Let’s shift our mindset for a moment with the idea that obstacles can truly be a blessing! In fact, they are often the path to great success and achievement. Actually, if there is one characteristic found in all successful people, it is the ability to persevere and overcome obstacles. Those that struggle with life invariably give up far too quickly. You see, obstacles aren’t merely a roadblock. They are opportunities to realize endless possibilities. Let’s look at a few things that need to happen to achieve this mind shift.

Turning Obstacles into Endless Possibilities

3 Behaviors we Should Embrace to Overcome Obstacles

1. Perceive the situation accurately – Overcoming obstacles begins with the ability to perceive the situation accurately. This requires having a true understanding of how the world works. It’s important to be free of emotional distress and to maintain your composure. Excess emotion clouds perception and can inhibit your ability to take action.
2. Act intelligently – With accurate perception, you have the ability to take appropriate action. All of us take actions every day. Even lying on the couch and watching television is a course of action. However, few of us take intelligent action. Intelligent action consists of actions that are most likely to lead to success.
3. Accept and persevere – Creating opportunities from obstacles requires will. When placed in a situation with multiple obstacles and little hope, do you continue or do you give up? The ability to accept the situation makes intelligent action easier. Lacking acceptance, you’ll face too much emotional struggle to perceive accurately or to act intelligently.

Final Thoughts

Having to face obstacles is a natural part of life. The fact is it’s a part of our human experience. However, embracing the right mindset and behaviors can help us move past these obstacles to realize untapped opportunities. If you feel stuck, bombarded by challenges, try embracing the three behaviors above. This is just the beginning. Learn more about how to persevere and find new opportunities and possibilities.

The post How to Turn Obstacles into Endless Possibilities appeared first on Strategy Nook.

When you seek the guidance of a coach who has been through it all before, you can benefit from their lessons learned. You can actually avoid mistakes, and wasted time and money. You also gain focus and clarity, and tap into their toolkit of resources that will help you find solutions that truly work for you. That’s the power of a life or business coach!

Now, take a moment to imagine yourself moving from just wants and desires to a defined action plan with clear objectives that you can implement in your life or business. How does that feel? You can do it! You see, coaching can help you shave years off the time it would have taken to reach your goals otherwise. Let’s explore a few advantages of life coaching or business coaching.

Here are the top 7 reasons to get life coaching or Business Coaching

1. Building confidence – When you get life coaching or business coaching you should be under the guidance of someone capable of successfully helping you attain your personal or business goals. This gives you the confidence that things will get done!

• Guided plan – Sure, you can draft up a plan by yourself, but when you write out your plans with the help of a life or business coach, you know you’re getting a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-based) plan that works! Your coach will know shortcuts and can help you stay accountable as well. Are you beginning to see the picture? Let’s continue.

• Coping with conflicts – Your Coach can help you cope with current conflicts and tensions in your life. They can also give you tips on how to avoid similar situations in the future.

• Personal attention – Your Coach can give you the attention you need so you can be personally guided along your chosen path. If you run into struggles, your coach will be there to provide much needed support and guidance drawn from their wealth of knowledge and vast toolkit of solutions.

• Dealing with challenges – As with life, things will not always go according to plan. When you hit a snag, your coach can help you overcome the challenge and steer you back into the correct direction. You can feel comfortable knowing that you are receiving expert guidance.

• Versatility – You can decide how you’d like to use your coach. Do you want help with short-term goals or long-term goals? Perhaps you would like both.

• Enthusiasm – Your coach likely has a great deal of enthusiasm and passion for their work, which will naturally rub off on you. Sometimes it may be difficult to keep up your drive. Thankfully, motivation and inspiration (besides their knowledge and experience) are two of the main reasons why coaches exist.

Finding a Coach That’s Right for You

There are a few tips you should keep in mind when searching for a coach that will mesh well with your personal style. The first concern is that your coach should have certain credentials and experience in the relevant fields. Be sure you do your homework when it comes to checking out your coach.

See if you can find testimonials and reviews about potential coaches. Ask around and try to talk to someone else who has been coached by this person. After all, a good referral is always more trusted!

Communicate with your potential coach and see what his or her communication style is like. Ask yourself whether or not you think you’d get along well with this person. Some people might think the coach is fabulous! However, if you don’t think you will personally communicate well, then it may not be a good fit for you.  

Coaching sessions can take place via phone, video conferencing, email, or in-person. Make sure your coaching sessions will be conducted in a format that you find comfortable. Ask yourself whether you’re the type of person that needs to meet face to face. Nowadays, with technology, we can communicate in many different ways.

Final Thoughts

In the end you should be proud of yourself for seeking expert help. Recognizing the reasons to get coaching, and the value it brings is the first step. Next, think through and follow the strategies to find a great life coach that is a good fit for you. Then, prepare yourself by understanding how you can get the most out of your coaching experience as Being Coachable is Critical to Personal Development. Finally, jumpstart your journey into the life or business you desire!

The post 7 Reasons to Get Life Coaching or Business Coaching appeared first on Strategy Nook.

What Do I Mean By Being Coachable?

So you may be contemplating or have already found compelling reasons to get life or business coaching. If you’re like most professionals, you probably want to succeed, but you may resist personal or business coaching for reasons that you’re not even aware of. These are blockers on your path to personal development as they resist improvement and growth. Not to worry, you can develop these skills and qualities that will prepare you to accept guidance and act on it.

Now, lets dig in! Use the following checklist to find the areas you may need to work on so you can have a successful relationship with your coach.

Communication Skills

1. Listen closely – Pay attention to what your coach has to say. Look for the truth in any message instead of dismissing their perspective or trying to make excuses. Maintain eye contact and resist any urge to interrupt. This is key: having or developing listening skills is vital to being coachable. The good thing is that your coach can help you in this area.
2. Ask questions – Ensure you understand what your coach is telling you. Paraphrase their statements in your own words. Clarify any points you’re unsure of and ask for concrete examples.
3. Take your time – Let yourself absorb information fully. Focus on responding thoughtfully rather than quickly. If a situation stirs up strong feelings, give yourself an opportunity to calm down so you can think clearly.
4. Welcome feedback – Ask others for input frequently and graciously. It helps to stay in practice and have multiple viewpoints while you’re working with your coach.
5. Watch your body language – Ensure that your gestures and expressions are friendly and consistent with your words. Coaches are human. It’s easier for them to fully engage with you when they feel respected and appreciated.
6. Open up – Recognize that there is more than one way to approach the same goals. Consider your coach’s suggestions even when they’re different from your usual methods.

Other Skills and Qualities

1. Value learning – Are you excited about adding to your knowledge and stretching your skills? Learning is a mindset that helps you to make sounder decisions and adapt to change. It can also motivate you to persevere through the coaching process.
2. Set goals – While your coach can help you to reach your goals, you need to be sure that your targets are specific and meaningful for you. Write your goals out and tell others about them so you’ll feel more accountable.
3. Adjust your expectations – Do you understand the difference between coaching and consulting? A consultant is usually hired to fix a specific issue. A coach works with you to build your strengths so you can achieve the outcomes you desire.
4. Cultivate gratitude – Thank your coach for the positive impact they make in your life. Putting their insights into action is also an effective way to show them that they’re making a difference.
5. Be humble -Remember that your coach and anyone you meet has valuable things that they can teach you. Tame your ego so you can create productive relationships and take advantage of rewarding opportunities.
6. Practice consistently – How can you take what you learn from coaching and use it to make positive changes in your personal or work life? Develop a strategy for enhancing your performance and set specific goals for areas where you want to grow. Deliberate practice requires discipline and effort, but it pays off.
7. Evaluate your progress – Self-examination is an important part of the coaching process. Reflect on the areas that you’ve already covered and what you want to do next. Enjoy discovering more about yourself and your abilities.

Final Thoughts

Being coachable is about one’s readiness and willingness to learn and grow. This mindset helps unlock your potential so you can achieve greater personal and professional success. Coaching can help you to clarify your vision and leverage your strengths if you know how to use the resources your coach provides. The key takeaway here is to not worry about the skills you need to develop, your coach should be able to guide you on your path to development and growth.

The post Being Coachable is Critical to Personal Development appeared first on Strategy Nook.

Being grateful allows us to appreciate the things we have instead of focusing on the things we lack.  An individual who is grateful recognizes that favorable outcomes are often the result of personal effort, as much as they are reliant on factors outside of self.  Getting in the habit of expressing gratitude, before, during and after the Thanksgiving season is a wonderful way to improve overall health and a general sense of well-being.

Ways to Express Gratitude

There are many ways that anyone can show gratitude. Expressing this feeling on a regular basis will help to strengthen relationships, reduce stress levels, and improve the way you view your life’s trajectory.  Do not take it for granted that people around you automatically know the extent of your appreciation.  Be as earnest as you like when expressing your gratitude, and cultivate this habit through practice if it is not one that comes naturally. Practice these 4 strategies consistently you are off to a good start:

1.  Embrace the Convention of the “Thank You Note”

Thank you notes may seem like an anachronism in the age of emails, instant messages, and impersonal contact. The point is to find a way to show appreciation. From time to time I give “shout-outs” on social media so don’t be afraid to use any and all communication medium appropriately. However, don’t overlook the tried and true convention as it is still a wonderful way to show your appreciation.  A thank you note maybe hand-written for increased personalization, but can also be typed and emailed once the message of gratitude is written with sincerity.  It may be written to someone who continues to be a source of great help and inspiration, to a loved one that has passed on as a means of therapeutic release, or you may even write one to yourself as a reminder to be grateful for inner strength.

2.  Create a Gratitude Log or Journal

Start a daily or weekly exercise of writing down all the things that you are grateful for. Create a narrative that makes each entry more memorable; describe incidents or events that triggered this deep sense of gratitude in as much detail as you like. I revisit my journals from time to time and the first thing I recognize is growth, and I am always encouraged about the journey of life.

3.  Mentally Take Note of the things of Which You are Grateful

Reflect on the things which stir your gratitude. You can achieve this with thoughtful meditation and deep introspection.  The more you think about the things which you truly appreciate in your life the more positive your outlook becomes. A positive outlook lends itself to a better social experience. It also helps with stress management and you will find that, over time, you will not sweat the small stuff.

4.  Count on Prayer

If you are a strong believer in prayer use it as a tool to express thankfulness.  Focus less on your wants and desires when praying. Instead, shift your attention to the appreciation of the things you have.

As the season changes, be reminded of the need to be thankful for all that the preceding period has brought. Also, never forgot the people that have made a positive impact on your life. Regardless of the situation, there is always something worthy of our gratefulness.  The more genuine the response of gratitude, the greater the likelihood you will suffer fewer negative thoughts, feelings of sadness, anxiety and emotional instability. I encourage you to embrace a grateful mindset year-round, you won’t regret it!

The post Gratitude: Why it’s Not Just for Thanksgiving appeared first on Strategy Nook.

What if the things that make any of us ultimately happy prevent us from developing our own personal identity and brand? We often think of happiness as something that is derived from an external source – a need or desire that must be fulfilled. All too frequently we equate our potential for happiness with our ability to find someone or achieve a certain level of recognition or material wealth. While we can experience resoundingly wonderful feelings from accomplishing all we have set out to do, there is still a critical element that cannot be overlooked – happiness from within.

I believe that when we achieve happiness from within. We then bring this happiness into our circumstances as opposed to looking for happiness from our circumstances. Yet, if we evaluate what brings us happiness, we may notice a trend that reveals something inherent about human nature. We tend to link our happiness to other people or material objects! Rare is the person who focuses on his or herself as an important source of this profound feeling.

“Happiness depends upon ourselves.” – Aristotle

Self-Identifying  and Personal Identity

When we identify things and/or people as an integral part of our happiness, we are basically saying that they make us feel better about who we are, and they become a critical part of our identity. This can cause us to lose our personal identity as we may unwittingly tie our identities to relationship roles and responsibilities such as:

1. Being a father or mother
2. Being a husband or wife
3. Being a daughter or son
4. Being a friend
5. Our career
6. Our achievements
7. Our religion

The Challenges with Self-Identifying

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with being happy in these roles or carrying out these responsibilities. After all, attaining satisfaction and joy from our relationships or achievements is perfectly normal. We are, after all, instinctively social beings. However, when the attainment of a relationship or achievement entirely defines who we are, we are left vulnerable. The fact is, basing our entire happiness on any type of relationship, object or achievement is unhealthy. It is unhealthy because if we lose these we lose our happiness. Let’s face it! I say “lose these” because at some point in our lives, as we age or circumstances change. We are likely to suffer the loss of relationships, and our achievements may become past glories. That is the hard reality!

In short, self-identifying or building our happiness around another person or achievement comes with the potential for disappointment. This can stem from having expectations that are unmet, the dissolution of the relationship, or achievements becoming diminished/irrelevant over time. Whatever the reason, once there is a failing, you may be left with a sense of emptiness and unhappiness.

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”  – Frederick Keonig

The same can be said of placing emphasis on material possessions. If much of your joy comes from the things you own, you may find that you are constantly in need of acquiring more to feel fulfilled. The initial enjoyment that is derived from obtaining the desired item is usually short-lived. As a result, a need to attain more becomes essential to sustaining an appreciable level of gratification or happiness.

“We are at our happiest when we are happiest with ourselves.” – Rochelle Simone 

Preserving Your Personal Identity

When we seek happiness solely from individuals, circumstances or objects, we endow something or someone else with the power to dictate our feelings. To be truly happy we must first learn to experience a deep appreciation and love for who we are and what we are about. In other words, knowing that we have defined ourselves independently of another human being or material possessions bring us closer to true contentment. This preserves our personal identity and brand. We are then able to accept the thought that external sources of pleasure do not need to complete us. They merely complement our unique situation.  Bottom line is to strive for happiness within while developing/maintaining healthy, balanced, relationships between ourselves and individuals, circumstances and objects.

The post Personal Identity: 7 Ways We Trade Happiness appeared first on Strategy Nook.

I have heard people say they “don’t do stress” but they admit to having challenges from time to time.  The truth is, whether or not we want to find a different word or language to express it, stress is a part of everyday life. Stress is simply a normal response to situations that are often beyond our control. It affects as much as 75% of the human population. The working population is said to be affected more than any other group.  At modest levels, stress can help to keep us alert, and we are more likely to avoid danger.

In today’s fast-paced global economy, stress has become so common that it has blended with our daily living. For many people, life is full of hassles, deadlines, frustrations, and demands.  In small doses, this may help to improve performance under pressure.  However, if you are constantly running in emergency mode, your mind and body end up paying a great price. In addition, productivity then becomes diminished.  Much of this burden can be prevented by recognizing the signs and symptoms, and taking effective steps to reduce the harmful effects.

Stress-related Illnesses

Headaches, insomnia, high blood pressure, upset stomach, chest pains, insomnia, panic attack, anxiety, and depression are some of the illnesses that can result from unmanaged stress. If you find yourself experiencing any of these illnesses, take action. You see, when these go unchecked, they can lead to diseases, which in turn impact our quality of life and productivity.

Final Thoughts

The point is, stress management in your career and personal life is critical.  Finding an appropriate response can make a huge difference in your  well-being and productivity.

1.  The first step is to accept the fact that everyone is prone to stress.

2.  Next is to be careful to set realistic expectations and be honest about your limitations.

3.  Then, find healthy ways to create a life balance.

The following infographics highlight a few facts, and “do’s and dont’s” with solutions to stress management.  I hope you find this helpful.

The post Stress Management is Crucial to Productivity appeared first on Strategy Nook.

The human mind in all its complexities is a very powerful tool, which can achieve great things or defeat us before we even dream of starting something new. How we think can often be translated to our attitude and relationships with others. Subsequently, exercising the mind to think more positively can have a great effect on your overall well-being, and will also help to reduce stress, anxiety and feelings of despair.

Start with some much needed introspection

Indulge yourself with a few moments of introspection. During this period jot down the first few thoughts that come to mind on a piece of paper. What is the result of this exercise? Do you find that negative thoughts outweigh positive thoughts?

If the result indicates an inclination to being negative there are a few things you can do to redirect your focus.

Alter your interpretation of negative thoughts

Negative thoughts come in many shapes and forms. They can be that nagging voice of insecurity that is deeply rooted in your own fears, or they can be a representation of realities that you find difficult to manage. Regardless of the way they are manifested, the outcome will typically be the same – anxiety, sadness, tension, inaction, avoidance and other disruptive feelings. A good way to combat these negative thoughts is to re-purpose them to your advantage.

For example:

If you have to meet a work deadline in only a matter of days you may be plagued by thoughts that declare: “You are going to miss the deadline and lose your job”. Instead you could alter this outlook by actively thinking “Meeting this deadline is going to be an uphill battle, but I am ready for this challenge; I will succeed!” Instead of assuming defeat before the race has even begun, you will aim for victory despite knowing the odds that are stacked against you.

Do not focus on idealism and perfection – accept you for you!

A great source of negative thoughts is the expectation that we should be living an idealistic life based on societal norms. It is made considerably worse when we compare ourselves to others needlessly and determine that we have fallen short. To counter this effect, you must accept that you are an individual on your own path, and that your life unfolds in its own unique way. Accept that you will make mistakes and that there is no need to dwell on anything that will drain you of your peace of mind.

Be your own change don’t play the victim card

If you find yourself in a situation that makes you uncomfortable, do not make yourself the victim. Instead, look at how this can lead to personal growth and make every attempt to learn from the situation. Where possible, make a change that will turn the tables in your favor. Do not grab hold of powerlessness; find your strength in all of life’s challenges.

Surround yourself with positive people – avoid negative people

You cannot expect to become a more positive person with negative people telling you otherwise. Our thoughts are just as much affected by external dialogue as they are by internal dialogue. If you find that you have been surrounding yourself with more than your fair share of negative people, it is time to make a change. Aim to interact with people who are like minded with similar goals, and will encourage you.

Make a list of all the positive things you have going for you

It is time to be immodest and toot your own horn. Make a list of all the things you love about yourself and your life in general. Don’t be coy. Be as emphatic as you wish and declare to yourself just how truly wonderful you are!

Accept that negative thoughts are normal and silence them with positive reinforcement

Negative thoughts will always find a way to resurface. It is a normal reaction to the unexpected or the undesirable. Accept them for what they are and make it your duty to silence them with positive reinforcement. If you hear yourself thinking “I am not good enough,” tell yourself “I am not just good enough I am superb!”

The post Removing the Sting from Negative Thoughts appeared first on Strategy Nook.

We are all created with special abilities and gifts. Unfortunately, sometimes the fear of stepping out with confidence prevents us from realizing these gifts. We don’t have to let fear and anxiety cripple our chance to real success.  If you have dreams that you are afraid of pursuing, here are a few tips to help you step into your destiny:

1. When fear and anxiety set in, it is important to recognize and accept that you are feeling fearful. Many people see fear as a weakness and, therefore refuse to embrace it as a natural part of our human experience.  Without acceptance it is difficult to move forward towards a solution.
2. Evaluate your own circumstances to determine if your fear or apprehension is grounded in reality. You may need to engage the help of a good friend or cohort for this exercise. Embrace some good, positive, informed and realistic minds who have your best interest at heart to determine if you are equipped with the right “stuff” to move forward. I love this imagery below! Does a bird really need a parachute? The picture illustrates how fear cripples the bird’s natural ability to fly. What area of your life is fear crippling?  
3. If you really want to do something and you are faced with the reality of not having the abilities or resources yourself, networking is always a good option.  No need to fear.  You don’t have to do it alone. Find individuals with similar interests and goals to help propel your dreams forward. Many success stories are wrought out of a simple idea.
4. Set realistic and achievable goals. This helps to prevent much stress and anxiety along the way. One of the important things for me as a project manager is to be realistic in goals setting and to constantly evaluate those goals, as well as my stakeholder’s appetite for what is being delivered. I also try to implement this practice into my personal life, since identifying potential risks to achieving my goals help me plan strategies to move forward. One strategy that is always necessary is to be ready to abort the project or put it on hold, if necessary. This strategy is often overlooked by many because it is seen as failure. However, embracing the old adage, “there is more than one way to skin a cat” helps to put things into perspective. It simply means that you have tried one way that is not yielding the benefits you desire and it is time to look at other scenarios. Don’t be afraid of what people might say. Keep in mind that the path to success is different for everyone.
5. Make and execute a plan. Keep on-top of your targets with an eye on your goals. At the same time, be ready to exercise some flexibility. Plan to give yourself room to adjust, as people and circumstances tend to change over time. Here is where much stress can spiral into chaos. Don’t try to be a hero here; be realistic and remain positive. If you have not allotted yourself enough room for adjustments, expect challenges. Keep in mind that timing is everything in today’s ever-changing global economy.
6. As you begin to move through your plans, also set realistic expectations about the human factor. Remember that you are not perfect, and mistakes do happen.  This is an important factor in anything you do. Give yourself enough room for mistakes and have a plan for recovery; you, and others that might be helping you, are human and prone to imperfections.
7. Keep it simple, remember to be flexible, and be kind to yourself. Now release your fears, work the process and step into your destiny!

The post 7 Steps to Push Beyond Fear and Achieve Your Goals appeared first on Strategy Nook.