Getting Rid of the Box!

Those who know me well would know that for sometime I've had a real issue with how we are constantly being marketed to, pressured into buying things that we don't really need, and how ridiculously some programs and packages are priced. I also have an issue with the way these so-called professionals portray themselves on social media only to find out they're not like that at all in real life.

I am someone who loves what I do. I get a real kick out of helping people learn more about themselves and find that there is another way for them. To see them growing and achieving what they want in life - what kind of price do you put on that? I've come to the conclusion that I can't.

Yes I am going against everything any marketing guru has ever told me, yes this may be about my own deep-seated issues with money. I know my worth, I know how valuable my skills are and I know what I should be charging. Yet I can't sit back any longer and watch the very people who need help be denied it because there's not enough money left at the end of the week to afford such luxuries.

There are so many Mums out there who constantly put the needs of their children and family first, who have very little disposable income leftover to participate in the much-needed self care we are meant to be doing for ourselves.

A couple of months back I was sitting at my desk attempting to get some work done while my little boy pulled at my legs from underneath the desk to get my attention. I had a fleeting thought of "wouldn't it be nice to have someone take care of him for a couple of hours here and there".

As the universe would have it, a few days later there was a message in my inbox asking me if I would consider service swapping some coaching in exchange for some childcare. Of course my response was "hell yes!"

It's been a wonderful agreement. We each get something out of this partnership - and it has absolutely nothing to do with money. I believe that my friend is onto a wonderful idea and this is a concept that has the potential to change the way we do things. So I am doing things a little differently from here on in.

If you want to engage me as a coach and can afford to pay cash - cool. There's no need for you to read any further.

If you are someone who has thought of engaging me as a coach but thought that you can't afford to, then I encourage you to think about what you can bring to the table in exchange. What skills/services/qualities/attributes do you have that are "swappable"?

Personally, I'd love to engage the services of a cleaner, hairdresser, massage therapist, beautician, gardener, pool maintenance person, web designer, VA .... the list goes on and I am open to suggestions.

It's time to rid ourselves of the shackles created by our financial situations. Time to do things a little differently. As Mums, we have the power to make these changes. How good does it feel when you do something for someone else?

I'd love to hear from you if you would like to work together. Email me at shanelle@connectioncoaching.com.au or check out my Facebook page

NB. Since I wrote this article, my good friend has created a Facebook Group for those in our local area. Head on over to check it out and join us!

How Flexible is Your Behaviour?

One of the principles of success is to have behavioural flexibility. It's been said that the person with the most behavioural flexibility will control the situation.

What on earth is behavioural flexibility I hear you ask? The meaning I give it  is the ability to adapt behaviourally  to any given situation, to choose one's response and to manage one's state in a way that we remain at cause. Wowsers, that's a big one!

The simplified definition is being the best you can be in any given situation, realising that we all create our own reality and adapting accordingly to each situation to get the best outcome for all involved.

Take for example the fact that in my current job we lost our computers Friday lunchtime. They're still not back. The ETA for having them fixed is a week away. Pretty tough gig for a travel agent. How do you book holidays when everything these days is done on the computer? Well, you can't really. But you can find someone else who can help you do it!

We live in an age where we have more resources at our fingertips than we care to use. It's about  those resources, calling in favours, thinking outside of the box and even getting rid of the box. It's about working out which doors will open when it seems that no others will. It's about managing your emotions and your state and remembering there is a solution and just because it's not jumping out immediately, that there is a way. There is always a way.

It's about remembering that it's not just about you. It's about taking into consideration the other person and how they can be affected.  It's about considering the options from all different angles. Realising that there is more than one way of reaching your outcome. That the one way you always rely on may not always be there. Having alternatives is a good thing. It gives you choice. It gives your flexibility. It gives you nimbleness.

At the end of the day, it's not about you. It's not about your ego or how you feel. It's about being flexible enough to get a great outcome for all involved.