KEEP GOING

I am now nearly 5 weeks into my advanced training programme for the London Marathon which takes place in April next year. This is my second marathon; I am so excited to take part and also to raise money for my chosen charity Alzheimer Scotland.

I am training 6 days a week and it is a tough challenge. This morning I went out for my usual run but today I took a different route – I wanted to tackle a couple of hills to build up my strength and endurance. Needless to say I struggled running up the first hill and I really feared running up the final hill before heading home. I was psyching myself up as I approached the bottom of the long hill and to be honest I was really dreading it, my legs felt heavy and tired. Just at that moment a voice from behind me shouted “KEEP GOING” – I looked to my right and there was this cheery smiling cyclist, passing me by, giving me some much needed words of encouragement. I smiled back at him as if to say THANK YOU, that was all I needed – those two simple words catapulted me into another gear and I was doing a Sylvester Stallone in the film Rocky, running up the stairs to the entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art – now famously known as the “Rocky Steps”. My local hill to which I refer, well, I have now renamed it “Clarabelle’s Hill” it sits on the Bellshill Road heading into my home town of Motherwell – and it is to me, one tough cookie. But this cookie ain’t crumbling, “Keep going, keep going, keep going”, I repeated the cyclist’s words in my head and I embraced his words encouragement with open arms until I reached the top.

I just wanted to share that moment of today with every one, because we all can offer real words of encouragement to others around us – when I ran the New York Marathon in November 2007 I was completely uplifted by the thousands of cheering crowds as I chased my dream of completing the 26.2 miles through the wonderful city.
Think about who you can offer your words of encouragement to today – it just may give that person the kick start they need to make a positive change in their life. Who would benefit from your “keep going” chants? – I believe they will be very grateful, just like I was today. Thank you Mr Cyclist unfortunately I couldn’t keep up with you to offer you my personal thank you.

TREASURE CHEST HUNT

Passion

I have had my own rollercoaster of a year but to be honest I didn’t expect it to be any different. I have faced many personal and professional challenges on my new business journey but the most amazing thing is that what comes with the lows is some major and I mean MAJOR highs filled with magic, inspiration and an explosiveness of heartfelt and courageous spirit. That, my precious friends, is what I call a true treasure chest of passion.

We all have that treasure chest of passion that makes us feel alive, in the moment and embracing every opportunity that comes our way. Sometimes it takes a while to find your own treasure chest but I believe it is there calling upon you day by day - you just need to silence yourself from within and quietly listen. Visualise your very own treasure chest right now, bursting at the seams waiting to be discovered. Take a look inside it, What burning desires fuel your motivation?, What is your inner passion saying to you? Go on, I dare you, move a little closer, take a deeper look inside, breathe in its energy and allow it to flow through your body urging you to take that first brave step towards positive change. You’re smiling now because I know you see it, feel it and want to be it.

New Year

Well you can you know, make a pledge for 2010 to search for that treasure chest and don’t stop until you find it. But that is not where the story ends, that dear people is just the beginning of A WONDERFUL LIFE.

Go get it!!

Engaging Your Audience

How do you communicate internally and externally with your stakeholders?
Well, one effective way is to have a regular Company Newsletter or eMagazine that will:

Capture the minds of your readers,
Engage their interest,
Get them involved and;
Let them know what is happening now and your future business plans.

Give your stakeholders something to be a part of and feel proud of. Get them talking excitedly about your business success.

Below are my top tips to creating a great Company Newsletter/eMagazine content:

Identify your target audience.

Clarify the purpose of your eMag

Ensure it is well presented with a good layout.

Ensure the content meets with the vision and mission of your business.

Clearly identify who will confidently produce your Newsletter on a regular basis.

Measure the cost/benefits of doing this in-house or outsourcing. Choose what best fits with your Organisation.

Identify how you will get staff and other stakeholders involved in the design and content?

Ensure the content of your Newsletter fits with the culture and climate of your Organisation.

Ensure you give your stakeholders what they want to read.

Ensure your stories are interesting, fun and encourages positive employee relations.

Include all stakeholders in your Newsletter/eMagazine—don’t make it only attractive for a selected few to applaud themselves.

Encourage reader feedback to continually develop your content.

Set up a Newsletter Working Group and ensure all stakeholders are represented.

Make it part of a wider internal/external Communication Strategy—this is just one of the many ways to encourage employee voice.
Murray People helps Organisations develop an effective Communication Strategy that will encourage employee engagement OR if you wish to outsource the creation of your Company Newsletter/eMagazine we can do that for you too. Please e.mail Claire Murray at, claire@murraypeople.com for further details.

A Christmas Poem

Christmas is a happy time there’s lots of chocs and merry wine.
And even if it doesn’t snow there’s cheery Santa singing HO HO HO.

It’s a time full of sparkle and glitter and joy.
It’s a time when grown ups be a a girl or a boy.

Dancing and singing to that karaoke tune whilst frost glistens and shimmers under the Christmas night moon.

So let the magic of Christmas rejoice in you, pull the Christmas crackers and shout out ‘WOO HOO’.

It’s a joyous occasion for loved ones to share ,
a time for giving and showing you care.

Little Robins with their red breasts come out to play,
‘we wish you a merry Christmas’ their sweet chirps say.

And the ones who can’t be with us on this Christmas Day,
Today your thought of more than ever in a very special heartfelt way.

Embrace the celebrations and enjoy the fun and laughter,
I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy ever after.

INSPIRATIONAL RADIO

In the very early hours of Saturday morning (31st October 2009) I experienced my first ever radio interview. I appeared on Real Coaching Radio Network’s Mind, Body and Soul Show hosted by the amazing Coach Steve Toth who is the Founder of RCRN. (www.realcoachingradio.net)

To say I was very excited is an under statement—you could have scraped me off the ceiling I was so hyper!! All in the name of my passion I faced my fears and went for it.

Coach Steve Toth is a master in his field and he instantly made me feel at ease and asked me questions that provided me with a platform to share my background and business journey.

The interview flowed well, with many uncontrollable laughs along the way.

What did I want to achieve from sharing my story?

I wanted to share my own experience of starting with a passion and being fuelled with an abundance of motivation to take immediate and continuous action. I spoke about my drive and energy to share these live experiences through my daily video diaries in the hope that it would inspire other people on the pathway to opportunity.

How did it feel doing the interview?

On reflection it seemed to go so fast but I can honestly say I really enjoyed it.

There was an emotional moment however when Coach Steve unexpectedly played one of my video diaries. I felt so happy and grateful that my story was being shared and would hopefully touch someone’s heart just like it was touching mine. I held back the tears and sheer emotion as Coach Steve asked me how it felt to hear the video diary being played.

You see I have been working on this video diary dream for over 1 year now and I have hit many many brick walls along the way but I NEVER GAVE UP. I always believed that it would reach others one day, I just didn’t know when and how that would be.

Will I take part in a radio interview again?

You bet I will—but you knew that would be my answer—I call myself
Miss Opportunity NOT Missed Opportunity!!

Where can I listen to the radio interview?

You can access the interview via the archived podcast media segment by entering the following link into your web browser: http://www.realcoachingradio.net/content/mind-body-and-soul-1, click on the 'blue rss button' so that you can listen to it any time or by just right clicking on the link and saving it to your computer as a media file, optionally you can also subscribe to the shows RSS Podcast Feed.

You can also check out the blog post about this show at: http://realcoachingradio.net/blogs/coachstevetoth/2009/nov/04/home-video
The Real Coaching Radio Network (RCRN) and the 'Mind, Body & Soul Show' is founded by host-executive producer Coach Steve Toth and is also syndicated by RCRN, NowMedia, BlogTV, Stickam, KyteTV and My Rx for Living Internet Radio channels-communities.

I would like to personally thank Steve Toth and all the sponsors for inviting me as a guest on their show and I look forward to returning as a guest in the future.

THE KESWICK CHALLENGE

I will be one of the Coaches facilitating at a number of Leadership Challenge Events being held in beautiful Keswick, Lake District, England next year. However, before I was accepted on board I had to pass the Keswick Challenge myself. What did that mean? Well, on Monday, 1st November 2009 I was jumping over rivers, doing a ‘spider woman’ up and down muddy hills and battling the storms and hail stones. All and all it was a four hour trek covering nearly nine miles, 2500 feet up. Lovely jubbly!! It certainly was a challenge but I suppose it had to be.

The magic and spirit of ‘The Keswick Challenge’ comes from embracing the great outdoors and that is all I am saying at present—I don’t want to spoil it for all you participants next year!!

I would encourage EVERYONE to take ’The Keswick Challenge’ because the sense of achievement that you get at the end of it is second to none—and although you might have sore muscles for a few days after it the inspiring memories of the challenge will last a lifetime.

For further details e.mail: claire@lifecoachmylife.com if you want to find out more.

BUILDING A WINNING TEAM

I believe that the winning strategy to Organisational success is through your people. Your frontline staff must deliver in these challenging times and your managers must be well equipped to help them to perform to the best of their abilities. Murray HR has produced an eBook which can be used as an effect training tool to equip key managers to strengthen the capabilities of their teams and to maximize results for your Organisation.

Organisational Development

Your people are a key asset and it pays to invest in your staff, develop their skills and manage them effectively to optimise their performance. When you have staff who are growing and excelling in what they do at work, then you will have a winning formula to meet your strategic goals and achieve your desired results.

It is vitally important to develop your staff at all levels and in particular to develop your managers who have a key responsibility to develop and empower your staff at the front line. This is not always an easy task and often complex situations between frontline staff and their immediate managers slow the development process down.

Succeed as a Manager

This eBook has been carefully designed for key professionals who either work with managers in Organisations or work as a manager in an Organisation. It forms as a handy toolkit for managers to robustly equip themselves when dealing with people management issues. The content can be used in conjunction with performance management appraisal systems, probationary interviews and management support and supervision sessions.

It also forms the basis of being a great training guide that is easy to follow and simple to understand. It provides effective questions, tips and scenarios to move staff forward, make the right decisions, take ownership in their own roles and embrace their responsibilities.

This eBook will raise the confidence and competencies of key managers as they carry out their day to day duties.

If you are interested in purchasing this eBook please e.mail mail@murrayhr.com

1001 POWERFUL COACHING QUESTIONS

1001 POWERFUL COACHING QUESTIONS

Powerful coaching questions challenge an individual to search deeply within themselves to discover the true answer. That is why is it so important for either a Coach, Mentor, Consultant, Teacher, Leader or Manager to come in with the right question at the right time.

Open, powerful questions expand the learning for the individual inviting them into new territories to create and explore numerous possibilities and endless opportunities.

Life Coach MY LIFE have produced an amazing E.Book containing 1001 Powerful Coaching Questions that will equip a Coach, Mentor, Consultant, Leader, Manager or Teacher to get the BEST from the individual concerned and help them to optimize their performance to achieve amazing results.

BE A MASTER IN YOUR FIELD AND EXPLORE WITH THE GREATEST QUESTIONS.


To PURCHASE the E.Book of 1001 Powerful Coaching Questions please e.mail claire@lifecoachmylife.com

INSPIRING DREAMS INTO ACTION!!

I want to challenge and “Inspire YOU on the Pathway to Opportunity” - this is my business VISION!!

But what does this Vision really mean and how can it benefit YOU?

I believe YOU have a magnificent capacity to grow and fulfil your potential. Yes, sometimes there are barriers in the way but only YOU can break these barriers down. Ahh! But! I hear you say ‘it just ain’t that easy’ - you’re telling me!! Sometimes your greatest learning will come from your own failures or learning from other peoples’ failures. Moving towards the fear is one of those inner challenges which seem so much easier to avoid. But when you go against your core values it tears a part of you away and day by day your true identity slips into the hands of others.

Do you really want to reach the age of 85 and discover through your REGRET that it could all have been different if you only remained true to yourself and took action.

So here comes the empowerment part!!

The greatest of triumphs don’t come easy—that’s why you feel so so FANTASTIC when you do achieve them. Can I help you to make a difference in your life today?– well maybe not, but I am going to give it a damn good try.

Find a quiet space, one where you’ll not get any interruptions for the next 15 minutes or so.

Grab a pen and paper and just take a minute to silence your thoughts.

Now make a list, no matter how wacky it may seem and write down your dreams, goals and aspirations in life. Don’t know what you want? Then the following questions might help you:

What are you truly passionate about?
What life desires are you moved to meet?
What excites you?
What are you really great at?
When are you at your most happiest?
What is your dream career?
What is important to you?
What places would you like to visit?
What would you like to learn?

GREAT—you may not realise it but you have made the first important step and I have “Inspired YOU on the Pathway to Opportunity’. I bet you’re feeling just a little bit excited—if not alot!

When I was planning for my Life Coaching business—long before it actually started, I got so so excited about helping others to achieve their own dreams in life. My extreme passion released a tremendous amount of energy to motivate action. For me I felt an abundance of excitement that I had never really experienced before. I was 34 years young (always thinking positively) and 2 years later I am living the dream.

Now, I do want to keep it real here because life is not a bouquet of roses everyday (and I would be crazy to expect that) but I go to sleep feeling happy that I got one step closer to meeting my vision and I wake up EVERY morning delighted that yesterday I faced my fears, took a risk and just went for it.

I feel it is such a loss for you not to experience this for yourself –I want this article to inspire action in YOU.

A few hundred words merely says it all but if I have inspired just one of you to discover your potential and go for your dreams—I will be absolutely delighted, so please let me know. Personally, I think hearing real stories are the best. I always love to hear readers’ inspiring stories —I invite you to share them with me at claire@lifecoachmylife.com

If you wish to watch my dream forming ‘live’ you can do so through watching my daily video diaries FREE at www.pathwaytoopportunity.com

100 Powerful Coaching Questions

POWERFUL COACHING TOOLS

Powerful coaching questions challenge the client to search deeply within themselves to discover the true answer. That is why it is so important for a Coach to come in with the right question at the right time. Open, powerful questions expand the learning for the client inviting them into new territories to create and explore numerous possibilities and endless opportunities.
Life Coach MY LIFE have produced an e-Book of 100 Powerful Coaching Questions that will equip a Coach to get the best from their client and help them to achieve amazing results. Be a Master in your field and start with the greatest questions.
If you wish to purchase the e-Book of 100 Powerful Coaching Questions, please e.mail claire@lifecoachmylife.com

OR alternatively click on the link below to PURCHASE

http://www.kiqlo.com/services/detail?page=1&qtext=coaching+questions&maincategory=all&user_id=39163&contentid=20307&canvas=true&page=1

E-Book of 100 Powerful Coaching Questions Cost: £4.00

E-Book and Video Download of 100 Powerful Coaching Questions
Cost: £7.95

A Promise to Keep

I promise myself. . . . .

· To be strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.
· To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet.

· To make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

· To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.

· To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

· To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.

· To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

· To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet.

· To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticise others.

· To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

· To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.

· To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me. [Christian D Larson]

A Day at the Beach Never Fails

Today, I was at the beach watching a little girl chase her father’s remote controlled car around in circles. She kept jumping forward and falling on her knees in an effort to catch the car as it skidded by. She did this 31 times and failed. But on attempt number 32, she caught the car.
[Makes Me Think (MMT), Marc and Angel]

If only as adults we were sometimes as brave and determined as that young child and then maybe our fear of failure would not inhibit us from our most greatest life successes. How many times have we as adults only have had to fail once and then we never try or do again? What made that little girl not give up after the first time? I think for sure she was enjoying the journey of her learning experience and having lots of fun, fun, fun with her father. I also think she did not care about what anybody else thought. She had no negative thoughts in her mind preventing her from continuing and no limiting beliefs blocking her path. She sounded excited, happy and free to never give up—even after 31 times. What have you prevented yourself from doing after falling at the first hurdle? What would it mean for you to get back up, stand tall, be confident and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead? Surely in every failure there is a lesson to be learned and by applying the lessons second or third time around maybe, just maybe, your outcome would be different everytime, and everytime I bet you would get closer to your goal. (Claire Murray)

“It only takes one person to change your life—YOU” [Ruth Casey]

Finding Financial Freedom

I want to help you move towards financial freedom, so you regularly gain enough income to more than meet your own needs. If you want to increase your income, why not think about your top five ways of earning more money?
· Do you need to update and refine your business or career plan?
· Do you need to do more training or learn new skills?
· In your current job, is it appropriate for you to ask for a pay rise?
· Move jobs if you need to and start to develop a plan to attract a higher-paying job before you leave.
Make a list of the things you could do to improve your financial situation, things which you would respect and admire yourself for.

Start doing them!

[Carole Gaskell]

AMBASSADOR OPPORTUNITIES

Would You Like To Become An Ambassador For Life Coach MY LIFE? If you would like to earn extra money onto your current income and you believe in the benefits of Life Coaching and the Values and Vision of Life Coach MY LIFE, then please do not hesitate to contact Claire Murray at claire@lifecoachmylife.com for more information about becoming an Ambassador with the Organisation

Life Lessons

Sharing the lessons learned along the way.
1. If you’re smiling right now, you’re doing something right.
2. It’s not so much what you say that counts, it’s how you make people feel.
3. The biggest mistake you can make is doing nothing because you’re scared to make a mistake.
4. No matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should be. Either you succeed or you learn something. Win-Win.
5. Freedom is the greatest gift. Self-sufficiency is the greatest freedom.
6. If you catch yourself working hard and loving every minute of it, don’t stop. You’re on to something big. Because hard work ain’t hard when you concentrate on your passions.
7. It’s not about getting a chance, it’s about taking a chance. You’ll rarely be 100% sure it will work. But you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work. Sometimes you just have to go for it!
8. Complaining is like slapping yourself for slapping yourself. It doesn’t solve the problem, it just hurts you more.
9. The one with nothing to hide is always the one left standing tall.
10. You can press forward long after you can’t. It’s just a matter of wanting it bad enough.
11. There’s a big difference between knowing and doing. Knowledge is basically useless without action.
12. In work and business, when they need you more than you need them, you have succeeded.
13. Everything that happens in life is neither good nor bad. It just depends on your perspective.
14. We are all weird. And life is weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we call it love.
15. True friendship and true love do sustain the tests of distance and time.
16. You can’t change who you are. You can only change what you know and how you apply this knowledge.
17. It is okay to be angry. It is never okay to be cruel.
18. Even when you feel like you have nothing, someone else likely has far less. Find them and help them. You’ll see why.
19. Having a thousand credentials on the wall will not make you a decent human being. But genuinely helping one person everyday will.
20. Remember, change happens for a reason. Roll with it. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.

And I leave you with this question:

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? [Marc and Angel, Lessons from a 28 year old]

Empowering You

As a Practising Life Coach it is so important to truly listen to each client and ask the right questions that will help them move forward and achieve their desired results. Below are some powerful Life Coaching questions you may wish to ask yourself:
1. What is it to have a full, rich life?
2. Where am I the solution?
3. What do I need in order to reach my goals?
4. What motivates me?
5. What is it to be passionate?
6. What is it to speak/act from my heart?
7. If I were at my best, what would I do right now?
8. What is needed in this situation?
9. Where do I limit myself?
10. What am I grateful for?
11. Where am I slowing down?
12. What is the decision I have been avoiding?
13. What keeps me from winning?
14. What did it take to get here?
15. How will I know to ask for support?
16. What resources are available to you?
17. What kind of plan do you need to create?
18. When you are ninety-five years old, what will you want to say about your life?
19. What are the possibilities?
20. What will happen if you do, and what will happen if you don’t?
Take time out of your day to discover the answers to these powerful questions or seek the support from a certified Life Coach to help you achieve your dreams, goals and aspirations in life.
[Co-Active Coaching, 2nd Edition]

The Invention of Braille

Braille is the famous system of embossed type than enables the blind and the partially sighted to read and write. The story of its invention by someone who was blind himself is fascinating.

One day, a three-year-old boy named Louis Braille picked up an awl belonging to his shoemaker father, but the tool slipped and he was blinded in one eye; later an infection caused the loss of sight in his other eye.

Louis was born near Paris in 1809. A clever child, he attended a school for the blind, where pupils were taught practical skills. They were also taught to read, but not to write. However, the method used to teach reading was difficult to master.
In 1821 Charles Barbier, a soldier who had invented for military purposes a system of night-writing using twelve embossed dots, visited the school. His system had never been widely used but Louis saw its potential. After a great deal of hard work Braille was born and in 1827 the first Braille book was published.

Braille has opened new doors of opportunity, enabling the visually impaired not only to read but to write, read music and even do mathematics.
[The Friendship Book 2009]

Grow Like A Sunflower

I want you to grow like a sunflower and really flourish when the summer sunshine breaks through the rain clouds. Here is a creative coaching tool for you to apply to any area of your life. So if you’re thinking of what might be that next career move or how to manage your time better, give this exercise a go. The positive answers are in the petals. Please take some quiet time out to help you move forward in life.

1. Write in the centre of the sunflower what you want to consider e.g. What are my career options for the future?

2. In each petal write down possible options.

3. Start Growing Today!!

Britain's Got Talent In Leadership

Simon Cowell may be well known for the famous Britain’s Got Talent show but in your eyes, is he a talented Leader?

I have attended lots of events this year relating to leadership in business and have come up with my own list of leadership qualities that will catapult you in your business and make you a Royal Performer!!

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader”. [John Q Adams]

Have you got these Leadership qualities?

I m a g i n a t i o n
I n n o v a t i o n
I n s p i r a t i o n
C h a r i s m a
C r e a t i v i t y
P a s s i o n
E n e r g y
E x p e r i e n c e
D r i v e

Innovation for Success

In previous blogs and newsletters I have shared with you the importance of great leadership, cashflow, creativity and innovation in your business. Focusing on developing and improving in these areas will help you stay ahead of the game. I wanted to understand more about the latter and signed up to a workshop run by Scottish Enterprise on innovation for success. The learning will certainly help me in my business and I wanted to also share it with you.

Now initially when I heard the word actor at the event I immediately thought of the gorgeous George Clooney and the sexy Brad Pitt but no to my surprise ACTOR is the name of a systematic process for inventive thinking. We learn something new every day.

So when it comes to innovation here is what ACTOR stands for:

Analyse—explore issues, define context and gain perspective.
Create—use systematic ideas to learn, share expertise and generate ideas.
Think—think business context, clarify strategic success criteria and filter the best ideas.
Opportunities—identify desired outcomes, cluster ideas into opportunities and draw up a one page plan.
Results—drive project deliverables, deliver new products and achieve results for the business.

Together with this model I learned how to apply different creativity tools such as multiplication, subtraction, division, task unification and lots more. I know it sounds like a mathematics class at school but really for me it was fabulous learning with a few “lightbulb” moments.

Some great questions to ask yourself in business innovation are:
· As a business what can we do differently that our customers want?
· What world does our business operate in?
· Who do we interact with in business?
· What else is going on around our business?

The workshop was excellent, very interactive and great fun. The strange looking photo above is from one of the groupwork activities where we had to use our creativity and innovation (sadly my group didn’t win).

I am now much more clearer on the concepts of innovation in business and ideally where it is placed—INNOVATION sits in between evolution and revolution. Give it a go today

5 Rescue Strategies from "Across the Pond"

If you’re doing well despite the economy, these strategies will help you do even better. If you’re worried about the Recession, these 5 strategies will show you how you can take immediate action to increase customers and profits – at little or no cost. I am delighted to share with you my learning from a recent telephone conference with top marketing consultants Chris Cardell (UK) and Bill Glazer (USA) —in Chris’ mind Bill is the world’s leading authority on Recession Immunisation. Expert advice is that all business owners should be investing their time and energy on the following:
1. 80% of your energy should go into the top 5-20% of your existing customers. Let your best customers know that you recognise and value them.
2. Inspect what you expect. Ensure every step of your sales process is properly executed.
3. The gold is in the relationship with your customers.
4. Seek and hunt new ways of doing things differently.
5. Implement the above into your business strategy.

Chariots Of Fire

It's a story known across the world and brilliantly portrayed in the film "Chariots Of Fire". Eric Liddell was the hot favourite for a gold medal in the 100 metres at the 1924 Paris Olympics. Then he heard that the heats were to be held on a Sunday. After some tortuous soul searching he declined to run on the Sabbath.

His daughter, Patricia, has no doubt what would have happened if he had run. "He'd have lost. Something would have gone from his soul. He'd have broken something that was important to him".

Like Eric Liddell we can practice, train and work towards our goals, but without something to believe in we might never get away from the starting line. And because he adhered to his beliefs, Eric Liddell ended up running in a race he hadn't practiced for - and set a new Olympic record.

Beautiful People

"Beautiful people often aren't perfect. You must have a beautiful soul, and no amount of money can buy that." (Joan Duncan Oliver)

Bucking The Trend

Bucking The Trend

Most people thought I was damn right crazy when I started up my new businesses in the middle of a recession - but I always always remained upbeat and positive about my business being a great success. I always believed in myself and just knew I could make it through the tough times. I am now operating two thriving businesses http://www.lifecoachmylife.com/ & http://www.murrayhr.com/ and my passion for making a positive difference in the lives of others holds me true to my vision.

I want to share my learning experiences with others - so please drop me an e.mail or give me a call if you want to hear further about it.

You can access my first professional interview with Glasgow Caledonian University's Alumni Magazine from the link below.

http://www.lifecoachmylife.com/index.php?pr=Press&nosessionkill=1

claire@lifecoachmylife.com

Tel: 07947 723 495

Curtains of Creativity

Changing the décor in your home can make you and all your family feel completely refreshed and raring to go for summertime. From giving the walls a lick of paint, adding a border, or just changing the curtains—it all adds to the final ambience of your home. Making simple changes in the home can make a world of difference. Simple things like bringing out the old favourite photos and putting them in stylish frames on the walls in the house can make a huge impact. And for those of us who do need a bit of cheering up buy yourself a fresh bunch of flowers every few weeks—the ultimate pick me up when you walk into your living room! So what are you waiting for start making those creative changes and you’ll feel so much better for it!

A Flavour of 4 Months

Hi all,

Welcome to Day 124 of my video diary. Yes, I know Day 34 wasn't that inspiring however it was unedited and sometimes you just need to add a little music in life. Anyway Day 34 was in the very early days, yep and so is Day 124 but listen to my words of wisdom - please check it out on Youtube. Click on the link below. Hope you enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1T2xVBR78s

Claire

Seven Steps to Start-up

Successfully starting and running your own business is one of the most intensely satisfying things you can to in life. However, it’s rather like an extreme sport—exhilarating when you win, and painful when you don’t. What makes people successful in business start-up? Here are 7 important steps:
1. Have a good idea—Know what you’re going to do, love it and understand it. This will reduce risks.
2. Check out the competition—See who is already active in your chosen field and work out how you’re going to be different.
3. Do the sums—How much have you got to invest and live on for the next few months? Work out how much money do you need to get started, then double it.
4. Seek advice—There are Government funded advice agencies able to offer independent guidance and support.
5. Write a business plan.
6. Test the market—Without customers you have no business. Find out what potential customers want.
7. Measure everything—Don’t get so tied up working in your business that you have no time to work on your business. Stand back and look at what you’re doing and record everything.
[The Life Plan, 2007]

The Perfect Present

It’s often difficult to happen upon just the right present for someone, isn’t it?
It can be hard enough finding a gift for a relation, a helpful neighbour, or the friend who seems to have everything he or she could possibly need. But when the Pacific Steel and Recycling Company (www.pacific-recycling.com) in Montana decided they wanted to give something to their community, it must have seemed a formidable task.
However, they rose to the challenge and came up with the wonderful idea of funding their local museum of art to allow visitors free entry for a year. This was a gesture that delighted both the community and those involved with the museum—they knew it would be the perfect chance to nurture understanding and appreciation of the arts.
Now that’s what I call the perfect present. [The Friendship Book 2009]

Great Leadership has the ICE Factor?

I {Imagination, Innovation, Inspiration}

C {Culture, Creativity, Charisma}

E {Energy, Ethusiasm, Expertise}

Do you have the ICE Factor in your business?

Jump For Joy

Happiness breeds happiness, and builds inner strength. When we are happy we can’t help but flourish. Try my top 5 things that make people happy and be a HAPPY CHAPPY today:
1. Wake Revitalised: getting a good night’s kip will rest that sleepy head and recharge those batteries for tomorrow.
2. Love, Love, Love : Did you watch the film Castaway starring Tom Hanks? Yes, few people would enjoy years alone on a desert island, in fact most would keep themselves busy by trying to escape. Having someone who loves you can boost your happiness.
3. Have Fun with Fitness: the human body, especially the brain, functions best when you are physically fit. Find an activity that you enjoy doing, make it fun or pair up with a friend. Make small changes e.g. taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Stay active and be happy.
4. Set Goals: What do you want to achieve in the future? What will you BE, DO and HAVE as a result of this? If you can’t see the target how do you know where to aim? Write down your goals and GO FOR IT.
5. Be Yourself: The challenge of life is to be who you are, there is no other person like you. Stay true to yourself and believe in your abilities. What you do today is creating your future. Make sure it is a HAPPY FUTURE.

Claire

Did You Know?

“Did You Know” . I would recommend every business owner view this video — it will definitely get you thinking about what lies ahead in terms of the progression of Information Technology. You can access this from Youtube using the following link:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpEnFwiqdx8


You will be truly amazed by its “Wow” factor content.

Photo of Amazing Boat above from my short book "Amazing Boats and Motiquotes"

Twittering About

Hello Bloggers,

Find me twittering about on the link below:

http://www.twellow.com/user/ClaireMCMurray

Anything is Possible

Every journey starts somewhere and I believe my adventure started when I crossed the line of the New York Marathon in November 2007. I absolutely believe “anything is possible” especially after this personal achievement. I remember very clearly at the beginning of January 2007 what a mighty task I had set myself. I will never forget those freezing cold training nights battling through the winter storms, often alone but full of determination and spirit to reach my goal.

As I write this article I am sitting with the NYC marathon medal in front of me. Simply looking at it and touching it takes me back to that magic moment of crossing the finish line - I think the photo of me on the right, says it all really. On the back of the medal are inspiring words from Alberto Salazar, “. . a triumph of the will over all limits”.

 

Hop Hop Hopping To The Top

Hello dear friendly bloggers,

Today I received exceptional news, I have been assigned my new business mentor, a successful entrepreneur who will offer me his guidance and experience. I have alot to learn on this marvelous journey but despite some of the risky challenges, I am enjoying it all the way. Meeting lots of wonderful people through this life experience and quite frankly starting my own business was the best thing I have ever done in my life. So please don't get concerned by the video diaries of Day 34 - it is all part of the experiential learning and I am hop hop hopping to the top:-)

Claire

Embrace The Present

Jenny’s husband has employment which involves frequent moves, so we were sorry rather than surprised to hear that she would be leaving our neighbourhood. “It must be rather hard,” commiserated the Lady of the House, “to have to keep leaving everything behind you.”
“Well,” Jenny replied. “I always make sure I take the addresses of the friends I’ve made but other than that, I try to look forward rather than back.”
“I go along with the philosophy of Jan Gildwell, who said: “You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present.”
And that’s not bad advice for any of us, whatever our circumstances. [The Friendship Book, 2009]

Express De-stress

Reduce those stress levels in Life and work by trying out these 8 important stress busters. In doing so you’ll not only look and feel amazing but your performance will rocket. So whatever you want to achieve make sure you EXPRESS DE-STRESS all the way there.
1. SLEEP BETTER
Try to keep to a pattern of going to bed and waking at the same time. Remember that a good sleep is like a good meal, it should leave you satisfied but not too full.
2. EAT MORE
Say goodbye to 3 hefty meals per day, and think ‘little and often’ instead. Nutritionists recommend eating every three to four hours to keep your energy topped up.
3. DO THINGS YOU LOVE
Doing something you enjoy can send your energy levels soaring. So whether that’s reading a book, kite surfing or watching a movie, take time out to do it.
4. MAKE NEW FRIENDSand don’t forget your old ones, too. Research suggests that people who are part of large social groups may live longer, stay happier and suffer less stress.
5. SAY WHAT YOU MEAN
One of the fastest ways to raise stress levels, say psychologists, is to pretend everything’s okay when it’s not. Be true to yourself, and you’ll feel better for it.
6. BE SCARED
Whether it’s asking for a promotion, riding the ghost train or jumping out of a plane (with a parachute naturally), doing something scary is a great way to boost your confidence.
7. DRINK UP
Water is vital to your diet, aim for six to eight glasses per day.
8. LAUGH
Laughter closes the distances between two people and it makes you feel good. The average adult laughs 17 times a day. Laughter is actually a complex response that involves many of the same skills used in solving problems. So that means people who laugh alot are clever. GO ON “ha, ha, ha OR “ho, ho, ho” OR “hee, hee, hee” TODAY.

Claire

Life Is All About Sharing Opportunities

Starting any new business venture is a real challenge and that is why I created my free monthly newsletter "Opportunity News". It is not only aimed at that budding entreprenuer but it offers real stories about real people making a difference. Don't just take it from me, read it yourself by clicking on the link below. Enjoy

http://www.lifecoachmylife.com/index.php?pr=Opportunity_News&nosessionkill=1

Trio In Troon

My mini adventure today inspired me to "live for the moment", "seek the opportunity" and "connect with the people of the world".

Sharing ideas and aspirations not only create a better world but they enhance the passion inside. Go on drive towards your ambitions by connecting, collaborating and creating. I did today over a tea and toastie in Troon and it was tremendous. Thank you to my two friends - you know who you are. Looking forward to meeting you again.

Claire

Episode 1: Meet Me At The Beginning

Welcome Fellow Bloggers :D

This is the first ever release of my unedited version of Day 34 of my video diary documentary, part 1 and part 2.

Voice of Claire:
"To all of you - never ever let go of your dreams for they are the sanity of your life. Never let your fear keep you away from your dreams because without dreams the world would be a lifeless place. It is the energy and passion that you put into making your dreams come true that makes the world a better place to live in.

This video diary cost me a few minutes of my time everyday to share with you my real experiences. I don’t claim to give you all the answers to establishing a perfect new business venture, the best information, the right order in doing things – this is basically how I did it and how I learned from my mistakes – so you don’t need to make the same mistakes yourself.

I want this video diary to prepare you physically, emotionally and mentally for what you are about to take on – giving you an idea of what it might be like at times - both good times and bad times."

Access on Youtube:

Day 34 Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cIf9sTLua0

Day 34 Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwadIazXKpQ&feature=channel_page

I am on Twitter

Welcome Everyone,

You can now follow me on Twitter. http://twitter.com/ClaireMCMurray

Hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend.

Claire

LIFE - Live It Feel Excited

Welcome to the excitingly new and inspirational blog for Life Coach MY LIFE.

I have great plans for my new business venture . . . . keep your eye on this blog to find out more.

I trust that other individuals who are thinking of setting up their own business, considering becoming a Life Coach or thinking of being coached will undoubtedly benefit from this blog.

And in the words of Ruth Casey, "It only takes one person to change your life - YOU".

Make 2009 be the most amazing year of your life!!

Claire Murray
Director
www.lifecoachmylife.com & www.murrayhr.com