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A journey of a thousand steps…

Posted on July 26, 2014 by Sonia Khera in Personal Development, Pinterest Comments Off

“Step be step there is that step which is conducive to the next step” a wise and spiritual soul uttered this wisdom and it stopped me in my tracks.

The idea that we cannot change the past by rewriting it except for in our memory gives both a powerful and humbling opportunity in the present. It reveals our strengths and human flaws unequivocally if we are ready to admit to them and opens us up to feedback. The point of this past review is to focus on the learning and use it to your advantage in your present moment.

Just to clarify, the present moment means we are rooted in the here and now. We are not running the movie projector of our past or future which can work to either motivate us or instil fear and disable us in our precious present moment.

This step in our journey into the present moment needs us to ideally accept the way it is and not distort it with our thoughts. It may not be the ideal present we would have chosen however it is what it is.

It takes inner calm to stay in the moment and not ruminate over the past victories, lost loves, hurts and regrets which constantly shadow our mind and heart with “if only” or “why”.

It takes focus to stay in the present moment and not be ruled by distant future of security, uncertainty, scarcity and above all fear of the not being enough. This is truly disempowering.

Somehow as humans we seem to gravitate to the negative emotions faster and almost habitually. It does not serve us to be this way so we need to consciously choose to redirect our thoughts to the positive way of life.

Finding meaning and hope in the present moment is based on faith. Faith in yourself, in the highest good and the universe to provide all that you need and desire. Is this blue sky thinking or practical? Well our thoughts direct our first step in the journey. Choose wisely.

It’s when we lose that faith that our darkest fears undermine us and slay us. Our faith is the thread that runs through us and connects us to others. It gives us meaning and substance to exist amongst humanity as equal and worthy.

Each step brings us in to our present moment which gives us choice about how we respond in it. If truth be shared then most of the time I am feeling ok and positive. Yet there are some dark periods where the change and growth cycle seems unbearable and never ending. What I have learned is that my experiences both positive and negative are a necessary part of constantly transitioning to the light and hope. This is where faith plays a big part in keeping me centred and in the present moment.

Life does throw up challenges and surprises with people, events and situations. Nothing ever seems to stay the same. Technology has also added to the speed of change we experience in our daily lives.

How can we handle what comes? Just by knowing and remembering that “step be step there that step which is conducive to the next step”. This knowledge gives makes a mindful connection to the present moment where all the power and choice exists for you to manage your response to life.

A useful suggestion is to connect to the present moment through awareness of your senses and flow of breath.

Connect in gratitude and accept all that you are inside and out. It’s a step to realise how amazing we all are already.

The Entrepreneurial Mindset

We are all potentially entrepreneurs. We all have our unique personality traits with the essential entrepreneurial qualities embedded within us. We also have the ability to develop the skills to be entrepreneurial. We have to choose to elevate our qualities and focus on mastering the skills to start and learn from experience itself.

Whilst some are naturally inclined to be entrepreneurial, for others it’s a choice to become it. Entrepreneurial mind-sets are not born they are developed.

Entrepreneurial thinking is directly influenced and inspired by people, places and situations. They see problems as opportunities. A want or a desire is a possibility waiting to be fulfilled.

Whilst the underlying motivation to meet that need or develop an idea maybe monetary the reality is more about proving to yourself and others that it’s possible. The challenge to make a difference and improve life experience is the real motivator. The thought of potentially offering a product or service is to improve the experience of life is too tempting to resist.

Now for those who are risk aversive well they may falter in committing to the unknown and uncertain future. Yet it’s also possible that they may mitigate their risks with a fool proof plan and plough ahead too. The reality is that the “What if…possibility” is an inseparable part of a passion and dream that often won’t let you sleep at night.

It’s strange or perhaps not how the universe conspires through people, thinking, ideas and everyday scenarios to make things happen so that our entrepreneurial spirit can try and rise up deliver the possible. Entrepreneurism makes even the impossible possible. It’s always about a great good at the end.

Entrepreneurial Mindset includes…

1 Passionate, Energised and Inspired

“Choose a job that you love and you will never have to work a day in your life”
– Confucius

2 Empowered, Confident and willing to take Opportunities

“There is no such thing as luck. Luck is where preparation meets opportunity”
– Amy Hempel

3 Take ownership of your destiny

“The best way to predict the future is to create the future”
– Peter Drucker

4 Timely decision making and risk taking

“Only those who will rick going too far can possibly find out how far one can go”
– T.S. Elliot

5 Leadership & Vision

“Leadership is taking responsibility whilst others are making excuses”
– John C Maxwell

6 Discipline & Hard Work ethic

“Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration”
– Thomas Eddision

7 Being adaptive, Continuous Learning & Curiosity

“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world”
– Nelson Mandela

8 People & Happiness

“The greatest happiness for the greatest numbers”
– Vedic principle

What other qualities and skills to entrepreneurs need to be successful?

This list is not definitive it’s infinite like the entrepreneurial mind.

Successful Resolutions…The Secret to your Success

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Sonia Khera in Pinterest Comments Off

A resolution is about….making a commitment, to have an intention, to make a promise, to have an aim and a meaningful purpose. To pledge to yourself, to be determined to achieve, to have will power, to be steadfast, earnest, single minded and above all resolute.

Why do we make resolutions? Resolutions are to…make a change, find a solution, change an outcome, and solve a problem to take away a difficulty and achieve an ambition or fulfil your potential.

In a nutshell, when we feel we don’t want and can’t have more of the same anymore we decide that enough is enough. That something has to change in the future and we choose to make that happen NOW. So we become resolute.

What do resolutions require from us? You need…determination, purpose, energy, courage, discipline, dedication, sincerity, willpower, constancy, perseverance, tenacity and above all a firm decision.

A resolution is a vital component to whether or not a goal will be achieved. Therefore if we tried to compare resolutions and goals then it would prove to be a meaningless exercise as they are both entwined for good reason.

Goal success needs the resolution essentials to create and manifest the end result you want.

Stephen Covey advises us to “to attain our goals start with the end in mind”. Therefore both resolutions are embedded in the start, middle and end of any goal which inspires us.

Resolutions and Goal attainment are inseparable.

Your resolve may be one or many like….

Change your job
Be more assertive at work
Communicate with confidence
Start your new business
Quit smoking
Spend more quality time with your partner and children
Start and stick to a diet…to lose weight or feel better
Do more exercise and join a gym
Be on time and organised
Make time for your hobbies, for you.

The resolve you need and want most is motivated by either not being satisfied with what you have and wanting more of the things that make you feel good.

Motivation to change is a critical element to our goal success. You have really got to want it and it should inspire you to ACT on making it happen.

The depth of your motivation is the key that rates your commitment to achieve the goal you said you are resolute about. As goals can only be achieved through your personal resolve it’s important to spend time to explore your needs and wants.

Ask yourself?

What would the change give you and others?
Who would this change benefit?
How would it show?
Will others be able to see it too?
What if you did not pursue your goal?
What would it cost you to do nothing?
How much do you want and need this goal to be attained?

Rating your goal, your need, your want from 0 -10 (where not doing it is not an option!) makes it more real.

When you have pondered and answered these questions you will know yourself just how committed you are or not to want you thought you needed and wanted. You may do this simple and revealing question and Answer with a few things you want to change.

The results may surprise you…indeed you may realise that some of these changes were good ideas and that you are not really that committed after all.

Did you know that by simply writing your goal makes it more likely to happen?

Goal Success is based on 90% Why? and 10% How?

The formula for achieving goals is simple, empowering and fun.

The goal success formula is a secret to those who are not following it already.

If you are one of those who don’t know The Secret and want to find out then get in touch.

The Secret to your success is a few short steps away…

Time to Pause, Rewind and Reflect

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Sonia Khera in Executive Coaching Services, Mentoring, Pinterest Comments Off

As the year, month, week, day, hour draws to an end it’s an ideal time to take stock of what you have been doing, what you achieved, what you lost, who you found, what you learned, who you value, how you felt and still feel today. Now decide what aspects you will keep with you tomorrow, next week, for a few months, the year ahead and forever.

The value of taking time to review your experience shows how intricately our lives are entwined with people; family, friends, work colleagues and organisations. It shows how just they affected you, your decisions and actions. Time shared creates a ripple effect and extends our sphere of influence beyond your conscious awareness.

The point of any review is not to navel gaze and over analyse you, others and situations. It’s the opportunity to learn and grow from it. By pausing to understand what can be changed, what was and is possible as an outcome creates a vision of making it better and instils. Hope stirred is the process of passionate creation in making dreams into reality.

So ask simple yet direct questions of yourself and give yourself factual answers. It’s important to acknowledge the emotion attached to the circumstances. This will reveal a depth of self awareness that will serve you positively so as not to judge so harshly. It will show how we are all most humbly still a work in progress and on the shared journey where the destination is still being mapped out. Nothing is set in stone and the fluidity in not knowing leaves us uncertain yet it positively gifts us the element of surprise, choice and child like wander.

As past decisions, actions and behaviour cannot be changed in the present the opportunity opens to accept things, yourself, people and situations the way it simply is….granted that you may not like it, choose it or wish it perhaps. Just know that acceptance is liberating and brings peace. It serves to empower with and enlightened attitude and perspective. Your wise self understands that power is not embedded in the past, that simply the past offers useful experience. It’s your inner knowing self that wisely guides you to let go and make space for creativity to blossom.

So take a few moments to reflect on your significant relationships, financial security, job satisfaction, work prospects, home, children friends, travel, and health and the inner you.

Even if you did not have clear goals or concrete plans the chances are you still had a pretty good idea of what you wanted to achieve and what would make you feel good. Your answers show what is possible, what can be changed and what inspires and challenges you to embrace the possible future.

The value of rewinding and reviewing plans, goals and ideas shows the progress; road blocks and detours experienced along the way. It gives an opportunity to learn again, celebrate gains again and respect the losses whilst trying to achieve them.

Goals like hope are aligned to our passionate belief in our causes, relationships, ideas and ambitions. This means we keep moving towards it. Emotion is motion. It drives us to dream again and makes the impossible possible. Aspirations refuel our spirit and help us to prosper in the future.

A review also gives us a chance to appreciate what part we played in the orchestra of life, how we complimented, shared and supported others in their happiness and challenges. It’s the pause to acknowledge and honour the acts of kindness we gave and received in turn.

Think about those who enabled you to learn about yourself, others and the events. Who and what nourished our understanding which helps to guide us wisely today?

Our unique experience gives an invaluable insight in our growth and maturity in our thoughts, emotions and behaviour…we are not static beings. We are a sum of all we have known and experienced till this present moment. Reflection reveals just how significant and magnificent we are to each other in life.

Personal Formula for Success

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Sonia Khera in Executive Coaching Services, Leadership Development, Management Development, Personal Development, Pinterest Comments Off

Winners like competitors understand the importance of having a plan. Characteristics common to people who succeed are…

Vision: Champions get what they want because they know what they want. They have a vision that keeps them motivated and efficiently on track. They see it, feel it, and experience it in their minds and hearts.

Strategy: People who consistently succeed have a clear and thoughtful strategy. They know what they need to do and when they need to do it. They write it down, check if they are on course and avoid any alternative that does not get them closer to the goal.

Passion: People with a passion are excited and energised about what they are doing. You need to live and breathe what it is that you want, and be passionately invested in both the journey and the goal.

Truth: People who consistently achieve have no room in their lives for denial, fantasy or fiction. They are self-critical rather than self-deluding. They hold themselves to high but realistic standards. They deal with the truth to make their vision obtainable.

Flexibility: Life both business and personal is not a success-only journey. Even the best-laid plans sometimes must be altered and changed. Be open to input and consider any potentially viable alternative. Be willing to be wrong and be willing to start over.

Risk: Successful people are willing to get out of their comfort zone and try new things. Be willing to plunge into the unknown if necessary, and leave behind the safe, unchallenging, and familiar existence in order to have more.

Inner Circle: Surround yourself with a group of people who want you to succeed. They will move with you toward your goal. Choose and bond with people who have skills, talents and abilities that you do not. Winners give and receive by being part of other people’s inner circle.

Action: Do it! People who succeed don’t just sit and think about what they want to do. They take meaningful, purposeful, directional action consistently and persistently. Every step they take takes them closer to the outcome they want.

Priorities: Winners manage their challenges. They focus, manage and commit their time and energy to doing the important things. They are aware so they don’t spend time on priority number 2 or 3 if priority number ONE needs their attention.

Self-management: People who consistently succeed consciously and pointedly take care of themselves as individuals. They are the most important resource they have in achieving their goals. They actively manage their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.

What characteristics do you have?

Which ones do you need to develop to succeed?

If developing yourself means success, who could stop you?

Stick or Play? What will you choose?

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Chet Pujara in Pinterest Comments Off

Do you recognise this person?

The one who still believes that by being your own harshest critic that somehow you will do,

be and feel better? That when you use that well worn stick to beat yourself up over and over

again that you will motivate yourself and magically transform the results the next time? Or

have you assumed the lesson was learned and an alternative approach which will show up all

by itself the next time?

Is that you? No? Then perhaps you know someone like this?

You are not alone; somehow this software program was automatically installed like a virus

probably during the early stages of childhood. Sadly it manages to reboot itself unconsciously

and erode any semblance of understanding and compassion for oneself.

Ironically this stick approach does not help anyone! In fact the stick keeps on being a weapon

of self destruction. So if this stick does not work and the desired outcomes are not achieved

then why do we carry on using it? Are we expecting miracles or are we just not ready to

CHANGE our thinking and our approach?

What would prompt us to change? Stick or Play? Do nothing or something different?

No, this is not a trick question! In fact ask a child and see what they would choose…..go

on…ask yourself what is more motivating? What would you recommend to your best friend?

If striking ourselves crushes us then why do we insist on holding on to it? Is it the devil we

know so well? Indeed it’s comfortable to always do what you have always done. Then be

prepared to always get what you always got! The opportunity lies in changing this never

ending cycle for something more uplifting and motivating.

Change is not easy, predictable or welcomed. In fact most would agree it brings up our

deepest fears and threatens our security.

What’s needed in the first instance is a change in our ATTITUDE which can then lead to

change in our thinking, actions and emotions.

So what will it be? Stick or Play?

Past, Present & Future Results

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Sonia Khera in Pinterest Comments Off

Past, Present & Future Results: Performance Coaching

By Sonia Khera

Does your past limit your future or can it be used to achieve great results? Is past performance a good indicator of your future? Ever wondered why some people can achieve great results the first time, every time? Do you believe personal success is based on the laws of karma, luck or pure chance and rarely to do with sheer effort paying off? If any of these beliefs ring true then perhaps you are too busy hosting your own ‘pity party’ with you being the guest of honor. More seriously, you could be playing it small and not living life to your fullest.

one2one Coaching for YOU

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Sonia Khera in Pinterest Comments Off

Personal Coaching: Looks after No. 1…YOU.

By Sonia Khera

If we all know that life matters, then why don’t we live it to our fullest? If we truly consider life to be precious, then why don’t we value it? The biggest barrier that most people have to overcome is fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of making decisions. Fear of change. Fear of failure. And, of course, the big one – fear of success!

Working with a coach is akin to switching on the lights and discovering your unique life navigation system. Coaching is a confidential relationship between a coach and a client, where the aim is to unlock the individual’s potential so that they maximise their performance. It is a one-to-one process that typically focuses on personal development and problem solving, whereby the coach and client agree on the issues involved and jointly consider solutions.