The Coaching Academy - An Evaluation

It was about a month ago whilst researching for inspirational material that I came across the possibility to attend a 2 day training event with "The Coaching Academy". I registered my interest and received an invite. 
My thoughts were, I've nothing to lose. Simply a weekend of my time plus the cost of travel. My thoughts were: the minimum to gain would be to network with lots of people with a like mind. 
I prepared myself for the possibility of hard selling techniques, being aware there is a history of this sort of thing when there is a give away.
Arriving at the hotel Saturday morning, everything appeared fine. It was good to see that all seats were taken. I'd guess that everyone who signed up actually turned up. 

The trainers were very friendly and professional. Right from the off, our minds were put at rest with a calm and confident statement that there would be no hard sell. Costs for signing up to the full training would be supplied at the end and that would be that. 

Trainers showed a great respect for all the people attending this event recognising that people were coming for various reasons, and if that was simply to gain a little taster of coaching that was fine. 


There was a great, positive atmosphere over the whole weekend that certainly was not "over the top" as far as I was concerned. 

This training contained some goal setting techniques and questioning techniques that are somewhat similar to what I already know and use. The benefit of seeing and practising this certainly added value for me. Working in small groups and pairs as often happens on training day, one person wrote some feedback on my workbook that touched me. She wrote "Good natured soul!" That was a real blessing. We had only met and spoke about 10 minutes for the exercise. I'll treasure that kind compliment.

I was also pleased to see that there wasn't a massive reference to gaining enormous riches. Earning money was, of course referred to, but I'd say it was secondary to the ethos of having the opportunity to do something worthwhile for those of us that were seeking. 


Marks out of 10? I'd give it a definite 10. 

As for signing up for the training myself. Well I'll see. It isn't cheap, but that is to be expected when loss leader weekends such as these are put on. I don't have that sort of money at the moment and would have to borrow if I do go forward with it in the short term. (I'll not mention the costs here out of respect for the organisation). You really do need to see the whole weekend event to appreciate the value of what is on offer. 


I made some nice contacts with some very nice and friendly people. 

I've no reason to doubt the integrity of "The Coaching Academy" and have not found any significant negative feedback about them. That is simply my opinion and I'd love to here from anyone else with their experiences. 
I'm happy to promote them here. After all, I've had the benefit of their free training, so I feel it's worthy to return the compliment with a little promotion.


I'm now looking forward to Steven Aitchison's Mind Alchemy material for February. I'll likely write about that here too. Watch this space. 


Throughout the days during breaks, some pleasant music was played. Today, I particularly enjoyed some Frank Sinatra.

Life Coaching, Corporate, Business & Executive Training Courses | The Coaching Academy

I didn't mention them before because I wanted to evaluate. So far, first day has exceeded my expectations. Really down to earth folk with what appears a genuine desire to help and encourage.

No full blog from me in the mean time whilst I lap up the new learning. I pretty sure I'll have lots to write about soon.

Life Coaching, Corporate, Business & Executive Training Courses | The Coaching Academy: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

"King eh, how'd ya get that then?" Had summut to do with the Norman conquests I believe! 
"Farcial aquatic ceremony" One of my favourite Python quotes!

Following An Alchemist

I'm off away to some training this weekend in London.

I'm really looking forward to it, feeling ready to lap up as much learning as possible and to gain some more knowledge to help me to grow and share more.

I've realised that the more reading I do, the more creative I become.

Following the weekend training I am going to engage in some different material that Steven Aitchison is sharing online throughout February.

It's worth some investigation.

» Following An Alchemist: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Looking for a new job?

As we approach the new year, many people seek to re-evaluate "where they are" in their lives. One subject that frequently screams at us is. "Am I in the right job?"
This is a serious subject that needs careful consideration. Ask the question "Am I running away from something?" There may be a life issue that will simply follow you and will not be resolved simply by changing job or career direction. 

Nevertheless, if you choose to seek a new challenge with a new job, then there are some tips here that I'd like to share with you. I have a fare amount of experience in looking for work have been made redundant on many occasions and also running away when things have got a little tough!

• Decide what new job you would like to do. It's important to have direction and to know your destination. If you don't know where you are going, you'll likely end up somewhere you don't want to be!
• Don't pay too much attention to that nagging thought "there are no jobs around". To do that is to give up before you have started. Many jobs are not advertised so use all resources by networking, targeting your C.V./Resume. Speculating to employers.
• If you are actually out of work right now, decide to use your week as a full time or part time job looking for work. That means getting up Monday through Friday and dressing as if you are actually going to work. Imagine yourself to be a businessman seeking to make appointments to sell you product. The product is you. Believe in your product and market it in an eye catching and public way. 
• Decide how many hours each day you are going to dedicate to job seeking. Stick to it! You don't necessarily need to work "overtime". Keep the balance and remember to reward yourself with rest after your effort. 
• If you get an interview, do your homework. Find out as much as possible about your prospective employers. Does the organisation have a website? Look at it and read. Discover their mission statement if they have one and their philosophy.
• Dress appropriately for the interview. Not all jobs require a power suit. So long as you are neat, tidy and clean, that may be enough in some circumstances. 
• Make sure you know the time, place, name of the person to meet, and how you are going to get to the interview. Know where you are going!
• The interview is a 2 way process. You are also the interviewer. You are there to interview them too in order to decide whether this is a job and place you want to work. So don't give away all the power to the interviewer. 
• Remember that you are worthy of the job you are applying for. Why else did you apply? If you think you are not worthy, then you have wasted your time in applying in the first place!

• Use appropriate body language. There are many detailed sources of advice on this subject, but so many people take the advice too literally. So make appropriate eye contact and show appropriate enthusiasm. Essentially, it is important to be yourself. Don't try to be somebody you are not. You'll be found out all too quickly.

These are just some tips. There are many, many more. If you follow these principals, you'll give yourself the best chance possible of finding the job you seek. Believe me, it does work. I've proved it many times for myself.  


A few years ago, I worked for a TV channel about job seeking. It was great fun while it lasted. I got the chance to appear in some promotional ads. See one of the youtube link below. Enjoy! With Marty blessings..

Building self confidence

Confidence for me has soured in the past year. It started and continued to build over time.

I believe this has occurred due to an attitude to my life that I adopted. As I think about this now, I reckon that I subconsciously altered some of the "self talk" that was borne out of my childhood experiences.

My mother (bless her soul) always stated that she did not like show offs... arrogant people. I guess this helped me to form some values. I chose to shrink and hide my abilities for fear of being accused of showing off, ultimately being disliked.
It had a negative effect upon me.

Self Confidence vs Arrogance

You see, I think there is a clear difference here. Self confidence is about being comfortable in our own skin and not being too overly concerned about what others think of us. The reverse of this is the self doubt people have that they feel ashamed of, causing them to puff themselves up to something that they are not.
My mis-understanding of what my mother told me caused me to believe that anyone who exuded confidence was a person of arrogance. I now understand this better.

I've spent most of my working life not fully believing in my abilities. Everything I did, I put a ceiling on. When aspects of my life went well, I felt I did not deserve what was happening and worried about the coming "fall". Effectively, I created the fall and it almost always became a reality!

A broken down car.
Failing an exam.
Losing a job through redundancy.
Numerous other examples that I'm choosing right now not to give my energy to!

Almost a year ago, I came up with a proposal at work and suggested it to my line manager. She said to me "DO IT! DO IT RIGHT NOW!"
This greatly enhanced my motivation.
I showed the wording of the email to my line manager and she praised me on how well it was written.
This encouraged me greatly.
A couple of weeks later, I received a positive response to that email. This excited me. When I told my line manager, she got even more excited than me! I was encouraged to make the subsequent phone call and arrange a meeting.
This empowered me.
I got that project up and running and went on to set up other similar projects. Some weeks later, I received a email of praise from none other than the Chief Executive. From that point onward, I have been given freedom to pursue ideas I've had.
I have been trusted.
I always remember the encouraging words of my line manager. "You are going to FLY Marty. Don't put a ceiling on what you can achieve".

This new found confidence has been attractive to others. In virtually all walks of my life, I've had people come up to me and say "Hi Marty. How are you? You are looking fine." Body language and positive energy has attracted many people toward me.

Sounds great doesn't it! Is it as simple as just thinking positively?

I went through a stage of thinking positively about 10 years ago. It worked for a short while, but I was running away from many issues in my life that needed dealing with. I'd built some confidence, but it was brittle and built on weak foundations. It was all too easy for others to knock down.

1. I had a lack of faith. It's important to establish some core beliefs and values. The confidence of 10 years ago was promoting something I did not really believe in.
2. I gave too much attention to negativity around me. Some of that was family illness. Now it's not wrong care about those we love. However, the care was out of balance and stealing my positive energy. Balance is the key here.
3. The painful experiences of my life were not dealt with. Like the balloon ready to burst, I was full of the negative energy of anger and resentment. This needed dealing with appropriately.

It took about a year ago to finally visit the pain of my past in therapy. The time was right and I was prepared to do whatever it took to tidy the mess of emotions inside me. Once I'd done that, the negativity stopped contaminating the rest of my life!

Now, when I sense negativity around me that is generated by the projection of others, I choose to walk away from it.

I've left organizations that I found contaminated me and stole my positive energy.

I'm beginning to look at every possible challenge as an opportunity!

When something good happens, I choose to accept it and believe that I deserve it.


When composing this blog, I wanted to choose a positive photo or image to put with it. I've added the photo of me because it shows a time a great enjoyment for myself. I'm now playing with a band that I love. The music is great and allows me to be creative rather than be restrictive (i.e. reading music written down).
The happiness in the band is infectious. The band is becoming more and more successful. One of the reasons for this is because we all enjoy what we play. That joy projects to the audience. They want to be part of the positive and exciting energy.

There is a clear truth in The Law of Attraction!

Blessings to you all........ Marty

positivity

I want to start blogging regularly again. How can I get back to doing this in the way I did a couple of years ago?
Setting goals is about doing and doing NOW!
Here's a few short lines as a starter.
"I'm learning more and more each day to tap into and keep with a positive frame of mind. The techniques of "filing" negativity in a place where it stops contaminating the good aspects of life. There's a time and place to acknowledge grief and also PLENTY of time to embrace joy and goodness."

I'd posted this elsewhere a few minutes ago. Fresh out of my mind.