We can because we believe we can

The beauty of being bendy!……

Saturday, January 29th, 2011

As I start this blog I guess some of you are thinking about the title and what on earth I am going to write, well I kind of have that feeling too but what the heck, I am just going to write anyway!

As we enter 2011 and almost a month in I can hardly believe where the time has gone I have experienced some new learning throughout this month as I take on my third contract in the banking world, again a very different experience, group of people and challenge it made me think that in a year I have met and worked with more people than I ever did in my 9 years with my first employer. How had I managed to make this a success, and despite the contracts often disbanding into something very different from the initial expectations and job spec I feel that I have made a difference and delivered in some way!

Often we find ourselves in situations that we did not expect or indeed sign up to but it’s how we adapt and flex to these circumstances that determine our success, happiness and journey through life. How many times have you begun with a clear vision or goal only to find that when you embark on that mission you often find the outcome or indeed vision changes remarkably from the initial desire. I have come to realise from personal experience that the more open to change, the more flexible in your thoughts and mind you are the better the outcome (although different from the initial plan)often is. I look back at goals I have set and then the actual result I have achieved and have been amazed at the difference between the two!

 An example is my desire for a horse last summer, and having ridden in my youth had begun to miss the freedom, natural beauty and power of an equine. So in my usual spontaneous and haphazard fashion set a goal to get a horse! Now having not ridden for years and rather rusty to say the least had the idea of a schoolmaster who could teach me and keep me safe, however as I tried the various horses I quickly realised that what I enjoyed about riding was the unknown, the building of a relationship and challenge. So despite thinking I knew what I wanted I ended up purchasing a black 6 year old called Viktor with more attitude than a teenager with acne!!!!  A great lesson about flexible attitude and the ability to achieve a result that far suited me and my current situation

So I suppose the lesson taught me that without the ability to adapt and be open minded I could have ended up with a very different horse and who knows if it would have worked? Only one thing I do know is that Viktor provides me with ALL the feelings I have been missing for the last 5 years.

Having shared my one example and I could share many others but reckon you have heard enough! I guess the message and lesson I have learnt and still learning is to set goals, follow those dreams but be prepared to bend and flex to circumstances that are out of your control.

The most successful and fulfilled people I have met have this clear vision but are also realistic about life itself. No-one can predict the future, things change that affects their goals and plans, however they adapt and bend around these challenges, never faltering in their belief and ultimate aim.

As I leave you with my rather random title and thought this month I also wanted to mention a certain person who I met over 3 years ago and this person was someone who lived and adapted to all sorts, allowing him to embrace opportunities and live a life that was full of pleasure, travel and best of all provided all the people that came to watch him with the beauty and sound of the Trumpet.

Paul Bonner was a person who lived life as a man with dignity, pride and love for his music and sharing it with others, a true inspiration of someone who had his dream, adapted to situations, bent and flexed to realise his ultimate goal – one of the world’s best Trumpet players ever….. A true legend….

So as I always do let me leave you with a quote that concludes my blog this month take care and until next time……..

“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.”

Tony Robbins (American Novelist. b.1936)

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What a difference a year makes…….

Monday, January 3rd, 2011

As we move into 2011 and look forward to a new year full of anticipation and unknown it is a chance to reflect on the year gone by; celebrate the successes whilst reminding ourselves of some of the difficult and challenging situations we have faced too.

This year for me has been one of the most exciting, scary, sad and challenging year I can remember and whilst I glance back at the variety of words I have used it makes me realise that life is full of ups and downs….. This I guess is life in all its glory!

The exciting part of 2010 included many personal and business goals being achieved, perhaps in greater ways than I had originally planned but also initial dreams did change along the way as I grew, learnt and faced hard lessons. This in itself has taught me that there is no right or wrong and that also it is OK to change your mind, adapt or alter goals according to situations you may find yourself in. The most successful decisions I have made were not originally part of the plan but developed as I did in my journey through 2010. I have made some wonderful friends, business colleagues and contacts and feel truly blessed with having such amazing people in my life; this has been the best part of the last year and opened my eyes to many different ways of life, business and realising dreams.

For the challenging parts of this year I have decided to look at these with as much of a positive attitude as I can, although I sometimes find it hard to find a reason behind the cruel nature of life. Some events this year have made me look at my life more closely and be thankful for the things I have, respect other people’s outlook and decisions in life whilst trying hard to remain positive and cheerful.

There are often times when I have felt guilty when moaning and complaining about the cold (and yes I do this a lot!) or other trivial things when others are at times fighting for their life. However I have quickly realised that we react to situations we find ourselves in, for some this may mean that the worst thing to happen in a day will be getting splashed by a London bus that totally soaks their new Jimmy Choo’s whilst for others it is simply staying alive for another day. The drastic differences in these two situations to an onlooker may be clear to see but for those two individuals they are both experiencing feelings and emotions for the situation they find themselves in. It’s hard to imagine how one will react to a crisis or challenge until you find yourself in the middle of it. Having empathy for others, staying strong for people and also accepting support when you need it is a special balance to find in life but such an important one too. I often remind myself of this fragile relationship with life which helps re-adjust my thoughts, re-gain logic and act rationally (although I have to say sometimes the heart rules head when it comes to the January sales and a Gucci handbag at a VERY reduced price!!!!)

 So as the beginning of the New Year breaks through the snow and rain clouds I want to share with my readers my excitement and energy for 2011. No-one knows what the future holds and my goodness sometimes I wish I could peep around the corner, just for a second to see what I was about to face but perhaps that would diminish my sparkle, energy and nervous anticipation for each day. What I will say is that as much as knowing what the future holds would make life easier in some respects it could be a recipe for disaster too. So as I come to the end of my first blog of 2011 I want to wish everyone with the strength, passion and determination to make 2011 a great year. Whatever you may be facing do it with the belief you can, if something doesn’t quite work try something different, you have not failed but found new ways to achieve your goals and dreams.

 Lastly I want to dedicate this January blog to a very special friend who is about to celebrate her 30^th Birthday. She is a bundle of energy, so passionate and full of life that just keeping up with her is one huge challenge!!! Her wish/to-do  list is so long and involves many different activities, continents and people that goodness knows how she will achieve it all, however I have TOTAL belief that she will, and the reason I know she will is because she believes she can do it!!!! – Happy Birthday Jo, one hell of an amazing friend and person!

Happy New Year and thank you to all my blog followers who continue to leave great messages and advice that I truly appreciate.

“Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”

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