebook● VA Platinum on Twitter● Brian Jones on LinkedIn Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organized and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organized, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: ● Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and business● Learn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’● Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership program! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership program and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm and quote MY1TRIAL to get your first month for £1. Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC The post Brian Jones on Show #195 : Recognising Your Own Business Opportunity appeared first on POWER to Live More.
50 minutes | 22 days ago
Firdaus Kharas on Show #194 : Embracing Your Inner Creative Power
Firdaus Kharas is a renowned social innovator, speaker, humanitarian, and founder of Chocolate Moose Media. Since 1995, he has been using his background in international issues to create communications and use media to better the human condition. His work has been seen in 198 countries by over 1 billion people. He was named one of the World’s 50 Most Talented Social Innovators and has received many awards, including the prestigious Peabody Award. His latest book, Creativity: The Key to a Remarkable Life, aims to help people unlock their inner creative power to change their lives.   Today, Firdaus shares his journey and how he uses education to help promote change. He reveals how humour has made his work successful and why communication should be aimed at the individual to be effective. He shares what creativity is and how you can use it to keep moving forward, especially in challenging times. He reveals how everyone can tap into their creative side and how the pandemic has enabled more of this in the way we live and do business. He also shares why you need to embrace failure, how he uses creative thinking in his everyday life and how it helps him deal with days when things don’t go as planned. “Creativity is not a product; you can’t actually see creativity. You can see the result of creativity in a product.” Firdaus Kharas This week on The Power to Live More Podcast: The journey that led Firdaus to become a social innovatorWhy Firdaus chose education and creativity to help othersHow Firdaus has found humour useful in his creations to promote changeWhy it’s important to talk to one person instead of aiming at a broad audience in your marketingWhat is creativity and how you can apply it to your businessHow creative thinking is an individual processThe positive impact COVID-19 has had on business processesWhy a unique approach to communication is essentialHow you can discover what people want so you can tailor your communicationHow you can encourage creativity and keep moving forwardExamples of how we are all individuals and creative thinkersHow the pandemic has enabled creative thinking in the way we do businessWhy you need to embrace failureHow Firdaus uses creative thinking in his business and everyday lifeHow Firdaus uses his creativity to deal with days when things go wrong Connect with Firdaus Kharas: Chocolate Moose Media WebsiteChocolate Moose Media on FacebookChocolate Moose Media on TwitterChocolate Moose Media on LinkedInFirdaus Kharas on LinkedInFirdaus Kharas on InstagramFirdaus Kharas on Twitter Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organized and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organized, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership program! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership program and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC Read Full Transcript #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Today I'm interviewing Firdaus Kharas of chocolate mousse media. Welcome for those lovely to meet you. Thank you, Jo. It's a pleasure to be here. So start by telling us a bit about who you are what you do, and crucially, where you do it. 00:16 Well, where I do, it is all around the world, quite literally, my work is being used in 198 countries, it's been seen by over a billion people. And essentially, what I do is use media to better the human condition. So I've been working on COVID-19. And before that, I did a video on how to interact with the police in the United States. And I worked on a lot of disease prevention, not human rights and other issues like that. I use creativity to better the human condition through Mass Communications called behavior change communications. And then we do that for the last 25 years, based out of Canada, I was based out of Switzerland as well. 01:03 Wow. It feels like it's a big topic, and we've not even started. 01:10 So my first question is usually in very sort of person in here, sort of how did that all happen? Because it's not the sort of thing you probably, you know, left college saying that #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Page 1 of 16 Transcribed by https://otter.ai you wanted to do or left school saying what you thought you wanted to do? How did how did it all come about? Oh, I blamed Mother Teresa. 01:28 When I was quite small, about eight years old, I met Mother Teresa several times, because my mother was the head of a national NGO in India, where I was born and grew up in Calcutta. And Mother Teresa was not famous at that point. This was in the early 60s. And 01:49 I remember the image of Mother Teresa working in a huge room with the poorest of the poor, dying on cots, as if it were just yesterday. 01:59 And I realized, looking back that I think I got my first day. So working outside of one's comfort zone for the benefit of others. And that time, we can imagine that an eight year old walking into Rome have very sick and dying people has a lasting impression. Yeah. And so I can draw a straight line from my early socialization in India, to all my university schooling and through my other earlier work in international affairs, particularly in the Government of Canada on refugee affairs, and I headed the United Nations Association Canada for a while. 02:40 So I use media, but I make media where the difference I don't do commercial programs, I do media that essentially uses my background in international issues. And I use the media to better the human condition by making people change their behavior, either directly by the viewer watching what I'm producing, or indirectly, by creating a conversation about a particular topic like sexual violence that they want to create a topic on and and therefore create an influence on the person whose behavior I need to change. Hmm. And how did you know that that was the way to do that. So you knew very clearly that it was about helping other people and but obviously, there are so many routes that you could have chosen, how did I act, it was the education and the creativity piece. I actually started with UNICEF. We some time ago in the 1990s, we did what was then a very new convention, which is called the convention rights of children, we took every right in it and we animated it using studios around the world. And in those days, we had to send broadcast quality #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Page 2 of 16 Transcribed by https://otter.ai tapes to broadcasters, and over 2200 broadcasters played them around the world, they became the most watched, maybe on human rights ever created. And then I came up, I thought that this is a good way of mass communications to get people to focus on a particular subject and to change their behavior. And the work that I'm probably most famous for grading or co grading is called the three amigos which was three funny animated condoms to stop the spread of HIV AIDS. And that became very famous and was used in over 150 countries in one way or the other during the height of the HIV AIDS crisis. And I think I've used the approach of using humor, because I don't believe in bashing people over the head. I mean, if you think of most of behavior change communication 05:00 They don't use much creativity. They simply, you know, they might show you, for example, an image of a battered woman that they're dealing with domestic violence, and say, basically don't do this. Well, I don't think that does anything except publicize domestic violence, I don't think it addresses the person whose behavior you want to change in that example. And that is the person who is doing the abuse, not the victim. And so, I think that I use humor, to bring a person to the serious point I want to make at the end of the spot, because I think that the person has to internalize the message as he and we have to use rather creativity in reaching people. So I always say that I have an audience of one person, just one, I don't group people together. And we can get into that if you want this, why but I essentially just have an audience of one person, each individual person that has behavior needs to change, I think that would be a really good thing to explore on the basis that many people in business people, coaches and consultants that I work with, don't understand the importance of sort of niching what they do, and finding that one person to speak to in terms of their marketing. And in fact, I only had that very debate this week, in a networking group that I ran, where, where somebody was trying to say, Oh, you know, I can sell to all of these different people. And what and I was trying to say, you know, you've got to pick one person. And in this case, it was one group of people, not even just one person. And that was a struggle. And so talk a talk a bit about how important it is to speak to that one person. It's extremely important. In business, people misunderstand what creativity is. So let me start with what creativity is, in my definition, Greg cavity is the ability to train differently by mental process of original thoughts, that leads to the creation of new ideas. So in my book, for example, I go into what creativity is not. And the first thing I say is creativity is not a product, you can actually see creativity, you can see the result of creativity in a product. But it's not a product. It's a mental process. And the second thing is creativity is not innovation. A lot of people I think coaches and so on misunderstand what innovation is they would you know, five people from a company into room for a couple of days and say, Okay, now we're going to brainstorm and we're going to come up with new ideas. It hardly ever works. It might work. But it'll be an accident. If it #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Page 3 of 16 Transcribed by https://otter.ai does work. That is not the best way to get creativity out of people. Innovation is also like a product is the result of applying creative thinking, of coming up with new ideas. And then you you you can use it in a group. I don't mean to suggest that groups have nothing to do with creativity. But individuals are great people groups are not, you can take an idea and you can you can enhance it, you can decide how to implement it, you can create the product and so on in the group. So you can take a creative idea and then come up with something that is a group that comes best out of a group. But the original creative thought is never a group process. It's an individual's whole process. If you think about the most great person in the world in history, who would you think of to meet Leonardo da Vinci? It was It is a creative genius. Now, he you know, he came up, for example, with the fun the idea of a modern helicopter, some pilot years ago. So if you think of Leonardo da Vinci, imagine if he had put his ideas through a group process. I mean, we wouldn't know his name today. And we probably wouldn't notice ideas today. Because everybody in that group would have laughed at him in liat. He was an absolute creative genius, and move the world forward. And I think that, that that is a good example of how great your thinking is an individual process and that groups actually can be detrimental to the group process. And the best known proponent of that was Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs often said that it is really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times people don't know what they want until you show it to them. Yeah, I think I think that's absolutely true. Yes, that was that was following the Henry Ford thing, wasn't it about people would have invented faster horses, not the car or something like that. Yet the thread that that's exactly what Henry Ford said. If I ask people what they want 10:00 They would have said faster horses. Yes, you know, if you can, you'll be a great thinker. And in business, you have to not just think outside the box, but really far outside the box. And I think that's an important point that many business leaders fail to understand. And they do so at their great detriment, specially now in the era of COVID. In 2020. I think if there's one lining silver lining that's come out of this year, is the fact that we all had to rethink everything. And we mean, few think of it from a company's perspective. You know, they've had to look at the supply lines, they've had to think about other greater products, they've had to rethink about how they reshape existing customers, they've had to rethink what how they, how they reach new customers. So everything is said to be rethought. I mean, everything from you know, where we work from, to, to how we move products, how we get products, to, to our customers, and so on. Everything is said to be rethought, we've had to apply a lot of creative thinking. And if you don't apply creative thinking, for example, if you don't have an online presence as a company, and you've been waiting for people to walk into your store, for example, you're going to go out of business, it may take longer, it may take sooner may already have happened this year. But if you have not #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Page 4 of 16 Transcribed by https://otter.ai thought creatively, you will simply go out of business. Yes, yeah, absolutely. So thinking back to the website talking to one person, and how does that get connect up? Well, that connects up because in the age of internet of the internet, we are all individuals, 11:53 you know, big data is created on on our individual preferences and choices. So, you know, in the old days, a marketer might have said, Okay, I'm an educated Canadian, and so on. And, you know, and given me a certain product, because he thinks that he can group me in those kinds of characteristics. It's not true anymore. Nobody really should be marketing, because I'm a group of a certain age or a certain ethnicity, or a certain nationality or, but no affluent, or whatever. I think that 12:34 every time we go on the internet nowadays, where we're tracked, everything we look at every product we buy, an individual profile is being created of us. And I do think that that is the right way to do it. I've been advocating that role individuals for the last many, many years, many more years than the Internet has been in existence. Yeah. And the and the reason for that is that, I think that if you think about my work, which has to go around the world, it has to have so much creativity, that they have to get around the various barriers that all of us carry around in ourselves to effective communications. And I will give some examples, our belief system, our culture, education is necessarily our intolerances. The language we speak our morals, our re you know, stereotypes in our hands, racism in our heads and our values. So we're all different. We're all individuals, no two particular, no two people are so aligned to each other thinking that, that, you know, we can, we can put ourselves in somebody else's shoes, you know, that there's a there's a saying that you don't understand me until you walked a mile in my shoes, or whatever that thing is, I think that's, you know, just complete nonsense. Nobody else can walk in anybody else's shoes, but you're all individuals. And I do think that that has profound implications for companies, particularly for marketing, because 14:18 if you think of us as one particular person, 14:23 #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Page 5 of 16 Transcribed by https://otter.ai you know, every we all carry around such a myriad of factors in our brains and our personalities, that we see the world in a totally different way. So, for example, I'm not particularly religious person, but other people might be very religious. So the way they see something will be affected by that. Some people might have a bias against women, for example. I hope I don't have one. You know, somebody who who's has a bias against women. Then when a professional woman is 15:00 Then in the context of business context is talking to that person, that person will be influenced, even if it's subconsciously, will be influenced by that factor because that factor has importance in their brain. And so until, because we have all these factors have a list of over 50 of them, 15:21 that we we all carry around in ourselves, we, no two people are alike, because the importance that any particular factor has in our brains is different than everybody else's. So the possible combination, we'd like 50 factors runs into trillions and trillions. So there's no way that somebody else's thinks like, exactly like I owe exactly like, you know, my exactly, it's funny I did, I've been doing some video, 15:51 podcasts and conversations with a colleague about employee engagement, a couple of colleagues over the Hall of lockdown. And I'm, there's a bit of a joke that my constant mantra is the bit about treating people as individuals. And when, when my daughter was young, her school, her school head teacher used to sort of banging on about the fact that you should treat people as you would like to be treated yourself. And I was used to tell Ellie that that was wrong. And she used to get an order to me, because to her, you know, the head teacher was God. And I always used to say, well, it's not about how you want to be treated, going back to your thing about walking in somebody else's shoes, it is actually how they want to be treated, not how you think they want to or how you want to, it's got to be about that person. But how do we how do we get to know what those people want? You know, when it's not as and we can't tell? And as you say, everyone is so different? 16:44 #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Page 6 of 16 Transcribed by https://otter.ai Well, I think that we ultimately come back to the fact that we're one human family, 16:51 you know, that COVID has taught us has reminded us of that little, you know, I can't think of a better example, I mean, you would have to go all the way back perhaps to World War Two, to think when you know what happens, somewhere in a faraway place impacts us no matter who we are where we are. And that is simply because we're all living together on this one fragile planet. And I think that that we have come back to this notion, we have to come back to this notion on big issues or non small issues, that there are issues that that no matter and pandemics have good example, that no matter where we are, we are affected by them, there literally isn't a person on this planet that hasn't been affected by COVID-19. In 2020, no matter where you live, no matter what language you are, speak, no matter what religion you are, and so on. So, so I think that that that idea, that notion, that there are some things that affect us as a human species, is, is a very critical and important one. So when you create a global company, and you keep thinking about the global companies, they're the biggest in the world, but the biggest company in the world that I'm aware of right now by market capital is Apple. And Apple is probably one of the most creative companies in the world as well, if not the most creative company, I have a great deal of respect for Apple. And it started by two people in the garage, that's all and they kept applying their creativity. And you know, if you think of Apple as an example, the first company that had the idea of creating a mobile phone wasn't Apple, it was a company called Motorola. Yeah. Motorola is obviously nowhere the mobile phone business. And that's because they had the original creative idea. But then they didn't keep applying their creative thinking. And so then Apple and Samsung, and Nokia, and so on, all came along and took market away from from the company that came up with the original idea. Yeah. So it, applying creative thinking in the business is not a one off thing. You have to do it continuously. It's a continuous process. And I go in my book through through the various 19:23 things that you need the kind of eight aspects of applying creativity that you need, 19:30 that that you need in a business to succeed. And I can go through those if you wish, but but you need certain things in order to be able to apply creative thinking. I think it'll be interesting to hear what they are in, sort of, through the lens, if you like of the pandemic because one of the things that's been frustrating me around the narrative around sort of #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Page 7 of 16 Transcribed by https://otter.ai moving forwards as a world is that is that there seems to be so 20:00 Talk about getting back to how things were. And you know, things like even, you know, when the UK came out of lockdown, the first thing the government did was tell everyone to sort of go back to the office as if that was the only way to run a business. And you know, some people did, because that's what they think is the only way to run a business and others, you know, there's a friend of mine who works for a big company with like, 55,000 employees, and they're still working from home, and they have all the way through and they're still doing really well. And they've made it, you know, work, they've got a new way of working now. But how do we, how do we encourage creativity and how we move forward rather than sort of end up trying to snap back into what we're used to and keep things sort of as normal as possible? Because it's such an upheaval? How do we encourage those changes and encourage people to take the opportunity of the trauma that we're going through, if you like to come out differently at the end of it, the first thing I would say is that we all have to accept that we are creative thinkers, the the ability of us to apply creative thinking is different. And 21:07 some of us are narrow minded thinkers, and some of us are very large, creative thinkers. But we are all creative thinkers. And and people sometimes quite often tell me, Well, you know, I am not a painter, or I'm not an artist, or I'm not a writer. So I'm not a creative person. That's completely nonsense. Every single person, no matter who you are, you are a great thinker. And if you don't think you are just think back to your childhood, and if you are in adulthood now. And you say, okay, maybe I was a creative thinker when I was a child, because you know, I sang a dance and so on. But now I don't do that. Well just take a piece of paper and take a pen or pencil. 21:54 Sorry, and draw a squiggly line. 21:59 Just take a piece of paper and draw a squiggly line in any way you want. Just another straight line is squiggly line, no matter what squiggly line you come up with, that is your #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Page 8 of 16 Transcribed by https://otter.ai creative thinking. Because no other person because number of pixels, for example, on a on a paper, the no other person has probably ever drawn that squiggly line exactly the way that you just drew it. It is your individualism that is coming out in the way that you draw a squiggly line. Now, that's just a simple example of how we are all individuals and how we're all creative thinkers. Because nobody will tell you, well, you know, I can't draw a squiggly line that you can and that's an expression of your creative thinking. Yes, yeah. So I do think that the first thing we need to do is understand that we're all creative thinking except that we're all creative thinkers, that creative thinking is not the same as artistry. It's quite different. And, and greater thinking is what we need in our both our personal lives and our professional lives, you know, and there's an annual survey done of the workflow in the largest platform of the world of employers and employees. And they ask the employers, what is the one characteristic, the top characteristic that you're looking for in a potential employee? And for the last five years, it has been creativity. And the last five years even before COVID, it has been great with DNS, absolutely, no doubt, it's going to be great to be going forward in the post COVID period. So the first thing is we are creative thinkers, except that the second thing is, the status quo is never static. Nothing is stays the same. And you know, we talked about Apple and Motorola as an example. But they have many, many other examples. No company absolutely needs to have all this employees go back into an office none. It doesn't matter what they do. For example, they are companies that are actually creating widgets, and they need people in their in their plant, for example, and you're going to tell me, Well, you know, this is a plan. Well, let me tell you that if you're doing something that repetitive and the plan, AI and automation robots are going to take over your job Pretty soon, so if they haven't already, so don't think that just because you're grading something in a plan, that that's the only way to do it. In every other aspect of professional life, you know, goods and services that we can think of, I can't think of any other place that needs to meet 25:00 Have people in an office? I haven't been to an office meeting. 25:06 I mean, perhaps one or two, but I haven't been to an office meeting in since March in Canada. And you know, I haven't lost anything. Because I've been doing all my work online for years anyway. And it hasn't changed anything. And I think that every company can do that. Why can't a bank average advisors or investment sitting at home, you know, professionally dressed and whatever, but still sitting at home and advising that clients? Why can't a manufacturing company, CEO directors, employees by sitting at home and #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Page 9 of 16 Transcribed by https://otter.ai meeting with them on on one of the platforms like zoom and Skype and so on? To Do you know, manage employees? Yeah, I don't, I don't think anybody needs to go in. There's some employees that obviously you can do with not going in. So for example, the bus driver is a good example, when a bus driver just simply can't function if it doesn't go and drive the bus. So, you know, there are some things that that are going to be necessidade. Yeah. going in, but for the vast majority of employees, I think that's not going to be necessary in the future. 26:33 No, no, yes. And it's interesting, because companies are all doing the same thing. So there are companies where you would think, oh, it might be quite difficult for them to work from home, but they're making it work. And others are just saying it's too hard when it's easier for them, then, you know, company a sort of thing. So it's interesting. I mean, I, you know, accept that 26:55 the economy in city centers is affected if people aren't in the offices, but other than that, to me, it just feels like the the economy will go out to the sort of towns and the villages and the back a bit, a bit like the, you know, 19th century, you know, 18th century or whatever, or the sort of local artisan type 27:17 situations, because people will be working from home and shopping from home in a different way, I guess. They will be, they'll be on an individual basis. And so I'm not sure I agree with the analogy of going back to the kind of 18th century 27:36 because I think that they will be online more than anything else. And there's no, there's no better example than Amazon and the share price. So we're 25 it's obviously gone up considerably, and zoom and all these other platforms that have been affected by COVID-19. 27:56 #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Page 10 of 16 Transcribed by https://otter.ai Yeah, yeah, that trend is going to continue and accelerate. There is absolutely no end in sight, I think, too, for a company that that produces and sells online, and then the shipping and everything that's involved, that trend is going to continue and accelerate in the next few years. I think that one of the things that COVID-19 in 2020 is done is that it has forced companies to greatly accelerate the online presence. Yes. So a company might have had a plan and you know, okay, well, you have some kind of website and get online and so on, in the next three, five years, whatever they bang, they will have to do it in 2020. their choice. I also think that retail, for example, I think that tourism, for example. These are huge industries that are going to change forever. If any CEO of a retail organization, or or any CEO of a airline or a tourism related organization thinks that things are just gonna go back to normal. They're completely mistaken. Yes, yes, will not go back to normal. I think that demand is going to be changing considerably. I think, for example, that, you know, it's going to take several years later, even if whoever vaccines were on which, by the way, I'm not very hopeful on I've been working on HIV AIDS, for example, for 30 years, and we don't have a vaccine for HIV, yet just a virus. We have antiretroviral drugs that keep you alive. But that doesn't prevent you from getting HIV in the first place. No. So I do I do think this is, you know, yes, there are companies that don't succeed. By the way. That's a good example of what I say in my book, which is that great thinkers have to embrace failure. If you if you don't embrace failure, you can't be 100 30:00 creative thinker. And in to give me an example of a vaccine, there are over 100 companies are saying, in various stages of trying to come up with a vaccine, well, 98% of them are not going to succeed. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be doing it. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be trying it. They should certainly we trying it, but they they, though, that the odds, the mathematical odds against them. So I sent my book that the best, 30:29 best and most knowledgeable people of failure are people like sports men and research scientists. 30:41 research scientists know that they are going to fail more often than they do and succeed succeed. They know that right from the start mathematically, that is absolutely the case. It doesn't mean that they don't try it. But it means that you as a great thinker, you accept that you're going to fail, and you get up and get going when you do fail. Yeah. And it's the #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Page 11 of 16 Transcribed by https://otter.ai same with watzmann. You know, if you think that, you know, if you're in the UK, well, if you think of a cricket player, for example, or when when a cricket player goes to bat, he knows that the chances of him batting a century in the test match is probably less much less than not getting to that trigger of 100. If that's his goal, you know. So I mean, in baseball, for example, the you know, if you, if you hit the ball one out of four times, you're doing really well. So, so then they are professionals, and there are people who accept failure, who know that they're going to more likely fail than succeed. And I think we have to all become much more adaptive and accepting failure. Hmm. So taking this sort of very micro in terms of yourself and how you run your business and how you work, how do you use your creativity to ensure that you're successful, and you get done what you need to get done? Well, what I do is, I what I do is very, very difficult that not many people doing that. And I am because you know, when I tell people well, my work is mean to 198 countries and reach well over a billion people are now done. Work, which is when version two 400 plus language versions, people are kind of staggered and said, Well, how do you stop HIV AIDS on a global basis? using three financial aid condoms? Well, that's it, it's precisely because the three funny animated condoms that did work? Yeah, if there weren't, if I didn't apply that kind of creative thinking, there wouldn't have worked about john roll condoms, you know, people would have objected. And it would have been taken off the air in many countries, yet it was seen, even in very conservative countries, like around on national television. So I apply creative thinking in my everyday work all the time, both in my professional life, and in my personal life. And I think all of us have to do that. All of us have had to do that in 2020. And I think that's one of the good things we can take up to this year. You know, people, people often say, this is a terrible year, there's a lot of hardship. I'm not so sure. I think yes, there are aspects of the year that have been unfortunate and very bad, and people have been affected negatively, I have no doubt that a lot of people have gone broke or have lost their savings or have lost their jobs and so on. But the big batches, that think the new thinking that comes out to this year, will make the world a better place. Yeah, I think that that, you know, after this year, when we go forward, we will be stronger, we better we will be richer as a global economy, we will be more dynamic, we will be able to adapt to challenges more easily. And more than anything, we'll be able to apply our creative thinking, yes, that's what is going to be necessary. So I do think I do think that that I'm not just an optimistic person, you know, I deal with some of the world's toughest issues. I mean, that down to luck with rape, and sexual violence I deal with, with diseases that kill a lot of people and things like that. People often say to me, how do you remain optimistic when they deal with these kinds of issues? Very, very simple. I think generally speaking, that world is going in the right direction. #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Page 12 of 16 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 35:00 That we are becoming more creative that, you know, if you take the issues that I deal with, for example, 35:07 you know, I've dealt with malaria for many years, well, number of malaria cases have gone down dramatically. I've dealt with polio for many years, we've almost eradicated polio, it's only prevalent now in two countries in Afghanistan, Pakistan, I think, in the next couple of years, we'll be done with polio, and never come back to the world, and so on and so on. Human rights is much more understood in modern communication to make the world a smaller place, even in something like human rights, and for somebody skilled in some obscure religion, you know, and then in one country, or a police impacts, you know, a police or something in some country, which is not appropriate, tell people to have their cell phone, and the whole world knows about it instantly, they can react to it. So. So I think that the world has changed a lot. And we'll keep changing, we'll keep accelerating. creative thinking doesn't mean that we can forecast the future. We can only deal with what is present, and what we can do at the present time. But greater thinking has changed our world and will continue to change the world rapidly. Yes, yes. So maybe the last couple of questions that and Firstly, what about for yourself those days where things go horribly wrong? How do you deal with those? Oh, I don't have this could go horribly wrong? 36:34 No, in fact, how do I deal with that, it's because I'm a creative person. I, you know, we all have different ways of dealing with stress, somebody will take long showers and we will go into the bathtub, some people drink too much, whatever. I certainly don't drink too much. But 36:55 there are ways of coping but I think the best way of coping is simply to, to daydream, which is one of the best ways to cope with stress. and implement your creative thinking, Daydream that take yourself out of what you're presently experiencing, and what the stimuli is in front of you. You know, physically what you're seeing and what you're hearing, take yourself out of it and let your mind wander to some other place. And daydreaming is a is a highly creative process. It is it is essential to creative thinking, to expanding your #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Page 13 of 16 Transcribed by https://otter.ai creative mind because daydreaming means that you are being creative, because you're not physically in wherever the places that you're daydreaming about. Yeah. So. So I think that that, that that's a good mechanism that I use quite often, to stress assembly to deal with stress, or simply stand out to the window, stare out my window. And I daydream, therefore, have a great emphasis, for example, on my views, in my offices, I want to very good view because I quite often stand there and just, you know, Daydream. Yeah, I do think I do think that we have different mechanisms, and all of us will deal with that. But I don't actually have many horrible days, literally, because I have, I have faith in myself. And I think that one of the things that I say in my book about what you need to be a highly creative thinker, is ultimately you need passion, you need passion, you need to believe in yourself, you need passion for what you do. If you are a passionate person, and you believe in what your work is, and believe in yourself, and they believe in their personal and professional life as it is now. You will not have terrible days, huh? Thank you. I really like that answer. And then the last question on those days where you get to live more. And that's where I talk about getting to do more of the things that you want to do and less of the stuff that you don't want to do. What do those days look like for you? 39:08 Well, what I would like to do is put every doctor out of business, because there's no more diseases. And what I would like to do is stop all human rights abuses around the world. What I would like to do is have better governments in the world, much more cooperation in the world, and so on and so on. So yeah, we all have dreams that we want, and we work towards those dreams in it doesn't matter whether you're working give out to change the world in a kind of global basis, like I am, or you deal just very in this very small environment with your family. And you're trying to bring up your children the best way you can and that's really your dream 39:53 that you define your own success. There is no universal definition of success. Some people say well, if 40:00 They look at a billionaire. And they think, Oh my gosh, that's a successful man, I'm not so sure that's true, I certainly don't want to be a billionaire ever. If I had a billion dollars, I'd probably give it away. I don't think I want to ever be super rich. Some people have scrapped that, that's fine. If that's what your dream is, that's what your definition of #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Page 14 of 16 Transcribed by https://otter.ai success is, it's fine. But there are many other people who have different definitions of successes, including me. And I think that, I think that if you define your own definition, you know, come up with your own definition of success, and then work towards it. And then and apply your creative thinking to actually design your own life. Don't just live it, don't go with the flow, don't let others decide it. Just decide, you know, use your creative thinking as much as you can to actually design your own life to create your own life, to create the best possible life that you can have on your in this short time that we all have on this planet. And then that that is absolutely the best way to do to use your creative thinking, lovely way back to that whole individual thing again, on my 41:19 lovely. 41:21 You and I agree on that completely, you know that, that that actually has very profound implications. Because if you think through this, this notion that you know, that we are, you know, I'm a Canadian, and I speak English and so on, it really doesn't matter, and absolutely doesn't matter. It's It's who I am. It's, you know, for us, Christ, one person. 41:49 That's the important part. And I think, if everybody thinks that way, you know, it, it changes your perspective completely, in terms of how you see the world and how you interact with people, and how you treat other people. Yes, yeah, exactly. Thank you. For Jason, it's been so lovely speaking to you today, tell people how they can find out more about you and get in touch. Well, they can contact me through my website, which is chocolate and loose media, but it's moose, the animal that loose the desert. 42:25 That's a Canadian, but the moose 42:28 and you can order my book on Amazon or any of the major platforms. You can also go to my website and order it and if you do order it, from my website, there's the same cost to #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Page 15 of 16 Transcribed by https://otter.ai get a personalized signed copy from me. And you get much faster than Amazon prints. There's 42:47 what's the actual title? The title is, is creativity, the key to a remarkable life. Lovely. 42:57 Brilliant, thank you so much for your time today. Really enjoyed it. Thank you, Joe. Thanks for having me on your show. #194 Firdaus Kharas Interview Page 16 of 16 Transcribed by https://otter.ai   The post Firdaus Kharas on Show #194 : Embracing Your Inner Creative Power appeared first on POWER to Live More.
50 minutes | a month ago
Jo Permaul on Show #193: Build Resilience and Balance in Your Therapy Practice
Jo Permaul retrained as a homeopath following a long relationship with the therapy in helping her with allergies and other ailments. Initially, Jo worked as a teacher but wanted to use her love for natural and complementary medicine to help others. She has been treating people for seven years and also works as a Holistic Life Coach. Following the challenges of moving her practice online due to COVID-19, Jo launched Resilient Therapist where she helps other therapists create a balance between treating patients and managing the business side of their practice, for which she won the Gold Award in The Janey Loves Awards. Jo joins me today to share her journey from teaching to Homeopathy and the transferable skills she’s gained to help her launch her new business. She shares how her business evolved from treating people to helping other therapists with their businesses and reveals the importance of finding the right balance between helping others in your practice and managing business tasks. Jo shares the tools she uses to stay organised and how technology and the pandemic are helping normalise specific therapies. She shares what she has noticed with her clients during the lockdown and how she maintains her resilience and wellbeing during these challenging times. She also describes how the second lockdown’s seasonal changes are causing different challenges and what she does to stay up-to-date with the latest homeopathic practices. “It’s about boundaries; it’s about you as a therapist having good boundaries and knowing what you can and can’t do.” Jo Permaul This week on The Power to Live More Podcast: What inspired Jo to become a homeopathThe teaching skills that were transferable to Jo’s new careerHow Jo’s business went from being a therapist to coaching other therapistsWhat the Resilient Therapist programme is and who it’s forWhy Jo chose “resilient” as a keyword in her businessLearning how to identify your boundaries, and balance helping others and saying noLearning to connect the process of running a business and providing therapyWhat is homeopathy and how it helps peopleHolistic Life Coaching, what it is and what it can doHow Jo has handled the transition to online practiceHow Jo fits her tasks together daily to make sure everything gets doneThe weekly schedule Jo uses to provide a balance between work and familyTools Jo uses to manage her business How many creative and healing types can find it challenging to integrate technology into their businessWhy outsourcing certain parts of your business will free you to treat more peopleWhat Jo has seen with her clients in regards to challenges and resilience during the pandemic How seasonal changes are affecting people during the lockdownHow Jo has maintained her resilience and health through the pandemicWhat Jo does to keep up-to-date with everything in homeopathic therapyHow walking helps Jo deal with tough daysWhat living more means to Jo and some of her favourite things to do Resources Mentioned: Google CalendarGetTimelyCalendlyMailerLiteMailchimp Connect with Jo Permaul: Jo Permaul Homeopathy WebsiteResilient Therapists WebsiteResilient Therapists on InstragramJo Permaul on InstagramJo Permail on Twitter Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC Read Full Transcript #193 Jo Permaul Interview Today I'm interviewing Jo Permaul, homeopath and founder of resilient therapists. Welcome Joe, great to have you with me. Hi, Jo. Welcome. Thanks for having me. So you start by telling us a bit about who you are, what you do and crucially where you do it. And okay, so I'm a homeopath, and I work from Northeast London. I live in Chingford. And at the moment as we are in a pandemic, I'm actually working online, which is great, because it means I can cheat people anywhere. I've been a homeopath for the last seven years, I started retraining 10 years ago. And I found it the resilient therapists coaching program at the start of lockdown. Aha. And why did Chingford make me think about that comedy program? Well, it was that in Chingford, that. Thinking of birds of a feather. I was it birds of a feather? That's cheap? Well, well, there you go. 00:57 Not quite the same. So 01:00 a good life? I need to go look that up as well afterwards, find out where that and there we go. Excellent. So talk about how you ended up being a homeopath. Because as you say, it's it's been sort of more recently. And so presumably, that's not what you're doing when you first sort of got out into the business world? And how did that all come about? So I was a teacher, and was a teacher for 12 years, and I worked in secondary education. And I really loved being a teacher and of the kids. I loved the work. However, it's very challenging being a teacher, especially in London. #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 1 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 01:36 And I became a homeopath. Because towards the end of my time in teaching, I burnt out. And homeopathy, homeopathy was what really helped me get through that period of feeling very stressed and overwhelmed. As a teacher, I'd had previous experience of being treated as by a homeopath in my teenage years. And so since I was about 1314, I was always interested in what it was. But it wasn't until I had this of quite dark period, as a teacher that I've really began to look into, what is homeopathy? And how does it work? And how can I use it, and it just grew from there. It was a real passion, then. Mm hmm. And so that's quite a sort of different thing to have been doing. And I guess it was partly sort of forced, forced on you with the sort of circumstance but what was the process? So, you know, 02:42 I think sometimes with the therapy stuff, you know, you learn how to do the therapy, the business thing is a whole, you know, different kettle of fish. How to make that happen? Well, it's interesting that you say, you see it as being quite different, because I actually don't see the two. 03:00 career choices is being very different. Both are working with people. And both are, you know, listening to people. And I think if you're a good teacher, you listen to your students, and you connect with them. And you find out what makes them tick. And then those skills become transferable. And you use them as a homeopath. So I don't see it as being a complete career change the business side, yes, that was completely out of my comfort zone. You know, beings have given a monthly paycheck as a teacher, to then having to be self employed, and deal with all of that, I found that really, really challenging. And that's partly why I've set up this coaching program called resilient therapist because I recognize that for all therapists, 03:48 and coaching and supporting therapists in their work, is what holds a lot of people back. Yeah, yeah. So tell us a bit more about the founding event. You said it was at the beginning of lockdown. Is that what prompted it? Or was it just a happy coincidence? It was a happy coincidence. as happy as it can be? I am. I started as a homeopath. And then, a couple of years ago, I decided I wanted to do a diploma in holistic life coaching because #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 2 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai I really wanted to go deeper with my homeopathy patients. And then when it came to doing the case studies for my diploma course, I put it put it out there that I wanted to. And, you know, anyone was welcome to come along to be a case study. And everyone who came to me was actually a therapist of some sort. They were starting their business, they were, you know, in well into their business, but they needed guidance and support. So as I work through those hours of case studies, you know, the penny began to drop but actually, if all of these people are coming to me, and they need support, then there must be more output out there. You know, there are people out there who need this nurturing and hand holding and challenging 05:01 Literally first week of lockdown, I finished my diploma until Okay, I'm going to do something with this, you know, now is the time for me to get creative, and it just flew it flew from there. So tell us a bit about the resilient therapists program, what what does that look like? What does it do? Who do you work with? So I work with anyone, whether they started their journey, whether they literally just graduating as a therapist of any kind, or whether they have been doing it for a little while. And I've even got some people I've like I'm working with right now who have been therapists for maybe 20 years. So it, it doesn't matter what stage you are at your journey, it's a lot of it is confidence building. So helping people with putting themselves out there, maybe they're feeling anxious, or need more confidence in promoting themselves on social media, blogging, 05:56 you know, anything that puts them in the public eye, I'm finding that is something that people need real support with, or it could be things are looking at the systems and the business side of their, of their work. And that is really what's stopping them from doing what they want to do with their therapy. Because it can be extremely overwhelming if you're, you've got casework and great cases that you're working on with your clients, but then in the background, you've got this niggle about, I really need to do my accounts, I really need to do, you know, write lists for who to market to and that kind of thing. So it's about helping therapists set up systems as well, so that they can then get on with the work and, and, and heal other people, which is essentially what we all want to do is therapists and humans. So it's quite practical help. Yeah, practical, but also quite creative. I really like pushing people to be creative and finding that inner spark that of, you know, what their passion is about why they came into this therapy, you know, what was their goal when they started it? Because often, often, in any kind of business, we lose that reason why and we need to reconnect without reason why, yeah. And you've used the word #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 3 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai resilient, and it's so one of the elements of power. Yes, organization, wellbeing, energy and resilience. 07:16 Which actually was quite a word coined by my daughter, who was probably only about 10 at the time, so I was very impressed that she came up with that for me. But why did you choose resilient as the the sort of main word in that I chose resilient because I realized myself that in the last 10 years in my journey, as a homeopath, I'd had to really dig into my own resilience, whether that be through working with particular clients, whether that be through personal issues that I'd gone through, and in terms of establishing a business growing a client base, life stuff that happened along the way, in, you know, in the last seven years, my daughter had had major surgery as well. And I knew that I needed to be able to contain that and contain those emotions. So I could still support other people on their healing journey. So resilience. I don't want to sort of sound overconfident here, but I do fit it's a bit of a superpower of mine in that I can heal other people and still look after myself. And if I can encourage other therapists to, to be resilient and to look after themselves, then they can go on to do some great work supporting other people. Hmm. And it's sometimes I was talking to somebody yesterday, he's actually a therapist, and we were talking about the whole sort of cobblers children thing that often you do end up helping other people and not helping yourself or certainly, to the detriment of yourself. Yeah. business situation when you feel like you have 08:51 no choice other than to do whatever you've committed to sort of Oh, 08:55 yeah, I think I think that's, you know, really fair point that, you know, when when we do we want to help people, and it can be a case of being completely at your own detriment, but it's about boundaries. It's about you, as a therapist, I think having good boundaries and knowing what you can and can't do, knowing your limitations. And being able to say no to things. Yeah, yeah. How do you do that as a therapist, because that, 09:21 you know, going back to what you're saying, you know, you're why a lot of therapists wise #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 4 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai are about, obviously, helping people and helping people to sort of recover from things that often they've had themselves. And I'm just thinking about a friend of mine who, who was really helped with Reiki and is now you know, practicing that sort of thing. And how do you how do you balance on getting sorted out and also a cough die? 09:47 How do you how do you get the how'd you get that balance between the fact that you really desperately want to help everyone, which is probably, you know, at the heart of a lot of therapists sort of wise, with that saying, no thing 10:00 And creating those boundaries. It's something that I think has evolved. And now I can look back on having made many mistakes along the way with that. 10:10 I think having a clear structure in terms of what time of day, I would cut off talking to any patients, whether that be through a text that is one thing, but also know my own limitations and, and part of being a homeopath is that we will treat anyone for anything. It's sort of like being a general practitioner. But then knowing what my strengths are, as a homeopath. And for me, really nourishing what I've, what I do, and who I work with, has really helped me have those boundaries. So I really love working with people who suffer with anxiety. I like working with people who have skin issues, and I love working with families and children. So if there's an issue that isn't within my niched areas, I would pass on to a colleague, and just say that I know someone who can really support you with this, and they're going to do a fantastic job. So it's, again, it's working to my strengths and knowing my strengths. But of course, that only comes with confidence with age and with practice. Yeah, I love that that's a real sort of double whammy as well. It's that whole thing, as you say about creating almost like a process that that creates a boundary for you. Because, you know, you don't work with those people. But, you know, most of us know how important niching is, although many of us aren't very good at it, because it feels too restricting and worrying. But actually, you've you've done the both you've created that niche, and you've created an opportunity to have those boundaries, and quite easily be able to, you know, put them out there when when needed. Yeah, I think, you know, I'm always really open with my coaching clients and say that I'm going to teach you and we're going to work together, because I've made a hell of a lot of mistakes along the way. You know, when I started my journey, in fact, my mom reminded me of this yesterday, I #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 5 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai would have tripped, right, sort of taken on anyone for anything, and not had those boundaries in place. So the reason I can talk confidently about it, and support therapists is because, you know, I hold my hands up and say, I did a lot of things wrong. Um, and, you know, I'm more of an experiential learner in that sense. 12:19 That that gives me that gives me the kind of the content to be able to work effectively with with clients now. Yeah. So for those people who don't know, what is a homeopath? So a homeopath is 12:34 a homeopathy is a natural form of medicine, it was established in the 1700s. And it works on the principle of like cures like, 12:44 it's a medicine that is very bespoke, and individualized, there are something like over 3000 types of homeopathic medicine and remedies. And what we do in a session is we will talk through your issue and your complaint, and how that is affecting you now. But we will also look at your history of the illness. And we'll take every aspect of your health and well being into account. So it's like being part detective, sort of part history, historical of your case, and and then working out what remedies we'll see you. And the beautiful thing about it is that every one is different. So say, for example, you were talking to me about a headache, I'm not going to give you the same headache remedy that I'm going to give somebody else because your headache is very different. And it's very much a personal thing for you. So a homeopath goes into a lot of detail, and joins the dots and connects everything together. Mm hmm. And you said that you trained as a holistic therapist as well. What does that map? What is it holistic life coach? So holistic life coaching is looking again, at the whole person? Yes, um, and coaching them again, on aspects to do with mind, body and spirit, not just one specific area. So it's bringing in to the conversation, everything about them, and understanding that how you are physically and how you are emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. It's all part of the equation. Mm hmm. And then you also mentioned that you now work online because of the lockdown. How is that transition for you? Sounds like you weren't working online for and then all of a sudden, what? How did you facilitate that? Well, zoom is wonderful, isn't it for for client work. #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 6 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 14:37 And actually, I'm finding clients really like it. They like to be able to sit and have a chat in the comfort of their own home and have a cup of tea and, you know, the length of the session is exactly the same and I'll post remedies out and they'll get them within 48 hours. So it works. However, I'm a really people person, and I love seeing people and I especially love working with children. So I do 15:00 Mr. Outside of my work at the moment. So there's a there's a balance here, you know, it's, it's not ideal for everyone, but it's better for some people. 15:11 And I guess better than not being able to work. Yeah, of course. I mean, I, there are so many therapists out there at the moment who cannot work, 15:21 you know, because of pee pee and not being able to touch and you know, it's very, very difficult for them. So I am lucky, and I do count my blessings. And that's part of the reason why I wanted to support therapists during lockdown. 15:36 Because I really saw it as being a unique opportunity for a lot of people to develop and grow their business while they weren't able to work. Yes, yeah. So just thinking about sort of what your days look like bearing in mind that on top of running your own business and seeing people and presumably, continuing with your learning, which I guess is probably 16:02 what your business was, you've added this, this other business, which is about supporting people in their businesses. So it's quite different what you were doing, how have you, especially given you then went to, you know, online, working all at the same time? How have you sort of fitted it all together? And how do you make sure you get done what you need to get done? Well, I'm, I'm a realist person, I've got lists everywhere, post it notes #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 7 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai everywhere. And to me, that is my, my way of managing. I like taking things off, I get real satisfaction from that. 16:38 But I can't really function and do my day's work, unless I've had some time in the morning to clear my head. And because I have a dog, I find that the hour that I would walk the dog every day, and I tend to go to Epping Forest to do that is for me a time to sort of just think about what I want to achieve today. Um, get all that kind of mind chatter out of my head that would hold me back. And then when I come back, and I start work, I can get on with what I need to do. Mm hmm. So So you've done your walk, you've got your lists, yes. 17:17 What does that do you have? Do you sort of I mean, one of the things I do with my coaching, and my podcast is I corral it all into three days. So Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, a full on, but then I've got sort of big chunks of time in the rest of the week to do you know, whatever else I need to do. Is that similar to what you do, or Well, I guess, uh, no. So I try to work, I have two evenings a week where I'm available to homeopathic clients. So usually a Monday up to about seven, I'll work. And Wednesday was my clinic day. So I used to work from one to eight. So I'm still available online on a Wednesday in the evening. 18:01 And I also 18:05 try to do most of my work in the school day. So normally start my day at work about 915 930. And I try to have most of it finished on the other days by three o'clock. So that I can actually spend some time with my kids and ask them how their day was. 18:21 But also, I find that my creative time tends to be about five o'clock in the evening, which doesn't quite fit with that. So #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 8 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 18:30 I'll often disappear upstairs between about five and six to just kind of get ideas down 18:35 in the day as well. And my children are teenagers, so they don't need me hanging around as much as a small child word. Just knowing that I'm around I think is good for them. Yes, yes. Yeah. Essentially, is that does that make you a nightbird? Is that why you're like I don't work in evenings really. I'm I like to read watch TV in the evenings. I'm a morning person. I like to get up regular time every morning and have my breakfast early. Try and get out to the door by eight o'clock in the morning. And if I'm going to do any cleaning it's got to happen first thing in the morning as well. I'm I love mornings. Yes, that's interesting that you've got your sort of five o'clock creativity sort of thing but also great that you know that and you can cover I think I just created that time because it means that I can try and get out of cooking the dinner. 19:27 I must put that one out. I never used to really cook dinner until lockdown and then I suddenly found myself cooking for England that seemed to be my way of I'm obviously a feeder have decided that's my way of doing the family. I mean, I like cooking, but I have to say I prefer the washing up part at the end. So yeah, if my if my husband and kids want to cook that's fine by me. Yeah. So you talked about being a list person is that pen and paper? Yes. And it's pen and paper but I do integrate. I have like a Google calendar with a notes function. So when I'm out and about I will add notes in 20:01 So But yeah, I love pen and paper. And I think, you know, that's the disadvantage of technology is now that a lot of people are stepping away from using notebooks and pens. Yes. Will you say that although I could probably count on one hand, the number of people who come on this podcast and tell me that they use anything other than pen and paper. 20:22 Either I attract pen and paper fans or, or it's it's a myth that the tech companies are putting out there. #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 9 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 20:31 So I guess, you know, it's partly a 20:33 balance, isn't it? Between? Yeah, there's something really nice about writing. And just that kind of process of, you know, going through your head and through your hand and onto paper. It enables me to be more creative. Yeah. Yeah. So what about other tools and apps that you do? Use? You talked about Google Calendar? Yes. And so as a homeopath and a coach, I have a booking system online, which I set up about four years ago on the advice of another homeopath. And that really changed the way I work. It enabled me to integrate, you know, people booking in for appointments. But it also took out all the admin for me, which has been a massive time saver. 21:21 And it just makes my life a lot easier. And it all all links into my Google as well. So that's a really good system, I'd recommend for therapists. 21:31 I use one called get timely, but there are free ones. I think calendly is a good one. 21:36 That there's there's lots out there. Um, but I my one integrates my accounting system, my newsletter system, my diary. So if somebody books into see me, 21:49 I will get an email notification straightaway that they've booked in, tells me whether they've paid me or not. So I then know whether I need to chase them up for the money. And I can also send them invoices as well. So it's a really effective system. And again, as a new therapist, I didn't know that those things even existed. I was doing everything pen and paper in a diary. And it was taking me hours and hours a week, especially if somebody cancelled an appointment. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. It's interesting, isn't it? Because? Well, again, it goes back to that sort of one of my original questions, which is, you know, how you sort #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 10 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai of marry the providing therapy with running a business? And that when you don't know, some of that stuff, it gets in the way, doesn't that? Yeah, well, then I have a coach and she said, Oh, he says, You don't know what you don't know. And sometimes when you don't know, things you can be so 22:46 well, you can just feel very shortchanged that your life is going one way and you wanted to go in other way currently, so 22:52 yeah, I mean, the technology is great, as a therapist, and I think the more we integrate it into our practice, and the more streamlined we become, the more effective we become. Hmm, do you find that that's sometimes a hard sell? As in? 23:09 I worked with quite a few people where they're setting up in business, and they, 23:15 you know, they want to learn how to do it, you know, more easily and all that sort of thing. But, but actually, they do. Sometimes, I almost feel sometimes they block their ability to learn what I'm trying to teach them because they just assume it's too complicated or? Absolutely, yeah, absolutely. So, I mean, I'm working with a few therapists right now. And there's a massive resistance to putting things online. That is technology and this feeling of being out of their comfort zone. But another part of it is, as I said, At the start, it's all about confidence. And when you put yourself out there, then you have to deliver what you say you're going to deliver. Where's the time you're on pen and paper, and people are referred to you sort of going around the back houses? It's a less out there sort of visible experience. 24:08 Yes, yeah. Yeah, resistance is definitely something I can see. And I sort of experience in the same way I was on some stays. And accounting, I was talking about email marketing, and there was a sort of process and we were sort of sorting it out. And I could see that he wasn't quite following along and I was trying to say to him, you know, you could do a pivot #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 11 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai table in Excel, which I have no idea how to do that. 24:32 either. 24:34 But you know, you could work out the process and you could work out the 24:39 the dependencies and everything else to make that process happen. And you know, the email marketing is no different. It's just a different tool. But there's still dependencies and process and you know, that sort of thing triggers of things and that sort of thing, but it Yeah, I think for a lot of people that sort of stuff is is quite dull, and it's very techie and if you are creative 25:00 Healing type. It's really not your forte. Yeah. And I think there's this big guilt thing about should you take on somebody else to do that work for you. 25:12 And, you know, just reaching out and getting somebody else to do part of your business can really free you up and it can be very liberating experience. Yeah. 25:23 And that's one thing I would encourage therapists to do is if you don't get it, then pay somebody else who does. because your life is gonna become so much easier. Yes, yeah. What sort of things? Do people outsource in your industry? Or would you suggest they outsource? So, website building for one? and integrating systems like the like, I've talked about that booking systems newsletter systems on integrating something like mailer light, or maybe MailChimp, and #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 12 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 25:56 just sort of design and branding work? Yeah. Accounting. 26:02 Yes. Those things with everything. for treating people. Yeah, yeah, exactly. I mean, I think and that's, that's what we need to be doing more of, we need to be doing more of the treating people, especially now, with the well being the way it is. Yeah. And, you know, recognizing that other people have other talents, which part of my rezin interest exempt therapist program, is I've got a couple of ladies I'm working with, you know, all of that stuff. And they're passionate about 26:31 social media work, and they're passionate about creating websites. So if I can link up with other people that can support my therapists, then that's, that's a great marriage, because everyone is happy, then. Yeah, yeah. And so this podcast will be going out at the end of January. So who knows where we'll be in terms of the pandemic. 26:54 We're recording it just as we're about to go into proper lockdown. Again, what have you seen in terms of sort of resilience and 27:05 challenges and people's mindsets through the time because you've obviously, you know, worked with people from your sort of coaching perspective, but also through the resilient therapist program, as well, as I guess, you know, that's sort of what you call your usual clients that you work? 27:23 Well, if I think about my homeopathy clients, first, a big change, I think going through a whole range of emotion, grief has been a big emotion, #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 13 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 27:33 anxiety and depression, and I niche my work working with a lot of people with anxiety. Anyway, so I've noticed a real change in terms of how anxiety presents itself, and how people are more open now, to admitting they're anxious, and they're more open to asking for help for it. 27:54 That's been great. I think that people have also really valued that health is their greatest asset. And it doesn't matter how rich you are, and what car you drive. If you're unhealthy, then, you know, that's, it's a great leveler isn't it. So that to me has been such a positive thing that has come out of this that people are saying, as you need to begin for a session, my practice has been very busy. Because of that, which has been good. 28:28 But very, very encouraged by that. I think what I've noticed for this second lockdown, so we literally say going to go into a second lock down, a big shift in terms of cases and mood has been the change from 28:45 that the seasonal changes. So as the light has become less, 28:51 that has really bought out people shadow sides, and it's bought out a lot of things that they really want to explore and get rid of. which again, is encouraging. 29:04 But it's hard work for them. You know, in it. It requires guts to say Actually, I'm struggling right now. I need some help and support. I don't want to carry on like this. So, you know, that's been a really big challenge for me as a practitioner. Yeah. But a really enjoyable one because I love working with people and getting them through those stages. Mm hmm. So it's been it's been a ride. It's been a really, you know, crazy ride. I think they call it the corona coaster, don't they? So I heard that one. #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 14 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 29:38 It's been very intense, but hugely rewarding. Yeah. And then I think with therapists we've also been on such a journey, you know, could we work, couldn't we work if you can work you've got to do NPP. 29:52 And then, you know, lots of people working online, some people not able to work online. Other people taking on other income streams. 30:00 So they can come work. So it's been a really challenging time. It's particularly interesting, because as an industry and we are well being industry, that we have been told that we're not an essential service. Yeah. And I find that just really aggravating. 30:24 And, you know, it's something that I've been campaigning about and trying to raise awareness of. 30:32 So yeah, it's not, it's not been easy. And I think that's where the resilience comes, you know, we are therapists and healers for a reason. And most people who have been on this journey, who have changed to become a therapist, or healer, have done it because they've gone through a process of healing themselves. And they're so passionate about what they do that, 30:54 you know, they want to kind of wax lyrical about it and and sort of talk about the value of what they do, and then we've been shut down. 31:02 So it's been a great time to really work on, #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 15 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 31:07 you know, the systems and putting themselves out there so that when we can go back, we're going to do it in such a big way. Yes, yeah. And so have you personally, how have you sort of ensured your resiliency through this? And how do you make sure that you keep healthy and you're, you know, relaxed and all that sort of stuff? Um, well, I have a lot of friends who are homeopaths. So that's great, you know, we're always talking about remedies and what to take. So, you know, brilliant for that. I also have monthly acupuncture sessions, 31:39 which I couldn't have over the first few months of spring this year. But I'm back into that now. 31:47 And that really helps me take over Well, um, I've had some online sessions with various therapist, colleagues, I had an online craniosacral session, yesterday had an online Reiki healing session. And I also like their walk every day. And for me, walking really allows me to connect with nature and ground myself and really feel part of something bigger than my work. Yeah. Which I think is hugely important. Yeah. And what about learning and improving yourself? You've just fairly recently finished studying you said, Yeah, you keep up to speed up to date with things? Well, as a homeopath, we have to attend and continued professional development days. So 32:33 I was booked in to go on a seminar about teenage health, that I couldn't go because of lockdown. So I'm hoping that will come back up. As soon as everything gets back to normal. And I like to learn things online. And there's great portals online for homeopaths to sort of log into and watch recordings by eminent homeopaths who have lots of knowledge to share. 32:56 Yeah, I mean, I read I read a lot. And I, I talk to a lot of people about what we do and share ideas. That's the great thing about coaching therapists is that I have great conversations with people. I #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 16 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 33:09 think it's interesting what you're saying about, you know, things being online. I think that's been one of the advantages of the pandemic as well, that so many more people who wouldn't have been online or put their stuff online, have either had to or have chosen to even down to things like, you know, at the beginning of lockdown, we watched a load of the empty live performances and national hits alive. 33:32 Which, you know, we, we might have seen one of the maybe by going to the cinema and watching it there, you know, had it Yeah, well, sort of thing, but actually, because they were on and they weren't every week, and they were changing. Well, you know, we were avidly. Yeah, I watched one. It's I think I watched one with James Corden yesterday. Yeah, that was good. That was very good. 33:54 Um, but, you know, just, you know, that's a sort of a small example. But, you know, some of the, you know, teachers, people who have things to offer have just, you know, gone online, put stuff online to be generous during the situation. So, there's a lot of stuff that's now available that perhaps wouldn't have been. I mean, and also we've got YouTube and yeah, other platforms that we can tap into as well. And it's, it has opened up so much stuff. It's not that has been great. That's been one really good thing that's come out of lockdown. Yes. Yeah. So last couple of questions. What about those days when you have awful days where things go horribly wrong? How do you know you'll have them Don't worry. 34:38 I am really good at reaching out to people and if I feel a bit low, so I have good groups of friends that I can reach out to, but I also really love walking and if I've had a really bad day or a heavy day, then I will put my earphones in, go for a walk. Listen some really loud music 35:00 listen to the podcast and just walk and walk until I feel like Okay, I'm ready to get back #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 17 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai home and get we've got my head around stuff. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. You were recommended for the podcast by Heather wearing, weren't you? So Thompson walks with Heather. She's great. And you know, we have a similar mindset about walking and the power of it. Yeah. 35:23 And what about those days where you get to live more, and that's where you get to do more of the things that you want to do and less of the stuff that you don't want to do? What are those days look like for you? Well, I think for me, the days where I get to live more those where I spend time with my family, and I spend time with my children, my husband will go out. 35:41 We really love food. And we really like exploring food from other cultures. The food plays a big part in our family time. And I really love to read and read a lot. 35:55 And I really like to have good conversations with people. 36:00 And being part of networks and groups of people who share the same interests as me is really important. So I really like talking about astrology and I read the Tarot and I love talking to people about that. And travel as well. I love to travel. Hmm, lovely. So thank you, Joe. It's been great interviewing you today. tell people how they can find out more about you and get in touch. Thank you, Joe. So I have two Instagram accounts. One is at Joe dot homeopath. And the other one is at resilient therapists and the links to everything I do are on both of those accounts in my bio, lovely and they'll be in the show notes as well. Thanks for joining me today. It's been really good, fun talking to you. #193 Jo Permaul Interview Page 18 of 18 Transcribed by https://otter.ai The post Jo Permaul on Show #193: Build Resilience and Balance in Your Therapy Practice appeared first on POWER to Live More.
61 minutes | a month ago
Alan Stevens on Show #192 : Recognising Your Own Business Opportunity
Alan Stevens is a business coach, remote and virtual speaking specialist, and author, based in East  London. He had a long career working in consumer journalism at Which? Online. As Head of Digital Services, he created one of the first ‘social networks’. Alan discovered a passion for speaking and has been President of the Global Speakers Federation and the Professional Speaking Association of the UK and Ireland. He started the The Media Coach business to help organisations with reputation management and  crisis communications. Alan enjoys running, fine wine, and rock music, although not at the same time! He has published many books on public speaking, and his latest release, The Exceptional Speaker, co authored with Paul Du Toit, is a revised edition of his 2013 book.  Today, Alan shares the journey that took him from a professional career in consumer journalism to  becoming a top speaker and business coach. He shares tips on how you can spot opportunities for  starting your own business and how you can maintain motivation throughout your journey. He explains  how he found the resilience he needed when starting his business. Alan provides strategies for staying  disciplined and managing your time between work and family commitments. He also shares the  technology and tools he uses in his business and why continuous learning is essential in any industry.  “You’ve got to have more than passion. You’ve got to have value, and you’ve got to be somebody who will put yourself out there.” Alan Stevens  This week on The Power to Live More Podcast:  How Alan’s day-to-day work has changed since COVID-19 Why Alan went from a corporate role at Which? Online to starting his own business The training and experience that Alan has applied to his crisis communication skillsTop tips for spotting an opportunity to create your own company How Alan found the resilience to keep going when starting his business How storytelling can bring people together What drove Alan to start his own company How to maintain longevity and avoid boredom when running your own business A sneak peek into Alan’s work day How to make sure you get everything done when being self-employed How Alan created strategies to manage his time and create a balance in his business activities Managing your home life and work-life to ensure you give enough energy to both Technology that Alan uses to help him manage daily tasks How Alan stays fit and healthy Why you have to keep learning and teach others tooHow the coronavirus pandemic is affecting people in coaching and training businesses Tips for handling tough days What living more looks like for Alan  Resources Mentioned:  National Careers Service Questionnaire Google Calendar Todoist Asana Masterclass The Social Dilemma  Connect with Alan Stevens:  Media Coach website Media Coach on LinkedIn Media Coach on Twitter The Media Coach Radio Show Podcast Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership  Attention home-based coaches and consultants!  Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or  consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you  felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all  the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more?  It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks  that will move the needle forward.  It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership!  If you’re ready to:  Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’ Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme!  To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit  PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm  Connect, Share, Inspire  Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this  episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher,  subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing  business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels.  Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with  me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience!  Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC Read Full Transcript #192 Alan Stevens Interview Today I'm interviewing Alan Stephens of media coach.co.uk. Welcome, Alan. Thanks for joining me. Thanks for watching DJ pleasure to be here today. And you're the other half of one of our previous guests on you. And Heather Waring has been on the show twice. So I've said you already you're on catch up, you need to come on again already. I am running to catch up your song. Obviously, she is my better half. 00:23 So yeah, I do like to keep up, really. And we were saying and these sort of days of social media that we've been connected for, like ever, but 00:31 still no idea. We've had a discussion about how we knew each other in the first place. And we don't know. 00:39 Start by telling us a bit about who you are, what you do, and crucially where you do it. Okay, well, I've been involved in journalism for a long time, I was a consumer journalist of which magazine for many years, and now I run a reputation management company. That's what media coaches, I'm known as the media coach in the business. So I, I do crisis communication for lots of large organizations, particularly luxury hotels, which is a sector #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 1 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai that I work in, in particular, I'm also a professional speaker. I'm involved with the professional speaking Association here in the UK, I was their president back in 2007. Global precedent in 2010 2011. So I'm pretty well known in the speaking world. And in addition to doing the crisis communication, I get involved in in coaching speakers in working with people obviously online at the moment, because that's the world that we're in. And essentially all sorts of forms of tricky communication, I suppose my most recent book, which I authored with a good friend of mine, Paul de trois from South Africa, called the exceptional speaker, how to make sensational speeches, like I thought I'd get the plug in early. So I've done that, based in East London. 01:49 Not North East London, South Africa. I have to say that when I'm talking to people who are in South Africa, you know where the listeners are, but East London, London, I'm a Londoner, I'm a geezer. It was funny you say that until you mentioned that I hadn't entirely spotted the accent. But as soon as you said, East London, you went into East London mode. Well I was born in born in Fulham, so I'm I was born in Fulham. I've lived in North London, South London, West London, East London. I am, I am a proper geezer. I'm not a Cockney, because I wasn't born within the sound of bow bells. But I've always been a London, I'm a very proud London. And I'm a London guide as well, I get involved in showing people around tourists around when, when that comes back again. Yes, I also worked as a volunteer in Olympic Park, what's known as a park champion in Stratford to sort of help people navigate. So I do quite a bit of volunteering. And I like to describe myself as a professional London and jobbing journalist. Lovely, thank you. And you, did you work from home before? COVID? That's the question I now ask. It's a good question, Joe, Samsung, a lot of what I used to do was traveling and I really missed that I've traveled in many, many countries all around the world. I've spoken in dozens of countries. And that's, that's the thing that really, I find disappointing. In fact, we can't do that anymore. So obviously having to do that from home. So I would say, up until now, a maybe a third of my work was from home now. It's all of my work is at home. And hopefully one day we'll get back to that in person thing. But for now, everything's online. Yes, yeah. And so you mentioned that you were working with which a number of years ago and how, how did the transition happen from from working in a corporate role into working for yourself? I'm glad you asked that job because I have a story about that. 03:39 What happened was that I was a witch magazine, I was what's known as head of digital services, which meant I looked after all of the all of the technology and new products. And #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 2 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai we had a product called tax calc, which used to work out your income tax. It was a program that ran on the BBC Model B computer back in the day. Everybody can remember that. And what happened was we had a website, this was back in 1997. 04:05 Before the internet existed almost with a website that was selling taxcalc, you could go on there, click a button, buy it, and it got hacked one day, and I found out because I got a call from the Sunday Times on a Saturday saying your website's been hacked. We want a quote from you. Of course I did the thing that I would do as a journalism representative. I gave them a quote and they said thanks very much and ran the story. And then it was picked up by the nationals. It was picked up by BBC, ITV sky channel five news, everything on on Monday, the Monday after the Sunday Times came out. I did 37 interviews on the same day, all about this crisis that we'd undergone. So far, so good. What happened then was a few months later, I found out that lots of PR companies were using my interviews as an example of how to manage a crisis on the media and a good way or bad way. 05:00 Good one. And I thought, hang on a minute. Yeah, I'm obviously okay at this, I should just start a company, explaining to people how they can do this. And if they get a crisis, and that's what I did, I left, I left which magazine within a couple of months, I started my own company media coach giving crisis communication advice, and I've just taken it from there. That's amazing. So had you had training to do that yourself in the first place? Yes, I had. Yeah. Um, back in the late 70s, early 80s. I first got involved in television. I did have some media training back then from a company called hillside was I remember up in, in Edmonton, but it doesn't matter. But the fact that yes, I had about half a day's media training. Since then I've done a lot of media work, lots of radio, I still do. 05:45 Television, I had a couple of series on Sky TV back in the 90s. So I just kind of get used to it. And if it's something that you're used to, and something that you can explain very easily, then people will pay for your help, basically. Hmm, yeah. Great to hear that you sort of spotted an opportunity and Went, went with it. And it was a big boost to because Heather, that you talked about, you talked about before she'd gone #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 3 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 06:11 solo, as it were, she'd left her organization that year previously. So all of a sudden, we were there with a with a two year old, a mortgage to pay, and neither of us being paid a living wage. You know, we both had to make our own way. But we thought, Hey, you know, if we're gonna make if we're gonna make it, we've got to give it a go. And it turned out very successful for both of us. Yes, yeah. So what sort of top tips have you sort of falling out of that for people who are in a position where they're in a corporate situation, they spot an opportunity, they've got a skill, and people potentially could be paying for it? What sort of reflections do you have? Now? I mean, you've obviously got a good few years under your belt. And I have Thanks for pointing that out, Joe, 06:50 in a good way, in a good way. Yes. experiences? Yes, yes. And I think it's that old adage, it's, it's that intersection between your expertise, your value and how people will pay you for that you've you and also what you're passionate about. It's that kind of sweet spot. And if you've got that sweet spot, which which I thought I hadn't turned out I had, then you can go for it. And I think that the issue that a lot of people have is that they, they're very passionate about something. And they think, okay, I can leave my corporate job, and I can make a career out of this. Passion is not enough. You've got to have more than passion, you've got to have value. And you've got to be somebody who will put yourself out there as well. So I was I've always been quite outgoing, surprisingly, as a professional speaker and occasional stand up comic, what a shock. And I'm quite, quite happy to put myself out there. And I think you've got to have that combination. And you've got to work hard to Yeah, it's much harder working for yourself than working for somebody else. I mean, no, no one's going to pay me to sit in my 07:53 office here in my home office at home, unless I go out and grab the work. So I think you've got to have a bit of sort of go getter about you, you've got to have some value, and you've got to enjoy what you do. 08:04 What about the whole resilience piece, and it's something that many of us are sort of facing down at the moment with everything that's going on. But you know, feet, as you say, two of you working for yourself with a small child. And, you know, with little #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 4 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai experience of working for yourself at that stage, you presumably needed a lot of resilience. Where did that come from? 08:24 For me, I mean, I can certainly pinpoint it for me, and that it's a it's a sad story and poignant. But I still think it's important. And that is it was a result of my father died when I was eight years old. And I had affected my mother got acrophobia. And she didn't leave the house for three years after, after dad died, I had a little brother, who was is four years younger than me five, four and a half years enemy. And basically, at eight or nine years old, I had to take over around the house, I do the cooking, the shopping, make sure the bills were paid, I look back now and I can barely believe it. 08:57 But we didn't get a lot of a lot of help. And I became very resilient very quickly. And I put a lot of my resilience and a lot of my 09:06 confidence, I suppose down to that early experience. It was an awful experience. Obviously, nobody wants that to happen. But looking back on it, I think I learned a lot from that. And a good friend of mine, Robert black often says that when you get in a difficult situation, there are two things to think about what did I learn from it and what was funny. 09:25 And so I've always talked about many years ago, and I've always looked at it that way. If something's a bit tough, and things will get tough from time to time. What did you learn from it? And what was funny, huh? 09:36 It's interesting. I've all sorts of things sort of flowing through my mind as you as you were saying that, and then that last comment, I think I'd probably agree with that, too. And I think for me, and I wonder if it's similar for you. It's also that piece about storytelling. #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 5 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 09:52 So Oh, yes. You know, you you can recount it and as you say, when I think back to some of the things that happened, you know, my sort of formative years 10:00 And I can tell a very good story about them. And I can make it funny, even though as you say, at times, a lot of it was, you know, was raw and awful and everything else, by the power of storytelling, you turn it into something else. 10:14 But I absolutely agree. I'm a huge advocate of storytelling. I teach storytelling. I'm a big fan of film, and film structure and how films tell stories. And it's how we pass information on. And it's how people get to understand things. And it doesn't mean that telling somebody a story will help them to learn something. But I think when we, when we relate a story, we're also teaching ourselves something as well, I mean, those stories that I just told you, I reflected on myself. And I think the very act of storytelling is self development. Yeah, I think it also helps people to realize that we have a lot of commonality, there are things that we share, which are important, we share far more than we differ on. I think that's it. That's the thing that I'm always banging on about when talking to people, there's a lot of conflict around at the moment, particularly on social media, and there are reasons for that, that we can go into. But I think there's so much commonality so much that we do share. And certainly in the comedic sense, it's it's called 11:11 generalizing the specific. And it generally starts when somebody starts a story says, you know, when, you know that time when, and then you relate a specific experience. And we all got along. Yeah. I know exactly what you mean. And I think that, that element of storytelling where we, we talked about a common experience, not identical one, but a similar one, that that's what brings people together. I mean, without being too over the top, but it's what brings societies together. It's what brings different kinds of people together. Yeah, yeah. 11:42 So just think about sort of where that came from, and how your skills developed. Do you #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 6 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai think you were always had it to work for yourself? 11:51 Yes. Do I mean I think like, like many of us who work for ourselves, we're unemployable. Now. Yeah. Because we put ourselves in a situation where no one's gonna tell me what to do. I'm sorry, I'm watching make my own decisions. Thank you very much. 12:07 Yes, I mean, my, my father was a professional photographer. Up until, up until he died, he worked in a darkroom where the dot one of our bedrooms was converted into a darkroom. And I used to work with him in you know, literally in, in back in the day, people won't understand this necessarily back in the day, you want to go into a dark room and develop a film, and then have three dishes developer, fixer, and they've got to stop bath and fixer, but you have to put photographs through. And believe me, it's the most magical experience to see a photograph develop after the plain piece of paper that's been under the enlarger. And then the picture gradually appears in front of you, there's nothing like it. And that's kind of gone a bit. But, you know, he, but he worked on his own. He worked for himself. And I, I saw that, I think as a model. And I'm pretty sure that our daughter is also probably going to end up working for ourselves. She's working for a film company right now. But I guarantee she's gonna end up freelance working for herself at some point, because we've been role models, hopefully. Yeah, yeah. And I mean, in my experience, I think the same sort of sort of be reflecting what you're saying. And I think my corporate sort of decision in the middle was, was partly because that's what everyone did in those days. And I think the world has changed now. But I also think, for me, it was probably security. My dad died when I was 19. So later than you, but but I think, you know, I needed to follow the usual route, because that's what was secure, even though he had his own company. And now I look back and think, you know, this was destined sort of thing. Do you think that some of that was the similar thing for you? It was what everyone did and secure to begin with? Sort of? Absolutely. I mean, the world was different. You're absolutely right. The world was a different place, in many ways, for all sorts of reasons. But but there was an expectation that you'd have a career. I mean, some people would go into a job. And I remember, parents, my friend's parents saying, Well, they've got a nice, secure job. Like, they're going to do that until they retire. And I don't mean, I filled with dread and horror. No, surely not. I mean, even even within you know, which magazine I had about six different roles. Yeah, in different departments. And I, I couldn't possibly have gone on doing the same thing for the same people. And I think that that's the thing that really drove me towards working for myself working from home and own my own company. The #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 7 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai fact that I wanted to make the decisions. Yes, I want it to be you're free to be able to decide to take work or not take work. 14:34 And it's very interesting when I when I left which magazine I luckily, they were downsizing for a while and I managed to grab a redundancy package, which a lot of us do. Before we we go self employed and before we start working for ourselves, and they gave me they sent me to an organization which was got redundancy counseling or something like that. And I remember the name of the council, I'm not going to relate it in case she's listening. But she said to me, so what are you going to do and I told her, I said, 15:00 Got this media training company and so on? And she said, Well, that's going to be a struggle. 15:06 And and then she said, but how are you going to cope with people that you don't want to work with? And I said, Well, I'm not going to work with him. It's really simple. If I meet somebody, I don't like, I'm not going to work with him. And she said, biggest error, you should count you should you cannot afford to do that you cannot afford to turn business away. Doesn't matter whether you like them or not, you have to work with them. And I thought, true. I'm not having that. Why should I frankly, that's, that's why I work on my own. Anyway, there's, there's a tail piece to that, because many years later, about five years ago, I got an email from her. She said, she said, I've now gone freelance. I wonder if you've got any positions at your organization? 15:47 Or any tips and you go, yeah, don't work with people you don't like? 15:52 very politely said, No, I'm afraid not to wish the best of luck. #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 8 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 15:57 So going back to the idea of, you know, change, chopping and changing, I don't mean that in a bad way, you know exactly what you mean, and wanting to do different things and seeing the opportunity, in your own business for doing that. How do you then balance that against that whole thing about 16:16 things changing all the time, and you're getting bored in your own business and change your own business? I mean, that that awful word, I hate the word. And I'm gonna say it, but everyone's talking about it around that whole pivot. I knew you were gonna say 16:29 it's a word I try and avoid. But yeah, they do. I so I, but you know, everyone's talking about that as if it's a new thing. It's what I've lived my life on. To be fair, it sounds like you probably have to how do you balance that against, you know, needing longevity, consistency and whatever else? Yeah, I'm not entirely sure what pivot means. I think it's more like swivel. 16:50 Move on Uros. Vice Chair, I think, I think it's more like that. So the way I see it, it's adapting your skill, set your expertise to the situation that we find ourselves in. And I think the problem with people talking about pivoting sometimes is that they think, oh, I'll just go and do a new job. You know, that crazy advertising campaign we had from the government a week or two ago, where there's a picture of a ballerina, and they say, you could be in cyber infuriated me, in fact, infuriated me to such an extent that when I was in London, in the centre of town, I went to the Royal Ballet, where there's a little statue of a ballerina, outside outside the Royal Opera House, and I tried to interview her. And I said, Please nod your head if you want to retrain in cyber. 17:34 I'll put that up on YouTube. And I get some sleep from it for some conservative friends. I didn't care. Yeah, it I think it was it. I think it's a bit of a nonsense. All right, one or two people can go and retrain in something completely different. And that's fine. But really, we have a core set of skills. We have expertise, we have knowledge, we have things that #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 9 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai we've learned over the years, and we can direct them towards something else. But it's not a whole new thing. It's using the skill set that you have to fit the circumstance that you find yourself in and other people find themselves in. So I just made that up. But I think it's more of a swivel than a pivot. I think that's a blog post. 18:16 I look forward to reading that. 18:18 What is that thing? And I know some of our mutual connections, I think come you probably know put Penny pullin points on a penny, extremely new word. And she's also been a podcast guest and twice your way. 18:34 back, I know, it's in the stars. And so she posted that she done the government careers questionnaire. I haven't looked at it yet. And it she listed all the things that he said that she could do. We should just hilarious and it reminds me I remember doing a careers questionnaire at school because I had no idea what I wanted to do when I left school. Oh, there's a surprise. And it said I should be a customs officer. Which I can't think of anything worse because I am too gray about everything. I'm not black and white enough to be anything like that, where you have to put your foot down because I can always see both sides of the story, which is a no help. When you're trying to, you know follow the law or whatever. And you know, it's weird. I did that as well. And when I saw that government thing come out, I thought I got to try this. Yes. Just like Penny, I'm going to do the same thing. And I got football referee. Chef, or what was the third thing I can't remember football referee chef, or, oh, it was some? What was it ticket Inspector? 19:32 I thought how did you work that out? 19:36 No idea how much #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 10 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 19:39 I can cook. I'm quite a decent cook. Yeah, but that wasn't the question about cooking. It was all questions all attitudinal stuff. I was baffled. So where does that come from? And what are they trying to achieve it because it just it just is almost like we'll just randomly tell you some jobs that are possible. Well, we knew that already. We don't really need to do a questionnaire to find that out and how 20:00 Really don't know, it's a complete mystery, because I think what's happened is that they've employed a consultant for 7000 pounds a day probably. Yeah, that's right. And those those consultants, and I think what they've done, they've, they've adapted some kind of personality tests from the 70s. And what they've done is that they've got a whole load of jobs, and they've kind of plugged the jobs in. And where does that it's like a jigsaw. And they probably got a few jobs left over. And we'll put those in there. You know, so that, that that so that fills up all the space, all the jobs have now got an allocation. 20:32 It probably wasn't a personality test. It's probably a Cosmo quiz. 20:36 We'll be surprised. 20:39 I wouldn't be in the least surprise. And it. It is the most bizarre thing. I don't know if you've tried it yourself. But I mean, if anyone's listening, right, have a go, it takes about 15 minutes, and you will kill yourself laughing. When you see what what the government recommends, you should be doing. It's absolute nonsense. 20:58 So tell us a bit about what your your days look like now. So we've talked about Tim, you know, variety and everything else, I'm intrigued because I know those. #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 11 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 21:10 No two days are the same, which is a way to be, isn't it? My days are very variable. I mean, just to give you an example, today, I was up at six o'clock this morning. And I ended up doing a four and a half hour training session for some online moderators in a company that makes cans that put tomato paste in. And I know it's going to sound weird. But they've got a conference coming up. And they had some online moderators that are lovely people they've got, they wanted some online moderators to go to work in breakout rooms, they had some people who were doing presentations, that management team. So I just spent four hours, four and a half hours online this morning with those people. And I was coaching professional speaker in Ireland. Then I did a little piece for a little bit of radio, and sort of doing some social media stuff, which of which I tend to do with Talk, talk radio and LBC. I've done a little bit of work on your website, I put out a little bit of marketing. And that's kind of typical day. So on most days, I'm doing a little bit of work for somebody, some coaching, perhaps I've got an annual coaching program for speakers that that I run, but I've got about 12 people on that. And some random stuff as well. Like sometimes somebody will get in touch and say, Would you like to do a podcast? And I think that is that's me. That's what I love. So there we are. And here we are. 22:30 So, so my question to people like you and like me, how do you make sure you get done the things you need to get done, especially when, as you say you have so lots of different stuff coming in from outside of I felt a couple of weeks ago, like I had a job again, I was doing so much for other people. I thought I gotta read this is not what I signed up for here. Let's, let's change things around. Let's swivel a little bit. Okay, nice. We're using that word a lot. I think you've got to be self discipline, I think there's there's quite a lot of things that you can do. And just to give you a couple of examples of things that I do, I clear my inbox every day. And so I have nothing in my inbox, when I finish the day. And I I try to, I see it a bit like a game of tennis. So when an email comes in, I have to get it back over the net. And it's out of my inbox. And there are several things I deal with, I can delete it, if it's rubbish, which some of them are that spam and stuff. And I can respond to it and just say, Thanks very much, if it's just somebody alerting me to something or letting me know something that's coming up, or I can give them a response, if somebody's asking for a proposal or offer a bit of advice, but I I'm very, very 23:41 focused on clearing my inbox every day. So when I when I go to bed, there's nothing. And #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 12 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai there's nothing I'm going to worry about because there's nothing in my inbox. That doesn't mean I haven't got some bigger long term task, because I have. So I focused very much on that. I also give people advice because like you people ring me for advice, or send me an email and say, Can I pick your brains or a bit of your time? And you know, sometimes in the past, I used to think, Oh, no, not again. And now I think Hang on a minute, I should be helping people. You know, I've had a lot of help from people in the past, I should pass that on, I should pay it forward. So I say to people, you can have 15 minutes of my time for free. After that, I'm going to charge you because my family has to eat and I've got to keep a roof over my head. So anyone can have 15 minutes, but not many people demand that. And some people will say, but I need an hour. I say that's fine. I could send you an invoice. And when should I send it? Are you valuable? And quite often they will go away. At that point. I don't mean to be nasty to them. But we can all get caught up in doing stuff for people. I mean, I do a lot of volunteering as well as doing doing stuff for my business. And you can only give so much. I think we all give something it's important that we all give something really important. 24:55 But we have to look after ourselves and look after our families as well. 25:00 And that's why I say to people, I'm limited this. And sometimes people will ask me to do a free speech. It's a really common the most common questions speakers get asked, we don't know that we don't have a budget, can you come and speak for free, and they think they see anything online speaking is cheaper. For some reason, I've no idea why I might, I've got a fantastic virtual assistant called Nicola. And she knows what the rule is. And that is I will do four free speeches a year, one per quarter. And when that quarter is full, I don't do anymore. So we say to people, I'm sorry, Alan does for free speeches a year, they're filled for this year, if you want to come back for next year? That's fine. Yeah. So you just set some parameters, you set some rules and guidelines around that, like the 15 minutes and the foreign speeches? And that that's what people are happy, except? And how did you sort of reach that as a strategy? Because it's all about, as you say, boundaries. And I think once you've got a rule, once you've got a boundary, it's really easy to apply it. It's deciding to have one in the first place and working out what it is that I think is quite difficult for people. Can you remember where that came from, you 26:08 #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 13 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai know, 26:10 on made up. 26:12 But it was really, I think what it was was it was the understanding, and I didn't always have this the understanding that I had to have boundaries. Yeah. So you know, 10 years ago, I was doing too many free speeches for people. And there's always this is always the statement. It's become a cliche. Well, we can't pay you, but it'll be great exposure. 26:31 Yeah, I'll just check with my bank, if I can pay in some exposure next week. Because they'll love that. Yeah. 26:39 And so I learned that I had to limit it. And I just thought, I've got to limit it to something and I thought, why not want a quarter? So I can I just came up with that idea. And in terms of the 15 minutes, free advice, again, I thought, what if I, if I was having a conversation with somebody, maybe after a gig or, or a bumped into somebody at some kind of networking event? How much time would I give them, I thought 15 minutes, that's reasonable after that, I'd be looking over their shoulder, I'm walking away, if I thought this, this wasn't going anywhere. So and I don't mean to be rude by that. But I think it's important that we just put a limit around it. And I tell people up front, even if I meet them at a networking event, and I usually chat a bit with 15 minutes, and forgive me if I walk away at that point. 27:23 So what about clarity? It is, and they know where they stand. 27:29 #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 14 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai So what about that thing between sort of home and work life? You work from home? But a wife is also working from home? Yeah. And you have done for a long time? How have you been able to? And I don't I hate the word balance when it took me to word things. I think, you know, there isn't a balance, you've got to, you know, go up again, at different times for different things. How do you keep that working and integrated? For what works for you? And you're? I mean, it's a great question. It really is. And we haven't always got it right. 28:00 We have an office at the end of our garden that was built about 20 years ago, Heather had it for her business to begin with. And after I went solo as well, and we moved in there together, it's a two or three person office, there's plenty of room. And 28:17 it drove us both mad. 28:19 Because we were doing that thing, even though we weren't running the same business, we were listening to each other's phone conversations that we were having with our own clients. And as soon as somebody put the phone down, the other one would say, you know, I don't think you should have said it that way. Maybe you should have said this, or you forgot to mention that. For goodness sake, why are we doing this to each other. 28:38 And the other thing was, we were together all the time. And, and I'm not saying it kills the romance because it didn't, it wasn't that. But nevertheless, you can't be in each other's pocket all the time, it's quite useful to have, you know, time apart. And, you know, Heather, Heather values her time on her own. As I do from time to time, it's not to say we don't love each other bits because we do. But you just it helps to have a bit of time apart. So we we moved to a separate office. So I'm now in the house, she has the office down the garden. And we've kept it that way ever since. Also, I have a clear finishing time. So when I get to six o'clock in the evening, turn everything off. I'll generally have a bit of wine downtime, maybe listen to music, maybe read something, #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 15 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 29:21 maybe watch something on Netflix, or whatever. And then I've made that transition. And then it's evening and work is forgotten. Yeah, it's all gone. And that doesn't mean I don't occasionally do gigs in the evening, because if I'm working with a client in the States, for example, they might want me online at what what our time is like, eight, nine o'clock at night. And I will do that occasionally. And on a Thursday where I always write my newsletter and record my podcast or my web radio show, as I call it. I'll sometimes work late I might sometimes work till nine on that just because I'm I've got my own deadline self imposed deadline on that. But other than that I have a very clear transition. inbox is clear. It's six o'clock on Friday. 30:00 Let's see. Oh, yeah. And you sound quite structured in how you make sure you get things done. Is that fair? How do you how do you sort of make sure you do the things you need to do? I'm actually had the routine I'm pretty disorganized and forgetful. So and she's probably right. We are telling a good story. You sound a lot more. 30:19 Well, no, I, I, I am, I am very organized about the work. I mean, because I've got this journalistic mindset. And it takes me back a long time. And this is you're too young to remember a man called Alastair cook. Probably, most people these days, they say, Oh, the cricketer. No, no, no, the guy who presented letter from America for 53 years from from from America and explained America to the Brits. And he was my mentor. For a few years, I met him. 30:47 Hugely impressed. And he died a few years back. But for a while, he helped me out and he gave me some advice. And then always remember one piece of advice that he gave me. And it was never missed a deadline and never waste a word. And did I think about that a lot. I think about that almost every day, never miss a deadline. I mean, it's a journalistic expression, obviously. But I, I set myself deadlines, and some of them are completely self imposed and completely random. And it doesn't actually matter if I missed them, but I never missed them. Because I've I've set myself a deadline, and therefore I will keep to it. And I think that's that's the discipline I got into with a journal as being a journalist. Of course, you can't miss a deadline. Yeah, your report for the six o'clock news has to be #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 16 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai ready for the six o'clock news. Something for tomorrow's paper has to be ready by 10 o'clock at night. So it can go into the paper. 31:38 How old am I I'm talking about newspapers. You know, what's a newspaper? Grandpa, it's one of those things we used to get through those. But it but a lot of so a lot of my deadlines are self imposed, but I do stick to them. And I think it's, it just helps. Because then when I'm free of that, you know, when it is six o'clock or when it's a weekend, whoop dee doo, I can do a film life. And I do. Yes, yeah. And what about technology? You 32:05 said you're sort of fairly structured, you work with a VA. So presumably, there's some sort of technology connection there. 32:14 What what sort of end and you were the which digital whatever. I was head of digital services at which magazine? And that day when it was new, so yeah, what what technology? Do you like? What are your Well, just yeah, I mean, if I can refer back to that, I created one of the UK's first social networks in 1996, we press the button, fourth of November, the launch, which online, which is still going. And it was a social network where people could exchange information, get into buying groups, learn at the root, put the information online, so we didn't realize it was social network. But in 1997, I spoke at the world's first conference on what we call online communities. In those days, I didn't realize I was a social media pioneer. And you might have been in a taxi I used to love which is Yeah, yes. 33:01 Yes, I am. I am pretty technology focused. 33:05 Particularly in terms of what I'm doing now. I mean, I'm sitting now in a media media studio at home. I've got a sort of radio mic on a cantilever arm, I've got softbox lights, I've got a backdrop, I've got a green screen. And the whole works, basically. So I can #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 17 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai broadcast from here, and which is what I do, and I've got that whole thing set up. But I also like to use technology, I'm very interested in the application of technology. And I think it just makes your life so much easier in terms of how I work with with Nicola, we share access to a Google Calendar, so that she has full access, and she she will just put all of my appointments in and deal with my clients and make sure I know where I'm supposed to be and ping me an email saying, by the way, next Thursday, you're supposed to be doing this. And I just, I trust her completely. So we use technology to communicate a lot. In fact, we very In fact, we've never met anyone I've never met. She lives lives in Brighton. And we'll we'll see her one day. Yeah, but we've never met face to face. And yet she's absolutely vital to the running of my business because we communicate through technology. Yes, yeah, I was talking to somebody earlier and saying how I have a VA in the Philippines and I was quizzing her the other day as to how long we've been working together. And apparently it's six years, and we've never even spoken to each other. 34:24 So I delegate stuff by recording videos. And then other than that, as you say we use technology to do it is our main one for me is Asana as well, but we text in effect, so we've never actually, you know, spoken voice to voice. 34:39 It's remarkable you can do I mean, I've had most books have been published by publishers but the exceptional speaker the one the most recent one that we revised, coming out in January next year, a plug plug plug in just think well, there is a there is a reason for this, Joe, and that is that Paul and I wrote the book together. We're open to it, but we've had it we 35:00 How to typeset and proof read in South Africa and we're actually in Namibia. Yeah, we've had some design work done in Eastern Europe. And we have it printed in India. 35:11 And, and we've organized all of that ourselves. So we become a little publishing house. And we've never met any of the people that have collaborated with us on the book. In many cases, never even spoken to them. No, we've just, we've just organized all of the #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 18 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai work to be done through technology. And then one day, a crate of books arrives on my doorstep from from China from Beijing, I think. Okay, job done. Great. So exciting, isn't it? So let's just get the timings right on this, because we're recording this in October, but this won't be going out till January. So when's the book? Well, the book just been published. 35:47 I'm holding a copy right now. Oh, boy. It's a cracking book. It really is. And, and everybody should get a copy. It's available from Amazon right now. 35:57 Exceptional speak at revised edition, with a special section on remote speaking. Ah, even more important, lovely. Thank you. So let's talk a bit about how you keep yourself healthy. You have a wife who, who walks millions of miles, or with millions of women or something million women? Yeah. What do you do? I run? Well, I use the gym as well. Not as much as I used to, but probably about once a week, something like that. But my main exercise is running. I do a 10 k run every Sunday, just on my own. I've always done that for the last 40 years or so. I'm out two or three times a week running. I get involved in events. And I volunteer at running events. I was working at the London Marathon a couple of weeks ago, actually. I know there weren't any spectators, but I was part of the organizing team. Suppose I was there at the St. James's Park. We were running in a circle basically, 36:48 on Sunday. So um, so running is my is my sport, my sort of passion, passion of sport, whatever you want to call it. And I've always done it. It's sometimes quite hard to get out when it's cold and rainy, On a winter's morning, but I feel so much better for it clears my head makes me feel great. And yeah, so I keep I keep pretty fit. And even though I'm now of a certain age that the state deems itself appropriate to send me money once every four weeks. Nonetheless, I'm still out and running some one hour 10 K's and I'll keep doing that as long as I possibly can. Yeah, sounds brilliant. So what about developing, learning and so on? And like we've said you were sort of fairly pioneering. 37:35 Back in the day, it doesn't sound like you've changed any now. How do you keep up with what's going on? How do you keep learning? I think that's vital. I think that the one thing #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 19 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai that I would say to anybody is that you've got to keep learning. I mean, I I've been doing this job a long time. I've been involved in speaking communication raises, but I learned something every day. And I think you should another very useful mantra. And this this didn't come from Alistair Cooke. This this came from chuckled Elliott erwitt. There is a great photographer from the Magnum photography agency. His his mantra was you should learn something every day and you should teach somebody something every day. 38:12 And I've always thought that was a lovely thing to do, to learn and to teach anything. It could be something very small, but it doesn't matter. So what I do, I put out regular videos to people, I put them online, I do a newsletter, I do a radio show. And I'm always trying to put something out every day, which I think is helpful to somebody else. And I'm going to look into something I learned something. 38:35 For a couple of years I've been involved in something or a member of something called masterclass. It's a US website based in California, where they have experts doing online courses. For example, Steve Martin teaches comedy. Yeah. Carlos Santana teaches guitar. 38:52 And this is Karl Rove teaches politics. It's brilliant. And I've gone through loads of courses. And I absolutely love it and I every day I'm doing a unit or two. From there. They've got they've got actually Gordon Ramsay teaches cookery. And he's taught me a really great way to poach eggs in red wine, which is, which has been really very, very pleasant to tell you. Yeah, yeah, that for breakfast, will not wine. Otherwise, we'll have special occasion because you have to poach the eggs in the wine. So you have to kind of give up the wine to the Yeah, I always struggle with that using wine in the cooking thing about that. But the point the point of all that is your it's it's stimulating. I think you've got to keep stimulating your brain you've got to keep learning. And the other thing that I do is I like to be challenged. So when I go online, I realize that there are there are bubbles on social media and their echo chambers, those sorts of things. And I seek out places where I disagree with people. And I'm a member of a Facebook group where almost all of the people disagree with me politically. #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 20 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 39:58 It's a it's a London based group. 40:00 I'm not going to give you the name of the group, but I'm going to say, a lot of the people in there are Cockneys. And they have certain opinions which are not mine. Yeah. And I'm in there debating with them. Probably an evening, that's one of the things I might do in the evening might spend half an hour in there having a political debate. They all know me. And you know, I'm a, I'm a liberal, I was a liberal counselor, back in the 80s. I was elected, definitely some organs council back in the day. And so I've got a political background, I'm still of that opinion of that mind. But that doesn't matter. Because I think it's important that you are able to debate political opinions with anybody know, whether they're far right or far left, or centrist or what it doesn't matter. I want to know what they think. And I want, I want to share opinions. And I want to, I want to talk to them. Because I think that the biggest danger we have at the moment is is that kind of groupthink. Yeah, people get together and they think everybody agrees with them. Because you've seen the social dilemma. I'm guessing the wonderful film that came out, I haven't yet I keep must watch it. Right. Watch your great what is on Netflix with I've had in the last couple weeks, the David Attenborough, you will, which is brilliant, and the social dynamic. So in the social dilemma, of course, is about the fact that we are fed what we like yes, by social networks. And I think we have to find a way to break through that. Yeah, it's really important that we engage with people that we don't agree with, in order that we just have a proper and robust and respectful debate. Yes, I'll tell you actually, when I realized the bubble thing. So sort of, obviously, it was the Brexit vote, and when Trump came in, and because both of those things, I was so surprised as to what I'd seen and what happened. 41:48 And I then realized, obviously, that as you've said, I was pretty much saying other people like me, rather than the diversity of opinion sort of thing. It's a it's an interesting revelation. Jonah thing is in this group, there's Facebook group that I'm in. Almost everyone is to a man and woman are astonished that anybody should have voted to stay in the European Union. Yeah, there's probably 1000 people in that group. There were probably six of us voted to remain. Yeah. And the philosophy in there is, how can you be so stupid? Yeah, you think? #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 21 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 42:24 thing in Kent, because in our area, most people apparently voted to leave. I went into the local shop at four o'clock in the afternoon to find I was the first person to go in that actually wanted to stay. And I was gobsmacked because it wasn't even my social media friends. It was like all the people in my community. 42:42 But it's a it's a great revelation to have really, yeah, that that's, I think, I think we are, we don't get into politics, you know, the whole, the whole nation is split up. And I think that that really, that's one of the things I find most disappointing that we do we have these polarized opinions, which is being fed by social media. And we really need to break out of it. Yes, no, we're not gonna do it, whether we agree with something or not. It's the situation. And therefore we we need, we need to work with whatever the circumstance is even this this awful pandemic, that we find ourselves in at the moment, it's no good moaning about the fact that it was caused by five g mass. So you know, we shouldn't wear mass, you got to go with it. Yeah, go with it. You know, when even when you accept the origin theory of it or not, doesn't matter. The thing is, how can we best get on? How can we? How can we live our lives as safely as possible? And how can we help other people? That's Yeah, it should be about, as you say, that whole thing about just being able to encourage debate I, you know, I circled a few people who don't like conflict and will shut down conversation and walk away. And immediately anything starts even getting vaguely argumentative or controversial, or whatever. And it's, it's interesting, because, like I said to the beginning, I'm quite, I was fed up quite great, because I was sort of look on all sides of a debate. So I'm actually a bit rubbish when it comes to taking a position because I can be swayed, 44:06 which I think is a bad thing. But that's a bad thing. It's hard to appraise you for that, I think, you know, and I've been swayed in opinions. And I've shifted, and then somebody comes to me, what happened there, you were supposed to think this. And I said, Well, I don't know. No, because then I thought about that. And then I heard this and then it made me think you know, and so it's I like the idea of having those sorts of conclusions. My daughter's the same. We were laughing at the dinner table the other day that granny kept saying, You're not going to change my mind, but blah, blah, blah, and then we're, #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 22 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 44:33 like getting louder and louder. And it was really funny and ready to get going. I think you need to join a debating club. And it was, it was really, it was good. I loved it. It was loud. And it was you know, challenging, but I loved it because we don't always have those debates because and 44:52 granny generally wouldn't want to have those but because it's her granddaughter. She's encouraged to do it because you know, there's that relationship between 45:00 them. And I think it is a good thing, as you've just said, and the fact that, you know, he's growing up wanting to and having an opportunity to, I think is a really a real thing. I think so I think the other thing about all this, and I don't wanna get too philosophical about it, I don't wanna get off topic, or show, but it's, it's the fact that it shouldn't define us, you know, I have an opinion that we have, doesn't define our whole being, you know, whether or not we voted to stay in the European Union, or leave the European Union, whether we like Trump or whether we don't, that's not our entire being. And I think that's the issue that people are looking at somebody and saying, or you're one of those, all of a sudden they think that defines and it doesn't, it's a tiny part of our personality. Yeah. And that's why I come back what I was saying earlier on, that we have so much more in common than than we have that divides us. I mean, we have loads of things in common. And those are the things that we should focus on, I think those are the things that we should celebrate, unfortunately, we tend to focus on the 10% of things that we have that don't we don't agree with. 46:04 So just before we move into the last couple of questions that I ask everybody, what are your thoughts about how things are currently for people in, you know, coaching and training and in business at the moment, you know, some people have, you know, really sort of blossomed, they've had opportunity to spend time doing things that they wouldn't have done before, and their businesses seem to be flying and other people, obviously, the opposite has happened, and what what's your thoughts about how things are currently moving forward? I think things are tough. I mean, there's, there's no two ways about it, things are tough. And there are several reasons for that. One is that people don't have so #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 23 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai much disposable income, you know, they're worried about paying the bills, and therefore they're not so likely to invest in self development. And therefore, I think it's, it's tough to get clients. But on the other hand, I think there's an attitudinal thing. I think, with a lot of people, it's how do you approach something. And it may be that your traditional client base, your traditional coaches are no longer able or willing to pay for your services, but there'll be a lot of other people who will? Yeah, and I think what one thing that this experience has taught us this, this pandemic is that all of a sudden, we're online, that we're global, you know, when we're not just people who can work with people in our locality, we can work with anybody anywhere, frankly. And there are so many people that need the help of coaches and mentors and people who can work with them. So my feeling is that there are more opportunities than there have ever been. But that people have to do a little bit of work. Now they've got to be prepared to, to go and look, and they go and talk to people and maybe do a little bit of stuff for free, and maybe offer people something, but I think people should be looking as widely as possible, to say, here's my skill set. Here's what I can coach people on, here's what I'm good at. So I think I think there are great opportunities. But times are tough. If those two things can coexist, and I think they can and I think they do. Yes, yeah. Lovely. Thank you. So last couple of questions. Firstly, what about on those days where it all goes horribly wrong? How do you deal with those? 48:06 I talked, I think, what did I learn and what was funny? 48:11 is, there is always I mean, I'd love to find the humor in things. That's why I get involved in stand up comedy and organizing company nights and so on. There is there's some, you know, obviously, something's happening, you just grind you think, ah, that is horrible. And sometimes it is. But there's always something there's always something you can do. And if, if I've got something you know, particularly awkward or tough, maybe I've lost a couple of clients or something, I think, Oh, well, there you go. I'll go and listen to my favorite piece of music. I'll get I'll go to YouTube type in Jackson Browne, which is my favorite musician, and author. Let's sit back and I think have a nice cup of tea, and probably a kick cat, as well. I'm 48:49 gonna kick cat. #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 24 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 48:51 Although increasingly, I've got into raisin and biscuit Yorkers, and I think I need to be careful. But keycaps work fine. So I think we're all gonna have bad days. And sometimes you just need to let it go and and wallow in it for a bit, but you got to snap out of it fairly soon. And there are ways to do that. Hmm. Okay, thank you. I was thinking recently, I might get the transcript of all my 180 odd podcasts and get this quote that question you've just answered and create an E book of some description out of it. And well, women should kitkats in it now, when we go by. 49:24 And the last one is what about those days where you get to live more, and that's where I say you get to do more of the things that you want to do and less of the stuff that you don't want to do. What do those days look like for you? 49:34 Well, those those are going to be days that that Heather and I go off somewhere and in back in the day we'd be traveling, we were going abroad somewhere. We'd be on a beach in Crete. Or we'd be in a little little restaurant somewhere in some you know, in Spain, we have a favorite place in Spain, that we go calella de palafrugell where we where we love to go and that that for me, you know a perfect day 50:00 You know, where you get up lazy breakfast, swimming the pool, sit on the beach, that's great. But here, 50:06 I mean, we've got a hotel in Brighton up with a kind of funky hotel that we're going to go and spend a night in, hopefully fairly soon. And then head off to a restaurant called 64 degrees where they're the most wonderful tasting menu. And that that for me, other than spending time with our daughter, who is of course very important if she ever listens to this, and we love her to bits too. But the perfect day is for Heather and I just leave work behind. Go away, chill out and have some nice food and adult beverage. #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 25 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 50:36 That sounds lovely to me. Thank you so much. And it's been great talking to you. Great. tell people how they can find out more about you and get in touch. Okay, well, they can find me if they look up the media coach or the media coach on Google. They'll find me and they can go to media coach.co.uk and that's where I'll be lovely. Thanks, Alan. Pleasure. #192 Alan Stevens Interview Page 26 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai The post Alan Stevens on Show #192 : Recognising Your Own Business Opportunity appeared first on POWER to Live More.
49 minutes | a month ago
Susan Moore on Show #191 : Running a Successful Remote Business
Susan Moore is the founder of Moore Business, a service offering back-office support to entrepreneurs and non-executive directors. As one of the pioneers of remote working, Susan has been offering virtual assistant services for over 14 years and her company won the Outstanding VA of the Year Award in 2008. Her highly experienced business support team works from home across the world with clients in various industries taking on tasks to give clients the time they need to do what they do best.  In today’s episode, Susan and I discuss running a remote team and the challenges of coordinating remote workers. She shares how she started her VA business and how her work has changed over the years. She explains how she helps her clients work effectively and promotes a network of support and connection with her team. Susan shares the top apps that help her and her team with remote working and how outsourcing can be a big help for any business owner. She also shares her best timesaving advice for remote workers and how she stays up to date with the latest tools and remote working trends. “It’s all about communication: communication with your clients and communication with your team.” Susan Moore This week on The Power to Live More Podcast: What inspired Susan to start a remote businessHow she handled the change from working in an office and travelling, to working from home How Moore Business developed over the yearsHow Susan works with her clients and how it has evolved over timeWorking with a remote team effectivelyManaging office time when you have a global teamTop apps for working remotely and managing remote teamsHow to keep up to date with the latest tools and trends in remote workingTips for outsourcing and delegatingBiggest timesavers when working remotelyHow to promote a team environment for remote workersGetting through days when things go wrongWhat a day of living more looks like for Susan Resources Mentioned: DropboxGoogle DocsTodoistTogglSlackZoomLinkedin LearningCanvaEventbriteConstant ContactMailchimp Connect with Susan Moore: Moore Business websiteMoore Business on LinkedInMoore Business on TwitterSusan Moore on LinkedIn Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC Read Full Transcript Transcribed by Otter.ai Today I'm interviewing Susan Moore of more business. Welcome, Susan, great to have you on the show. Thank you for having me, Jay. So start by telling us a bit about who you are, what you do, and crucially, where you do it. And my name is Susan Moore, my business is more business. We provide back office support to entrepreneurs and non exec directors as generally people who have portfolio careers. We are actually pioneers of working from home having done it for 14 years. So we the whole team work from our own offices across the UK, Europe and North America. 00:37 Wow. So it's interesting when we were talking before we came on, in fact, we were talking so long, I thought we were going to run out of time to do podcast. 00:47 What I found interesting. So now you said 14 years that sort of makes a lot of sense in terms of we've got quite a lot of mutual connections, because we've both been in business pretty much the same amount of time. And now we were saying how funny it is that we don't think we've ever spoken. We think we might have known each other for a while. But we certainly have lots of mutual connections, and 01:08 #191 Susan Moore Interview Page 1 of 15 Transcribed by https://otter.ai great to hear about the whole working from home for that length of time. And also, 01:15 as you say, sort of working go globally and working with a team. How did that all come about. And I was a traveling a because I worked for an airline, Ukrainian airline. And prior to that I'd worked in investment in the City of London, and in Sydney. But I'd always travelled with my work for conferences part, you know, part organization partly to be there as as another face, another ambassador for the business. And the airline that I was working for, was due the joint venture was due to come to an end. And I was I think I was in JFK, in an aircraft hangar in a blizzard. And I was there from 6am to 6pm, with about three slices of pizza, and anyone who knows me would know that would have killed me not to have eaten, I was cold. And I thought, do you know what I've left a three and a four year old at home, I've missed their Nativity, which by the way, 15 years on, they've never let me forget. And and I thought, you know, there's got to be another way. You know, I love traveling in terms of my personal life. But the glamour of doing it for business had worn off. Definitely. So I decided that with the advent of broadband out into the rural area that I'd moved to, and that I would set up for myself as at what was then more VA originally. 02:43 So that was fairly pioneering as we've sort of implied at the beginning. What made you think you could do it, 02:51 and it was an article in read magazine, and I'd seen somebody else he'd done it, it was it was literally a couple of months before and I think without the advent of a decent decent broadband, I think it would be really tricky. But I decided to try it out knowing that the the joint venture was coming to an end. So I then sort of told a few people about it. And my the airline actually became my first client. And during the transition period that they were going through, and then my my former boss who had set up his own hedge fund became my second client. You know, I think I was very, very fortunate in that, you know, within the first few weeks of setting up, I had two good sized business and I think psychologically, that really helped me to tell my story and make the transition psychologically from working in corporate to to being a business owner. #191 Susan Moore Interview Page 2 of 15 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 03:47 Well, I have a proposition for you, which we'll discuss later. But guess what, I started my business 15 years ago, because of an article I read in read magazine. 03:57 I think they might be a story for them Do you know, I think it would be a really good story for them. 04:04 tell anyone. We'll come back to that later. Um, so I'm 04:10 great that you could turn you know, your existing contacts into clients and get started so soon and everything else. And how did you sort of take away that that wanderlust, that presumably you had you said you've worked abroad, you traveled 04:25 and now you're at home in a rural area, at the end of the internet when most people didn't do that? I mean, we've laughed in sort of lockdown how laughed, cried and everything else how people have had to sort of overnight get used to the whole concept of working differently and working remotely and everything else. And you know, you hadn't just moved from one office to another by the sound of it. You really quite dramatically change your life. How did that all go? And it's, I think it's kind of a it's a double edged sword, I think really, really missed the social side of being in 05:00 In an office with lots of very bright people who you would might, you might not ordinarily mix with socially, I think that was the hardest thing to deal with. And so in terms of the actual business itself, and the nuts and bolts of it, that was fine. And you've obviously got the expertise being an executive system. And regarding the travel, I'm lucky enough still to travel with some of my clients, because I arrange conferences for them, and I scout locations for them. So that's my favorite part of my job. And but I don't miss the commute #191 Susan Moore Interview Page 3 of 15 Transcribed by https://otter.ai and having to go into London five days a week, from a rural area with pretty rotten train and road connections. 05:47 Now I can see that we were talking about really about mutual connection, where you told me roughly where you live, though, I always think it's funny. Over the years, I've worked with national retailers, and I've traveled a lot around the country, I always say that 06:02 I think I've slept in most service station car parks. 06:06 And normally, when I meet people, I remember going to the Lake District once and we were having a drink in a pub after I walked in, there was a whole group of people who'd all like got together, they were University friends, or something. And they were all from different parts of the country. And every time someone said where they came from, I had some story or some connection or something that would connect to it. And so whenever people sort of give me a general bit of where they are, I always want to know the detail just in case I've got an A connection. And we've discovered a mutual friend who lives about five minutes from you. 06:34 And you, you know, usually I give people a very big overview where it is because they only know Stansted Airport, and not all of the little winding roads and villages. So it's amazing. 06:46 So tell us about how you sort of develop the business, you said, You've mentioned that you've got a team working, you know, around the world and in other places in the world, how did that all start from from you in your office in the middle of nowhere. And that started because I very quickly realized that I was going to have to delegate and seeing as you know, I am the poster girl for delegation and spend my life telling other people to do it, I thought I'd better walk the walk. And because with the two big clients I had right at the beginning, they were joined by a bloodstock agent up in new market. And it quickly #191 Susan Moore Interview Page 4 of 15 Transcribed by https://otter.ai became apparent that you know, you've got to separate working for your clients and working on the business if you want it to grow and not just stay as a one man band. And and I think I there was a VA conference and I was originally set up as more VA and we were purely secretarial pa admin back up there as our clients have grown, they asked us to take on more and more as the point person. And so I was at a VA conference and met a couple of people there. And then also recruited from among the ranks of pa and executive systems that I'd worked with in the city. 08:08 And through my other connections. So one of my my colleagues or rather associates very early on, was pa to my brother in Canada. And my poor brother had had his ears melted over the first year about what a virtual assistant does. And his pa came in one day and said I've decided to become a VA. Do you know what that is? And my brother said, Yeah, me too well, so he introduced us and she's still with me. She's sort of one of the Canadian team. And so it's I think it's just really all about communication. It's communication with your clients and communication with your team. Yeah, yeah. And let's talk a bit about how the sort of how you work with people. Well, firstly, how you work if people want to hear that might have changed over the time I I remember, you know, back in the days when we were sort of both starting our businesses, I was helping a local VA with her search engine optimization on her website. And I remember having a conversation with her saying, There is no point trying to rank for the term virtual assistant because nobody's searching for it. People are searching for Secretary and telephone list and type list and administration assistant. And yeah, loads of other words at the moment, but they're not typing it for VA at the moment, because it was such a new way of describing, you know, what you would what you were doing? I think most people know what VA is, are now. But still many people don't use them. And I think some times it's because they don't know what they can do with them and how it can possibly work. When it's somebody else. They're not based where you are, you need systems and processes for that sort of work. And people don't know how to do that. So tell us a bit about, you know, how that works, how you work with people, how you sort of transition people from not knowing, you know, knowing they need help, but not knowing how they can make that happen into what works for them. That's a great question. Actually. And 10:00 I think with with the virtual assistant term, I spent probably the first eight years explaining it to people, I don't have to do that anymore. And so that's really, you know, puts great relief. In terms of how we work with people, when they first come to us, it's generally as #191 Susan Moore Interview Page 5 of 15 Transcribed by https://otter.ai you say, they know that they need help, quite often, they're so overwhelmed, that they don't, they can't quite work out what it is. So what we do is talk to them about what's most important, and because most of our clients I would say, are in a professional service role, and they will have several strings to their bow. So typically, they have left corporate, and set up their own consultancy or coaching business. And, and they, as well as doing what they do, and their own expertise, they might be writing a book writing articles, and speaking as in terms of public speaking. And and it's then that we asked them, you know, what, eight, what are your priorities, so it's helpful for us to know what their strategy is, or certainly what their priorities are for the next coming year. Because if we can understand that, then we can help them to work towards what they really need to achieve. So there's kind of two parts to it, there's a being able to take on all the admin for our clients. But there's also having a mind set that is, is this, what you really need to be doing is this, what you need to be focused on. So if somebody is working on I don't know, a new email marketing campaign that's around about a new coaching course, for example, and we will work with them on that. And then we'll take off their hands what we can so that they can focus on whether it's the content, and we do the social media schedules, the email marketing campaign, or simply acts as a point person, for other stakeholders, for clients, that kind of thing. And what we also ask them for is an idea of who their most important connections are, so who their stakeholders are, so that we can speak to them, we can be in touch with them by email, and, and hopefully free up a lot of time for our clients, we basically say that we give them eight days a week. Well, 12:23 that sounds good. I think that sounds like a good song. But that was, I think someone might have done that already. 12:33 So how do you work with your team? What did what do your days look like? And with my team, and we what we do is, we try to match our team rbas to clients. And so if they've got expertise in a particular market sector, and or they've got skills around about, I don't know, writing, social media, that kind of thing. We match them to the client. And then there will be two, two of us who work with clients at the lead VA and a backup. And then what my days look like are, I've got just a couple of clients I work with, and the rest of it is spent in managing the business. So it's communicating, having a weekly meeting with the team, so that we can be clear, who's doing what, and we can share best practice, because obviously, I think with software, I don't have the COVID thing, but everything seems to have changed in the last few months. So it's making sure that we are up to date with with #191 Susan Moore Interview Page 6 of 15 Transcribed by https://otter.ai software and sharing connections sometimes mean we also open our black book for our clients. So if one client is looking for someone to take on something that's outside of our expertise, we will say, you know, we can introduce them. And and then in terms of the team, it's just about managing the projects and tasks. And and making sure that we are meeting targets, meeting deadlines. 14:13 And how do you manage your sort of office time on the basis that you've got a global company supporting global people and therefore, presumably, people in most time zones at some stage around? Yeah, we said 14:29 you have to be really, really firm with yourself because I think it's very much a support thing and that you can you can wear yourself to a frazzle. So what I tend to do is work early in the morning, and with those people who are based in mainland Europe, and the UK, I tend to have a bit of a low around about the middle of the day so I can then I then do my own sales, marketing, social media scheduling that kind of thing, too. 15:00 To my VA s. And then again, because the West Coast of the US is stuck there, there are a couple of clients I work with. They're from about 3pm, they tend to be back online. And I will watch emails until about seven. Or if there's something, you know, if there's something pressing going on, and sort of that that I need to be keeping an eye out as yet, I will stay on till 8pm 9pm. But that tends to be, I tend to know about it. And it's probably for about four weeks a year. And when clients are doing things like investor roadshows. And so that's sort of moving pieces all the time, and I just keep an eye on things to make sure that they are where they're supposed to be. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. So very much about being sort of flexible. But taking the time back at different times is definitely Yeah, that's definitely how I describe it. And we are also on the lookout for Australia and New Zealand based 15:57 team members as well, because #191 Susan Moore Interview Page 7 of 15 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 16:00 they've gone off basically they went off traveling and, and I think we need to get some more people in to cover those time zones. Yeah, yeah. I've been working through 16:10 the sort of COVID time with the students in Australia and colleagues in Australia as well. And I just keep, luckily keep sort of being pleased with the fact that I am such a nightbird. Because we have meetings at like 11 o'clock at night, which seems fine, but when the Sydney average. 16:27 But that sort of timezone is just, we were trying to work out a call today that would suit England, America and Australia. And we have about nine o'clock in the UK, I think just about all because somebody else is in China as well, just to confuse matters, but we don't care about him. He's just got to get up really early. 16:45 That is the hardest I find with Australia, US and UK. I have to do that regularly. It's the hardest combination. Yeah, but actually, I'm really lucky because I'm like you I'm a nightbird. So I'm very happy midnight. One o'clock. Yeah, one of my team members gets up at 5am, which I will never do in my life. So she she used to she does it and goes to the gym for sex. And but she I know that she's got eyes on on what's going on very early in the morning as well, which gives me also the security of knowing that you know, we're keeping an eye on what's going on. Yeah, yeah, it's good. I was one of my best friends. Lives are opposites in that she's the opposite to me. So I'm up late at night and lying in the morning. She's always sending me texts at like, 730 going if you're up, do you fancy a coffee? Like Yeah, right, you know, I'm not going to be 17:36 all want to see her for a glass of wine in the evening. And it's like nine o'clock, and she's already asleep. #191 Susan Moore Interview Page 8 of 15 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 17:43 Usually not very compatible. Now it's gonna have to be lunch. Exactly. When it works. It works. But there you go. So let's talk tools and apps as 17:53 the organization that you are, I guess, that they really keep you particularly because of what you do, but also the sort of global aspect as well, what what sort of bertels naps do you recommend, and they're kind of all the all the favorites, really, I'm Dropbox for document sharing. And we do use Google Docs if our clients prefer it. And but generally, that's, that's our favorite. And for to do list, for bar there for list making, and tasks and projects we use to do list. And, and I think I have tried just about everything over the years. And I'm not saying much visual, so I do love the list. But I think to do list as there's a lot more to it now, I think they've done a lot more on it. So it appeals to people who are both list makers, like me and and, and a bit more visual 18:45 view and to do so, I've tried it for one of my projects, just so that I know that it works and what it looks like but like you I I like this too. I do think we might be twins actually. 18:57 Really quite nice. Because I'm sort of a lot of my team is very visual and make make fun of me because I'm not so nice is quite nice. And so yeah, that's that's kind of what we use for the project based on. We use toggle, because I find it much easier to collect information rather than wait for timesheets from my team. Yeah. And it's all there right in front of me, um, in terms of you know, who's been working on what project which client and that means that it there's less of a, you know, they're not so much of a lead time in getting invoices out to our clients. Yeah, because I was getting held up I'd kind of you know, with a team of a I'd get seven lots of work in but sometimes they work across clients, so you wouldn't give to invoice a client to you had everybody's timesheet, yeah. And so to save me from a chasing me moaning, I decided to set up toggle. 19:53 And then we use to kind of use slack for sort of non client related communication but #191 Susan Moore Interview Page 9 of 15 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 20:00 Actually, I really like teams. And I find that there's a lot more to teams in terms of collaboration now. And then then sort of having Skype because we're sort of Microsoft Office is Gemini. And I'm, I'm really enjoying exploring teams. I think they've got a really great tool there. Yeah, I read an article the other day, I think it might have been the Zapier article about what you can do on teams that you can't do on, I think the zoom they were talking about, but they were saying how much development there has been on that recently. And how would you say there's there's a few more bells and whistles that 20:34 that weren't there before that I'm making things much better. So it's great for collaboration and for sort of sharing things like videos, and also working in channels as well. Hmm. Yeah, I'm enjoying it. Yeah. Excellent. So tell us a bit about sort of learning and improving yourself. He talked about your team's getting together to talk about sort of technology changes and so on. And I agree with you, I think people have had more time to change all their interfaces in the last few months. Facebook, particularly, I was just doing some work with one of my students about Facebook advertising and, and I'd already lamented the fact that you can get into Facebook ads by about 25 million different routes. 21:17 None of which seem to make any sense whatsoever. But so. 21:21 So how do you stay sort of abreast of what you need to know? And how do you make sure your team do as well, I think we were really, really keen on making time for learning. And so what we ask is that our team members take eight hours of learning a month, which sounds like a big chunk. But actually, when you break it down, it's not much at all, and that we use LinkedIn learning a lot, because they've got a whole range of online courses. And we also encourage people to use webinars. So that can be anything from I don't know, PowerPoint updates to teaching yourself Canva and Eventbrite changed a whole lot of stuff at the beginning of COVID. And so we've kind of updated ourselves there, and constant contact and MailChimp, they made some changes as well, in fact, I mean, it is much more intuitive. So I think all of those that I've mentioned, we've really enjoyed. Um, but there's also things around about engagement, working with teams. So you know, it's #191 Susan Moore Interview Page 10 of 15 Transcribed by https://otter.ai an endless list on LinkedIn. So we choose ourselves. And the great thing as well is that you know, you can add to your CV. So if you have taken some LinkedIn learning or you've done a course, then you can add it and then means that, you know, it's not just one client, he benefits, although we might have done it with one client in mind, all our clients can benefit from from us learning. Hmm, that's good to hear. So we talked a bit about the sort of 22:55 concept of outsourcing delegating, and how people don't always do it, even though they 23:02 often want to because they don't really know what to do. And I've talked often on the podcast that even myself, I've outsourced stuff for years, I still procrastinate on doing it at times, because it involves me having to work out my process and record a video and send it and all that sort of stuff. And so I find myself procrastinating and then, you know, months down the line, finally get around to it, and then wonder why I didn't do it months ago, sort of scenario. And what tips have you got for people who want to bring in a VA or outsource some of what they're doing and how to sort of get that happening sort of quickly and most effectively, the tip I would give is that if you can kind of keep an eye on what you're doing. So look at what you're working on, and measure it. So either either put it in an Excel spreadsheet, or use some kind of tracking tool and work out what what you're working on at the moment. So that gives you an idea of what you're spending your time on. And then a better idea of what you can delegate. So it might be a whole task. It might be just traditional pa backup, for example. Or it might be very something very specific. So for example, you've got a book coming out, but you need artwork, you need 24:21 somebody to edit it, you want to be in touch with publishers or literary agents, these are all the things that somebody could take off you. And if you've got then an idea of what top three things you would find most useful, you can start with all those things or you can start with one very discrete project. And that also enables you to a budget for having a BA but also to get sort of worked out the return on your investment. So this is you know, this is how much you'd pay your VA but this is what you're going to get back from it your your book is actually going to be a real thing that comes out in #191 Susan Moore Interview Page 11 of 15 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 25:00 In six months time rather than two years down the line, for example, yeah, and, and once you've got an idea and have a conversation with a virtual assistant work out exactly what sort of what what you will do and what they can do. And then it's a question really of giving information. So 25:23 you can't, you can't give too much information, it really helps from a from a V A's perspective, to have all of the info, but also to get a bit of an idea of your culture and to, to see how you connect with other people. You know, what your business does, and, and how you talk to your clients. And, and then you can sort of start off with something like 1015 hours a month, as small as that and then sort of build build on it, and flex it with a VA, as you kind of get underway. And what you described, Joe is is absolutely typical, in terms of and I'm the same being a business owner as well is is you you know that, you know that you've got to do it. But the idea of spending all of that time writing notes, being on calls and bringing somebody on board, if you feel that you don't have the time to do it. As you say, once you've done it, you can't believe you've not done it years ago. 26:27 And that is funny as well. It always almost feels as well. But even when you do do that, that doesn't make any easier the next time. Now I know it's I don't know, if it's something that you do, isn't it? It's procrastination, or you put obstacles in your way. But actually, when you sit down and do it, you know what, you know, the trouble is, it's all in your head. Yeah. So I mean, what's also very helpful is to have a sort of how we do what we do document young kind of manual. And so even if you're not ready to have a VA now, if you start with that, then it's amazing what you that's when you see how much work you do. Yeah. Because and how much experience and knowledge you have. Yeah, I think as well, when that comes in useful is I've I've mentioned I've had a couple of days I've worked with for years, and just occasionally, one of them's ill or I don't know, they both have babies, how dare they 27:21 have a life, they've got one time or whatever. And I suddenly end up with a task that I have no idea how they do it anymore, because I delegated it so long ago, I don't know what the process is. But fortunately, I do because I don't do visual, I do written processes #191 Susan Moore Interview Page 12 of 15 Transcribed by https://otter.ai as well as recorded video. And so luckily, I've been able to go back to my written process, follow myself. That's brilliant. But it also means that if you've got that document and you're sharing it that they as as things change, they can update it so that everybody is in the loop. And that's why we have a backup VA because rather than we don't take on a client and say, if your VA is sick, or has a baby or goes on holiday, 28:08 you know, it could be any one of eight people is going to be the same second person. And it's the first phase. 28:16 It's for her to delegate to the second and update them. Yes, yeah. So I asked you to let me know any questions that you particularly wanted me to ask before we started and one of them was about what are the biggest time savers that sounds like some top tips, the biggest time savers, um, I would say our holding a weekly meeting, it doesn't kind of doesn't sound like it. But and if we can talk to our clients and between our team on a weekly basis, sometimes it's only five or 10 minutes, but it just means that everybody is up today, and that they've got the tools and information they need. And they can share best practice. And, and what we also do is then make sure that we update each other with what's going on. So we might do that with a dropbox folder and say, this is I have done this, or we might use the to do list. And so that so that people are clear on who's doing what, who's responsible. And and and to know that things are done. So you've got it in writing, and we confirm everything. Because as you say, you might want to go through something six months, or even in my case, sometimes six years down the line and think, what did we do or why did we do it? And so it I think it's really communicating on a regular basis. And there's although we work virtually there is really no substitute for talking to each other. Yeah, um, and I think I'm just making sure that everybody is working as a team. 29:56 And I think in terms of sort of top two 30:00 It is, is also making people feel that they are very much part of a team. I think when you #191 Susan Moore Interview Page 13 of 15 Transcribed by https://otter.ai work remotely it can, you can feel isolated. So we do do socials as well. And we, you know, we've got all sorts of stuff going on online at the moment in terms of arts and crafts, and various other fun drinks, cocktails and whatever else, which have been all the way through because, you know, some some of our team work on their own, so they don't see anyone all day. And I think it's really important to have your network to support you as well. Yeah, yeah, definitely. So last couple of questions. Firstly, what about those days? Where all goes horribly wrong? How do you deal with those? When it all goes horribly wrong? And I sit down, I'm, um, I think, for me, I'm such a list maker. It's, it's really about what's gone wrong and why. But more importantly, what are we going to do about it, and we're going to do it quick. And so if something has gone wrong, first thing is, and I think it's even written into our contracts that you you've got to tell somebody immediately that it's happened, and provide them with a solution. And so you know, this has gone wrong. And it's not, it's not finger pointing, it's not blaming, so I think you've got to allow people to feel that, that they can make mistakes, of course, we don't want to, but things do occasionally happen. And it's life. And it's, it's, you know, the more people involved in something, the more likely it is to happen. Yeah. And so it's really about being clear. And then learning lessons from it. And, and being honest, as well, I'm not trying to fudge it, but to say, you know, hold your hands up, and say it was my mistake, or it wasn't, I mean, sometimes we occasionally you get people who tried to say, you know, that it was it was the it was you know, the for our and our clients. And so you also got to give people the opportunity to speak up. And, and, and it's not always easy in a support role is sort of sometimes people come from very hierarchical backgrounds. And so when it does all go wrong, it in an in a nutshell, it's about rectifying it as quickly as possible, and and learning from it so that it doesn't happen again. And we've also we work on a lot of check sheets, checklists, and work our way through those, particularly when we've got events. Or we're traveling, and so that we can see, again, that everything's been done and nothing left off. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Lovely, thank you. And then the last one is that bit about living more. And that's where I talk about getting to do more of the things that you want to do and less of the stuff that you don't want to do. Or do those days where you've lived more looks like for you. And they will generally look like me being out in nature. And I noticed that had the wearing who runs 1 million women walking and being a podcast guest in the past. So I through Heather, I've kind of upped my walking a lot. And particularly during COVID I'm planning to do a camino when we can probably next year, um, and making sure again, that the team take time out to do what they want to do. So it does give people flexibility. If somebody wants to go and do a class in the middle of the day, we talk to each other, we know that they're out for an hour and a half, and we'll we'll be sure to, to cover. And, and, and to make sure really that you've got the life you want. For me my big thing has been travel. And so I really if you know, I make sure at the beginning of the year that I put in the travel that I want to do. I can work from anywhere but if it's holiday then it's in there and it's it's sacred because if you I find if you don't do it, then it in your diary for the year pretty much fills up #191 Susan Moore Interview Page 14 of 15 Transcribed by https://otter.ai and then you're trying to squeeze bits and pieces in. Yeah, yes. Yeah. Well, that sort of intentionality. Yes. 34:15 Lovely. Thank you so much. It's been really interesting talking to you. So tell people how they can find out more about you and get in touch. And they can look at the website which is more hyphen business.com m wr a my surname and or on Twitter at more VA. Brilliant. Thank you so much. Thank you very much, Joe. It's been a pleasure. #191 Susan Moore Interview Page 15 of 15 Transcribed by https://otter.ai The post Susan Moore on Show #191 : Running a Successful Remote Business appeared first on POWER to Live More.
54 minutes | 2 months ago
Eileen McDargh on Show #190 : Building Resilience
Eileen McDargh is a consultant, professional speaker, master facilitator, and award-winning author. She has a passion for helping individuals and organisations transform their businesses and their lives through meaningful conversations and connections. With extensive experience in consulting for major national and international organisations, including US Armed Forces, healthcare associations, and religious organisations, Eileen delivers programmes that provide rich and interactive content. In 2020, she was ranked as one of the World’s Top 30 Communication Professionals by Global Gurus International, and her latest book, Burnout to Breakthrough: Building Resilience to Refuel, Recharge, and Reclaim What Matters is receiving an excellent response. In today’s episode, Eileen joins me to share the early events in her life that affected her confidence and how an experience with a particular teacher in school helped her to see her communication talent. She discusses how experiencing burnout in her job made her decide to make drastic changes, and what made her recognise that her new career was her true purpose. Eileen shares tips for anyone considering a career in public speaking and discusses how she works with her clients during the pandemic. She also shares organisation tips, the things she does to combat tough days, and the positive things that help her to live more. “No one exists on this planet without a reason.” Eileen McDargh This week on The Power to Live More Podcast: An experience in school that helped Eileen to discover a talent for communicationHow burnout in a job helped Eileen find her mission and passionWhat made Eileen have faith to make the changes that would lead her in a new directionThe things that made Eileen realise her new business was her real purposeAn experience at an event that helped Eileen see the importance of her workTips to get started in public speakingHow Eileen works with her clients, before the pandemic and nowHow Eileen keeps herself organised to get everything doneWhy using journals and other tools helps Eileen keep track of her accomplishmentsA top tip to get yourself organised How to deal with those days when things go wrongThe things that help Eileen to have genuinely wonderful days Resources Mentioned: Burnout to Breakthrough by Eileen McDargh Connect with Eileen McDargh: Eileen McDargh websiteEileen McDargh on LinkedInEileen McDargh on FacebookEileen McDargh on Twitter Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC Read Full Transcript Today, I'm interviewing Eileen Dodd, welcome, I didn't thank you for joining me. My pleasure, my pleasure. So start by telling us who you are what you do, and crucially, when you do it. Well, I'm Eileen Mack dark. 00:16 I believe I believe that I am on this earth, for the purpose of contributing to both individuals and organizations, to help them find ways to transform the life of business and the business of their life. 00:30 How I do that is by frankly, finding better ways to create conversations that matter and connections that count. So what I do is I am a consultant, I am a professional speaker, a master facilitator, and an author. 00:46 And where are you based? I'm based in Southern California. Are you based from home? purely because of the pandemic? Or do you work from home normally? 00:58 #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 1 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai Well, prior to the pandemic, in fact, I just got a thing from American Airlines telling me what I needed to do so that my, because I can't fly. 01:06 Yeah, normally we're in we're on a plane. So this is a brand new world, actually, since the pandemic because I accept to work in in the house in my office rather to write to do articles and and these kinds of things I'm normally gone. So this is this is kind of an interesting new world that we're in. 01:27 So tell us how you got to do what you what you do, you have to say you're sort of what you do. Sounds really polished. And you clearly are very clear about your mission and your purpose. And I don't imagine that was always the case. 01:44 How did that all come about? 01:46 That's some 01:48 Well, let me let me just say that as growing up, I have a if you and I could see each other face to face, we could give each other hugs, we'd shake hands, and you would discover that I am. I am relatively small. In fact, I'm the runt of the litter. I like to say I come by genetically because half of I have a twin brother, so half of me as a professor at Boston College. 02:13 And what's interesting, though, in all my growing up, we we never lived in a place where there were a lot of people. So I didn't have I didn't have that many peers as friends. And when we went to school, #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 2 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 02:28 I was always the smallest one. I was the one that wore the orthopedic shoes. I was the one with the hand me down dresses. in junior high school, I was the one that had to wear the braces and the bottle thick glasses. So my level of comfort and self esteem was not was not very high. And when I got to high school, we moved. We moved from Jacksonville, Florida to Fort Lauderdale, and started my freshman year at high school. 03:02 I didn't thank God for uniforms. uniforms are the great equalizer. I love it because nobody knew how much money you had if you had to wear a uniform. On the dress up days. I despised it, because it was quite obvious. But I had a teacher, sophomore year, Joe, who started the school term, said I want you to stay after school. Now this was a parochial school Catholic school. And you never said no to a nun. And I was terrified. I thought, oh my god, what have I done wrong? And she said, I want you after school. We're going to start a debate team could no No, no, no, no, no, no, no, I'm not on the debate team. Well, bottom line is she saw something in me, Joe that I didn't see. Not only was I on the debate team, I became quite a very good debater. And then we would compete in extemporaneous competitions in the US oral interpretation. And it was the ability to discover that I had a voice that I think actually pushed me into what I do. Now. I did not know this would be a profession. Because they've always been in the field of communication words mean everything to me. As a child, the books were my companions. And then once I discovered that I had a voice that I knew how to be articulate. It kind of pushed me in this direction. What I taught school, which is a wonderful way to use your voice, I taught school at a rural community at the Florida Georgia border, and taught English 04:40 to students many of whom were substandard when it came to English, the English language. They may or may not have had books in their house. So books became my way to help them see a world that was beyond the small community where they lived. 04:59 And when I'm #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 3 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 05:00 moved to California. When I moved to California, I would do corporate communications, I worked for a 05:07 publicly traded company, helping them create their public relations out outputs. And then with a PR firm and got to a place where if I ever wrote another press release, I was going to throw up. Yes. And 05:23 and now that was my first encounter with burnout. 05:27 And so I left. And I just, I had just gotten married, I married an amazing man and adopted two, three kids. 05:37 And but between the two of us, we had probably next to nothing. And 05:42 when I told bill within the first month of our marriage that I just, I have to quit. And he said, What are you going to do? I said, I don't know. But it can't be this, I cannot do this. And within a short order, after resigning, I had a colleague who called and wanted to know what I create a program for returning adults, one of the local colleges. I said, Sure, why not. And I know how much I love to teach. Well, I created that one class, I created another one called communication at the home of the hearth, I created another program called the art of persuasion. And the steel service center Institute out of Cleveland, Ohio, got a copy of the college course catalog, and asked me if I would come and speak to their executives, they gave my name to the copper and brass Institute, who must have given it to the I don't know, the, the glass manufacturers of America or something like that. And all of a sudden, I realized that being able to speak and be able to speak in an organizational setting was actually a business. And that's really how everything started. Wow. So that #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 4 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai that thing about giving up your job when you just couldn't carry on with it. And you taught me sort of briefly mentioned the concept of burnout. It was like, it sounds like it was really brave thing to do. Although I suspect at the time, it perhaps didn't feel brave, it just probably felt a bit inevitable. And and I don't know how else you describe it. But looking back now, can you? Can you remember how you felt? Can you? Can you? Did you feel confident to do that? Or was it just you had no choice? 07:26 Let me say that this wonderful man that we've been married 40 years now, which is incredible, because I'm only 21. I don't know how it happened. Of course. 07:39 This is my second marriage. In when I became divorced in my first marriage. I literally moved across country from Florida to California. I had no job. I did have a sister God love her who opened up her one bedroom apartment with a husband, German shepherd and a cat and said, You can come and stay with us. And there's such a, there's something called trust and faith. And when your heart says this is the right decision, I have no clue how this is going to turn out. But I trust that I am doing the right thing. And I'll figure this out. I just need to have faith. 08:28 And really, that's that's exactly what happened. When I when I decided to leave the job with the PR firm. I just knew in my heart, it was not what I was meant to do. It felt it felt constrained. I thought if I like I said, if I wrote another press release, I was going to throw up because I also didn't care, Joe, it didn't matter to me whether some CEO got his face on the cover of Time Magazine, or an article in the Wall Street Journal. I didn't care what mattered to me, or where I saw they were missing the boat entirely wasn't relationships with the press. There were relationships internally, the way the employees were treated, the whole culture of that this one organization was so dysfunctional to me. I thought, you know, that's, that's where the relationships need to start. And so because I did care, I felt compelled to leave. So my feeling was one of incredible release and relief, and also great curiosity. And by curiosity, it was to say, 09:36 #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 5 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai I wonder what I'll discover now. Yeah, yeah. 09:41 That's a help ended. Obviously, you talked about having, you know, some some opportunities arise and the path sort of became clearer. How did that really solidify into being so clear about your purpose, as you described at the beginning? 09:57 And I think it was 10:00 Over time and what it was Joe, was the response of the people who were, who were my clients who were in my audience, what I would hear them say to me was, you have no idea what a difference is make. In fact, there is one, there's this will always stay in my mind, I was speaking at the convention center in New Orleans. And one of the learning points that I had, was that, that everyone is there, on purpose that no one exists on this planet without a reason. And I gave a statistic that was given to me by Actually, he was from the UK, a biologist from the UK, who had a show on the Public Broadcasting Network here. And he said he gave the odds of what are the odds of winning the New Jersey lottery twice? And it was some incredible odds. And then he said, you know, what are the odds of you being born? I 11:02 don't know, john, what are the odds, and it was something like 220,000,000,000,002 month, there were greater odds that you could win the New Jersey lottery twice, then you would be born. And that always stuck with me, his name was john Pauling. And so I shared that with this audience, I said, You are not here by mistake. Well, at the end of this program, this woman came up and she had a piece of paper, it was folded, and she said, I want you to put this in your briefcase. And you are not to read it and to get on the plane to go home. 11:37 When I sat on that plane, Joe, I opened the paper that she gave me. And what she wrote #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 6 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai was that she had been considering suicide. 11:47 And when she heard me speak, suicide was no longer her option. She said, You literally saved my life. 11:59 When you have feedback, and that was very dramatic. I can't say that I've saved anybody else's life. But when I see people smile, and sick, got it. I've got this, I can try. I get I get letters. 12:14 I write by the way, Joe, what I need to learn. I don't write for other people I write first for myself, Oh, I'm curious about this, I need to understand this. And when people you know, call me or or post your review someplace and say what they got out of it, I realized that my purpose is contribution. 12:33 Yeah. And it is how, how do I make a contribution? So you and I were talking earlier, before we started the podcast, where I have a request to do something for a human resource group in Africa, which is not possible. 12:51 And that they had relat, very, very small amount of money to pay me. And I said, don't matter, keep the money. And it's been an interesting thing, trying to create the video for them. But the reason I'm doing it is it feels my heart. 13:10 It's a contribution. Yeah. #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 7 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 13:14 And so 13:16 you started speaking and and sort of, you've mentioned clients and so on. Often people want to be speakers, they want to 13:26 sort of provide that contribution. They want to help, but the difficulty they have is how they sort of package it, how they turn it into money, if you like, what was the sort of journey that you went on with that? 13:38 Well, first off, let me say that I think now is absolutely the wrong time to go after 13:45 the meetings industry is very flat. 13:50 In in, here's, 13:53 I have a couple things. One, I want to push back, I think, when people say I want to be a public speaker, because we look like we make it look like it's so easy, and that we're having fun on the platform. People say, Oh, I want to do that. So my first question is What gives you the right to speak? You have to earn that right? Either by experience and or education. You can't just stand up and go blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Secondly, what is it? What is it that you bring and can serve in the marketplace? So unless there's real gate, great clarity of that. #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 8 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 14:31 So it's what do what do you know, what can you do? And what is your community whatever that looks like, but they need then the second thing is, you really I think, need to, to understand and to start small. There is a Toastmasters International, which which around the globe gives individuals an opportunity to stand up and do exactly that. To to speak, how do you reflect 15:00 Your message, 15:02 if you do it just for the money I I spoke, oh my goodness, so many places for free because of the experience. In fact, what I did for the, for the colleges, there's no money and speaking for colleges, particularly when it is continuing education for adults, you, you write the course description, you come up with a marketing title, the college promotes it, and you see if anybody even wants to attend, which is not, by the way, a bad place to start out. 15:33 Because you're not doing all the marketing, the college is doing the marketing. And you see if does this ring a bell with anybody. So I think there are ways that you that you start small, except if you're one of these amazing people who have got this, this huge story, there are people who speak because their life's experience has been so dramatic weather, it's the the hiker who cut off his legs so that he could get out of a 16:02 I can't forget where it was rock, Colorado, Utah someplace, you know, he can talk about that, or, you know, I survived the attack of the grizzly bear. I was the sole survivor on them. We're not talking about that stuff. I'm talking about just ordinary people. 16:18 And there are people who, because of the lives experience have made, it can make an incredible difference. I have a wonderful friend who was in a motorcycle accident, burned #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 9 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai over 90% of his body, he lost his he lost his fingers. He lost his face. 16:40 When you see Mitch, you know that it's it's it doesn't look anything like what he used to. But he survived that. And then piloting his own plane was in a crash and then became paralyzed. So from from the waist down, you know, he's in a wheelchair, it's a double whammy. And he's taken that experience. And basically he says it's not what happens to you. It's what you do with what happens to you, an incredible, powerful speaker who because of those experiences, has a place on the platform? Goodness knows I do not want to go through what w Mitchell has gone through to do that. No, absolutely. 17:23 So how do you work with your clients? Sort of, I guess it's probably we should all be saying sort of BC. But before covid, and 17:37 AC 17:41 sounds like before Christ in your battle Domini or something. What does he stand for? I thought, Oh, yeah, exactly. It's a different word. But it doesn't work that way. But yeah, so you know, when you talked briefly about not being able to sort of fly over to Africa. 17:57 When we were talking before we came on about how much of you do is now through things like zoom and other online technology? 18:05 Or does it look like when you're working with your clients in terms of, you know, your sort of day to day work? #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 10 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 18:13 And, well, everyone is in a very different place. Now, BC before COVID clients would hire me to do a couple of things. One is that they were having a major mate meeting, it was an annual conference, it was 18:32 it could have been a training program. Just before like in 2019. I'm speaking to 5000 pharmacist and the topic and because I've studied so much on resilience, it was 18:47 overcoming burnout with resilience. And, and so that's one of the things that actually prompted me to write my newest book is that every time I was asked to speak about resilience, it always seemed to be in the context of burnout. I was with 19:05 hospital systems, they wanted when they want to talk about resilience and burnout. And so, they are there are meetings that can be annual meetings like this one for the pharmacist, it can be localized, it can be a hospital setting, it can be bringing together employees. So it is using the speaking platform, either in larger meetings or within an organizational setting. The other thing that that I am called upon to do, which I love to do, but I do very judiciously because it is it's quite labor intensive, is to take senior teams away executive teams away and to help them in a two two and a half day format. 19:50 solve some major issues. And the way I do this is that whoever owns that meeting, you know the the final person 20:00 Say Why are you bringing people together? And what do you want as an outcome? And then I interview all the players, which is very time consuming with the same set of questions. And then when we gather, I always believe that you begin with the human first before you ever start talking about the issues. So it creates a forum for them to see each #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 11 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai other is more than what their name is on a curriculum vitae, or on a title. And so we have some actually have some fun with that. But we also talked about how do we communicate with each other? Why is it that john drives me crazy over here, and I can do well with Sam. Because why talk about issues? First, unless I can understand how can we communicate more clearly. And in the conversations that I have with all of them, I create issue papers and the third party issue papers. And what I'm looking for, are the themes that have come up in these interviews with the people. And so then the issue, papers are presented back to them with this third party. So Susan over here wants to really talk about the fact that there's noodle served at every lunch, and nobody else talks about noodle served at every lunch, we're not going to talk about noodles, that comes off the table. So I actually make the first cut at what I see are the are the concerns. 21:23 And I've had great, great response and success with that. Because the and also because the person who brings me in, we're very clear, is that individual needs to have number one trust in me. But number two needs to take my counsel. And if you don't want to listen to me, then we can't do business together. Because I will find out some things that you need to know what people are saying about you, and I will coach you on how to respond. If you're willing to do that, then we can move forward. And so that's, that's a it's a wonderful thing. The last thing I did actually was to take the global of folks involved in Regulatory Affairs global Regulatory Affairs, and we went to India, brought them all into India. 22:15 And they came from, from, obviously, from countries around the world. And it was just wonderful. And I always believed that there are ways in which I can use teaching and metaphor that people go, Oh, now I get what this means to me. So. So those are the two big ways in which people use me plus, a third way would be to hire me for individual coaching. And it can come in two ways. One is as a speech coach, because how are you going to stand up in front of your team and speak, the other one is to actually coach them on their leadership style. And for that I'm, I become like a little 22:57 this one guy, he said, You're my nudge. So I just observe this person in meetings, I observe them in conversations, and then I give them feedback on what I observed. And what might be more effective ways to, #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 12 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 23:12 to engage with individuals or that team. Yes, yeah. So let's talk a bit about how you get done, what you need to get done, how you sort of organize yourself, if it strikes me, that just thinking about my inexperience at the moment in terms of 23:28 sort of being 23:30 in this sort of lockdown scenario. And having so many online meetings alongside the coaching that I do, I'm finding it quite hard to, to do all the sort of administrative project outside of the meeting other people work because there seems to be a lot less time at the moment. And and when you're when you're a speaker, and when you work in organizations, it fluctuates quite a lot, doesn't it you can have a week where you're sort of completely tied up all week and really can't get to anything else. And then a week where perhaps you've got less going on and then that does give you that time, how to get done all those things that aren't the sort of face to face client stuff that you have to do if you like, how'd you get the 24:11 important stuff done. 24:13 All right. Well, 24:15 I, I am old school in that, I believe in paper. 24:21 And I have I have a paper day timer, if you will. It's three months at a time. So it's so I have enough for every first quarter. And at the start of every month, I create what is it that I #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 13 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai need that needs to be done. That is that is essential. So out. So let's say I have a 24:43 let's say I'm going to do two virtual trainings. So I will write that down in that month. And what I need to do under that I write I write a weekly blog. So that goes in there. 24:55 I also who are the people that I need to circle back and touch base with so 25:00 So I, at the start of each month, I give myself basically a to do list. Now one of the things I love, I love highlighters. And every time I complete something like highlight it, I get rid of it, and it gives you such joy to get rid of it. And I have been known to put something down that I've already done just for the pleasure of highlighting it. 25:22 Yes, it's done. It's done, it's done. Now, I will say something, though, about, this is a practice I've always had. So I have both the paper calendar, as well as I have was here on the, you know, on the computer. 25:39 But I divide every month, I have what I think of as intellectual, emotional, material, 25:49 physical, and sometimes spiritual, in those five direct dimensions. So the intellectual has to do with the with the actual work that I need to do, whether it's the article, the blog, 26:01 the interviews, the speech, whatever, in that month. #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 14 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 26:06 Physical, I have some physics and I set these goals, by the way, I set these goals at the start of each year, which is a perfect time right now, since this is going to be running, you know, as we start 2021. So I have I know that I my goal, my intellectual, my intellectual goal is, you know, X amount of articles that are written, at least three clients contacted, you know, whatever that would be. It's also, how many books do I want to have read. So I set a goal of a minimum of three books a month, and under physical, I want to have at least 25 days of exercise, I want 64 ounces of water a day. And so I create those goals. And at the end of every month, I have another journal that I write in, and I go and look at what it what did I do in this month, and I capture that in this singular journal. What's amazing, Joe, when you do this, you realize number one, you realize how incredible busy you have been, you realize what you have accomplished. And since we're talking about, you know, being in a world that's different, one of the things I started actually before COVID-19. Because I think it is it is a it's a way to to continue to build the resiliency muscle is I've challenged myself every month, I have to do at least one thing I have never done before. least one thing, it's I read about it. 27:40 Back when I took a retreat three years ago, I just scoped take myself away to be silent. And it's a practice that started in the Middle Ages, which apparently now is only continued in some of the Bhaskar regions of Spain, in which on your birth day. So like I'm born the fifth of September. So on the fifth of every month, you do something you've never done before. But well, that's very interesting. Now, I don't want to be held to the day because I never know what that day is going to bring. So I just say within the month, I have to do at least something I've never done before. And it's What it does, Joe, is it makes you stretch. Some of those things that I've done, I've done because it scares the bejesus out of me. And once I've done it, I go well, don't have to do that one again. 28:30 Yeah, and other things are just to have that experience to sign up and back when you could do it to take a class, I've never had a plot s class, I found a what we have here called a Groupon coupon, which means you can get it for cheaper. So I signed up to take a polities class, you know, and I'm gonna, I'm gonna do that. I've never done that before. I have, I have become a certified agent for the white Institute, which means that I have a process that I can use to help to help clients discover what is their why was their why their how their what so that they can become very clear on the brand of them and what they #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 15 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai say, I've never done that before. I I've taped two hours of a virtual training program for the community college. As I mentioned to you earlier, I just taped a videotape for Africa. That's something I've never done before. And with this technology, it does scare me. 29:33 It's so at the end of the month, I will be able to say these are the books I read. I keep track of the books that I read, and also on this exercise thing. Every day that I exercise. On my paper calendar. I give myself a little sticker, like kids have on sticker books. And at the end of the month, they say well how many days Should I exercise and I've realized that as we are 30:00 locked down COVID, whatever it's going to look like by the time we're in 2021, the exercise is essential is absolutely essential, particularly in the potential of burnout. Because getting our physical body in control is the first place that we actually have control. I can't control this pandemic. But what I can control is first and foremost, my physical body. So today, Joe, because we were going to go on early, I couldn't run as much as I normally do. But I got up I got up at 430 this morning. So that by 530, quarter of six, I could be out running. Yeah. And, and then come back and do my 30:44 do my 30:45 I could go back and do a plank. Yeah, so I'm practicing on the plank. That's the fastest thing that I could do. So So then I can monitor at the end of the of the month. How did you do it? 31:00 Yeah, yeah. So that's how I, that's how I kind of manage? Yes, yeah, it sounds it sounds really structured. And, as you say, visual and quite sort of simple and straightforward, but really, really effective. #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 16 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 31:16 Let me give you one other one other tip, as far as organization is concerned, this goes back years and years ago, she since passed away, but she had a wonderful book called file don't pile. 31:28 And you know, most of time we had, you have the hanging folders in there. And we still need paper, I don't care what you say about technology, the day that you can't turn on your computer, and you can't find what you need. We're all going to slit our risk. So you still need paper. Yeah, so the filing system was brilliant, instead of having to think okay, what did I file this under? Did I call it Joe? Did I did I call it the name of the show? What the heck did I do? The filing system on the hanging folders is numerical. So right now I have, I don't know, I think I have 80. So numbers one to 80. And then I have a sheet, I have a physical sheet that is that is in one file cabinet. But I also obviously also have it 32:13 on my computer, but I have the physical sheet. And so when you go to File something, you write it down on the physical sheet. And it's by number so you don't remember what it is. And on your computer if you do it on your computer. So I can open up my it says file personal file. And I'll type in the word, Joe. And it will give me everything. It'll give me everything that is listed under the name Joe. I don't have to remember. I don't have to remember 32:46 was it This was so I can give as many words as I want. And I can find it on the on the paper file. I can I erase it. So I'm not recreating. I'm not recreating 33:01 names as much as I'm using this numerical system. And it's brilliant. Mm. 33:07 As you say, it's funny when you said at the beginning all you know i'm i'm sort of old #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 17 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai school, I think all bar about three of my guests and 180 odd shows all say pen and paper works best. 33:21 There's There is something about about seeing it touching it. I am a great believer, obviously because I'm a writer, 33:31 that you have to ink it to think it not my quote that comes from a wonderful colleague, Sam horn, but it's brilliant. So writing things down, keeping a gratitude journal, oh my goodness, when you either begin or end the day with what you're grateful for. It's another way of getting out of what basically is crisis fatigue. With this has been going on for so long that we're exhausted and we feel stuck. We're not stuck if in fact, we can take some positive actions and one of them to me, is this gratitude journal? Mm hmm. Yes. So last couple of questions. Firstly, what about those days where it goes horribly wrong? How do you do? 34:19 Well, I have to say, 34:22 I have to say there's a lot going on in the us right now that I admitted to my husband that my language has devolved. 34:31 I hear myself screaming at the television or at my computer saying things I normally would never ever say. 34:42 And so when things go horribly wrong. #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 18 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 34:48 I do the Scarlett O'Hara. Scarlett O'Hara was a character out of Gone with the Wind. 34:55 And she one of the things she would say is well, I'll worry about it tomorrow. 35:00 I'll worry about it tomorrow. And there comes a point in which you just say, You know what? I've had enough, 35:08 tomorrow. And once I say tomorrow, then I can turn off the computer, I walk out of the room, I can go take a walk, wonderful walking outside, looking at the birds listening to the birds, and say, you know, tomorrow's another day, I've done as best as I can do that, you know, the problem is, is at night sometimes to get your brain to stop talking to you. Because it goes Batman rammer. So what I've been working on, and it actually does seem to work is to breathe in to the count of seven, very slowly hold it to the count of seven. 35:47 And then breathe out to the count of seven. And it and I just kind of imagined myself floating. And it allows me to go back to sleep. 35:59 Otherwise, my brain just doesn't shut up. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. 36:05 Just give me a call. He got a call today was saying that she started doing the thing. You said the Wim Hof #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 19 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 36:12 concept of taking cold showers and we asked her how long she'd stayed in the shower. She said she got to 120, Mississippi. 36:21 So we were quite impressed. 36:24 I think I'd been avoiding the Mississippi bits and just solid numbers really quick. 36:30 Why cold? parently it's very good for you very good for your immune system. But I'm not sure I'll be trying it anytime soon. You know that to me? It's good. Put me in a warm shower peace. I can just detox in a warm shower cold. Ooh, no, no, thank you. Thank you. So yeah, that's another counting thing. But yeah, I think I prefer the seven in seven hold and seven out. 36:57 What about those days, we get to live more. And that's where I talk about getting to do more of the things that you want to do and less of the stuff that you don't want to do? What What do they look like for you? But is it that I want to do? Yeah, well, is it? Is it? Is it? bc? 37:12 Yeah, good point, BC, or BC would be the BC would be very different than Yeah, I mean, before, before covid. 37:22 I have four grandchildren who I absolutely adore. And when I would permit, you know, two of them are up in Portland, Oregon, you know, my idea of glory is, is getting on a plane and flying up to Portland and having a long, long weekend with them for days, you know, #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 20 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai whatever, that's just glorious running with my daughter up there on the they live out in the country. That's just absolutely glorious. Now. So being being able to do that, 37:54 I go and visit a friend who's in an assisted living center gives me great joy to be able to do that. 38:01 In the COVID world, which who knows what it's going to look like in 2021. 38:09 When I get away from the what we think of as the work that I enjoy, 38:15 it's to to, 38:18 it's to walk around my neighborhood to say hello to people, even though you might be physically distance. It's to, it's to do this, this was helpful to me that when we get we get so that we're concentrating on ourselves, what helps get me out of myself, is to be present for other people and to do unexpected. It's kind of like a random act of kindness, unexpected things. So we've had a lot of challenges here with our postal system. And the poor folks at the post office. They're just taking so much heat. And there's not much they can do to control what is coming from, from this 39:02 Postmaster General. So I can say thank you to my to the man that delivers my mail, the woman who delivers my mail, I brought them out cookies are stuff. So the other day when I spent my time with was I make an amazing lemon cake. And so I baked two lemon cakes. And I went down to the post office and I stood in line. And when it was my turn at the counter, I said I really don't need any stamps. I just wanted you all to have this. And I #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 21 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai want to say thank you because I know these are challenging times for you. 39:38 Joe, the woman behind the counter started crying. 39:43 Oh, and I say this, this isn't about me. It's about what we can do in acknowledging the people who serve us 39:57 because we call them by name when I'm in the 40:00 grocery store they have on their name tags. I can't see their face with the mask. But I can say thank you, Linda. It's so great to see you here today. And I see their eyes smile. 40:12 Yeah, though. So when you say what do you do when you're not working I that's part of it. I also then can find time to to read to feed my Western bluebirds to plant in my garden. One of the benefits of being in Southern California is there are year round plantings that I can do. 40:31 This will sound very crazy but to but to clean my house to iron. What that sounds like work well, yes and no, I get great joy when I have things that are organized and they're clean. And there's something about ironing when you feel that your life is out of control besides your physical body iron. You had total control. And it looks a heck of a lot better when you put it in the closet. So we with you apart from she doesn't I am at all or if you didn't have to what she does is Hoover, but for the same reason, I think ah, yep. Yeah. I think I've just bought one of those robot Hoover's to try out so #190 Eileen McDargh Interview Page 22 of 23 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 41:12 well, you know, the sweeping isn't a problem. It's because we're not air conditioned. And it gets it can get hot here. So the the windows and the sliding doors are open. It's the dust. Yeah, yeah. Oh, my goodness, the dust. And when you can write your name on the coffee table, you don't think it's time? I think it's time. 41:31 Luckily, it's been really enjoyable interviewing you today. Eileen, can you tell people how they can find out more about you and get in touch? Absolutely. Well, and I am assuming you're going to have my name on the podcast someplace. So first off, just google me. I have a website WWW Eileen Mack dark.com. I am on LinkedIn. You can find me on LinkedIn. I'm on Twitter. My Twitter handle is Mack darling ma si darling. Mack darling, all one word. I do have a Facebook page. And you can find the books not only on my website, but quite a number of them are in Amazon. The newest one is burnout to break through building resilience to refuel, recharge and reclaim what matters. And it's in both trade paper as well as the audit the auditory version, as well as a digital version. 42:28 Lovely. Thanks, Eileen. Great speech today. 42:31 Thank you. It's my pleasure, Joe. The post Eileen McDargh on Show #190 : Building Resilience appeared first on POWER to Live More.
51 minutes | 2 months ago
Dr Nima Rahmany on Show #189 : Recapturing Health and Becoming Powerfully Aligned
Dr. Nima Rahmany, DC, CCWP, is a chiropractor, educator, and coach with a passion for helping people discover the root cause of their pain. By assisting people in overcoming their emotional challenges, he helps his clients transform their lives, both in their corporate and personal lives. After a successful career as a chiropractor, Dr. Nima sold his practice and took a new path in coaching people in his healing system and methodology to recapture their health, heal trauma and become their most powerful and intimately-aligned self. In today’s episode, Dr. Nima joins me to discuss how the patient’s progress in his chiropractic practice made him realise the emotional connection to the physical body. He shares his journey from a successful chiropractor to a coach and creator of the Overview Experience and Becoming Trigger-Proof Workshop. We explore the connections between our emotional wellbeing and physical health and how social media spotlights the importance of mental wellbeing. Dr. Nima shares the lessons he is learning as a new father and how it helps his work with clients. He also shares how the pandemic and our reactions affect us and our families and what you can do to deal with tough days and create more fulfilling life experiences. “Give yourself full permission to feel like a failure because your unwillingness to feel like a failure is stopping you from living more. It’s stopping you from reaching and going out there and choosing your own adventure.” Dr. Nima Rahmany This week on The Power to Live More Podcast: How Dr. Nima discovered the connection between emotional wounds and the physical bodyWhat made Dr. Nima move away from his practice as a chiropractor to create his Overview Experience methodology and Becoming Trigger-Proof WorkshopHow he recognised his own personal wounds from physical symptomsCommon misconceptions about where physical symptoms come fromHow social media is helping people realise the connection between emotional wellbeing and physical healthThe first steps Dr. Nima took to help patients explore the root cause of their physical painHow the Overview Experience method programme evolved over timeHow becoming a father has added a deeper purpose to the work that Dr. Nima does with his clientsWhy the pandemic has brought mental health more into the picture and how it can still go furtherHow our actions and reactions to the current crisis affect our children and family dynamicThe inspiration behind the Trigger-Proof WorkshopWhy being able to handle your triggers will help you in every aspect of your lifeThe first steps you can take to help you control your reactions to triggersHow Dr. Nima deals with days when everything goes wrong How you can create days where you live moreThe “horizon effect” and how you can avoid it Resources Mentioned: Breathwork and Badassery Virtual WorkshopTrigger-Proof Facebook Group Connect with Dr. Nima Rahmany: Dr. Nima websiteDr. Nima on LinkedInDr. Nima on InstagramDr. Nima on FacebookDr. Nima on Twitter Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC Read Full Transcript Today I'm interviewing Dr. Nima Rahmany of overview consulting. Welcome Dr. Lena, thanks for joining me. It's good to have it's it's good to be here. Actually, Joe, I really look forward to this conversation. Yeah, me too. So start by telling us a bit about who you are, what you do, and crucially, where you do it. 00:19 Well, I have been a chiropractor. I've been a chiropractor for the last 20 years, and in Vancouver, just outside of Vancouver, Canada, and I've been kind of feeling frustrated as to getting to the root cause of why people are coming in to see me in the first place, I would notice that some patients do really great, and they heal, and they're able to, we're able to really help them and still others, no matter what you do, you can dance around like a monkey stand on my head, nothing that I would do, would really help them. And so it was a discovery that I made that pretty much mirrors anybody who does any sort of bodywork for more than 10 years is that our emotional wounds translate to our physical ones. So any unresolved emotional wounding from our past gets stored as trauma in the body, and doesn't 01:20 allow us to fully heal when we keep it at a surface level. And so when I made that discovery, I created a possibility that I would be able to leave the confines of my office and then start to teach the principles of why we get sick in the first place. And what what we can do to actually heal. And what I discovered was that if you when you actually #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 1 of 19 Transcribed by https://otter.ai address the in the relationship ruptures 01:54 that cause our emotional distress, starting from our you know, childhood, primary caregivers and and beyond, you then 02:03 are able to give the patient the client power and where they were where they had lost it before. It's like they've reconnected to their source, their agency. Because the ruptures the emotional wounds from the ruptures the ruptured relationships in our lives. They they stay with us, and they will over time, break down our physiology and unresolved emotional trauma that's been very doc well documented. That is the underlying root cause behind most chronic illness. So we've been looking in the surface I discovered I'd made this discovery is that in the world of health and healing, and we've been looking to, to surfacey, at the surface at the symptoms, and I just gave myself permission to go deeper. And five years ago, I sold my practice, I moved kind of on to teaching live workshops and slowly kind of move things online where I teach a global I lead a global community of self healers, that learn to regulate their nervous system, their heal their past. 03:13 Learn how to heal their attachment traumas, their attachment wounds, and then go from there relationship challenges, conflicts, relationship, Limbo, divorce, should I stay should I go? 03:27 They then go to feeling more connected more clear, and then having an ability to choose their own adventure rather than having it chosen for them by unconscious complexes. Hmm. So how did that come about as in the sort of your sort of enlightenment, clearly, 03:47 you had experience experiences, which will have prompted it and you know, not all chiropractors or any of the other types of Yeah, the body workers #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 2 of 19 are saying, um, you know, would necessarily end up where you've ended up. So how did that come about for you? A great deal of pain, Joe, an immense amount of pain and suffering. It started, everything was going great in my life. married at 31 and it was it hadn't really dealt with much adversity. It was pretty much you know, amazing. I had a million dollar practice a trophy wife, a penthouse apartment, BMW, I had the Persian dream, I call it it's like, everything's going great. And then I dealt with that first adversity, which was divorce. And that really rocked me if you if any, any one who's listening has gone through that really understands. And, and I was lucky because we didn't have kids, but it still was a huge setback for me. And that led me into a path where I was then getting into relationships one after another, and it would blow my mind because I thought it was the 04:15 05:00 them, you know, is like, well, this clearly wasn't the right fit, I'm gonna go find, you know, a better fit. And I would just find the exact same patterns in every single relationship. And then finally, it was wasn't until, you know, I, one string of failed relationships were all of a sudden, I woke up one day, you know, in a toxic relationship, they just kept getting worse and more severe. And I woke up one day and I realized shit, well, maybe I'm the common denominator here, I got to work on and seeing why I keep repeating these exact same patterns. Why do I keep getting into these codependent cycles in my relationships where I attract the same type of person, I show up as the exact same type of way. And I discovered it was all unresolved, unhealed attachment wounds, I thought I had done the work because I'd done coaching personal development. And I discovered that I was doing what's called cognitive bypassing, which is trying to think, think your way out of, you know, attachment issues and attachment wounds that are very much in the body. So two years ago, I then stopped working, and I moved back in with my parents. And I decided to actually not because you know, I didn't have a place I put my place up on Airbnb, started renting it out. And I said, You know what, I got to learn exactly what I need to do to take full responsibility rather than play victim to, you know, the wounds that I had in my childhood. So I moved back in with my parent, my parents, and I worked on resolving it, and I became, and that was the birth of the concept called becoming trigger proof. Trigger proof basically means taking full responsibility for the emotions that come up in your body. And instead of becoming reactive by, you know, act lashing out or withdrawing #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 3 of 19 Transcribed by https://otter.ai and stonewalling, to sit in it and to, to enquire, and to heal. The younger parts and rescue the younger parts of me that these triggers are coming up, trigger proof doesn't mean trigger less, it means taking responsibility. And being able to respond rather than react. And over a period of a couple of years, I told myself, I said, I become very successful in work, work is not a promise, just all bets are off in in my personal life. So I decided that I was going to do whatever it took whatever distance I had to travel, whatever price I had to pay to learn how to actually have a healthy relationship. And here I am. Now we got married this year, and we have a little baby. So. 07:54 So yeah, so not only I tell people, not only it's like the Hair Club for men, not only am I the president, I'm also a client. Yes. And so that that manifested in physical illness for you, not for me, not for me, I was very lucky. I'm a chiropractor. So I, you know, I take care of my body exercise. 08:16 Health was never an issue for me. 08:20 Health was never an issue. The only way that that would show up for me is paralyzing anxiety. So this was, it wasn't a physiological manifestation of like an illness like a thyroid problem, or a stomach issue or anything. But for me, it would show up as anxiety, which I now see as a kind of a childhood wounding and a lack of safety in the body and a dysregulated nervous system. So all of my teaching is all about first, creating that sense of safety within the body. And then everything else the anxiety takes care of itself, your health issues, take care of your digestive problems. So it all starts with regulating the nervous system. Why do you think people don't see that connection? I mean, it's something that I've known for quite a while I developed an underactive thyroid about 20 years ago, and I did lots of research and I, I can almost certainly say where it came from, in terms of my emotional, where that led up to it, but I also am very aware of, I know, waking up with sort of aches and pains, which I don't have every day, but some days I do and I know I can normally link that back to worrying about something or something having gone on sort of thing. But I think that's because I've done lots of research about it and read lots about it and all that sort of stuff. And I'm quite open minded, I guess and I've done some stuff that's taken it away. So I sort of know when I'm obviously nowhere near the sort of thing that you do, but many people don't even think that there's a connection. #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 4 of 19 Yeah, we're also fed a bunch of lies within the medical system which is very pharmaceutical based, which is 09:55 you know, there's a pill for every ill these Do you have the symptoms, it means that 10:00 So you have this disorder. And if you have this disorder, then it takes this drug. So you, you don't really question your lifestyle choices, you don't question, any type of conflict. You know, the, you know, you don't ask the question, hmm, the symptoms that came up, like I guarantee you, Joe, that when your thyroid symptoms came up, if you trace back six months to a year prior to that, there was a conflict that you had endured, that was stored in your body that wasn't expressed and thyroid is is, you know, in the throat chakra, which is, you know, you're suppressing your voice you weren't speaking up, which probably explains why you have a podcast now. 10:43 It's a perfect, it totally makes sense to me. But a suppressed voice, a sip, like one of my clients, you know, was going through some major conflict at home, and she has extreme amount of rage, but she's been hiding it from her children. Because her she doesn't want to rock the boat and have the children not, you know, really absolutely love their father. So she suppressing and hiding that rage. And guess what? Well, that energy, the emotional energy, that psychic energy doesn't just go away, it's not something we can avoid. You either face it, feel it and express it. 11:25 Or it will show up as illness in your body. And the reason why we don't make the connection is because first of all, there's a couple reasons. First of all, it's a big leap for a lot of people because we think, oh, thyroid problem, what did the blood test say? Okay, well, what does the doctor say doctors are just kind of like, you know, it's just symptom and pill. And there's no real connection between the mind and the body. With with doctors, really, they talk about stress, they go, Oh, it's just stress, they pay it lip service. They know, we know that there's a stress there. But there's a huge gap between what the doctors learn about how to deal with that trauma. And what the literature says that all of #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 5 of 19 these illnesses are caused by unresolved emotional trauma and unresolved emotions that are trapped in the body, and so many people. Another reason why is that people don't know what to do about it. I mean, do you go to a psychologist and I don't think going to talk talk therapy is actually going to be helpful. I mean, it's helpful to talk to somebody, of course, but there's no tools, there's no accountability, 12:42 it becomes really challenging. 12:46 So the problem is, the reason why it's it's not understood is because, well, it's it's changing. First of all, people are now starting to get information with social media and following accounts on Instagram and YouTube channels, like my mind, people are now going Holy cow, I never realized that there was a link, I didn't realize that my digestive issues, which started when I was eight years old, had anything to do had anything to do with with it, but Come to think of it. My parents divorced when I was seven, and then I started getting these digestive issues. You know, it's like, Ah, you think it's got something to do, then the next question is, well, what do I do about it? Do I just go talk to someone about it? And the answer is no, you don't just talk to somebody, you actually learn how to go in and feel the emotions that you haven't learned how to properly address. So the second reason why this is so poorly understood is that growing up, you were raised, in all likelihood, you are raised in an environment of children or to be seen not heard, huh? spare the rod, spoil the child. So when you've had big emotions come up, you were told Don't cry. 14:06 It's okay, don't cry, or you hadn't had your reality validated you your feelings and emotions were invalidated. Or they were shamed. So you were taught to actually suppress them? Yeah, so that's really tough. That's really tough. So people don't have the training. And we're all trying to we're all 14:31 excuse me, we're all going around in circles trying to feel better, but the real answer is to get better at feeling. Mm hmm. And you mentioned that you'd social practice, did you go through a period of time where your patients didn't know what you were doing? Because #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 6 of 19 Transcribed by https://otter.ai you were asking them questions that that one about the aches and pains. Okay, it's actually really funny. Funny story. I had a patient coming in extreme amount of neck pain, and I could see from her body language 15:00 She was tense and angry, and I'm adjusting her second visit she comes in, it's no better. By the third visit, I told her I said, Listen, 15:09 there, I believe there's something deeper here. 15:12 I have a workshop coming up on Saturday, I really want you to come in and let's address the issue. And I never saw her again, I started creating these workshops, when I noticed this, I started creating these workshops in my office. And I would invite my patients, some would some wouldn't the ones that would had amazing results, she just happened to go screw this, get out of my head, just fix my neck. I don't want to have anything to do with you. So she left and I never saw her again. Well, as it turns out, eight years later, I sell my practice, because I was tired of these conversations. I didn't want to work with people who didn't really want to get to the root cause I just wanted to go deeper with people. That's just my evolution. 15:50 And so here I am in in Canadian Broadcasting Corporation headquarters in downtown Vancouver doing a talk to a group of entrepreneurs, about Nervous System regulation. And the organizer invited his family. And so they're sitting there and, and this woman came was present at the at the at the talk after I'm done. She walks right up after I was finished my presentation. She walks up to me, she goes Do you remember me? And this was eight years prior, by the way? And I'm like, No, actually, it doesn't ring a bell. She goes well, I came to see you eight years ago at your chiropractic clinic. And I said, Oh, she goes and I said, who I don't remember. She goes I know I only came to see you three times. And in my mind, I was like shit, what did I do? #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 7 of 19 16:38 Did I hurt you? Did I adjust you and cause you pain? And you hated me and never came back? She said, No, actually. 16:46 I felt like you were trying to get in my head. Yeah. And I had, I just had a neck issue going on. And I and I felt like you were trying to get in my head. And I wanted no part of it. But now after listening to your presentation, I now realize you know, I was going through a divorce and I was in a really bad place. And the last thing I wanted to do was to face my shit. And she looked at me and she was like, I'm ready now. So she then jumped in and we started working together and healed her digestive issue, her anxiety, she went off of her anxiety medication that she was in for 25 years because we went back and healed her childhood wounding, which was a guilt and shame about her behavior and her addictions as a teenager, and resentment towards her mother. And so we cleared all of those emotions, the shame, the guilt, the resentment, and all of a sudden her body just was better. And that was probably the greatest validation that I can recall. It was like so huge to experience as a practitioner. Yeah. So talk us through how you transition then from from sort of delivering a service, if you like to what you do now. And obviously, in the meantime, you sold the practice, but it's quite a transition even more. Yeah, even with evolution isn't that midlife crisis, it was age 40 I'm having a midlife crisis, just gone through a divorce. And I'm like, geez, I don't really want to be dealing with surface bullshit, I want to get to the root cause. I mean, it's not surface bullshit is very real. It's amazing. Getting a chiropractic adjustment, adjusting people being able to change lives, I just wanted to go deeper. So what would happen is my 18:32 I started with these little workshops in my office called life skills for a stressful world. So these were like Saturday morning workshops that I would invite all my patients to meet a lot of them really 18:45 were so grateful for the education, I love teaching, I discovered I just love teaching, and some just wouldn't show up and the ones that wouldn't show up, didn't get better, faster, the ones that would just had, they just took responsibility. They had awareness and they got better. So I discovered I really liked teaching a lot more than coming in on Monday #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 8 of 19 morning and just dealing with bad backs. And so slowly that three hour Saturday morning workshop, I just as I kept developing, it turned into a one day event, which then turned into a two day event. And once it became this two day event and I created a methodology, a simple to follow methodology, which helps you heal the emotional attachment wounds, you know, taking the trigger, which basically it's a self inquiry tool, that that is both cognitive and somatic in the body that allows you to, to to access the trigger and go back to its origin when you were younger, and then do a series of cognitive and somatic based and inner child type of based 20:00 tools that help you resource, that younger part of you and integrate it back into you when it was fragmented because of trauma. And once you've re integrated that part of you of it, acknowledge that part of you, that abandoned part of you, all of a sudden, your trigger in the present moment, your challenge, your lack of clarity opens up and all of a sudden, you get a window to your next move. It's very powerful. And I just discovered the amazing transformation ability of that. And so I started just traveling around the world and doing these workshops, based on my contacts that I had chiropractic, you know, colleagues, they would just invite me to their offices, and I would teach it to their patients. Yeah, I just modeled it, I went to Atlanta, I went to the UK, I went to Detroit, I went to Australia. And the crazy part was everywhere, I would go, people would like be like, Oh, my God, I want more. So slowly, I transitioned that kind of two day event, into an online 90 day program. 21:07 And now I have online events and programs. And so it's both well before COVID hit, I had a 90 day kind of like program that also included a weekend. So I have these weekend workshops that I love doing because it's like bringing people together and getting immersed and kind of like a revival, getting into your in reconnected with the community. But then it's it's also carried the training and the accountability. And the support also continues online with zoom. And then when COVID hit, I had to cancel all of my live events and moved everything online. And so I have fortunately you'd already started. And oh my gosh, it was like the greatest thing my colleagues were all suffering, because they couldn't open up their practices. And then I hear I am having the most successful year of my career. So it was such a great move. 22:08 I didn't feel that way. At first Joe, I was terrified, making that leap. But as you know, this #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 9 of 19 happens, but I never look back now. Now. And I guess this year was probably a time for a bit of sort of CPD for most people who weren't able to get out to their, their consulting rooms and see their people it properly. You know, not only were you online already, you gave people an opportunity to, to learn some stuff, whilst they were, you know, in limbo themselves, I guess so hundred percent Exactly. It's like, Look, now is the time, this was my position, I basically said, Look, we don't know what the future holds, we're unlocked down. This is back in February, March, I started a new Facebook group called trigger proof. And I just said, Look, I'm just going to come in here every day, and I'm going to give trainings that are going to help you get back into your body, get back into your heart, to regulate your nervous system, because that's what's going to determine if you win on the other side of this pandemic. And so all of a sudden, that just grew to over 2200 kind of people in the group and my online events are, you know, rocking it, and people are transforming and people are actually who participate are coming through the pandemic better off than they did going in. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And, you know, thank God. I mean, there's so much opportunity for it to go the opposite way. I mean, even since we talked to the beginning about things like, you know, the whole working from home thing, it wasn't working from home, it was working from home during a crisis, you know, the rains has been normal, in terms of the backdrop has it so, 23:53 you know, all that support to get people through is so valuable. So, tell us what a day looks like for you. It's probably changed a bit now you've got a newborn baby. Yeah, totally. So basically, it's pretty amazing. I'm so grateful that I can kind of be a dad and you know, I finish for example, once I finish this interview, I'm just going to go snuggle with him. And, you know, take him for a little walk, take him for a walk in the dogs. 24:22 What's it like working and having a baby like it's it's amazing. A lot of times, like, I'll do my group calls or my trainings and my Facebook Lives, and then you can hear him as you've heard probably him crying in the background. Oh, man. Oh, that's my son. And I'm just really looking forward to this journey unfolding. It's been great and I'm 24:46 sleep hasn't been wonderful. But I realized that, I don't know. It's, it's, this is the greatest love I've ever experienced. And #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 10 of 19 24:57 it's actually it's made 25:00 My purpose, this is the one thing that I've noticed, if I can be very selfish about this, it's given me such purpose behind what I do now. Because the work that I do now I stand for healed families. What I do with this work of becoming trigger proof actually helps you break the cycle of intergenerational trauma that didn't start with you. And so when I'm teaching, I'm actually teaching so that Dominic my son can benefit. It's like I want him to be. I mean, he's born into this shit show 25:34 of the world. It's like, Hey, dude, sorry, it's sorry that we brought you into this, like, sorry, you know, but I want to give you the tools to be able to be of service to an impending mental health crisis. And so that's really what the focus of my work is, is is to arm people with skills to be able to cope in a world where there is a impending mental health crisis surrounding Yes, yes, yeah. Yeah. Because, you know, it's it's much more talked about now, it's much more in the sort of public domain, the whole concept of mental health, but it's nowhere near sort of fixed or even those who visit and and mental health is really, it's incomplete. We can't talk about mental health. If we keep ignoring the, the state of alarm that comes in the body, because of unresolved childhood wounding, mental health is all about somatic is a somatic experience. We try to do, you know, counselors and therapists and talk our way out of feeling problems. And I want to teach people that you can't think your way out of a feeling problem. You must actually learn how to feel your way out of it, we must show those younger parts, not tell them that they're safe. Essentially, Coronavirus, it wasn't the problem. It's the fact that we already had a feeling of unsafety in our bodies before it hit. That's the real problem. And my focus of my work is addressing that problem. Because when you address that problem, you then are able to take care of the surface issues. Yeah, yeah. It's funny, I just think it was sort of reflecting on, you know, how people think about it. And obviously, there's a whole host of different views on what things are going on. But I guess in some ways, that whole thing about the narrative around children not being as affected by getting ill with it. And, you know, sweeping statement generalization because obviously, that's not true for all of them. But I wonder if that's, in some ways, sort of insulating some of our younger people. #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 11 of 19 27:43 Yeah, we're having it. I don't know about in Canada, we're having issues with lots of students, you know, continuing to have parties and break rules and everything else. But I do wonder, actually, if it's fairly positive that they don't understand the Yeah, well, the impact on the kids comes from not so much. I'm not worried so much about like them getting the virus about the virus itself. What's, what's scarier is that children are watching us children are very, they're our greatest bullshit detectors. I mean, you have a 14 year old, right? So the second Joe that you are the slightest bit inauthentic and bullshit, bullshitting her, she'll be able to call you out. She's right. She's like she you can't, you can't pull a fast one on her. She is your greatest bullshit. 28:36 accountability partner. Okay. Right. So this is true of even my one month old. Let me give an example. 28:44 If I'm, if I'm holding him, and I'm scrolling through social media, my lack of presence with him, he can feel it and he starts to cry. Then all of a sudden, I put my phone down and I put my awareness onto him. Immediately, he stops crying. It's almost as though he feels the safety of my awareness and my presence. That was a huge lesson for me. I was like, Oh my gosh, the power of my attention. My, the focus of my attention is incredibly powerful. That's what what I realized, and my child is picking it up. Yeah, also, my child is picking up the level of connection that I have with my wife. So if I have a kind of like a bullshit relationship with my wife, that's really not connected. The attachment is not there. We have ruptures in our relationship. Yeah. 29:42 That will spill over to the child and my child will feel that lack of safety. Mm hmm. But if I'm focusing on making sure that my attachment to myself, my level of well being within myself, my connection with myself, my nervous system is regulated. 30:00 My relationship with my wife is connected, #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 12 of 19 30:04 then he then thrives. Right? So in times of pandemic in this coronavirus, our children are looking up at us, and seeing our behavior and watching how we deal with adversity. And their feeling of safety internally is pretty much governed by how we're, like vibrating the energy that's coming off of us. So I don't take that responsibility lightly. And so the foundation of my message is, it's up to you to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma that didn't start with you. Look at how your parents dealt with conflict and adversity, just just observe, how did they check out? Did they freak out? Did they run and hide? Did their did they bury their head in the sand? Did they act out in rage? Okay, great. That's how you modeled 31:02 you know, your relationship with life. And without the proper training in self regulation and co regulation, you're now passing that down to children. And so I just I just want to bring the awareness to to stop the cycle, and take responsibility and to teach the the tools and the training so that people can take full responsibility themselves and become trigger proof. Yes, yeah. And that we've talked about trigger proof. 31:33 Already in the interview, is that your that's your sort of 31:39 main outcome is that Yeah, yeah. You know, I thought about it, I was like, Okay, what do you what do we what, what, what is it that we all want in this world, you know, and I, and I've been, I've been a chiropractor for 20 years. So I listen to people coming in with problems. And now as a coach, people with varying relationship challenges, right? And the way that I operate, I'm always kind of wanting to go upstream to go to the root cause of the root cause of the root cause of the root cause, because I want to know, if I can go upstream and solve that one problem, you know, because, you know, 32:20 it will show up in a myriad of ways, like how well what are the problems? Well, codependency I'm always showing up needy, and I can't be myself in a relationship. So I hide my truth, and I'm pleasing other people. Okay, what else? Well, I constantly attract #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 13 of 19 the same type of partner who constantly treats me like shit. And I take it and, um, I don't have the power and the courage to leave. Okay, what else? Well, I'm always avoidant in relationships, whenever, you know, a conflict happens, I want to run and then I don't bounce back, like I can't get over it. Like I hold on to things. I don't know how to let things go. My I'm anxious all the time, my health is starting to decline. I don't feel safe in my body. I don't know what my purpose is. I don't know how to get past this resistance. I'm procrastinating a lot. And I just don't like I know what I want to do. But I'm so terrified of putting myself out there. Because what are people gonna think of me, and then I realized, holy crap, these are not all separate problems. These are all the same problem. And the problem is that I don't have the ability and the confidence to sit in my uncomfortable emotions. I don't have the trust in my ability to produce results. And I don't have the confidence and trust in myself to be able to handle the consequences of my actions, all because I don't know how because. Because my triggers when I get triggered, I lose consciousness. And I'm no, I'm not in control of my life. What's controlling me is now these old unconscious complexes from childhood that I just don't, I don't have the ability to regulate and then boom, in that moment, I am not a functional adult. I am an eight year old child who wants mommy and daddy to come rescue them. And I'm like, Oh, that's the root cause of your health problems, your relationship issues, the feeling of a lack of clarity and purpose. Yeah. And so, instead of trying to heal your anxiety, which you're focusing on the anxiety, there's tons of books on Haleh anxiety, anxiety, anxiety, well, if you just stop focusing on anxiety, and then focus all of your efforts on integrating your triggers, then then the anxiety goes away, instead of trying to treat codependency. If you just work on becoming trigger proof. Then when you get triggered when your abandonment wounds get triggered in a relationship which they're going to come 35:00 No matter who you're with, if you have those wounds, then you're able to regulate yourself rather than needing somebody else to soothe you. 35:09 If you are able to regulate your own emotions when they come up, you don't become an anxious mess constantly in your head, trying to think thoughts to try to make sense of why your body is in a state of alarm and trying to catastrophize to try to create some sense of control, your addictions, all of these things are an unconscious strategy to regulate your emotions, when you haven't yet learned how to become trigger proof becoming trigger proof is the one skill that will transform every area of your life, it transform mind, from your health, to your relationships, your feeling of worthiness, to your sense of, you know, #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 14 of 19 entrepreneurship, working through resistance, all of it is an ability to self regulate. And so that has become, 36:00 you know, the topic that people write books about, you know, stillness and people who, you know, Eckhart Tolle a and all of these things, these spiritual teachers, these neuroscience, people trying to get into flow, essentially what we're doing is unconsciously we're seeking to learn how to regulate our emotions, to create fulfilment to create deeper intimacy, and in our lives, it all comes from becoming trigger proof. Mm hmm. Thank you for that. More detailed explanation. Definitely something to 36:36 aspire to, I think And so yeah, people who want to do that, clearly you run programs that help people with that, what's, what's their sort of first step, the first step I have, is really to learn how to change your relationship with your breath, and then connect with the younger parts of us. You know, when we get triggered, we think that we're in control, but we're not it's our child mind. It's our younger selves that are acting out. And so I kind of have this entry level, you know, training to three hour training called breath, work and badass Hurry, I'll give you the link for it. Yeah, I it's kind of something that I breathwork and badassery, it's a, it's a, it's a training and a one hour meditation on breathing where you, 37:25 you learn how to change your relationship and retrain your body in how to breathe properly, because your breath is the link between your conscious and your unconscious mind. Yeah, and so it's like I had to relearn how to breathe. If I just go back and 37:43 connect to my breath, that inhale, exhale, relationship, one to one is my relationship with the universe, inhale is receive exhale is give, if I have a one to one give receive relationship with the universe I have balanced, but I realized that I wasn't even breathing properly. I'm breathing in. But it was like a shallow breath. So that means that I wasn't receiving I was, you know, abundance, prosperity, I was didn't feel worthy of that. So to change that, I can sit there and do talk therapy. Or I can start by #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 15 of 19 38:20 giving myself permission to receive abundance through breath. And it's all around me. So that's the first kind of start and the overview experience is the five hour training that I start my clients often, where you learn how to heal those early attachment traumas, we find out where the root cause comes from where that earliest where that earliest belief was instilled on me, where that I didn't matter that I wasn't enough. So we find it and we give you the tools and solving and I'll give you the links below. Oh, lovely. Thank you. So last couple of questions. What about those days where it all goes horribly wrong for you? What How do you deal with those? Well, how I deal with those is 39:07 be is to sit with the emotions and be willing to feel them. The problem isn't the feelings that come up, it's my resistance to those feelings. So it's not about feeling better. It's about getting better at feeling like shit. 39:24 So what I do in those situations is I give myself full permission to feel like shit. And I have, you know, people around me that I trust that I'm like, really, I'm going through a really hard time and it's bringing up a bunch of stuff can I just emotionally dump on you and just express everything that's inside? And you know, I have my team and all of the people that I have the community that I have around me that are willing to listen to that and just hear me without fixing it just have me currently just a few days ago, I called my my, one of the one of my team and I just 40:00 said, Listen, I'm going through a really rough time. And I everything's falling apart. Can I just express and I did. And I just literally just wailed and screamed in the phone. And I had a good cry, and I released it. And I'm like, thank you. And just in the release and listening to the language, I was like, Ah, okay, how will do you feel NEMA, you feel about nine years old there, ah, that brought up a memory. And then after I was able to express it, then I'm able to really take care of that nine year old part of me. So when I have a shit day, I let myself have a shit day. And I give myself full permission and allowance and safety to feel like shit. #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 16 of 19 40:42 Which is the opposite of what most kind of personal development is, is like, Oh, we got to numb that we got to sedate that we got to put a pill on that. 40:50 becoming really becoming trigger proof is about really getting good at feeling like shit and allowing those feelings to come up and move through you rather than suppress them or repress them. Because it's, you know, because of social decencies. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, that's really powerful. Thank you. What about those days where you get to live more. And that's where I say that you get to do more of the things that you want to do and less of the stuff that you don't want to do? What are those days that like for you? Well, that is a conscious, choose your own adventure. 41:21 The first step to that is to I mean, give yourself permission to dream that a lot of people are stuck, because they are like, Oh, I don't know what I want to do. And the truth is you do No, it's just you're telling the story of I don't know what it is that I want, as a way of protecting yourself from feelings of failure. And so the first step is to really get good at feeling like a failure. 41:50 Give yourself full permission to feel like a failure because your unwillingness to feel like a failure is stopping you from living more is stopping you from reaching and and and going out there and choosing your own adventure. And so basically, it comes down to writing out exactly what it is giving yourself full permission, and getting your mind and body engaged in the doing of that without a like, in your feeling in your body. So it starts living more starts with a thought and a feeling. And this morning, before I got on a call with you, I started to envision and feel into because we live in a two bedroom condo, just got married this year. So it's like I've been living the bachelor life. And now it's like, Okay, it's time for a house. Well, guess what, I'm at a house with a with an office with a studio in it, where I can do presentations in my trainings. I'm actually living it in my mind and my body. And I'm giving myself full permission. And what you do is each and every day you acknowledge #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 17 of 19 43:03 how your dreams are coming true. You acknowledge evidence, you look for evidence of your vision manifesting. Because if you don't count the small wins and incremental progress, you're always have what's called the horizon effect. You're looking ahead and going, Oh, I'm not there going towards the horizon, at venue never get there. So it's really about pausing and looking. Where am I actually living it now? And the truth is, I am living it now I'm living this in this exact moment. This conversation, if you told me five years ago that I'll be having this conversation in this beautiful apartment with my beautiful family just right here. I would have told you. I'm living the dream. So because of the horizon effect, I'm going to day to day look at my life and go I'm not there yet. I'm not there yet. I'm not there yet. So it's really important to stop and look back and acknowledge where you are living it daily. That's how it works for me. Yes, yeah. Lovely. Thank you. So tell people how they can find out more and get in touch with you. 44:07 My website is right there. I'll leave you the link. It should be in the show notes. It's Dr. nima.com. And my facebook group. It's called trigger proof group. It's called trigger proof. 44:21 I'll just put it in the in the chat box, therefore you can grab it. And I have a if you you know you reach out to me and let me know on social media Instagram at Dr. Nima. 44:34 If you send me a DM and let me know what was relevant for you. If this was if this was meaningful, send me a DM let me know what what were your biggest takeaways were what landed for you. And then what I'll do is I'll send you a 90 minute training for free with a promo code that teaches you the steps that I take my clients through with case studies 45:00 that take you through learning how to become trigger proof. 45:05 #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 18 of 19 Brilliant. Thank you so much, Dr. Nima. Great to speak to you today. Thank you for having me. #189 Dr Nima Rahmany Interview Page 19 of 19 The post Dr Nima Rahmany on Show #189 : Recapturing Health and Becoming Powerfully Aligned appeared first on POWER to Live More.
48 minutes | 3 months ago
Angela Legh on Show #188: Learning to Love Yourself
Angela Legh, the author of the Bella Santini book series, adores wandering the Cotswolds, dreaming up dragons, monsters, and other magical beings. She specialises in opening the hearts and minds of adults and children to the magic they have inside. Bella Santini in the Land of Everlasting Change is the first book in a fairy tale series intended to open the hearts and minds of readers to empowering consciousness concepts. Angela is also a certified Quantum Shift Facilitator, helping people connect to their inner truths to discover who they really are and teaching them the tools and techniques they need to overcome adversity. Angela joins me today and discusses the childhood trauma that led to her toxic marriage and the recent devastating life event that triggered her to make a huge life change. She discusses her first experience with writing and publishing chapters in self-help books and how that led to her transition from government administrative officer to full-time writer. Julie also describes the concept of Hoʻoponopono and how the ancient Hawaiian art helped her understand, forgive, and heal from the problematic chapters in her past.  “When the waves push you back just float. And when they bring you in, swim like heck.” Angela Legh This week on The Power to Live More Podcast: The importance of setting boundaries in your personal life to safeguard your mental healthHow the stories from Angela’s past help other women deal with their own traumaHow to deal with significant life changes and why it’s ok if your methods are different from what is expectedHow Angela’s Bella Santini adventure books have a thread on bolstering emotional intelligenceWhy Angela went from writing non-fiction to writing a children’s’ adventure book seriesWhy she moved from the US to the UK and the lessons she learned by making a lifestyle change during a pandemicWhat Angela’s days look like and how she starts her day off on the right footHow Angela learns and grows through readingWhat Angela does on days when it all goes horribly wrong Resources Mentioned: Google DocsDropboxZoom Connect with Angela Legh: Angela Legh WebsiteBook: Bella Santini in the Land of Everlasting Change by Angela LeghAngela Legh on Instagram Read Full Transcript #188 Angela Legh Interview Wed, 10/28 2:36PM SUMMARY KEYWORDS 44:16 book, pono, writing, people, fire, life, wildfire, angela, left, author, abandonment, trauma, marriage, story, lost, talked, children, meditation, happened, day 00:00 Today I'm interviewing Angela Lee, author of the Bella Santini Chronicles. Welcome, Angela. Thanks for joining me. Hello, I am so pleased to be on your show. Thank you so much. So start by telling us a bit about who you are what you do. I think I've hinted at that slightly already and where you do it. Okay, so I'm Angela Lee, and I'm an author. I've written three, well in three self help anthologies for adults. And now I'm writing a series of children's fairy tales. Mm hmm. And where do you do that? Where are you based? Are you in an office and you work from home? How does all that work? 00:41 Like many people, I work from home. 00:45 I'm based in Cheltenham, UK right now. Lovely. You say it's a bit of a not required question at the moment, isn't it? Do you work from home office? 00:57 I find fewer and fewer people actually go to an office these days. Yes, yes, exactly. So tell us about how this all came about. And many people say they they'd love to be an author. And they'd love to write a book. And clearly you've written a number of them now, where did that all come from? Yeah, so I'm going to give you a real, hopefully, short video of me. #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 1 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai So I was born in San Francisco, California. And I lived in Northern California for all my life until I moved here. 01:36 When I was four years old, my house burned down. And at the time, I so I was four, and I had gone through this significant trauma. My parents were unable to find a rental where they would allow for little kids. So they couldn't find housing. They shipped us kids out. So my sister and I went and lived with a friend of the family who I didn't know. 02:09 And so I was separated from my mother and father at the age of four, right after significant trauma for about three or four months. And 02:23 that really kind of played a role in how I lived my life. That abandoned feeling, and it's through no fault of my parents. 02:36 kind of made me 02:41 Well, what I would say is I I grew up without having self love. 02:47 And so I ended up in a marriage that was toxic. 02:56 I played a role in it, as did he. So I am not casting any blame at this time. Yeah. But it was a toxic marriage. And it wasn't good for either one of us in the long run. #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 2 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 03:11 I stayed in that marriage for 30 years because I didn't value myself. But one night in 2017, I was awakened at 130 in the morning by a phone call. And it was a robotic phone call saying wildfire in your neighborhood, evacuated immediately. 03:33 I quickly got out of bed, open the back door. And what I saw and heard was unreal. The sky at 130 in the morning was a brilliant orange. And the noise sounded like a freight train and a lion roaring combined. And it was unreal, unworldly and very scary. So I shut the door. I woke up my ex husband and I said we have to evacuate. And within 10 minutes, we left the only thing we had or I had grabbed some photo albums. He grabbed some business paperwork. 04:20 We gotten one of the cars, we had the dog and all the dog stuff. Cuz that was important when we left the house, not knowing if we were going to be able to return. 04:36 And what we found out subsequently is that the corner of our house caught fire 10 minutes after we left and the entire house was gone. 10 minutes after that. So in 10 minutes, a large single family home was reduced to a two foot pile of ash. That is how 05:00 veracious that particular fire was, and that night, 5000 homes were destroyed in my town. And 25 people lost their life. It was 05:08 05:15 just a nightmare of a night. And in the long run, that was my awakening, that was #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 3 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 05:26 when when you lose all the things that keep you busy in your life, and all you have is your relationship, you don't have anything but your relationship and you know that the relationship isn't good for you. 05:44 That's when you have to decide, is, is this the life you want to live? Um, for me, the answer was no. So I left my marriage. 05:56 About six months later, I quit my job. And I moved across the ocean and started this life of being an author. 06:06 So my first introduction to writing was right after in January of 2018. So the fire was in October 17. 06:20 My first introduction to writing was January of 18, when I saw a Facebook post by a friend that said she was looking for female authors to write about adversity. So I messaged her and I said, Well, I actually have lived through a wildfire and had to rebuild my life. And so perhaps I could be in the book. And she agreed. So 06:54 that was my introduction, that book is called ignite your life for women. And there are 35 authors, one of which is me. And each chapter tells a tale of adversity, but ends with action steps of what the person did to overcome the adversity. Mm hmm. Yeah. 07:19 So that's how I got my start. And #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 4 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 07:23 it's not a not a recommended way for people to start writing. Not everybody needs a fire to get them into 07:33 their dream job. 07:36 Exactly. So as ever, with my guests, so many questions from that for me, so, um, 07:45 oh, I don't even know where to start. 07:48 Um, you were in an area where there seems to be I don't know if this has always been the case. But there seems to be a lot of fires happening in recent years. I guess it is probably getting worse. But is it? Did you always have a concern that that might be an option that might happen in your area? Or was it absolutely. Out of the blue? It was out of the blue? It wasn't even on the radar. The last time a wildfire swept through the area prior to 2017 was in 1964. Right? Yeah. And so it wasn't, you know, it was like every 50 years, you could expect something like that. That subsequent to 2017. There was a fire in 1819 and 20. Wow. 08:39 Yeah, big difference. And presumably, there was some triggers around the original house fire as well at that stage. And did you did you? Oh, yes. Are you acting that did you know, know that that was going to happen? Well, the reason I grabbed the photo albums is because I remember as a young child, standing behind my mother, yes, she rifled through a box of photos that had sort of survived the fire. They were they were smoke damaged. They were burned around the edges, and they were water damaged from the firefighting. So I remember her crying. And I so that stayed with me, the first thing I did was grab #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 5 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 09:31 because everything else, your towels, your art, everything is replaceable by those photos aren't. My, my. 09:42 And he talked about when that happened when you sort of were farmed out to the friends when you were young, that that caused a sort of ongoing issue around lack of self love, and he talked about, you know, having a sort of toxic marriage. Hmm, what 10:00 Obviously a lot has happened to you in the last sort of three years. And even not just lost your home, you know, splits up the husband, you've moved across the world, and 10:12 completely different career in it. What did you do before when you had a job? I was a government administrator. Right? So not writing as such, but probably writing but honestly 10:26 not the same. 10:29 It's It feels like there, there has been a massive transition, there's been some real growth for you. And the fire, the situation was obviously a trigger for it. But what do you think's carried you through? 10:42 You know, it's interesting, because that first book, the Ignite your life for women book, #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 6 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 10:49 I wrote it actually, after I left the marriage. And I was, 10:56 I had decided that the 11:00 the action steps were going to be about forgiveness. And what I was, at the time where I was in my growth pattern was thinking I was forgiving him. And so, you know, I, I wrote about how a Pono Pono, which is 11:24 a method of forgiveness that actually affects you, as well as the person that you're thinking of, that you believe has harmed you. 11:37 But what for me, I came to the realization that my lack of self love meant that I did not set boundaries. And it meant that I allowed myself 11:54 to be subject to behaviors that most people would not allow themselves to be subject to. 12:05 And so for me, I came to the realization that can I blame him? Or do I have to take some responsibility for where I was? And I'm not saying that this is true for everybody. I'm just talking about what worked for me. 12:27 What I did was through Whoa, Pono Pono. I learned that I forgave myself for my choices, #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 7 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai as well as forgiving him 12:41 for his choices, and it was a very powerful growth period for me. 12:49 Yeah. 12:53 And how did how did you sort of section of that book stack up against other people's? The reason I ask is I was involved in a, in a book like that, I don't know, probably about 10 or so years ago. And 13:07 I had quite a sort of benign thing to share. I was talking about a business realization I'd had around networking or something, it was really, you know, just sort of a normal ish thing. And then I read the book and like nearly everyone else, really dramatic, you know, what? 13:24 I know really well now. lacerated falsely in America for four years, my children were like six and eight. And, you know, all of those things that was like the flavor of most of the book, and I felt like a complete fraud, because I 13:41 hadn't 13:43 quite as traumatic happened at that at that moment. But, you know, though, that the truth is that #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 8 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 13:51 we all have traumatic things in our lives. Yeah. Yeah. And to compare our trauma against someone else's, is fraught with peril. Yes. Because everybody responds to trauma differently. Yeah. And so, um, you know, someone who has the ability to change, change easily, like, I am an example of someone I can, I can make change, and it's not a problem for me. But there are other people who have a comfort zone, and they, they're afraid of change. for them. It would be more traumatic than what it would be for me. And so to compare trauma stories. Yes, exactly. And I think that's why you know, I, I'm very open in in real life, but I wouldn't write things. I wouldn't like things sort of printed for posterity that were too personal. So I probably wouldn't share that myself. And you 15:00 Why opiates? I'm a very open person, you know, in Korea, and I, I have had people 15:07 who looked 15:10 who judged me for being as open as I am. But 15:16 the way I look at it is if, if my story can inspire one person, then it's worth sharing. Yes, yes, absolutely. So that was that was book one. What happened after that? 15:32 Well, I wrote a second book. It was a more local book. So this was 20 authors, me doing one chapter. This was also on forgiveness and also really around the fire because this book was all fire victims that were writing in the book. And then 15:56 I had an adventure the third book was ignite your travel adventure spirit. And that was #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 9 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai written around a near drowning I had in Portugal Wow. 16:13 was my own fault. 16:16 I swam in a 16:18 heavy seas ocean that I shouldn't have been swimming in. 16:23 However, I did make it and the 16:28 the learning that came from that little adventure was pretty powerful. What I walked away with from that was an understanding of what surrender and going with the flow truly meant. Because what saved me was my friend saying, Angie, when the waves push you back, just float. And when they're bringing you in swim like, heck, yeah. And I thought, Wow, that is such a roadmap for life. 17:05 Yeah, yeah. So that's the third book, and then the Bella Santini Chronicles book, which are my children's book. 17:18 I have really wrapped some emotional intelligence lessons for kids into the book. #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 10 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 17:27 Because 17:30 by learning a sense of self at a young age, perhaps they won't need a fire when they're in their middle ages to wake up. Yeah. 17:44 So to their own value, because everyone is so valuable. Yeah. So who is it aimed at? What sort of ages? And what's the sort of 17:56 the pitch, if I were to pitch this to a child or a parent? 18:01 I think the pitch is different for a child. 18:05 So for children if that book is aimed at age eight to 11, and I would say that the pitch to children is do you like, fairies, and strong female leads? Or maybe dragons, trolls? And wraiths? 18:27 Do you like adventure? 18:29 Yeah, that will be fun for you to read. Mm hmm. For adults, it would be perhaps #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 11 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 18:39 when you read this book series to your children, they will learn that 18:47 truly expressing their feelings and having a voice is very important to their growth. And that suppression of feelings 19:03 can lead to dis ease with a dash like this dash ease. 19:13 And 19:15 that for their children to learn, to feel and express their feelings is a lesson that will serve them throughout their lifetime. Hmm. 19:30 You sold me on it? 19:32 Well, it's interesting. I ran across a video on YouTube. It was Mr. Rogers of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. 19:42 And he he was 19:46 #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 12 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai in front of Congress in 1968. He was speaking about his program. And what he was trying to do was save funding for public television in America. 19:59 And what he said 20:00 Was my program teaches kids that their emotions are mentionable and manageable. 20:10 And what my I realized, you know, that's, that's exactly what my book does. So my book takes kids down that rabbit hole, and 20:22 does the same 20:25 service, or mental health in whatever country, you know, in America, certainly in but in the UK, in Canada, in Australia, whatever country that the book is read. So how did you turn your experience and the sort of having written some books thing into it being a children's book in a series and so on? Because it's 20:53 the worst thing to do and not, not? Again, not everyone would have done that. 21:00 Right. Um, what happened was, I had started writing a little fairy tale for a friend's daughter. And I had no intention of being an author of children's books. I was just on a lark plane with the story. But the story kept growing. And I realized at some point that there were life lessons in the story. And, and that's when I thought, well, I need to turn this into a #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 13 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai book. So I, I wrote the first book, and it was 55,000 words, I found a publisher, the publisher said, That's too long, you need to split the book into two. So now I had book one and Book Two, just correct uselessly. 21:53 And at the time, I had already written about 25,000 words, in what I thought was Book Two, but now it's Book Three. Yes. And so it was like, in just an instant, I had three books and a series with 22:13 I don't even train. Yeah. So I won't ask you questions about how do you you know, get inspired and keep going, man. What I'm intrigued about is that whole sort of moving, not just countries but continents, when it's something that's quite a, 22:29 you know, a pipe dream for a lot of people. It's something that people have often said they'd like to do, but most people don't end up doing. 22:37 Yeah. What? What happened? 22:42 Well, 22:44 what happened is, when I quit my government job, I went on a two month trip through Europe. And as I was lugging my luggage around, I realized, 23:01 I am not afraid. There is no wildfires here. #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 14 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 23:06 And so I decided at that moment that I'm going to move to this part of the world. And I chose England, which is so green, you know, they they actually did have a wildfire on the Moore's this year. 23:25 But the, the towns are not likely to be struck by wildfire. 23:33 I can sleep fairly easily. Yeah. 23:38 Yeah. Yeah. But what I would say that 23:43 it is quite an undertaking to move across the continent. And, 23:49 or, you know, over an ocean. Yeah. And 23:55 this move was complicated by COVID. Because I arrived in Cheltenham in October at the end of October. Oh, 24:06 and I didn't know anyone. So I had to between October and January, I started building a community for myself here. #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 15 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 24:20 And then COVID happened, and all of a sudden, I was living alone. All by myself, no one to talk to for weeks on it. 24:33 That was another transformative time for me where I learned to truly, truly love myself. Because when there's no one, but yourself. 24:48 You better like your 24:50 Yes, yeah. Yeah. I mean, I hadn't sort of factored that into the to the conversation that as you say, you know, you'd left your country left your marriage or anything else, but 25:00 Yeah, covid meant something even more different not not not just not knowing people, but not having that community around you already that you would naturally have had had you live there for there. Yes, yeah. 25:14 So what do your days look like? How, what does what does an offer do? 25:21 Well, my days start with meditation, and every single day, so it might be a half an hour, it might be an hour. And what I really love to do is get up, get up early, while it's still dark outside, and just contemplate and watch the sunrise and then go into an medication. So here, there's not necessarily sunrise but I can watch this guy grow lighter in the morning #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 16 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 25:59 before I go into meditation, 26:01 and then 26:04 I like every once in a while, I like to go out and just meet people in chat in a coffee shop. Because those interactions with people can speak to my story. For instance, I was in Exmouth, and I met a woman who told me a story of a baby that had been left in her store. And she ended up adopting and raising this baby. Wow, that story made it into my book. 26:41 Yeah, because it was such a good fit for my book this 26:47 you know, how to explore the sense of abandonment? And, yes, what what that means to a person? Yes, yeah. But just on that note, before you sort of talk about more practical things, you started your sort of explanation of how you got to where you got to buy exactly that you talked about those feelings of abandonment for you, and how that sort of impacted your life. And 27:16 clearly, you had the fire, and, you know, your life's changed a lot and so on. And you talked about, I can never say the word, poo poo Pono panem. Yeah. And is that what helped you to move through? Right, from that sort of h4 sort of issue in terms of the abandonment piece? I mean, obviously, a lot of it, I guess, will be tied up in concepts that you're writing about. But where did that come from? For you? Because it's quite new by the sound of it. In terms of Yeah, so well, hope on a Pono was very powerful in healing, the wounds of my marriage #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 17 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 27:56 would have been related to that abandonment issue of childhood. So, yes, whoa, whoa, no, whoa, Pono Pono did play a role in healing from my childhood. 28:16 But when I was a child, I didn't. 28:22 There was no psychologist, there was no 28:27 even really discussion of the effect of all of that on a child. So, you know, like I say, I know, my parents did the best that they could, and they brought the family back together as quickly as they could. 28:45 But there is still 28:49 a 28:52 conclusion that a four year old comes to when that kind of thing happens. Yeah. 29:03 Yeah. 29:04 #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 18 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai And how did you discover discover the pony? I still got that hope? Oh, no. 29:14 I did a lot of research on forgiveness when I 29:19 initially it was how do I heal? Because 29:25 one of the things that I have realized 29:29 is that 29:31 a lot of times we look at things outside of ourselves, and we we say that's gonna make us happy. So leaving my marriage, all the happy if I leave this toxic marriage, I'll be happy if I move across the ocean, and don't have wildfire to deal with. And all of that is true, and, at the same time, 29:59 true happiness. 30:00 comes from inside. 30:02 And so all these things we think will make us happy. Those are outside of us. We only find #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 19 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai that true, deep sense of happiness when we have self love. 30:21 So all of this was a journey for me to get to the point of self love. Uh huh. 30:29 Yeah. 30:31 Yeah. It's interesting that I've heard of that concept through another coach I just haven't been connected with for a long time, but I've never really known anything about it. So certainly something worth investigating, I think. Yeah. And there's, if so, I will send you how it's spelled. 30:53 You can practice? Yeah. 30:57 They're the thing that really convinced me was I read a story. Dr. Joe dispenza, I believe, writes this in a book of his, but I found it on the internet. 31:14 There was a psychologist named Len hue, who worked at a 31:22 it was 31:26 #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 20 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai a hospital psychological hospital for deeply disturbed people 31:33 in Hawaii in 1984. 31:36 And he was hired. 31:40 The other psychologist started complaining about him because he stayed in his office, he never met with any of the clients. He stayed in his office with their files. And he did hope Oh, no Pono, eight hours a day for each of the Aussie clients. 32:02 So fast forward a year. And 32:08 when when Dr. Hugh was hired, the employees of the hospital walked around in fear. They walked with their back to the wall. The clients were in chains. 32:21 No one was left outside. 32:25 A year later, he had never even talked to any of the clients. A year later, they were beginning to heal. And they were the clients were unchained. And they were allowed outside for a little bit of time. And #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 21 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 32:48 as the time so he worked for this hospital for three years, and he did whoa upon opodo eight hours a day for three years straight. 32:58 And by the end, 33:01 the hospital the enter the three years when he left, the hospital had no clients, they had all been released as healed. 33:13 That's a powerful story. 33:17 Huh, thank you for sharing that. You're welcome. 33:21 So moving on to talking about some sort of more practical things. 33:28 You were talking about sort of how your days go? What How do you? How do you do what you do? How do you use technology? Just do you just use a pen and paper? I definitely use technology. Oh, I google docs is very handy for me to 33:48 you know, I place my stories on Google Docs and then share with editors and publishers. It's our #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 22 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 33:55 job, Dropbox is indispensable for me, because it helps me keep everything sorted. And having gone through a fire where I lost a computer and lost all the documents. Cloud Storage is indispensable. 34:17 The other tools that I use are 34:24 zoom quite often to do podcast Skype to do podcasts. And 34:32 Hmm. 34:34 I'm beginning to record meditations for people on and have them on my website. So 34:44 really simple recording voice recording apps. Hmm. 34:51 So most of my guests come on here and say that they use pen and paper I was expecting an author to say they did and you don't but I guess as you sort of having gone through 35:00 Due to fires, I guess even if you hadn't been drawn towards technology it starts to become. 35:07 #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 23 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai That becomes part of the reason, as you've just said, Isn't that? Indeed, yeah. Having having lost because the first Bella buck started quite differently 35:22 when it was in its original version, and that was lost, and I had to start over again. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Hmm. 35:31 So what about sort of learning and improving yourself? You've clearly focused on that. Over certainly recent years, as we've talked a lot during the podcast, and how, how do you do that? How did you discover these things? How do you learn? Well, for me, I'm, I am a voracious learner. 35:53 I have 35:55 I have read so many books. And 36:00 Joe dispenza. 36:05 Oh, gosh, what is her Chris? I think it's Christina Norris. 36:13 I've, I'm delving into gene keys by Richard rude right now, which is kind of a way of contemplating your perspective on life. #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 24 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 36:27 And 36:31 I have taken so many online classes, including public speaking by Erich Ed Meads. 36:38 Yeah, it's amazing, isn't it? How much is available? Now that wasn't before I was talking to somebody the other day and saying that she needed to check out the MOOCs, massive, open online courses? Oh, yeah. Yeah. 36:54 But you know, by the time you got things like that, and all the Udemy and Coursera, and all those sorts of places, and then the TED talks and so on, it's some. There's such a 37:07 a variety of things we can 37:11 ingest in order to learn and grow. Yes, yeah. Yeah. I mean, I think, you know, when I was younger, it was good on the library or by a tape 37:22 library. 37:24 You know, I was a bookworm. And so you can find me in the library as Yes. #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 25 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 37:31 So the last couple of questions that Firstly, what about those days where all goes horribly wrong? We've had a man, what how'd you deal with those? There have been so many. 37:42 I came home from So recently I was in the US, I did a author event and and then visited my family, and then came back home to the UK. And on the day I arrived, I got to my house. And I had no internet. And I was devastated. Because I was faced with two weeks of quarantine. Yes, no access to the outside world. And then, two days later, and by the way, I still don't have internet, I'm using my neighbor's Wi Fi to do this. 38:24 So 38:25 I do hope Vodafone gets this fix soon. 38:30 And then two days later, for some reason I lost cell access. And I thought, Wow, what's going on? Why am I being put into this place of zero communication? 38:49 and zero ability to entertain myself or you know, because I don't subscribe to TV I I read or I sometimes watch Netflix movies. 39:06 And I had to do with that was just go into curiosity. I wonder, is there a lesson in here for me? Well, I wonder is #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 26 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 39:20 is is this about me becoming comfortable being sitting just with me in the house? And indeed it was. So I ended up being able to do that. And so 39:38 like it life with that whole thing about what's this for and what does it teach me? I guess that that really can make those difficult times? If not sort of better in the moment at least more worthwhile, I guess. Absolutely. Having that curious approach to it. Wow, where's lesson in this? 40:00 For me, yes, I can really shift the perspective out of victim I am the victim of Vodafone into Okay. 40:11 Yes, maybe this is happening for a reason. And maybe the reason is that I need to be able to sit with myself. Yes, yeah. 40:22 And what about those days where you get to live more and that's where I say that you get 40:28 a lot of the stuff that you don't want to go there my favorite day. 40:33 So I'm here in in the Cotswolds. A live more day would be a day where I spend five or six hours hiking, and I get to experience just the wide variety of sites that are available to those of us who can walk in this area. So going from farmland to forest, to cliffside to #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 27 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 41:03 fields of sunflowers to fields of poppies to, you know, it's just, there's such a variety of beauty to be seen in this area. 41:14 Truly fills my soul. 41:19 But also, it can be the little things because not every day, can I do a five or six hour walk. 41:29 So the little things about 41:34 I'm currently you know, it's raining and there is a 41:41 plethora of leaves on the ground. That's for me putting on my rain boots, and just jumping into a rain puddle and watching it splash and laughing 41:54 or jumping into a pile of leaves and kicking them up and watching them flutter around those childish silly 42:05 steps away from adulthood. the seriousness of adulthood 42:12 #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 28 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai is another way for me to truly feel like I'm living. Mm hmm. 42:18 you've painted a lovely picture there, although it was slightly changed by the scene out of Vicar of Dibley where she goes to jump in a puddle, and it turns out to be like a sinkhole, and 42:33 I do choose the rain puddles that are on concrete. 42:40 Wise, if you haven't seen it, you should google it Vicar of Dibley puddle. That's all you need to Google. And I will Google that. Thank you. And that is a lovely, unexpected picture to see. 42:55 Lovely. So it's been great interviewing you today. Angela. tell people how they can find out more about you and get in touch. Thank you my website, which is www dot Angela a NG la, Li, l e. g h.com. 43:16 has access to 43:21 my, 43:23 the adult self help books, access to the Bella Santini Chronicles. It's got meditations, there's several free that people can download and then some of them that are paid. And also my blog. So the blog is completely free. Anyone interested in #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 29 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 43:47 learning about a different perspective, adopting a different perspective that may serve them can access my blog. 43:56 Brilliant, thanks, Angela. Thanks for your time today. Thank you. And that Bella book is available on Amazon starting tomorrow. I'm so excited. I'll definitely be on there cuz but this will be coming out in December. So check it out. 44:13 Flee you #188 Angela Legh Interview Page 30 of 30 Transcribed by https://otter.ai Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC The post Angela Legh on Show #188: Learning to Love Yourself appeared first on POWER to Live More.
45 minutes | 3 months ago
Julie Creffield on Show #187: Hurdling Barriers
Julie Creffield is a no-nonsense business strategist and community engagement expert from East London who helps small business owners to get traction in their business by showing them how to build community into everything they do. She has over 20 years of experience with building engaging communities around creative ideas and understands the POWER of creating powerful movements others want to be part of. In addition to helping entrepreneurs, Julie is the author of 8 books, an international speaker, and the owner of two highly-successful businesses. Her superpower is helping entrepreneurs and small business owners bridge the gap between their creative ideas and taking direct, sustained, and massive action and activating their tribes. When she’s not helping clients achieve their goals, she can often be found spending time with her family and training for marathons. Julie joins me today to discuss why she is passionate about helping her clients build and activate their tribes and shares a few tips on how to develop your own engaged community. She explains the dangers of getting bogged down with tech when creating your group instead of focusing on your overarching message and where you want to take them. She describes how she created a six-figure business out of a running blog and shares why the concept of being kind is so close to her heart. Julie also why she feels it is vital to take time to look after your own mental health in tricky times and what she does to safeguard her own wellbeing.  “Some of the biggest barriers are those that we have in our own heads.” Julie Creffield This week on The Power to Live More Podcast: Julie’s role in the London Olympics and why she was inspired to build a coaching business when that role endedHow Julie combines parenthood, running two businesses, and taking care of herselfWhy it’s not necessary to ‘come first’ to be a success and how to overcome the roadblocks you set yourselfWhy the pandemic has been a boost for her business and why she wasn’t afraid to take advantage of the opportunities that opened up to her. Julie’s workflows and how she manages her time Julie’s plans for the future of her businessesWhy Julie loves working with online groups and why community is key to success for her clientsWhat Julie does on days when she is ‘living more’ The importance of being intentional in your business and having a goal in mind Connect with Julie Creffield: Julie Creffield WebsiteFat Girls’ Guide to Running WebsiteBook: Fat Girl’s Guide to Marathon Running by Julie Creffield Julie Creffield on LinkedInJulie Creffield on InstagramJulie Creffield on FacebookJulie Creffield on TwitterJulie Creffield on YouTube Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC The post Julie Creffield on Show #187: Hurdling Barriers appeared first on POWER to Live More.
37 minutes | 3 months ago
Madeleine Black on Show #186 : Broken and Unbroken
In March 2018, Madeleine Black won the Amazing Strength award at the No. 1 Magazine Amazing Women Awards and, in October of the same year, was asked to be the Patron for Say Women, the Scottish organisation that supports survivors of sexual abuse. She is a TEDx speaker, a storyteller for The Forgiveness Project, and has recently become involved with their programme RESTORE, sharing her story in prisons. Madeleine recognises that she was a victim of a crime that left her silent for many years but has now found her voice and intends to use it, not just for her, but for so many who can’t find theirs yet. Madeleine joins me today to discuss why she eventually decided to share her story of sexual violence publicly and let go of what she saw as her shame. She explains how she uses her experience to help others and how her memoir, Unbroken, and her talks can help others realise that it isn’t healthy to hide or fight trauma. She shows that with work, it is possible to have a fulfilled life. Madeleine also shares why she decided to leave her job as a psychotherapist behind and make being a full-time speaker her primary role.  “When we don’t speak out, we hold ourselves back.” Madeleine Black This week on The Power to Live More Podcast: Why Madeleine looked for a sign to guide her and confirm she was on the right path when she decided to transition into being a full-time speakerHow not to get ‘zoomed out’ in the new way of working during the COVID-19 pandemicWhy she decided to start her new podcast, Unbroken, and the message she hopes to shareWhy forgiveness was crucial in allowing her to move past her traumaHow Madeleine integrates her business and her work life while quarantinedWhy it’s important to understand that self-care isn’t selfish and why it’s critical to set boundariesThe importance of letting go of perfection when on webinars and Zoom callsHow Madeleine cares for and grounds herself in natureHow Madeleine’s background trauma helps her in her speaking and connecting with othersTips for staying resilient in challenging times Resources Mentioned: If You Sit Very Still by Marian Partington Connect with Madeleine Black: Madeleine Black websiteUnbroken: One Woman’s Journey to Rebuild a Life Shattered by Violence. A True Story of Survival and Hope by Madeleine BlackUnbroken the PodcastMadeleine Black on InstagramMadeleine Black on TwitterMadeleine Black on FacebookMadeleine Black on YouTube Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC The post Madeleine Black on Show #186 : Broken and Unbroken appeared first on POWER to Live More.
58 minutes | 3 months ago
Pam Burrows on Show #185 : Working from Home and Avoiding Burnout
Pam Burrows helps organisations create cultures of positivity by helping teams stress less and perform better. She has been awarded a European Health and Safety award for reducing stress in the workplace. Pam is a qualified Nursery Nurse, Social Worker, and a Master Practitioner in Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), all of which help her to deliver a holistic programme of self-care strategies to her clients, including Tetra Pak, Nottingham City Homes, Nottinghamshire Headteachers, Pendragon, Nottingham Uni Business School, Motorola Solutions and the Scottish Government. Pam is also a Fellow of the Professional Speaking Association, a fan of yoga, and a living room dancer.  Pam joins me today to share how she became interested in personal development and why she niched down into the area of burnout. She shares how she turned her passion into a business and packed her tools and strategies into a service she could deliver. She shares the model she uses in her workshops to teach others how to enhance their wellbeing and explains how to identify the things that adds joy to your life. Pam also shares how she switches off as well as tips for business owners on how to avoid overcommitting and giving yourself space to relax and unwind. “There is still a huge problem with people blending their home and work life – people are working too hard for too long.” Pam Burrows This week on The Power to Live More Podcast: How and why Pam honed and refined her services over the yearsPam’s interest in Health and Safety, psychological safety, and how she focused her interest in that area How Pam’s job has changed now that she and her clients are remote workingWhy it is vital to learn how to switch off from work properlyThe model Pam uses in her workshops to show how to enhance wellbeing and the handy acronym that forms the structure of her philosophyHow Pam creates healthy habits to ensure she is caring for her own wellbeing How to identify what gives you joy and how to make space to do itWhy Pam keeps at least one day clear to have space to decompressPam’s book Burnout Buster and the importance of learning to identify the red flags that show you’re going off balanceHow Pam is learning and improving her skillsPam’s interactive virtual spa and why she is running free sessions during the COVID-19 lockdown Resources Mentioned: Calm appHeadspace appYouTubeYoga Nova online yogaTaylor Swift’s song Shake It Off! Connect with Pam Burrows: Pam Burrows WebsiteBook: Burnout Buster: Discover Your Red Flags and What to Do About Them by Pam BurrowsPam Burrows on LinkedInPam Burrows People Booster on InstagramPeople Booster Feel Good Club on FacebookPam Burrows People Booster on YouTubePam Burrows People Booster on Patreon Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC The post Pam Burrows on Show #185 : Working from Home and Avoiding Burnout appeared first on POWER to Live More.
48 minutes | 3 months ago
Kellsie Moore on Show #184 : Stand Out from the Crowd On Camera
Kellsie Moore is a Denver-based Video Presence Coach who helps purpose-driven entrepreneurs look, sound, and feel great on camera so their brand can stand out from the crowd. She helps her clients craft and present a unique message to create a powerful and authentic connection with their audience through video. Kellsie’s coaching method comes firmly from a personal development perspective, and her passion is supporting entrepreneurs to become more natural, charismatic, and confident on camera so they can make the impact they desire and enjoy making video content consistently.  Today Kellsie shares her insights into why people don’t enjoy making videos in their business and the steps entrepreneurs can take to make creating on-screen content feel less draining. She discusses how her training as a professional actress helps her work with clients to improve their presence and boost their confidence in making videos they are excited to share with their audience. Kellsie also shares why blending your personal self with your professional persona can be tricky and how you can combine the two without losing your authenticity and original voice “If we lose our passion and the fervour for what it is that we’re doing, that’s not going to translate into the excitement and the certainty that an audience is looking for.” Kellsie Moore  This week on The Power to Live More Podcast: How Kellsie started her journey to becoming a video presence coach and the epiphany that led to significant life changesThe link between a personal development mindset and making video content work for your businessThe skills Kellsie learned from working in a correctional facility and why she is grateful for that experienceWhy Kellsie decided to create her Captivate on Camera courseTips on how to improve your presence on camera for webinars or social mediaHow Kellsie coaches her clients for success and why she advocates breaking down your goals into bite-size chunksThe importance of finding your audience and understanding how video can help your brandHow Kellsie manages days when things don’t go as plannedWhat Kellsie does to stay alive, present, and grateful in her business Resources Mentioned: Find Your Thing: How to Discover What You Do Best, Own It and Get Known for It by Lucy Whittington Connect with Kellsie Moore: The Entrepreneur’s On-Camera CUREKellsie Moore WebsiteKellsie Moore on LinkedInKellsie Moore on InstagramKellsie Moore on FacebookKellsie Moore on YouTube Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC The post Kellsie Moore on Show #184 : Stand Out from the Crowd On Camera appeared first on POWER to Live More.
45 minutes | 4 months ago
Madison Campbell on Show #183 : Learning to Lead
Madison Campbell is a sexual assault advocate and technology innovator on a journey to revolutionise how sexual assault is managed and to support survivors to take ownership of the process. She is the CEO of Leda Health Company, formerly known as MeToo Kits Company, which she co-founded in 2019 to create a system to solve the issues on how to deal with sexual assault holistically in the U.S. Madison and Leda Health are seeking to not only revolutionise forensic collection and testing, but to connect survivors with medical professionals and supportive communities who can help them continue the recovery process. Madison joins me today to share why she and her co-founder were inspired to start their business, what survivor justice means to her, and why it is so vital to support other women through sexual assault. She discusses the challenges of getting the funding needed to get the company off the ground and how useful using a business accelerator can be to explore your idea with your potential audience, so you know you have a viable business idea. Madison also shares her thoughts on the challenges of being an entrepreneur and why it is so much easier to keep going on the days when she faces rejection because she knows she is fighting for a personal cause that is near to her heart. “If you put all of the burden on yourself, you tend to fail even harder. If you can find somebody who is there for you at the very bottom, they’re a good person to have on your team.” Madison Campbell This week on The Power to Live More Podcast: Madison’s background in scientific researchWhy Madison chose not to report her assault and why she then felt she needed to dive deep and understand that choiceThe issues for underprivileged women in reporting sex crimes across the globeThe problems in understanding the steps to take after an assault and how Leda Health aims to educate survivorsMadison’s reflections on starting a business with so much purpose and the advantages and disadvantages of feeling so passionate about her causeThe day-to-day tasks in the development of a new business Why being a CEO is not glamorous, especially during COVID-19, and why she misses in-person meetingsHow Madison built a talented and committed team and learned to be an effective leaderHow Madison learns and improves her skillsWhy she celebrates her wins with disco music Connect with Madison Campbell: Madison Campbell WebsiteLeda Health Company WebsiteLeda Health Company on LinkedInLeda Health Company on InstagramLeda Health Company on FacebookLeda Health Company on TwitterMadison Campbell on LinkedIn Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC The post Madison Campbell on Show #183 : Learning to Lead appeared first on POWER to Live More.
46 minutes | 4 months ago
Simon Jordan on Show #182 : How to Avoid Making Ego-Driven Decisions
Simon Jordan is a coach, mentor, branding, and design consultant and founder of Simon Jordan Marketing who works with coaches and consultants internationally to help them to build profitable and powerful brands that make a difference in the world. He has extensive experience in marketing and advertising and has worked with top brands such as Nike, Coca Cola, Porsche, and Sky TV, in addition to his previous career at a prestigious London design agency. Simon is also an international keynote speaker on the twin topics of business and marketing advice, which he delivers with his own brand of motivational insights and humour.  Simon joins me today to share how he works with his clients on their brand development and why it’s vital to him to ensure that his advice and ideas resonate with them and allow them to build their business authentically. He shares tips for independent business owners, including why he relishes the freedom of outsourcing parts of his business and how he does it to achieve the best effect. Simon also explains how he makes keeping healthy and looking after himself a priority and why he tries to be intentional about what he needs to stay on an even keel physically and mentally.  “When we’re in flow, the ideas just come, and we’re tuned in to what the universe wants to bring – not driven by ego or distracted by everyday tasks.” Simon Jordan This week on The Power to Live More Podcast: The importance of aligning your purpose, your brand and your personalitySimon’s four stages of building a brand and the Simplicity of Success programme.How Simon’s business focus has changed over the yearsHow Simon worked with the International Association of Bookkeepers (IAB) as their Creative Director to humanise the brand and increase engagementWhy Simon binned his smart suitsWhat Simon’s working day looks like and why he gets up at 5.30am each dayThe tools and apps that keep Simon on trackHow Simon keeps up to speed with developments in his professional fieldWhy Simon doesn’t join Facebook groupsWhy Simon tries not to wallow when faced with challenges in lifeWhat Simon’s day looks like when he’s living more Resources Mentioned: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth GilbertEcamm LiveYeti microphoneKrisp noise-canceling app Connect with Simon Jordan: Simon Jordan Marketing WebsiteWild Swimming Through Lockdown WebsiteSimon Jordan on LinkedInSimon Jordan on InstagramSimon Jordan on FacebookSimon Jordan on Twitter Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC The post Simon Jordan on Show #182 : How to Avoid Making Ego-Driven Decisions appeared first on POWER to Live More.
47 minutes | 4 months ago
Csaba Toth on Show #181 : Why You Need Uncommon Sense
Csaba Toth is a British/Hungarian entrepreneur, researcher, and speaker and the founder of ICQ Global, an international people development organisation. He started his business to solve problems he himself faced. He developed the multi-award-winning Global DISC model to help businesses and teams understand how to become more harmonious in the way they operate. Csaba is also the best-selling author of Uncommon Sense in Unusual Times, a book which aims to empower people to understand why others think and behave differently and how to turn those differences into synergy instead of liability.  Csaba joins me today to discuss why he needed to find the solution to a conflict that resulted from the misconception that everyone has the same brand of ‘common sense’ and how he built his company to help organisations to understand and react positively to cultural differences. He shares the two critical things we should focus on to achieve the highest level of personal growth and amplify our energy to achieve our goals. Csaba also discusses why some leadership models and frameworks fail to deliver and how Global Disk leverages individual and cultural differences to build high performing, happy teams.  “We have to take responsibility for our own growth, and that’s when we’ll find the solutions.” Csaba Toth This week on The Power to Live More Podcast: Where Csaba learned to be so tenacious in seeking solutionsWhy it’s so important to look for modern management and leadership solutionsCsaba’s research on why there is conflict in the workplaceThe danger of treating the symptom, not the problem in teamsHow organisations can use a framework to build synergy in their staffWhy organisations should create cognitive diversity in their workplacesHow entrepreneurs can use the principles of Global Disk to support their businessesHow he works with other coaches and trainers internationallyThe difference in activity and work during the COVID-19 pandemicWhat Csaba does when his day goes off the rails When Csaba feels he’s ‘living more’ Connect with Csaba Toth: ICQ Global websiteICQ Global on LinkedInICQ Global on InstagramICQ Global on FacebookICQ Global on TwitterCsaba Toth on LinkedIn Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC The post Csaba Toth on Show #181 : Why You Need Uncommon Sense appeared first on POWER to Live More.
52 minutes | 4 months ago
Dr Russell Thackeray on Show #180 : Empower Your Resilience
Dr. Russell Thackeray works with organisations to achieve enhanced performance and results by aligning culture, leadership, and people and he helps embed change that creates organisational resilience. He draws on his varied professional background – from his time as a professional musician in London’s West End to subsequent iterations as an entrepreneur, corporate CEO, Non-Executive Director, Operations Manager, therapist and coach to deliver strategies and skills to improve performance and facilitate change. Russell is also the host of the popular Resilience Unravelled podcast that gathers guests who share stories of their challenges and learnings to provide an overview of how building resilience can make a real difference and help people facing similar challenges. Russell joins me today to discuss how he moved into his fifth and current career as a coach and the links between all of the roles he has had that have led to him sharing his expertise and empowering others to enhance their lives. He shares his commitment to lifelong learning and why he enjoys challenging himself and developing his skills by continually undertaking programs of formal education and gaining new qualifications. Russell also shares his opinion on how the disruption and challenges of the pandemic have changed the way we operate in business, how people have coped from a resilience point of view, and how that will continue moving forward. “We’re going to fail, we’re going to pick ourselves up, and we’re going to reinvent ourselves on a constant basis.” Dr. Russell Thackeray This Week on The Power to Live More Podcast: Why Russell has found the transition to working online so easy and how he avoids the dangers of ‘Zoom bottom’Whether there are certain types of people who are better at being resilient and tips on boosting your resilienceWhy it is critical to look after yourself physically to support your mental healthThe dangers of spending too much time absorbing negative media stories and why we get addicted to bad newsHow Russell works with his clients across multiple time zones and what a typical day looks like for him Why he enjoys social contact with people and supporting them to help themselvesThe two things Russell designs his day aroundHow Russell filters out the tasks that he doesn’t enjoy doing in his businessThe importance of intellectual challenge and being pushed to examine your ideasThe benefits of a coach who has a different specialty to youWhat a great day includes for Russell and where he would spend it Connect with Dr. Russell Thackeray: QED websiteDr. Russell Thackeray on LinkedinDr. Russell Thackeray on Twitter Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC The post Dr Russell Thackeray on Show #180 : Empower Your Resilience appeared first on POWER to Live More.
53 minutes | 5 months ago
Karen Tui Boyes on Show #179 : Smart Study Strategies
Karen Tui Boyes is a champion of Lifelong Learning and an expert in effective teaching, learning, study skills, motivation, and positive thinking. She is the founder of Spectrum Education, which works with teachers, students, and parents to inspire and motivate learners to go beyond their current limitations and be more effective. Karen is also a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), has presented across five continents and has worked with over 200 organisations to share her passion for teaching and learning. Karen joins me today to share her experience of being a teacher and why she felt she needed to start her business to better help learners with simple-to-use strategies and techniques. She discusses how the economic landscape is changing and her opinion on the career possibilities of the future. We discuss why it is essential to foster an entrepreneurial mindset and facilitate intentional learning. Karen also shares why she firmly believes that you have to prioritise your needs and look after yourself effectively to do your job and care for other people.  “Having a purpose makes it easier to learn.” Karen Tui Boyes This Week on The Power to Live More Podcast: Why Karen moved outside the traditional education systemHow she learned how to market her services and her secret to bringing teachers in to listen to her initiallyHow much teacher training has changed over the last 26 yrsHow Karen manages her busy days and her techniques for getting all her tasks doneImportance of prioritisation and time managementThe tools and apps Karen and her team use, and why she created her learning appWhy she spends time writing systems and how that helps herWhat Karen and her team get up to shake off the difficult days Karen’s top tips for learning and improving yourself Resources Mentioned: The 5 am Club: Own Your Morning, Elevate Your Life by Robin SharmaPomodoro TechniqueLisa O’Neill Connect with Karen Tui Boyes: Study Smart: Your Essential Guide to Passing Tests and Exams by Karen Tui BoyesSpectrum TVIstudy appSpectrum Education websiteSpectrum Education on InstagramSpectrum Education on Facebook Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC The post Karen Tui Boyes on Show #179 : Smart Study Strategies appeared first on POWER to Live More.
53 minutes | 5 months ago
Emma Spence on Show #178 : Exploring New Opportunities
Emma Spence and her husband John set up their African Safari business from the UK in the late 1990s. Then in 2009, they moved their family to the US to set up an arm of their adventure travel company focused on the American market. Emma’s role in the people development side of the company led to becoming part of the Global Learning and Development team after their US business was acquired by the Scott Dunn luxury travel brand. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Emma’s role at Scott Dunn, unfortunately, became redundant, but she is currently enjoying the training to become a certified CTI Co-Active Coach, exploring her passion for coaching and development and pondering her next steps. Emma joins me today to dive into why she is seeking new opportunities professionally and how her extensive experience in people development led her to embrace the chance to create meaningful impact as a coach. She shares her methods for maintaining productivity and staying on track with daily and weekly tasks and outlines why she prefers audio to reading when updating her professional knowledge and skills. Emma also discusses the importance of flexibility and resilience in the face of unexpected challenges and shares her methods of keeping mentally and physically fit to make key decisions about where her next steps will take her.  “The best thing you can do sometimes is rest your brain, and let it all settle before you pursue new opportunities.” Emma Spence This Week on The Power to Live More Podcast: Emma’s role in the finance and development side of the family travel businessWhy she and her husband decided to expand into the USHow they separate out their professional and personal lifeThe three phases of their business development as a coupleEmma’s transition into coaching and how she is developing her skillsWhy she is taking plenty of time to consider her next moveHow Emma identified her niche as a coachWhy Emma loves lists and the problems she has with her email inboxWhat she does to carve out time for herself in a busy worldHow Emma deals with days when everything goes wrongWhat Emma’s perfect day looks like and why it sometimes surprises her American friends Resources Mentioned: Scott DunnEpisode 150: Evaluating Your Role with Cathy BrownExcelEpisode 170: Moving from Fear and Uncertainty to New Ideas and Creativity with Penny PullanMiracle MorningTodoistOutlookSmartsheetsAirtableWalking the Dog podcastSaturday Live podcastFortunately with Fi and Jane podcastSimon Sinek podcastBrene Brown podcastDesert Island Discs podcastHeadspace app Connect with Emma Spence: Emma Spence on LinkedInEmma Spence on Instagram Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC Read Full Transcript #178 Emma Spence Interview 00:01 Today, I'm interviewing Emma Spence, which is quite exciting because she was actually an avid listener to the podcast. And that's how the interview came about. So, welcome. Great to have you with me. Thank you very much Nice to be here. So we connected through mark, who was on one of the previous shows, and you just sent me a lovely message on I think LinkedIn to say that you enjoyed the show. And so I gave you a little shout out to my How did that go? 00:26 That was so lovely. Because I listened to you every day was and I'm walking my dog on the beach, just the perfect length of time I listened to one of your podcasts. And I've been switched on to through Marc Williams and giraffe pad. So I was listening to that. And then you know how to let you know that you're here on the west coast of America. You were you were just being spread. It was really good to hear your voice, everyone. Yeah, that's lovely. Thank you. So tell us a bit about who you are, what you do. And as you've started the same way you do it. So yes, I'm based in San Diego, and been here for 11 years. Currently, although I'm in transition working for a luxury travel business, which is a global business based in the UK. And my husband and I have been running it for the last four years. For the press got done. 01:15 And yeah, we've that's why we're based on the west coast, eight hours time difference. #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 1 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 01:22 And I've been really do the money and people my husband's the sales marketing. He's the president of the business. And I've for the last 20 years been basically for for the travel business, the money, the money and people. 01:35 Lovely. And so you're in San Diego. in sunny San Diego. Yeah. Right on the west coast. 30 miles from Mexico, as far away from the UK as you can get. Yes, yeah. I would suddenly go a few years ago to an event you have got conferences there, don't you? Yes. When the conference center Yeah, I remember being at the on the sort of see forums and seeing the Coast Guard which in in little sunny Hyde, where I live is like a little pop. 02:04 And yours is like a big naval destroyer. Yeah, I think it I think it's the biggest naval base on the west coast. So yeah, we've we've got a few of those in the harbor. 02:14 Lovely. So tell us a bit more about how you ended up doing what you do. Right. I talk often as you're known to guests and ask them, you know, did you want to do this when you were at school? And obviously mostly the answer was I didn't even know this thing existed. But I guess similar sort of thing did you always want to, you know, live abroad was travel what you thought you'd be doing? 02:37 No. 02:39 And like most people fell into it. You know, I was, I met my husband 28 years ago. And he is a creative entrepreneur who was always going to push the boundaries do the impossible thing kept the wildest dreams. And I'm a very conservative and safe I like to have everything double checked, and health and safety. Don't take any risks. #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 2 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 03:08 So, you know, the combination of the two of us actually has worked out fine. But then I fell into working with him and setting up a business in the UK 21 years ago now. Because I had the financial background. And I'd worked in corporates, I've worked in travel businesses, I've worked in recruitment, I done a little bit of everything. And I realized that my my talent was in the business and finance side, because I love to have columns that add up and straight lines in spreadsheets, that makes me happy. 03:43 And so when he set up his African safari business with a friend of his they've both been whitewater rafters on the zombies in Africa. And it was the sort of natural place for me to carry on. I already had a bookkeeping business to carry on doing all the the financial side of things to make sure that we didn't overspend the money in the budgets were adhere to, and all the stuff that needed to be taxes, and all of that stuff was looked after. So I fell into it at that stage as the financial side of the business. So you know, 10 years of that, we had two children, we renovated a house at the time, so sort of dipped in and out for a bit over those 10 years. But it was it was really at that stage that john decided he wanted to open an office in the US. That's where all the opportunity was for expanding the business. UK was already quite a saturated market. So he said to me, I have three or four times I think we should move to America. I think we should set up a business then I was like, nope, nope, nope, nope, no. And my mom was like, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope. Is your two grandchildren she didn't want to lose to the United States. And in the end, he brought me to San Diego, show me around show me we looked at 05:00 opportunity, and I couldn't see any good reason to say no. 05:04 So at that point, which was probably the fourth or fifth asking, we we packed up and we moved in. He said, Yep, we'll go for three years, we'll find somebody to take over the business. And then we'll come back. Okay, I can look at that. Yeah, that was 11 years ago. 05:22 So we said, we set up a whole new business in the US from scratch, which was literally like #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 3 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai setting up from scratch, even though we had a UK business running alongside it. We had to find banks, we had to get credit, we had to get the kids in school. And it was, it was quite daunting, to be honest. And now I look back on it's like, how mad was that? 05:45 Especially given your sort of, as you said, Miss health and safety, but the ease and have all the columns adding up? And you must have had to push those boundaries quite a lot during that time. Yes. And I think, you know, anybody who set up a business or done something like that, know that in Bremen, gentlemen, for quite a long time, and that's, I've learned that what I do. 06:11 And that gets me through, probably that that first three years was all done on adrenaline first, definitely the first year. 06:18 So you don't really think you just do you just you just get on with it, make it work? My husband's a great one for just saying, Well, if we don't know the answer, we'll just go out and find the answer. We'll just keep asking people until we find the right answer. 06:35 So he's, he's very extroverted he will you know, so I've got all the support of that. 06:40 I'm a high functioning introvert. So I find it, I find it harder. 06:46 But yeah, it's being health and safety, I needed to have certain things locked down, I had to be very sure that we were doing the right thing when we set up as a business that that we were ticking all the boxes. So as long as I have a certain amount of that I'm good with it. #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 4 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 07:05 But yeah, I do I do have a little, I'm a little averse to taking, taking too much risk. Yeah. And it's interesting. 07:14 I've had people on here who worked with that partner, before a couple of times, it's not sort of that common in terms of my guests. But it strikes me that, you know, it appears to have worked. Yes. And you said, you know, the fact that you're quite different was helpful, but also just on the face of what you've told me already, it sounds like been quite different, actually was also could be quite difficult. because presumably, from what you've said, Your husband is quite likely to be sort of leading from the front saying, Oh, this will, you know, we'll work it out. Let's go and you're saying, hang on, we've got to add that column up, that sort of thing. 07:53 You know, not not everyone would be able to deal with because it's that makes it much more challenging. When people don't think like you it has its advantages, but also disadvantages, and then you've got the whole thing about when does the work finish? And when does personal life sort of start? How has that been? I mean, you've had many years experience of it now, it's seems to have gone? Well, yeah, I think we, I mean, we still struggle with it. And it's, sometimes I look back and and think, well, that's just what our life has been. So I've tried to change it, maybe that's just fine. It's not always healthy. I think we could have done a better job of it. I think when you're first starting out, you just everything merges into one. So it's all about you know, it's as much about kids and what school they're going to and whether they're happy is whether the business is doing okay, and you've got some of the employees and whether they turned up for work today, you know, it's, it all merges into one. And I think it's had three sort of distinct phases. And I think it works for couples. And funnily enough, we've got a lot of friends who, America couples who are in business together, which I didn't really sort of realize until quite recently, I think when you're first starting out, there's a lot of strength, there's a lot of power in in both of you because you do push on through you do do the crazy stuff that you know, you get back on your computer at midnight to sort something out. And as you're doing it together, and that's fine. If you've got somebody else who's maybe not as invested or whatever, then that's very hard. So there's a there's real power in it when when you're first starting up. I think it's it's hard in the middle stage when you're when you're running a business and you've got like 20 people, that it's hard for other people, then to #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 5 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai work for America. And that's what I'm very aware of that you think it's you you can put up barriers for them to because then they can't push on through. They know they can't get past you if you're if you're set 10:00 In one side of the business and your your other house, the other then they've got, they've got nowhere to go. They can never be more senior, they can never be the vice president or whatever it is. Yeah. So I think I think, and I and I have recognized that 10:15 a lot recently that we've got to the size before the pandemic, we got to the size where I was a blocker for other people. So I don't think it's particularly healthy. And also, you know, then they were always working for a couple, they can't come to one without the other. And there's a lot of trust that goes with it and stuff, which I've worked really hard on. Yeah. But I think once you've been getting to a bigger organization, if you're a couple working together, then it's fine. Because there's enough people to spread it out this, you can actually ignore each other. And I worked with somebody a few years ago who said that, you know, he, he and his wife worked in the same organization, but and then somebody people would start whispering, saying, I think that might be an affair going on. They had lunch with each other every day, but they didn't realize they were married. 11:01 So I think you can lose yourself in a big organization. So I think we were in that middle bit wasn't very healthy. And actually, you know, what, what's happened over the pandemic? And in the transition I'm in now? I think ultimately, it's a good thing. Yeah, yeah. But you know, there's a long time. So it's going to take some getting used to not working together me not getting involved or asking the questions or interfering. Yes, yeah. So just the beginning this, we talked about there being three things that you've learned, and I'm not sure if we've done the three, or if something else you wanted to add before I change subject. 11:40 from working together? Yeah, I think you said they were sort of three main benefits or something towards the beginning of what we started saying. And finding is that the, you #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 6 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai know, the, really the pushing through when you're working together, as a to start something. Yeah. And then then then the transition time? Yeah, yeah, I think the other thing that can sometimes happen is you it gets a bit 12:06 clicky. So it's not even that people feel that they can't go to one because they might tell the other or whatever, because you sort of know each other so well, you can often exclude people unintentionally, we, yes, mentioning, I work with engaged success, the national movement in the UK around employee engagement, and former exec director, became my best friend. I met her through the movement, and you're aware of that she was Kathy, always Kathy Brown, who was on show one and show you 150. And now 200, of whichever show No, we haven't done 200 yet was 350. 12:43 And I remember one of our colleagues at one stage and bearing in mind, we work remotely, so we're not together very often at all, and we're all working for different parts of the country and all that sort of thing. I remember somebody making some comment about the fact that we were gluten free together. 13:00 I mean, it was like it was a really weird conversation, because we need to eat gluten. And so it was all sort of a topic, sometimes within team meetings or whatever, and cut things off. Or if we bought cakes, we, you know, people made sure they were gluten free or whatever. And then there was some Like, comment about it being you know, clicky about, you know, gluten. 13:21 utilitarian, exactly. But it did make me realize that that was naturally happening without us realizing sort of thing, you know, because we knew each other well, and we had lots in common and, and we have sort of in jokes, and we'd work together for a long time and everything else, without intending to we were excluding people, more thinking that we were, you know, including them sort of thing. I think that is something that could just inadvertently happen, you know, because of the circumstance as well. Yeah. And I think that's I think definitely there was that there were some issues with, particularly globally, #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 7 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai when you've got teams on the other side of the world here trying to communicate with you there. It was a problem that the two of us were married, and they didn't know who to go to it was confusing messages or whatever it was. 14:09 Yeah, it's something to really look out for him in the business. So you touched on your current transition. So there's been a few changes as a result of the the pandemic. So sort of tell us a bit more about what you're doing now? What's happening, what your plans are? Yeah, so last November, and we recently had a change of 14:34 emphasis for my role, as well as 14:39 with john sort of taking on, you know, the full president role because we have some movement around with our international director. And the CEO offered me the position of a leadership development role with the global business rather than just doing in money and people in the US and we're going to take on an HR manager 15:00 To take over all the HR side of things, our finance manager has come coming through and doing a great job taking on a lot of more financial stuff for me. So I was, you know, taking a little bit of a sidestep into the learning and development. And I've always wanted to do my coaching qualifications. So I was, I started my coaching qualifications was with moving into a transition of six months into learning development global role. 15:29 So it was, it was a big change for me. And actually, to be honest, it was, 15:35 I found it quite hard. It's not when I look back on it. Now, I think, well, what was my #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 8 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai problem? But it was because it was changed. It was something new, I, you know, all my saboteurs walked into the room, and were like, you can't do this, why? What do they think they're doing? And so 15:52 that was a, I was getting my head around it. And that was taking a bit of time, because I had a lot of insecurities about it. And so in February, I was in London, at the head office. And you know, it's like, Okay, well, maybe I can do this. And this is all going to be good. And I really got myself on track. And then obviously, the COVID hit luxury travel market. In the no sales, everybody wants a refund. There's no business for for the future coming in. We have the horrible, horrible task of laying off 21 or 36. Staff. And in that process, no, there was there wasn't a role for me any longer in the wider business, because it wasn't a crucial role. So I I'm on a six month notice, so I was lucky enough to be able to work out my notice. But 16:47 yeah, it it sort of changed everything. I carried on doing what I didn't carry on doing my coaching because they canceled everything because it was all in person coaching courses. Yeah. And they haven't quite got themselves online yet. But you know, now we're back on the mind for the coaching. I'm still doing that. And I've got actually a workshop this weekend. I had one a couple of weeks ago. So I'm feeling really excited about that. So I will go through into my my coaching qualification. But yes, I'm I'm moving out of the business from being an in house coach and doing the land development and getting involved in that too. out there on my own. So I'm in the, in the position where I'm looking for either a job within a company to do to pick up on the coaching, but maybe some of the business consulting because my financial background, or setting up a consultancy on my own, which right now feels like a big scary one. But 17:47 you know, I'm just trying to work work that through a moment. Yes. And so you might not remember this all the time. But on the positive side, you have been through a whole setup of a business where you demonstrated your abilities and resilience. And I guess, yes, you're having to check out those memory banks at the moment. Yes. Yeah. So interesting. So what sort of things that you have you done? Are you thinking about doing in terms of sort of moving that forward? Have you are you still having a lot of as are still in sort of limbo with a pandemic? And not quite sort of name? What next steps are Have you gotten into #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 9 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai the next phase? Or are you still sort of in that sort of self care bits of it? Trying to sort of work out that route? Yeah, I would say I'm, I'm yeah, I'm still still trying to figure that out. 18:48 I think, honestly, I when I did the book, I did a very deep black hole to begin with. 18:55 Then I came out into this sort of self care we can we can do this and that this was a bit of a lot of help and support from other people, colleagues, etc. Yeah. And now and I, and I'd say because you've caught a really good time. I've seen a lot on a lot of articles about you know, looking after yourself, taking a break. All of those things. JOHN, and I took a two week break, we did a road trip to the national parks of Utah and Nevada. And I have to say that's the best thing that you can do is actually rest your brain. Yes, stare out the window, do nothing. Think about nothing. Let it all just settle. Yeah, I haven't allowed that to happen. Yeah, till now. It was still it was always like, I still got so much to do. I've got a lot to do, but to pack up everything and make sure everything's filed in the right place, and everybody's got what they need, and really let everything settle in. So that's made a huge difference. It's made me feel like you know, okay, stuff is possible. There are options. 20:00 She's out there, I, you know, listen to people that you interview about things that they do that say, Okay, well, that's a really good idea, I could, I could do that. And I've got, I've got experience working with private equity, which is not easy. You know, I've set up a business, I've, you know, run a business on the other side of the world that's got a global headquarters in the UK. Yes, I can work with businesses and people who struggle with that every day. 20:27 And hopefully have some sort of X ray of how people are feeling about that, whether it be the management or, you know, struggling because their senior management and leadership team, I've got some broiled in the private equity, you've got to produce numbers, numbers, numbers all the time that their teams don't know what to do, or what's expected of them, or how to interact with each other communicate. I feel like I've got a niche fair, because of my experience, I am definitely coming out understanding what I've #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 10 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai got to offer. And now I've just got to figure out how I do that. 21:05 Yeah, that's the coaching call going through the coaching course. And the different modules has really helped me because you're doing it yourself at the same time. Yes. And so that's been hugely helpful. Yeah. Well, thank you for sharing. It's this interview will be live in October. So we're interviewing currently in the middle of August. So just to give people some perspective on sort of timings, in terms of, of the pandemic, and it is really interesting. You know, I've said many times, at the beginning, it was a bit black and white, you know, we had to lock down and like you said, you, you know, awfully had to make people redundant, that sort of stuff there, there was quite a clear path at the beginning. And then it became sort of 21:52 a bit about, you know, what's going on, and how can we best get through it anything else. And then it felt like as things were starting to open up again, it was, it was like, 10 times more complicated than it was at the beginning. There's so much variability and 22:07 flexibility needed and opportunities and the opposite of that, and all that sort of thing. And, and it's so it's interesting, you talk about having that sort of time I am. I took on some coaching at the beginning of the time, at sort of March time. And it's meant that my diary is quite full every week, which was really good for me in terms of, you know, my income and stuff when it could have been much worse. But, 22:32 and also, I felt a bit upset on the podcast, before I felt a bit shortchanged that I didn't get a chance to, you know, learn all these new languages, or do embroidery, or whatever it is, that sourdough starter going. 22:45 But, but it's interesting that I sort of feel because I've got these things in my diary that I don't normally have, I've sort of felt a bit like I've got a job at the moment. And, #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 11 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 22:53 and I've actually, for the first time in years, plans next week, to actually take a week off. And I've I've put off all my 23:03 coaching calls and, you know, podcasts that I would have been interviewing 23:09 and saying, literally to just have a week, I'm going to the caravan, just literally half an out the road. So we're not really venturing out very far. But I was called a caravan my happy place. 23:19 Perfect. It's interesting that normally I work when I'm away anyway. But it's just stuff that I like to do, like I would do on a weekend sort of thing when no one's clamoring for anything. But I am really thinking about, you know, reading a book, or just as you said, just sitting and not actually doing that work next week, and actually even putting my out of office on lots of stuff. I never do that. And I don't have a problem with that. Because I sort of, again, you'll know from listening to the podcast, I sort of schedule stuff to suit me. And if I want to do something, I'll go and do it. And I'll work at odd times and lots of stuff. So I never feel like I need to do something like that if you like but I have a real need for that. At the moment. I feel like, you know, I need a week off. And I never say that, as I say so it's really weird. But I think it's the same sort of thing that we need some processing time. And I have had mine yet, because I ended up doing more during this time rather than less. And I think that's, that's what it sort of culminated in so it's not easy to do straight away. It's not a you can't just decide, okay, I'm just gonna take the week off and do it because your brain doesn't come back quickly. No, we, when we first got to we were staying with them, not your friends up in proximity that we've just I was pacing around the room. I couldn't settle. I couldn't sit. I couldn't just, you know be and that was even with a couple of days driving. So you have to you have to force your brain to not do anything not to look at your phone not to think about that. 24:51 It that's a real discipline. I tell you, it paid off. Yeah. #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 12 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 24:57 Yeah, that's great to hear. So 25:00 Let's talk a bit about just sort of generally, 25:03 you know, sort of life changing things. On one side, what how do you normally operate in terms of getting stuff done? And, you know, knowing what you want to do and making sure those things happen and so on? Do you have certain sort of strategies and ways that you do that? And, you know, how do you use technology? Or are you one of my regular pen and paper guests. 25:27 I'm afraid I 25:30 love a pen and paper. Yeah, I'm, you know, running either 25:35 a house in a business, and I've got one child on the other side of the world, and a college university in England, and my daughter here, and I'm, I'm a writer list. And I have a a four bound, hardcover book, it has to be that I don't know why that's just what works for me. And I only have specific types of pens. Yeah. Now, I said, they're really weird. But there's, you know, there's a certain pattern and 26:05 colors, lots of colors. And it's a bit like, a bit like a shopping list. If you've written a shopping list, you don't actually need to take it with you to shopping to the shop. And #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 13 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai because once you've written it down, it sticks. I write loads and loads of scribbles and drawings, whatever, I highlight things in my book, and I can visualize where I wrote things. So if I need to go back to a meeting, so but you know, a month ago, I kind of notice on the left hand side of the page, where I've written something, I can visualize that it's not a photographic memory, but it's that 26:41 I do little boxes that I have to go back and tick if it's an action point. 26:47 And if I need to, then I translate it, but I translate it onto a Excel spreadsheet, because that's what I knew you're good. 26:59 Yeah. So it's my friend. That was a chick, actually, that 27:06 our CEO, a previous CEO taught me, so it's so so it's a list, but then it's got a column that prioritizes it. So you have the red, orange green prioritization. So you can just type in red, and it goes red. Yeah, programming to do that. So then you can sort it by the red. And so your urgent list, you can sort, then you've got all the different columns that you can sort it by. So having that huge list in front of you is always so daunting. So then just filter it into things I need to do this week, next week, next month, just takes it down to it. So you can actually see it on this one spreadsheet. Now, you said to me, that I think upgrading can only handle five things at a time. So if I can get it to five things to that priority, I will. Yeah. 27:53 So yeah, that's how I organize myself. I am hideous on my email inbox, everybody. I mean, I've got some people around, open up 10 things in my inbox, I'm not how do you do that? 28:05 #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 14 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai I've read, I've read that you know how to have a clean inbox and so much stuff. I can't just, I might want to come back to it. And I want to read it. I want 28:17 to know, before we started, I asked you which the latest podcast was that you've been listening to? And you said it was the lovely Penny pullin. And I started by saying, Oh, she's so organized. And she's just like, so calm. And I don't know if you want to interview me. 28:32 A bit. We didn't mention on that podcast, I don't know why we didn't get around to it is she has thousands and thousands of emails in her inbox. 28:42 And when I say thousands, I mean, like thousands, like into five figures. And she she uses it. Like you've just said, she uses it, like sort of a filing cabinet. She uses her search and she just knows that it's all there. And she just does that she doesn't need it to be clear. So don't worry. Be more Penny, you are more Penny already. That's such a relief. Thank you. 29:10 It's my guilty secret. Yeah. And it's like, oh, I feel Oh, people you know, they're looking at my shoulder. They're like, how many people you inbox 29:21 with this productivity stuff, there's so many, like, guilt trip things that are laid on us. So you know that that whole Miracle Morning thing, you've got to get up at five o'clock or three o'clock and have it done by five o'clock. And, you know, I know a long time ago realized that mornings are just not my thing. So that's never going to happen. And, and exactly that, you know, mailbox. 29:42 Inbox Zero, you know, people want about that and then you start to feel inadequate. If #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 15 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai you if you've got three in there, nevermind thousands. And actually, it's all individual. You know, it's about being really clear about what works for you. And doing that. And, you know, I think the only time you need to pay attention to what everyone else has 30:00 Doing is if it's not working, and you want to find different routes sort of thing. 30:04 I'll show somebody my inbox the other day and on my inbox my to do list my to do list app. And I was trying to sort of say to do is really simple and really straightforward. And it's really easy to use. But you can also make it as sophisticated as you like. And I've used it for years now. So I have got it really set up in you know, lots of detail work. And a bit like you were just saying, you know that you can get different views. So you only have like five tasks. That's how I feel, I slice and dice my to do list by tagging it and all sorts of different ways. So I can create all sorts of different filters so that when I look at my list, there's hardly anything on it, and I can tick it off. And that's how I get through my list. Of course, the people who were looking at it, were like Keeling over. 30:51 And one of them said, you know, you have lots of your what you do is very transactional, very sort of human not very strategic, because it's all very sort of lots of little tasks. And it's like, yeah, there are things I do every day as routines. So you know, I can take that 31:07 as criticism, not as criticism, I can, you know, acknowledge that. But actually, it only looks like that, because I break things down into these daily routine tasks in order for them to get done on a on a sort of low number figure 31:22 to do list, rather than it being a project, which would just completely don't make because it would be too many moving parts on the same page. Yeah, that resonates with me, because it's tough space, a lot of my job has been talkspace. So that, you know, that's that's how it works. And nothing better than taking something off on your to do list is #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 16 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai done. I mean, you've got to have things on there that you can take off. You've just been there once you've done them to tick them off sometimes. Absolutely. 31:51 Especially when you're doing a pen and paper so much. But yeah, when I write my to do list, I definitely used to add things on and tick them off. Because it's 32:00 salutely I had to look at to do is when you were to because I'd heard you talking about it a few times. And then and I signed up I signed up for the newsletters, but I haven't really had the chance to really get stuck into it. But 32:14 something that's one step forward, I should make. I do like the color coding on the on the Outlook inbox anyway. Yeah. So you can have different colors. So you can just filter that. So yeah, I'm hugely relieved to know that I'm not the only one with a 32:31 record should be pleased that she's inspired. 32:35 I, there's another one. It's a spreadsheet tool that it's sort of like Excel, but it's like Excel on steroids. That might be one worth looking at. And I'm trying to think, who mentioned it, it's been on a podcast somewhere along the line. And but yeah, it's if you just sort of do a bit of googling, it's it's something pages or something. But it's like Excel, but it's it's more, it's more like it's sort of database type scenario. So for people who like that linear, sort of way that excels work worked out, it works quite well. So that might be worth 33:08 putting in my mind about two hours later. So I didn't send you an email. #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 17 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 33:15 So let's talk a bit more you talked about sort of having that time to stop you did your sort of trip away and you know, calm yourself and so on. What sort of things do you do to keep you energized to get on with life? Generally, you talk about walking your dog every morning and listening to my podcast. So that's that's 33:37 Yeah, I mean, I've never been good at 33:41 carving out time for myself, or any of that. 33:45 It's just life always seems too busy. You know, kids and business and whatever. So you know, I think I got myself into a bit of a rut of office is very close to the home. But I find myself getting my car and driving to the office. It's like it's a two minute walk. What am I doing? Oh, I need to you know, I need to go go to the supermarket afterwards. So I'll take the car in it just crazy stuff like that. Very American, though, isn't it very, very American. Because we don't have a pavement to walk on. So you have to walk on the road. I mean, so anyway, things have changed. And my lovely 17 year old daughter who is always in tune with my mental health and this is the most sensible person in our family 34:30 at the beginning of lockdown, and she's been pushing me to 34:35 have a new dog. We have had, we've always had dogs. I lost my 34:41 my daughter had long hair daxon that died very young. She was only two and a half and he died #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 18 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 34:47 about three years ago. And I've just been like No, we haven't got space for puppy now we were just not you know, too busy too much for Thai traveling too much blah, blah, blah. When she saw she saw her opportunity when locked out. 35:00 Started and started showing me pictures of cute puppies that have been rescued and we could just Foster and so she signed up for all the foster places in my name without me knowing forged my signature and everything. 35:14 And then just kept showing me pictures of dogs written, you know, ridiculous in our stations that you know, it'll be fine. It's only gonna be with us for a month. So, one Sunday morning, the classic marketing line. Look at this puppy, Mommy, we've got an hour to decide. 35:33 She gave you a deadline to give me a deadline. And I don't need to talk to you father. Classic line. So they decided that this was a good idea and that they were going to go down to the Mexican border to pick him up late on a Sunday night. It's like you just organized at all as long as he's got some food, that's fine. But I was I was really separating myself from So long story short of nine o'clock at night. Some people turn up with this puppy in the back of a car with many other dogs and kind of handed him to us in a crate with half a can of food and you know, screeched away. So we're like, Okay, so we've got a dog 36:11 couldn't get near him for the first 24 hours because he was so nervous getting picked up on the streets in Tijuana. Just across the border in Mexico. Yeah. And so he was a foster supposedly Foster. Yeah. And within about, you know, three days, we realized that he was going to be us forever. #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 19 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 36:32 You know, I was he's a young, you know, strong fit dog. So he needs plenty of exercise. So I was up at six o'clock every morning and out on the beach. And, you know, that's when I started listening to your podcast. And so now I've got routine, it's, you know, I'm taking some exercise, I feel so much better. You know, I'm trying to walk at least trying to get to the 10,000 steps a day, but on average, doing about eight weekends, maybe 15. Yeah, which is gone from about 300 steps a day. And Previous to that. Done, I had a lot of good 37:06 getting out there and it's just, you know, my daughter knew that's what I needed and that I was sitting at my desk 37:14 12 hours a day, worrying about stuff getting, you know, just really into a dark place. So yeah, big change in routine. Yeah, well, well thank her for me, because that gave me a new kind of new guest 37:31 and I love podcasts and podcasts are I don't, I don't read a huge amount and because I thought because I am very slow reader and, and so I find it frustrating. I can't get through things quick enough. And also I read and I fall asleep because I do it at 10 o'clock at night and fall asleep immediately. So I'm much better audio and I love listening to podcasts I listen to all sorts of stuff a lot of BBC based stuff because it's you know my connection with England. I listen to 38:03 I don't know if you've listened to walking the dog. 38:07 Which is hilarious. #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 20 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 38:10 And then things like 38:12 Saturday morning live a bit of comedy fortunately with them with Phoebe Glover and Jane that that's hilarious. 38:22 And then it just Simon Sinek is also in because I've when I first heard him in the US I was like Oh, he sounds like he's got a little English accent in there or something. He is actually been in America a long time. 38:35 And then you're obviously your podcast I'm working my way through the 38:41 hundred and 870 whatever it is now. 38:44 77 so you got a few weeks ago yeah. 38:49 So yeah, I know there's some really great stuff out there. And I switched between the sort of you know, Brenda brown and the and the the motivational and the work stuff and then you throw in a bit of comedy in the desert island desk. So yeah, my phone is mainly photographs and podcasts. 39:11 I've listened to far fewer since we've been on lockdown because I generally do it when #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 21 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai about walking and when I've been walking home on the treadmill I've been watching something instead because looking at the wall in my porch didn't really appeal so I actually I was surprised my podcast listening stats have sort of picked up a bit and a fairly static I was expecting them to go up and then my periods go down. 39:35 But a lot of people did go walking so hopefully and I think the thing is having your earbuds or headphones on constantly. 39:46 I was I started sleeping with my headphones in and I've got into all those sort of bad habits that I need to go back to sleep listening to poker so I need to go back to sleep to you know, it's a really bad habits but actually needed 40:00 To sleep. 40:02 Yeah, I think I think it isn't addiction. I think it was it started with, you know, there's some, there's some great podcasts, but they are quite 40:11 good to go to sleep to. And not including any of those above that I talked about that but some things that just talk about how things work, or how does neuroscience work and you just switch it on, and it's fantastic for jetlag, and it's not my sister put me on to your jetlag, you just wake up in the night, you just put podcasts on for 20 minutes, and then go back to sleep without putting the lights on and reading them. But it's a that then became the normal. Yes, yeah. You've learned about chefs on Graham Norton of all things. I think it's the app. It headspace one of the meditation apps, they've had famous people record stories like #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 22 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 40:50 that you can listen to to send you to sleep. And one of them is Matthew McConaughey. 40:56 voice at the best of time. So um, him and I think, Stephen Fry my daughter, one of them as well, I think but yeah, I don't know if it is headspace. But it's one of the meditation or the sleep apps. There's a whole series of basically bedtime stories. 41:13 She's just said, you know, do to help you to not off so. Yeah. Okay. So let's go to the questions. First one, what about those days where it all goes horribly wrong? How do you deal with those days. 41:24 And 41:26 I have to isolate myself, I just need to be on my own. I just removed myself from and I, I actually need time on my own anyway. But guess when it all goes wrong, just remove myself sit on my own in my room, or go for a long walk or whatever. But now it's just getting the car drive away. Actually, sometimes. 41:48 It's just beyond beyond my own. And we set Good night sleeping sort of in the next day? 41:57 And what about those days where you get to live more, and that's about doing more things that you want to do and less of the stuff that you don't want to do? What do those days look like for you? #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 23 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 42:07 It generally involve good friends thing outside, definitely food. 42:15 I've got some, you know, I've got some lovely lovely friends in, in San Diego, that, you know, I spend time with we discuss all sorts of things, a long walk on the beach with a couple of friends and a flask of tea and cake at the end of it, which is very unAmerican, they think they're mad, and they get a tea towel out and have tea. But the lovely Australian and Danish friend that I do that with a lot of us so restoring. 42:44 And just and also just here, jumping in the sea, getting your head in the water 42:50 is the Pacific isn't always that warm. So it's a perfect time of year now. But yeah, for me, it's just being outside. And also I love it. I love having people around me I love entertaining. I don't like being the center of attention. So I'm just a love feeling people. People are having a good time people are making connections, introducing people to together and then just kind of standing back and watching it if that makes sense. Yeah, that's what that's what makes my heart sing. Sounds like some great traits for a future coaching business. 43:23 I hope so I mean that I love coaching. That is like a really good party. If I if I've got a team and we've had some lovely coaching sessions or, or just sessions, team building sessions with our team in the US, unfortunately, before a lot of them left us. 43:41 But if I do half a day in a room doing some team building, and the time goes so fast, and I come away feeling so happy. And like, Well, that was easy. #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 24 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 43:51 And it wasn't easy, but it's just it's because it makes my heart sing. So it's what I want to follow that feeling to come out of the room feeling like, Oh, that was good. It really invigorated by that. And the time went really quickly. And I don't feel exhausted by it. No, no. So how can people find out more about you and connect with you? Well, I'm not I'm not really out there, which is something I'm working on. I have recently introduced LinkedIn profile. So that's easy to find. 44:26 But you know, before that, I sort of missed that boat completely. Because for 20 years, I haven't been looking for a job. I mean, my last CV was written in MS DOS. So 44:37 it was not something that I had out there on the outside world. So and then I felt what if I put it up there, people are going to notice and think, oh, why should you just done that? So anyway, I've done it. And I'm working on how to make that work for me for looking for work? Yeah. So that's sort of my project for the next few weeks. And then I'm on Facebook and Instagram was really, really boring. 44:59 It's just pictures of Katie 45:02 And then you know, LinkedIn I guess is the is the main place. 45:07 The time it goes out it might be an all singing and dancing profile. Exactly. 45:13 Thank you so much. It's been great interviewing you and get to know a bit more about you after just knowing that you walked your dog on the beach. #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 25 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai 45:21 Thank you really, really appreciate it. #178 Emma Spence Interview Page 26 of 26 Transcribed by https://otter.ai The post Emma Spence on Show #178 : Exploring New Opportunities appeared first on POWER to Live More.
47 minutes | 5 months ago
Karen Williams on Show #177: How A Book Mentor Can Help You Build Your Business
Karen Williams is one of the leading Book Mentors in the UK. Through her company, Librotas, she helps business experts who want to stand out from the crowd to write a non-fiction book that allows them to grow their business, raise their credibility and get more clients. Karen originally trained as a coach, but after the success of her own book The Secrets of Successful Coaches, and understanding the impact a book can have on a business, she began to mentor others through the process. Karen is a Member of the Association for Coaching (MAC), and her company is a Partner Member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), where Karen is also a regular contributor to the blog. Karen joins me for the second time on the show to discuss how her business has evolved since we last spoke on Episode #48, and why she has embraced technology to advance and develop Librotas as a business. She shares her ten principles for writing and publishing a business book and how to avoid stalling during the writing process. Karen also shares details of her brand-new signature online program, the Smart Author System, and how she took it from concept to complete course available on her website during the recent period of quarantine.  “You create results from making the decision to write your book now, then building your profile and expert status as you write it.” Karen Williams This Week on The Power to Live More Podcast: Why it isn’t necessary to have everything perfect before you start your book How writing a book helps you develop and growThe biggest block to writing a book and how to overcome itHow she encourages clients to be productiveHow she works with her clients virtuallyKaren’s signature system and how it has altered her businessThe benefits of writing a book to position yourself as an expert in your nicheThe value of outsourcing so you can do what you enjoyKaren’s thoughts on ghostwriters in the business nicheHow Karen ensures she meets her daily business goalsWhy it is so important to take breaksHow she learns and moves forward with her skillsHow writing a book helps Karen’s clients to live more Resources Mentioned: Episode 48: Living More through Flexibility and Boundaries with Karen WilliamsZoomLess Annoying CRMYouCanBookMeKartraThinkificNotes on iPhoneLisa SasevitchBernadette DoyleLucy Whittington Connect with Karen Williams: LibrotasSmart Author SystemKaren Williams’ BooksKaren Williams on LinkedInKaren Williams on InstagramLibrotas on FacebookFree Masterclass Join the POWER to Live More CALM Membership Attention home-based coaches and consultants! Are you tired of feeling alone, isolated, and frustrated with running your home-based coaching or consulting business? Are you sick of feeling like your life would be better, and you’d be happier if you felt more organised and productive? Do you feel like there’s simply not enough time in a day to get all the things done that you need to do to build a successful business while making time to live more? It’s time to stop the isolation and start getting more organised, productive, and focused on the tasks that will move the needle forward. It’s time to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership! If you’re ready to: Stop recreating the wheel and focus on the things that truly matter in your life and businessLearn what you need to know to be successful and ‘live more’Get accountability help from a group of like-minded home-based business owners Then you need to join the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme! To learn more about the POWER to Live More CALM membership programme and apply, visit PowerToLiveMore.com/GetCalm Connect, Share, Inspire Thank you for joining me for this week’s episode of the POWER to Live More Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to help support the show, please head over to Apple Podcasts or Stitcher, subscribe to the show and leave your honest review! You can also help me reach even more amazing business owners and leaders by sharing your favorite episodes on your social media channels. Don’t forget to check out my website join my Facebook Group, follow me on Twitter and connect with me on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to interact with me and my amazing audience! Show notes provided (brilliantly, my words not theirs!) by Lidwell Writing Services, LLC The post Karen Williams on Show #177: How A Book Mentor Can Help You Build Your Business appeared first on POWER to Live More.
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