Planning for the future!!

At this time of year you start to wonder what the next will bring.  I am quite amazed at the actions taken by some of my friends who have taken positive action to challenge themselves.

Jennifer has just celebrated her 70th birthday and has been working under VSO in Tanzania since September on a 2 year assignment.  She is looking to make a real difference to make sure that others benefit from her expertise and skills from her working life which she continued until her late 60s. She has always follow a healthy lifestyle, is slim and young in mind.  To her, her age is just a number and it is how fit you are and how sharp the mind - both of which are work in progress ……..

Trish has returned to University to do a Masters in Eng Literature at the age of 62.  Although she has always held responsible positions until fairly recently she still feels like the "new girl" - as she said to me a little like "Educating Rita" with all these bright young things around you thinking great thoughts……

She will not be deterred!!!


Your positive friends bring out the best in you and provide inspiration for you to look forward. Everything is possible. Getting older does not mean you can't experience new things!

Manchester Magic!

Its been a while since my husband and I have been to Manchester.  It is a really vibrant city and has so much to offer in the centre including shops, restaurants, architecture, food festivals......and of course football! Bad weekend for both teams as they lost - my husband, who was born in Manchester, supports City so not best pleased!

http://www.visitmanchester.com

So why were we here?  We attended the Conservative Conference which started Sunday and finished Wednesday. We have always considered attending but work commitments have never allowed the time. We didn't really know what to expect and were pleasantly surprised just how enjoyable the experience has been.  

Of course the thrust of the event was about politics but there were other speakers who provided different perspectives about life and some were truly inspirational.  One of these was Lindsay Johns, a bright articulate man who gave a lot of time to youngsters in Peckham in helping them to achieve their dreams.  He spoke at length and had the audience mesmerised.  The link below gives a flavour but such a pity the whole speech cannot be heard.  At the end of his talk he was given a standing ovation and there were many teary eyes.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tobyyoung/100239595/the-best-speech-at-the-conservative-party-conference/

The evenings were also full of activity - on one of the nights we were invited by one of the delegates to the "Friends of Bangladesh" to attend a gathering at a restaurant.  We had a wonderful time, the food and company were exceptional.  Many there had started their own businesses and were really motivated to succeed.  This included their support for their own children and their education.

One of the things which impressed me at the conference was the number of women of all ages and from different walks of life who had achieved in their own right.  More of this tomorrow!  .......including the barriers to women which society unfortunately present.

Against All Odds

How many of us watched Andy Murray yesterday and experienced a complete range of emotions? No doubt Andy experienced them too,  although we were only participating - he was involved!

When he lost the first 2 sets I am afraid I lost heart.

We have all been here before, however he somehow managed to control his nerves and the motivation and drive kicked in and he turned things around by winning next 2 sets and then having a truly magnificent 5th set with Verdasco, which ultimately made Andy the overall winner.  Well over 3 hours of gruelling combat. Each player going for every shot and not throwing in the towel!!

What struck me so much was the admiration you have for someone who has true talent, a competitive instinct, a hunger to succeed and someone who can overcome the human frailties to take them to their goal.  Now Murray may or may not win Wimbledon but he must be satisfied that he has given an excellent account of himself even at this stage.  All those years of dedication and endless practise have paid off.

If only we could generate these qualities and aspiration with the young of today. For quite a few years now it has been seen as being unfair to others if someone succeeds and is perceived to be "better" than others. This approach may have denied some raw talent the opportunity to demonstrate what they can really achieve.  I am thinking of schools who would not allow a competitive aspect to sports day.  You do have a feeling that the tide is turning and with role models like these tennis players maybe we can start to instil these values.

I really believe that everyone has a talent, an aptitude, a skill which can be nurtured and developed.  What really is required is parental care and attention to provide support along with teachers.  We do have to move away from the celebrity culture which seems to promote a fantasy existence which is unattainable. Instead concentrate on identifying the strengths of youngsters and provide a motivational environment where they can thrive!

10 Point Business Plan for Success!

Starting a business and working from home can be very daunting. You are on your own without the structure any organisation usually provides including secretarial and admin support.  All down to me!
I do believe you have to have a specific profile to make a real success of  being a one man or woman band. This profile would include being analytical,focused, capable of making decisions, resilient, self motivated, systematic, organised, personable and credible.

Here are 10 practical things which worked for me.......

• Find a good accountant and establish business banking
• Dedicated room at home. You are at work when in this room
• Ensure you have the technology to support your business
• Prepare simple attractive marketing material which says who you are, what you do, what you can do for them. 
• Don't dress like a slob just because you are at home! - you are applying a work discipline - puts you in the right frame of mind!
• Work 9 - 5. This is a full time job! Allow an hour for lunch and have set break times to stop you having a cup of coffee every time you hit the wall
•  Set the objectives for the day....... for me this went something like.... Contact 5 people in my network, identify 5 potential new clients and contacts, send out marketing letters to them, diary follow up phone call in 3 days time, diary any meetings which come out of interactions, handle admin to include, suppliers, banking, tax, VAT
• Make sure you build in exercise before or after work or during lunch break. This could be a brisk short walk or gym whatever works for you. It helps to clear the cobwebs
• As a full time working mum build in and diary commitments
• Have a supportive partner! :) if you haven't got one make sure you have a mentor - someone you respect and value their opinion

What I kept reminding myself was not to kid myself......this exercise was about results not activity! It's all very well having nice conversations but they don't pay the bills!  Keeping focus on obtaining business - " what can I do for you?".  The first year is the most challenging after which momentum starts to happen. I know people say its not that easy. ......and they are right it isn't! However if you keep on going one day at a time and don't  lose heart you can achieve success........and what success looked like for me.........achievement which was down to my endeavours. As a woman at the time I started my business I faced quite a few barriers. So how did this achievement manifest itself......a really good income, financial package from last previous employer intact..........and a car!!!  Not the SLK..........I found it was too small for me - I felt like a sardine in a can........but I did get a CLK and worked up to the SL........

However what really gave me a glow was the praise of my husband and his complete belief in what I was capable of doing........and the expression of pride from my children who saw me and continue to see me as a positive role model.

So what are you waiting for..........?