The value of downtime...

I've been absent from my blog for a couple of months. Why? Well, I've been consumed in a very time-hungry project with a big corporation in London. It's been interesting but has drained me of energy for all the other things in my life - including my blog.

This week, I've suddenly come to the realization that I had lost myself as a result. The temptation was to blame the corporation. But actually, my frustration is with me. Frustration for not being my biggest and best self, for allowing myself to be subsumed to the extent where the very personal side of me was playing small.

On Tuesday, reality hit. And I'm back! Watch out for future updates right here :-)

Watch until the end for an inspiring message!

What will they ask at interview?

Wouldn't it be great to get some insider tips on what you might be asked at interview?

If you're looking for a new job in 2010, you might want to take advantage of the experience of others - and add your experience too. Social website www.whatwilltheyask.co.uk offers a froum for people who've been to job interviews to let others know what was asked - and the database can only grow!

Especially useful for graduate interviews - take a look: www.whatwilltheyask.co.uk

Christmas and Holiday Party - Top Tips!

How can parties be the best - and the worst - place to enhance your career? Read these top tips from Toastmasters International before you go!

What are you grateful for in your career?

Happy Thanksgiving! Giving thanks is one of the great traditions - what you appreciate, appreciates!

So why not think of all the things which you are truly grateful for about your career...?

Here are my top 25....

1) My mum and dad, who encouraged me to make the best of myself in my education and to find a career and determine my own future rather than be dependent on others.

2) All the campaigners who went before me who made it possible for me to work and be paid equally and to choose my career freely.

3) My university studies and everyone who encouraged me, gave me holiday jobs to pay my way, and celebrated with me when I graduated.

4) The corporate employers (especially Marks & Spencer and IBM) who invested in training me when I was young and inexperienced.

5) The opportunities to take voluntary redundancy (3 times to date) and change career direction with ease.

6) The PC and the Internet - both of which have played major roles in my life and my career.

7) The joy of selling products and services which change the way companies work and the way people live their lives.

8) Customers and clients through the years, who have challenged me to stretch myself even further than I thought was possible.

9) The bosses that hired me and gave me the mentoring and opportunities to grow, especially Tony Marland who gave me my first break into sales in 1987.

10) Travel to interesting places all over the world - to work and to .

11) The colleagues I have laughed and cried with, despaired and celebrated with.

12) Coaching clients who have stretched themselves to achieve goals they had never thought possible when we started.

13) Winston, my dog, for being a great office companion!

14) My bright and airy loft office with views over to Canary Wharf and the City of London.

15) Headhunters and job agencies for promoting me to their clients.

16) Christopher Howard for creating his Fast Track training and for allowing me to support his speaking events and absorb the lessons over and over again.

17) My car and the ability to drive which has meant that I can travel easily to take advantage of opportunities.

18) Good health and sound sleep!

19) Austin Reed for the best business suits.

20) Filofax, Tumi and Samsonite for the best business bags and briefcases.

21) Toastmasters International for their fantastic speaking programs.

22) My husband Steve who encourages me in my business and my new ventures.

23) London for being one of the best business centres in the world.

24) Facebook and LinkedIn for all the connections, past and present, which wouldn't have been possible before.

25) Career Safari - my own career has been a magnificent journey and the story continues - watch out for the next chapter!

The best...........

“Believe in the best…have a goal for the best,never be satisfied with less than your best,try your best, and in the long run things will turn out for the best.”- Henry Ford

Where's the coat check?

Have you been trying to create wealth by sticking in a job where you feel you need to check in your personality at the door?

I have. And it's de-energising, de-motivating and all the other de-s that I can think of.

What would life be life if you woke up every day raring to go and passionate about your mission? And then wealth flowed easily and effortlessly as a result?

Register here for this new event from the inspiring Christopher Howard in London, December 4-6! How is now the best time to take action?

Silly Question? Not when it gets you the job!

How are hiring managers getting creative with questions when they have so many people to choose from?

The New York Times reports how personality counts when there are hundreds of people competing with you for a job: http://tinyurl.com/yhzjkxp

Quote of the day

“Activity is contagious.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American writer and activist

What do you want to do?

A frequent wail heard in career strategy discussions: "But I don't know what I want to do".

Especially frequent in younger people...as in "But I don't know what I want to do at university", "But I don't know what job I'd be good at".

Hey - who cares? If you are good at something when you're 18, is that a good thing? Maybe you won't still be good at it when you are 40, and maybe whatever it was won't be relevant any more anyway.

Career choices are not permanent decisions, even though school career advisers may make it look, feel and sound like you need to know what you'll be retiring from before you've even left school.

It's OK to change your mind, spot a new opportunity, maybe to use emerging technology to change something. Or to adapt your working life to suit your dmoestic circumstances, to support your need for travel and new experiences or to just take it easy for a while.

Above all, it's OK to be flexible and aware of the constantly changing world and how you can evolve your role in it. And it's great just to be you and to be as much as you can possibly be.

How far can you go?

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.

- George Washington Carver

The Ninety Day Challenge

Ninety days before 2010! What actions will you take to ensure that the New Year starts with a bang for your career?

If you're in London, join me on Saturday, October 10th for "Kickstart Your Career", a fast and fun, four-hour workshop to open up opportunities and speed you forward!

Register at: http://www.mycareersafari.com

For everyone - join our "Career Power" teleseminars - group coaching for one hour every Monday in November to set goals and make incredible progress towards your goals in 2010.

With a BONUS one-to-one call with me as soon as you register!

Register at: http://careerpower.eventbrite.com

Speak soon!

Was Henry Ford talking about careers?

“Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” Henry Ford

Confidence is what you need! How is Now the Time to Vote With Confidence?

Only 3 days to vote for Britain's Next Top Coach! See my friend, finalist Jule Wyman explain how her confidence tips can help your career progress...