Who’s in your support team

“We can do anything we want to do if we stick to it long enough.” Helen Keller

whos in your support team so you can do anythingThe one thing I found yesterday, was that I just couldn’t fit everything in that I wanted to, and still be able to eat and sleep. So we can’t always do EVERYTHING we want – or certainly not all on the same day!

I spent the weekend with a volunteer Listening service I help with. We were given a stand at a health festival, to raise awareness about how being listened to can help us all in our daily lives, as well as when we have difficult things to cope with.

It started some fascinating conversations. Our sign said, “Listening Space. We are here to listen to YOU“. Some people didn’t understand why such a service is needed. When I explained not everyone has someone they can talk to, they nodded, and understood. Others shared their own experience of not having the “right” person to talk to when they needed support. Some people told us they wanted to talk to a stranger, rather than “bother” their friends and family about something which was troubling them. And others still just stood and talked, whilst we listened. This tent in the courtyard of Lancaster Castle surrounded by all sorts of fun activities, certainly made people think.

Yesterday, my Preston Action Learning Set met for their 6 weekly action meeting. Following on from the conversations and observations of the weekend, it was interesting to hear business owners express ideas, and challenges out loud to the group, whilst others listened. Then suggestions were made, thoughts processed and actions committed to. One of the attendees said, “I’m so pleased I’ve found the right place to share my thoughts with. I’ve come so far this year, and it’s all down to your support”. So finding the right place to share your thoughts, ideas, and explore new ways of doing things, or even being challenged (one participant said she wanted to be challenged with the issue she brought to the group), by people who have an understanding of what it’s like to run a business.

Fascinating isn’t it?

Who or where is your “listening space” for sharing your ideas and getting your thoughts in order. Who challenges you on what you’re doing, or offers suggestions for how to grow your business in the way you want to. Or shares tips for connections to others which may be helpful, or collaborations which may work for your business?

Your support network is crucial to your sanity as well as your personal and business growth. It can be made up of many different types of people in different places. Many of us have friends or colleagues we talk to about certain things, and other members of our support group who support us for something else.

Business Support through Action Learning Support Team

I’ve got a few spaces left at the online ACTION LEARNING SET 2nd October 12pm – 4pm BST, (Choose Base membership option). If you’re looking for a place to explore business ideas and challenges more, be supported and encouraged, commit to learning from others and to taking action, then this could be the place for you. Message me if you’d like to check if this is right business support option for you.

Today is the monthly Action Spotlight Coaching session where 5 Business Cheerleading Club members can have 20 minutes exploring ideas for a challenge that’s currently going through their mind. Membership is currently only £24 a month, whilst the new resource site is being put together. So if you’d like to join us at 7pm BST today for the coaching session, simply sign up & message me & I’ll ensure you get the link to the meeting room.

If you’d like Monday Motivation, and my weekly business tips delivered direct to your inbox, you can sign up here: 

 

2013 – here we go!

I know it’s the 19th January, but I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s only just getting going with 2013 ‘stuff’?

Diary

Not my diary – it’s got things already written in it!

I got all my diarys and planners ready early January, but they’re not yet completed. Are yours? I have spoken to the majority of the Bra Lady franchisees about their goals and plans for the year ahead, and I’ve thought about it. I just haven’t put pen to paper. Have you?

As you know, 2012 was a tough year, and some aspects of my weekly routines didn’t get done. I’ve spent the last few weeks getting up to date, so finally, today, I’m feeling like I’m ready to start & get going. Even the snow isn’t dampening my spirit!

This week we’ve accepted an offer on our house, seen somewhere we want to move to, and got the accounts up to date. The VAT return will be completed tomorrow, 10 days ahead of schedule. The boys have had a great start to the year with their athletic events. And, we’ve caught up with some family and friends we hadn’t seen for ages. Not bad for the first 19 days!

The smugness will be gone again once I start to write my plans down though! My head is working overtime with all the things I want to achieve this year – personal and business. It’s good though isn’t it? To feel so positive that you can put pen to paper and commit your ideas so that others may support, or question you? Being challenged is one of the most difficult things we face isn’t it? And when others challenge your goals and plans, how does that make you feel? Threatened? Pleased they’ve taken an interest?

Well, here’s my broad plan for Support4Women this year. I know I neglected it last year, but I’m in a better place for supporting you, so I hope you’ll join in & encourage others to support each other. I’m not looking at monthly themes, but themes that will run throughout the year with some guest posts from you. Yes YOU!

2013 Support4Women themes:

Getting & staying active – I really like the She Moves campaign that’s just started to encourage more women to get and stay active. I’ve had a personal journey to stay active, and this is continuing to help me with get fit & stay sane amongst all the ups and downs of life. I’d like to hear about your own experience of getting & staying active this year. If you’d like to share a monthly diary with us, let me know.

Transgender support – through my Bra Lady work, I’m increasingly meeting and supporting biological men become women, and all that entails. It’s bad enough learning about changing bodies when we’re born female with a mother or aunt to support us. How much more difficult it must be when a person is trapped in a male form and doesn’t have that basic support. If you’re going through the change, or are/have supported someone through this change, and are willing to share your experiences, please get in touch.

Small business support – over the year’s I’ve personally supported a lot of small businesses, and growing business through coaching, action learning sets and through the franchise business. This small business support, this year, will be further developed through regular articles for small businesses. If you’ve got ideas to share with those thinking about becoming self employed, or developing a small business, your views and ideas are most welcome.

Parenting – being a Mum of 2 very active boys, 1 of whom suffered at the hands of bullies last year, I’d like to share more parenting ideas and issues. I certainly don’t have the answers, but I always like to promote discussion. If we’re not prepared to look at issues from different angles, I’m not sure we can learn as individuals, or as parents. If you have parenting issues you’d like to share, please get in touch.

I think that’s enough, don’t you? There’ll be posts on cancer, community, volunteering, breastfeeding and maybe some about bras during the year. I’ve been asked to do some reviews, so they’ll fall into place somewhere along the way. I’m looking forward to sharing an eclectic mix of views, news and discussions to support you and your family during 2013.

Ours has started well, I hope yours has too? Please get in touch if you’ve got ideas, posts, reviews or discussions you’d like to share with others. You can also give me a nudge on twitter, or Facebook if those are your preferred ways to chat.