There are more and more people starting their own business, as we reach a fork on the road with our careers and lifestyle choices many decide that working for someone else does not really provide us with enough balance and flexibility that we need in our lives.  So we take the plunge and fly solo, and this means we do EVERYTHING, from the actual work to administration, marketing, promotions and even become our own PA. Surely there are not enough hours in the day to do all those job roles and so many of us work after hours including weekends and even during our holidays after all we do not get the employee benefits anymore and we need to be available for our clients. So where did the balance go? We want our cake and eat it too, which means we are chasing our tails and often doing tasks that bring no joy as this is not want we are passionate about, we want to talk to people, create, do our thing.. Yet we find ourselves sending out flyers, typing up proposals,  making cold call...

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We all play the waiting game, when we are queuing for services or at the check out counter at the supermarket, we wait. As we grow up we wait to get older, so we can stay up later, and then we wait so we can be old enough not to need a babysitter. And before you know it we are waiting to get our drivers license and buy alcohol. We then wait to move out of home and find our place in the world. Yes waiting is apart of life and as we get older we realize that waiting serves a purpose, to appreciate the now, to not fast-forward our lives, and to enjoy being young. I used say when I was younger that I cannot wait to grow up, funny and now that I am grown up I want to find my inner child again! In coaching we find people that are still waiting, waiting for that magical relationship, career, and new life. They believe others will give that to them if they wait long enough. Well it is about getting out there out of your comfort zone that you will create new change and new opportunities. With...

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You wonder sometimes if we had ‘user manuals’ when we were born that things would turn out different, and there would be more ‘common sense’ in the world. Just reading the paper I was completed shocked to read about a mother  who left her son in the car whilst it was scorching hot outside. The mother claims that ‘she forgot he was in the car’ as she got carried away doing the Christmas shopping! I know I shouldn’t judge however this behaviour is so wrong, how can you forget your own child whilst you do the shopping? Thank goodness a passerby heard the screams and broke a window and got him out. How hysterical would that little toddler be? And the psychological damage created in that traumatic event, it could really impact him. If we had user manuals the mother would know better. It would be stated, that under no circumstances to leave children alone in the car. Yet I guess we are all so different and follow different sets of values and beliefs that to create a user manual for al...

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A client of mine has a new saying ‘I love the world’ as she achieved a major goal in her life and all was finally going her way. What a great attitude to have. When you vibrate from this space only good things happen, how true is that? If you achieve what you set out to do then it is natural to feel good and for some people like my client they just want to hug and love everybody! They want to share their happiness with anybody who will listen and shout it from the roof tops! Success is sweet that it true especially if you have gone through so much to finally get there the journey does test you in ways you never thought possible. Yet you persisted and you overcame each obstacle even to the point of getting into more financial debt as a result because you knew it was all worth it and the result would change everything. How I can relate to you, sometimes you wonder in your midst of madness determination you question if this is the right way? This sheer madness takes you in directions th...

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I was reminded once again how important it is to be dedicated to your health, when health fails us we are reminded how delicate we can be. During these times we also realise that taking our health for granted is not going to help us in the long term. In fact if we neglect any part of our lives we most likely pay with pain until we can get it sorted and back into a positive balance.   As my yoga teacher said recently “mastery of anything takes time and dedication" how true is that? All the great discoveries of our time followed this thinking, Thomas Edison was a master at perseverance and dedication, and he kept going until he reached his goal of producing a practical light blub which lasted for 40 hours.   So mastery is the journey so you need to keep at it until you get really good at it, just see sports-people who keep practising day in day out, or musicians who just keep playing their instrument so they can achieve self mastery. There is no quick fix; just do the tim...

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Today I felt a bit lost and lonely, we had family and friends around us since mid October and yesterday we all headed off to the airport to bid them farewell. My in-laws had become so integrated into our routines that I felt vacant and sad all day, the low lying clouds adding to this mood. Strange you get so used to having people around, interacting, sharing stories and having their energy fill your home. We all enjoyed their company especially their 11 month grand-daughter she was so happy to play, get taken out for walks, and to hang out with her oma and opa. I enjoyed the break, to do other duties and to write uninterrupted, it was bliss. Having love and connection fills your heart and makes you realize that it is not just about you, you are part of a tribe that share common interests and take care of children together. There is something to be said about sharing the gearing of children, having the extended family close by and having conversations that matter. I know in my cultur...

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Sometimes change is thrown at us and we need to react, quickly. I clearly remember the time we had just settled in our new apartment, our lives were going well and we had an overseas trip organized. Perfect no surprises then one day we get a letter from our rental agency giving us notice to move as the landlord was wanting to move back in! We had only a few weeks to do all this in as we had committed to our overseas trip and paid for the flights. Two short weeks, needless to say the feeling of madness was upon us alright. Change here we come… In life we often get turbulence during our perfect flight. In moments like these we need to practice behavioral flexibility and remain calm. Easier said than done for an organized Arian who needs control and planning! After the initial shock we calmed down and got into action mode, it was all going to work out that was our mind-set and we had a clear picture of what needed to happen with Swiss precision. Change moves you into a new reality, so y...

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As the sun sets for another day, I marvel at the colors and how unique each sunset is, none are exactly the same with the cloud cover and light diminishing you get the feeling that the moment will last forever, just as it is about to disappear the crescendo hits. It is absolutely beautiful. It is easy to live each day, one at a time and just be. There is security in routine and there are no surprises. Yet we do need to move forward, otherwise we stop growing personally and professionally. That is the paradox, you stay the same you loose, you change something you are taking risks, becoming vulnerable and there are no guarantees. So you may loose there too. So when is it a good time to change? That is the magic question, with taking risks you are out on a limb, that is true and you may also feel: • Vulnerable • On your own • Nervous • Insecure • Anxious • Apprehensive You are on a new path and this leads you to the unknown these emotions are just temporary ...

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It is easy to focus on what we don’t have, as we set goals we are working towards obtaining new experiences as we have yet to have this in our reality. I used to be like this when I was single all I thought about was being in a relationship and focusing on what was missing in my life, I compared myself to others who in my opinion seemed to have it all, loving partner, children, lovely home and all the trimmings. Yes I know this was not very positive on my behalf and this did not bring it closer to me, I just saw the ‘lack’ in my life my inadequacies and short-comings. No wonder my confidence levels were at an all time low. With this mind-set how was I going to attract my life partner and turn my life around? Many people today live this reality they just keep wishing and hope things will improve without changing their thought processes. Time to upgrade your attitude and feel rich and fulfilled in your current reality. Simply feel grateful for what you already have in your life, start ...

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I am inspired to write about moving on from the old to the new, as I am surrounded by boxes and see empty shelves and what is still left to do. You see we shall move home this Friday to our new bigger place and I have mixed emotions. Excited about the novelty, the new surroundings, exploring local parks, shops and making new connections. On the other hand right now we are a stones’ throw away from all the shops and a quick walk to the beach. Plus in this home we became a family and such wonderful memories of bringing our baby home, changing the apartment to suit our little princess. Alas they are all wonderful memories. So when we move from the old to the new we can be apprehensive as we need to let go of our routine and what we know, this makes place for the new and the growth. You can relate this to not just a physical move you can also apply this to relationships, career, health issues and any personal development. You move on and get on with exploring your boundaries If you are i...

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