We all have choices in our life. Do I want to save money, do I want to work in my business, or do I want to spend money and be there at my brother’s wedding in Europe? Decision, decision. My heart and intuition told me: go, you will regret it for the rest of your life if you don’t. How right I was. So, closing the office for 3 weeks, spending x-amount of dollars – who cares? My heart was filled with love and joy being there in church, looking at the beautiful bride and groom, so much love pouring out to reach all of us.

It’s all about balance: yes, we have to work and earn money; but likewise, we do have to stop in our track and let go and connect with our family at important times especially. It is important to share these moments, to be there. Nothing makes us more happy then to see our loved ones happy. Family are people we love. They are there for us when we need them. Work can go. Family stays. Well, that is,  if we also contribute likewise.

So, balance family and work. Stop in your busy track to make time for people you love as this is filling you with immense energy to keep you going. It will reduce your stress and guilt of not being there for others, it strengthens relationships, and is good for your emotional wellbeing.

Work Life Balance has become a keyword in todays society. How much do we need, have, or want of it? What actually is Work Life Balance? How can we balance work with life? Are we not alive when at work? In fact, it’s not about Work Life Balance; it’s about balance. Full stop! It’s about inner balance. It’s about our thoughts, actions, and choices. It all starts in the mind with a thought. So, here are some strategies on how to create Work Life Balance.

1. Start with ‘awareness‘. Listen to your self talk, watch your thoughts. Use positive language. Stop complaining, it doesn’t get you anywhere.
2. Choices and Actions. This follows on from negative thinking. Chose a positive thought. Find a solution rather than ruminating on the problem. Then act. Do something that helps to eliviate the pain, stress.
3. Stress and Time Management. There are a number of techniques you already know, such as making lists, prioritising, healthy living, meditation etc. There is a wealth of information online. Find it, chose something that suits you, then implement and do it.
4. Goal setting. Set yourself realistic goals, SMART goals to avoid failure and disappointment. Stick to your plan of actions to achieve your goal.

If you would like more tips on the one or other topic, email me to info@claritycoaching.co.nz.

Being submissive and/or passive can cause stress. So can aggression. Find out how it affects you and what you can do about it. Find out how powerful communication can improve relationships and performance. To read about the connection between confidence and assertiveness click here.

The devastating effects are rippling through the country and not only affecting people in Christchurch but also family and friends around the country. If anyone wants or knows of anyone, who is affected through the event and would like to get emotional support through life coaching, please tell them to contact me on 021-1499738. I am happy to assist through FREE phone coaching sessions. Sometimes it helps just to have a person to listen.

I would like to remind people how important it is to love yourself first. Louise Hay has written a very nice note on this and I’d like to share it with you. Remember, if you look after yourself first, you have the energy to look after others, the people you love, your employer who expects it.  To give and wanting to give our best is a great goal and wonderful intention, but what happens if we don’t nurture ourselves first? What will happen to our energy? How can we expect other people to like, accept and/or love us if we don’t like/accept/ and/or love us first? Practice it every day. Say something nice to yourself regularly. Acknowledge your accomplishments.

Hello to all the wonderful parents out there. The Switch Workshop for Working Mothers has been updated to cater for larger groups and to include working fathers. The new Workshop for Working Parents has now scheduled to run for the first time in the community. It’s exiting. It’s so great to help mums and dads feel guilt-free, be more balanced and feel empowered. For more info and/or to check out date and location click here. There are still spaces available. To book, just send an email to info@claritycoaching.co.nz.

The Switch Workshop for Working Mothers has now been upgraded to include fathers. It is now called the ‘Switch Workshop for Working Parents’. The workshop can now be held for both small and large groups of up to 30 participants. Exercises have been modified to accommodate different group dynamics. I am exited and looking forward to the first one next year run by a large organisation. It should be fun and very interactive.

Working Mothers are facing a new problem – guilt. Read the latest article published by Employment Today about the working mother’s guilt trap. Find out how life and wellness coaching can help a working parent to reduce stress and guilt and what impact this can have on employee performance at work.

To read the article click on the link below.

Employment Today Dec 2010

I recently published an article in the Human Resource Institute of New Zealand magazine. The article compares the struggle of a working mother juggling family and work with the struggle of a biker cycling uphill with the children under one arm and the briefcase under another. What can employers do to support working mothers to reduce stress and guilt, improve work/life balance, and increase staff performance and productivity?

To read the article, click on the link below:

HRINZ Dec 2010 p 24-25

I recently published an article in the NZ Business magazine on working mum’s, tips for employers what to do to support working mothers and to get the most efficient staff you can have – if you get it right. To read the article click on the link below.

NZBusiness Nov 2010 p44-45