A MOMENT OF REALISATION - I AM BUSY!

I am often asked, 'How is business?' and my normal reply is 'Fabulous'  I truly love what I do and if anything it is a labour of love rather than something I feel is work.  My morning routine tends to be in front of the computer drafting, creating, researching and organising - I even smile as I work.  
The thing is, I have recently moved from juggling things in my head to keeping a 'to do list'.  I used to keep a 'to do list' all of the time in my previous line of work because I was so busy.  Then .... a moment of realisation yesterday when I questioned why on earth I keep a 'to do list' now? Initially I put it down to an ageing brain - am I really getting old? Then I put my ageing brain in gear and realised ..... It's because I am busy ..... again!
Busy has crept up on me and I have deadlines and responsibilities again .... how easy it has been to step into old working practices without even realising it, although I eat better and sleep more than 3 hours per night now (smile).  So how is business? ..... 'It's fabulous thank you'

Over the weekend I have been working on a few things.  

  • A review of Thursday's presentation at the Edinburgh Dental College  
  • Some filming and workbook creations for the education arm of Lift The Bar.  A company that provides top quality education and CPD for personal trainers and fitness professionals. (www.liftthebar.com)
  • Preparation work for my 'once a year' communication course that will run on 24 and 25 March 
  • Preparation for an international webinar for Precision Nutrition, a company that provides expert nutritional coaching for professionals (www.precisionnutrition.com)  On Monday I will offer communication solutions to help with challenging conversations - how to manage lies, emotion and those awkward situations we tend to shy away from.

All in all, a lot to be thankful for.  Meeting new people is one of my most favourite things and I will be meeting a lot of new people in the next few months.  

A DAY TO BE INDOORS

It was a double brushing, flossing and mouth wash day today ........... amazing the impact that presenting to Edinburgh Dental College dentists makes on my morning teeth cleaning regime :-) 

Just as well, as it was all smiles as the team worked through an afternoon of communication skills, throwing themselves into the interaction of the presentation.

Great to work with such a naturally warm and professional group.  Thank you team and thanks once again to actor Delyth (international woman of mystery) for her help in being that awkward customer.   

Definitely a day to be indoors with ice and wintery cold winds outside so where better than a cosy classroom with some homemaking - an added treat to the afternoon. 

LISTENING MASTERCLASS

Delivering communication coaching to teams that already have a firm grasp of language, understanding human behaviour and all that creates good communication is a joy because workshops turn into masterclasses.  Being able to offer additional ideas to the science of how they already communicate works really well.

I have now delivered a few workshops at Origin Fitness who have that ideal balance of professionalism and warmth so there is no surprise that I look forward to working with them each and every time.

On this occasion we spent the afternoon 'listening differently' and playing with some new ideas.  Thank you Jonny - you have an impressive team.

Thank you also to Delyth, a new Art of Communication actor.  While normally one to be stay out of the limelight and a woman of particular mystery it was pleasure to work with her in a new setting.

RADIO SCOTLAND CALLING

Despite my comfort and confidence in all things communication its amazing how nervous I was waiting for todays interview on BBC Scotland's John Beattie show.  I received a message this morning that it would be aired around 1230 and I found myself wondering if it would be OK, would be boring, too sad, too flat ....... well there we go - a sign that it matters.

It is absolutely fine and already a few kindly social media posts and well wishes have come my way - 2 and a half years on from my last deployment and it was a treat to reflect on my time as a hostage and crisis negotiator.  

RADIO SCOTLAND CALLING

I could listen to John Beattie's voice all day ...... maybe it's a communicator's 'thing' but there are voices and there are voices ...... John has one of those very calming and warming voices that makes being interviewed much more of a friendly chat than any form of formal business. 

He is a professional communicator and it shines. Today we chatted about the world of negotiation and while I am limited in the detail of what I can share we managed to compress a good chunk into 15 minutes.

The interview will feature on one of his shows in the next few days. Thank you John and Dianne for allowing me to share a little of the amazing world of negotiation

LIFE BEFORE THE ART OF COMMUNICATION

Following on from a presentation I delivered to Women's Enterprise Scotland, a kindly journalist called Anna contacted me to discuss the life that directed me towards my 'one woman business'  Reflecting on my 30+ years as a police officer bring…

Following on from a presentation I delivered to Women's Enterprise Scotland, a kindly journalist called Anna contacted me to discuss the life that directed me towards my 'one woman business'  Reflecting on my 30+ years as a police officer brings a smile every time and while the more detailed elements of the hostage and crisis negotiation world were not for discussion, some memories could be shared.  Next stop is BBC Radio Scotland for an interview with John Beattie.

A GENTLE TOUCH

Following on from a workshop with senior dental staff at Edinburgh College Amber Aplin, owner of The Gentle Touch 

https://www.facebook.com/thegentletouchkelso/ 

invited me to her vibrant dental practice in Kelso to offer her team some additional communication skills that they could consider on a daily basis. From providing a caring and genuine service to their patients through to working well as a team, communication sits high on this teams priorities so it was pleasure to add a few extra 'communication ingredients' to the mix of skills they already have.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that patients feel like VIPs at The Gentle Touch - this team works hard at getting it just right.  Thank you Amber, Pauline and the team for a great morning.

I listen exceptionally well when a tea room is recommended at today Hoot N Cat just had to have a visit before travelling back home. 

https://www.facebook.com/Hoot-n-Cat-564891110204312/