Holiday Reading

Whilst on holiday the week before last I read a great book by Michael Neill called “Supercoach: 10 secrets to transform anyone’s life.”  I am usually highly sceptical about books with such titles (usually written by PhDs) that claim to fix everything, but I was at Bristol airport with nothing to read and I was in the mood to study something about coaching. So I paid my money…

And wow did I learn some great things about coaching, thinking and working inside out rather than the other way round. Michael’s book is packed with incisive ideas, experiences, real world stories of what has worked and how for both coaches, those being coached – in fact anybody trying to make sense of the stuff happening in their lives and around them. I share below his 10 secrets and you really need to read it.  

1. The world is what you think it is. You are creating your experience of the world moment by moment.

2. Well being is not the fruit of something you do; it is the essence of who you are. There is nothing you need to change, do, be, or have in order to be happy.

3. There's nowhere for you to get to - you're just here

4. What you decide will never impact your life as much as how you handle the consequences of that decision.

5. Every emotion you experience is a direct response to a thought, not the world around you.

6. No matter what seems to be going on in your life, you don't have to do anything. Everything you do (or don't do) is a choice.

7. You create other people by how you listen to them.

8. You can ask for anything when you make it okay for them to say "no".

9. Financial security doesn't come from the amount of money you currently have; it comes from your ability to get more of it whenever you want. Master the art of serving others and you will secure your financial future.

10. There is never a good reason not to hope.

Speak again soon when I hope we can celebrate a first English test victory of the summer. For daily updates, discussion, personal opinion, comment or just to connect or keep in touch you can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/drcarltonbrand.

Carlton”

European election and council's strategic direction

My first blog for a few weeks after a very busy European election period and then a week off!

The Euro election went very well indeed thanks to the near 1,000 staff, volunteers and others who worked so hard under the leadership and guidance of the elections team. Elections are always a tense time as there is so much at stake for both the candidates, political parties and the wider electorate. The count on the Sunday went quickly and we were all finished by around 6pm – 4 hours ahead of the deadline to return the results to the regional returning officer. Fortunately we required no recounts.

On Monday this week we met with Cabinet to start a series of conversations leading to the development of the strategic direction of the council over the next five years plus. The changing landscape of the public sector, social policy, austerity, next years’ general election, and most importantly the priorities for local elected members are all factors that we need to consider and plan ahead for. It was an energising discussion and a good start to the process.

For those of you interested in coaching to develop both your performance and that of others, you should be aware that the next coaching network event is planned for July 2. For any of you aspiring to coach others, perhaps as part of your management or leadership role then do please come along and find out what we’re up to. There are about 30 of us involved thus far but this is growing steadily.

  

Speak again soon. For daily updates, discussion, personal opinion, comment or just to connect or keep in touch you can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/drcarltonbrand.

Carlton