Posts tagged “Mindset”

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A new perspective on responsibility...

Posted on 19th June 2019 at 07:46

There are some words whose mere mention is – almost (!) – guaranteed to cause a deep collective breath in. A deep calming breath in preparation for whatever may be coming next.

And, as an aside, what we find particularly interesting is how often the actual – dictionary – meaning of a word is completely different to the one commonly attributed to it.

Anyway, before we digress too far, this isn’t what we wanted to focus on today. Instead, we’d like to give a completely new perspective on a word whose actual meaning we all seem to understand far too well. Responsibility.

Is the art of discernment rapidly becoming a lost skill?

Posted on 15th May 2019 at 08:15

Perhaps it’s a side effect of the ever faster speed of life – or our increasingly reliance on all things technological – but it seems that many basic skills are in danger of being lost forever. Or, as one friend so kindly pointed out, it may just be part of becoming older!

Anyway, before we digress too far, we’re not only talking about practical skills such as wiring plugs, changing a car wheel or actually cooking a meal from scratch at home. But rather the ability to think for ourselves. To reach our own conclusions about any given topic.

Do you listen - or just wait for the noise to stop?

Posted on 1st May 2019 at 08:36

As clients and regular readers of this blog will know, we love people watching and find the human condition endlessly fascinating. And, before anyone gets the wrong idea, we’re not talking about it from an “OMG” point of view. Nor from a professional one either, although David can spot a dodgy hip, back or knee at a 100 paces (!). Our interest is simply that no two people are precisely the same. And, yes, we know it’s a cliché, but that doesn’t stop it being true.

While we each have our own particular foibles, – or endearing little habits, if you prefer (!) - beliefs and behaviours, there are many we seem to share; whether we’re aware of it or not. The one we’d like to focus on today is something we can all succumb to at times although, sadly, it seems to be in danger of becoming the norm.

So what are we talking about?

A spring clean you may never have thought about before...

Posted on 17th April 2019 at 08:30

Traditionally, this time of year heralds the start of the great spring clean. And, before the days of the domestic appliances we all take so much for granted (!), this was no mean feat… Or quick job.

Not surprisingly, it’s a topic we’ve covered before, although our focus was more from an energy point of view than a dust reduction one. In other words, thinking about it as a way of bringing fresh energy – and impetus – into our lives after the quieter and more reflective winter period. You can find a copy of this post here.

Hand in hand with this went a much more personal spring clean or, as it’s more usually called today, a detox. Giving our bodies the chance to clear the after effects of heavier foods and a more sedentary lifestyle in preparation for the summer ahead. Again, you can find a copy of this post here.

However, since the few days of lovely warm weather in both February and March, we’ve noticed an interesting twist on spring cleaning. And how it can have many more benefits than originally anticipated.

It involves something we all take for granted – like our body, until it lets us down – but sends out a message loud and clear about us and our approach to life.

Have you guessed what it is yet?

You ARE doing a good job.....

Posted on 3rd April 2019 at 08:45

From time to time we all have “one of those days” – or possibly weeks (!) – where nothing quite goes to plan. Or we can’t even seem to do the simplest thing. And, for some inexplicable reason, it’s usually something we’ve done 100’s or 1000’s of times before without a second thought.

Then, out of the blue, we just don’t seem able to do it. The good news is that you will tomorrow – or the next day (!) – when normal service resumes….

So, if this is you – or someone you know – then please just stop for a minute.

Learning doesn't stop when you leave school...

Posted on 20th March 2019 at 08:15

While the age for leaving school – or college – may have increased over the years, from 14 a few decades ago to 18 in more recent years, the sentiment expressed by many on reaching this milestone has not.

And, with testing now starting early on in Primary School, it’s completely understandable that many teenagers have simply had enough of formal education by the time they reach 18. Vowing to NEVER EVER take another exam again.

While some do manage to avoid any further formal education – and the dreaded exams – is it really true that you’ll never need to learn anything else again?

The judgement merry go round

Posted on 6th March 2019 at 08:30

It’s been a while since we’ve written about the all too human tendency to make snap judgements on whatever happens in our lives. “This is good, that is bad.” “She is nice, he is horrible.” Not forgetting the perennially favourite one: “How can she – or he (!) – go out looking like that.” And, if you think you’re above all those petty judgments, think again…

On one hand, there’s no doubt that being able to make a snap judgement is a potential life saver in an emergency situation. However, ironically, in those situations it’s not our conscious mind that calls the shots. It’s just too slow and too limited.

Instead, our subconscious mind takes over, aided by a burst of adrenaline hitting our system. Before we’ve consciously realised what’s happening our subconscious mind has assessed the situation, considered the options, made a judgement and started taking the necessary action. What’s particularly interesting is that often, with the power of hindsight, the action taken falls outside our experience – and makes no logical sense – but was just the right thing to do.

The joys of wearing rose tinted glasses

Posted on 20th February 2019 at 08:30

With Valentine’s Day having just passed – all too soon after the pressures of the festive season (!) – it’s not surprising that many relationships start the new year under some strain. Sadly, along with the annual fortnight in the sun, more relationships break down after Christmas and Valentine’s Day than at any other time of year.

Having talked to many more clients than we would like to about this over the years, it’s rarely a single catastrophic incident that sounds the death knell for any relationship. Usually it’s something much smaller which often appears insignificant to outsiders. The straw that broke the camel’s back.

Despite this, many clients still talk about how they wished things were different. How they would like to turn the clock back to how things used to be even though, at that time, they couldn’t see how this would ever be possible.

The joys of serendipity

Posted on 6th February 2019 at 08:15

We often talk about the joys of serendipity and how life has a way of – almost (!) – magically falling into place IF we allow it to. Letting it unfold in its own way AND at its own pace. Often this happens in ways we never could have anticipated or takes us off in a completely new direction that turns out to be exactly what we wanted.

If you’re not sure what we’re talking about – or it just sounds too good to be true – here’s a great definition of serendipity:

“The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.”

And, for those who love trivia, did you know that it was coined by Horace Walpole in 1754? His inspiration came from “The Three Princes of Serendip”, a fairy tale where the heroes “were always making discoveries, by accident and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of.”

What pushes your buttons?

Posted on 23rd January 2019 at 08:45

We all have things that push our buttons – or get our goat, if you were wondering why on earth we chose this week’s picture (!). And there’s a lovely word to describe them which we only came across recently, tolerations. They drain our energy and are guaranteed to ruin our day. Or sometimes our week…

Some are very small in the overall scheme of things. The bill that needs paying. Vase of flowers that have seen better days. Phone call to be made. Light bulb changed. Those good intentions that we mean to do but don’t quite get round to and annoy us until we do.

Others are much bigger. The annoying neighbour. Overfilled diary. Upcoming family event (!). Money worries. An annoying friend / family member / boss / fill in the blank. We all have things that come into this category – and tolerate – as we just don’t know how to deal with them.

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