Archive for the ‘Coaching’ Category

When I am remiss in connecting with someone I dash of an email with the subject line -  ‘Catching Up’ so here I go.

In 2008, Nov 4th was noteworthy not only because Barack Obama won the election but also because that was the day when I broke my foot. Sorry, Barack but my tears during your acceptance speech were 44% happiness over your win and 56% PAIN!

This is the first time that I have ever broken anything so I was fascinating by the whole process from my foot becoming a grotesque size and one big multi-colored bruise.  By the way, whoever designed the walking cast should be given some sort of prize. To the shoe area of my bedroom which took on a somewhat macabre look as it became home to one dress shoe, one boot, one sneaker and one slipper. Sadly, even though it was the holiday season my high heel shoes just gathered dust.

When out and about you are more reliant on the kindness of strangers. Those who took the time to hold open the door for a few minutes longer as you hobble over, people who kept up their snow and ice removal and even the cab drivers who yes, open the car door and were extra helpful getting groceries to the door. Speaking of shopping not sure what to say about the grocery staff who were restocking shelves and pretend not to notice me struggling to get an 8KG bag of kitty litter into the shopping cart.

Anyway, foot is basically healed now and it is a brand New Year. I don’t believe in New Years Resolutions but I do have a few things that I would like to work on.

1. Drink less coffee. Drink more green tea.

2. Learn how to make an omelet

3. Find more time to read and write.

4. Be the kind of Life & Business Coach who really helps their clients in these tough economical times.

5. Take Mia to the next level of obedience classes. The time together and the interaction with others will be good for both of us.

6. Stay in touch with friends & family so I don’t have to send those catching up emails.

7. Have massages and manicures on a regular basis.

8. Finish that pile of partially read books besides my bed.

9. Podcast & Twitter

It is really going to bother me that I couldn’t come up with an even ten.

………………….10. Work on an apparent latent tendency towards perfectionism.

My new website is up and running, when you arrive at the main portal or home page you will see that we are now:

• Jill Crossland Coaching
• TimeFinders Magazine
• Create Your Team
• Fabulously Over 40

There will be more new & exciting things to come in 2009.

In TimeFinders Magazine, I want to attract advertisers who are compatible with the content. I am looking for wine, chocolate or luxuary food companies, magazines such as More Magazine,  travel agencies that book great trips for women, and beauty products for women over 35. I would like to include more women’s stories plus writers from the US and over seas. The area that is Fabulously Over 40, will be expanded to include other social media outlets such as FaceBook. There will be podcasting in the coaching area.

So many plans, so little time!

Email us:

• Your comments or suggestions
• About advertising in TimeFinders Magazine
  
• If you would like to write for us
  
• To inquire about joining the group of professional women on Create Your Team

Dear New, Out of Touch Head of Microsoft

I could look up your name but Microsoft has never bothered to get to know me, in fact I feel like the forgotten computer user so let me introduce myself.

1. I am the solo-entrepreneur

2. I need to be able to run programs without your annoying ‘This program is not responding’. When that happens you cost me time.

3. I would like you to realize that the forgotten computer user is a reasonably intelligent person. I don’t know as much as my computer geek people, I am not a twenty something gamer but I know more than the housewife in Podunk.

4. I long ago gave up on asking you for help with a problem because after making my way through your frustrating online forms the answer reflected one of the stereotypes mentioned above. That is when and if you do reply.

5. As a coach I use my computer mainly for business – I have a website, blog and a presence on web 2.0. The majority of my business is done by phone sessions and I want to expand to web conferencing. All this means that I will spend money to keep my computer, virtual presence and company running efficiently.

In closing I want you to know that I have over the years sorted my through the maze of useless/unnecessary programs that you have shoved at me. I now use a mixture of what works for me………the solo entrepreneur. In case you are still confused this also means that I don’t have ‘people’ and your Small Business promotions are usually worthless to me.

As I start to research my next computer purchase (to meet my growing needs) I am so glad to hear the Vista is proving to be the same time consuming frustration that Windows XP was. But then I don’t exist. Well, maybe you won’t either in 2008, I think I will look into Macs. Of course my research will be done through Google as MSN search results are as always inadequate.

Thank you for your time.

Jill Crossland, Business & Life Coach

I see that Chatelaine has managed to go through another editor. Sara Angel is citing “personal reasons” but that explanation is as weak as the magazine’s generally lackluster content .

Like many readers I let my subscription lapse a few years ago but I do pick up a copy every now and then in the hope that it is finally starting to have a sense of direction.

Until it does get a sense of where it is going Chatelaine will continue to turn over editors and staff. The powers that be need to recognize that today’s woman is not the housewife of the past, she is instead sophisticated and well rounded. Probably running a successful business from her home office, raising two kids and trying to meet the needs of her aging parents. She wants to be well informed, know what other women are up to (not just those in Ontario) and yes, she is also interested in make-up & clothes that will give her quality and not break the budget. She tries to put a quick but balanced meal on the table (and doesn’t have time to bake those cookies that you are always pushing) before rushing off to her book club or her daughters soccer game. And she needs an article complete with related resources on where she and some girlfriends can go for a weekend in February.

With Chatelaine’s budget & experience they should be able to pull together a magazine for today’s Canadian woman. In January, I am taking my online magazine and reshaping it into an autonomous business and website separate from my coaching company. It has grown not by blindly pushing content at my readers but through listening to them. While I will honestly admit that I am hampered by lack of time and money (I use income from being a Coach to support the publication) ……… what is Chatelaine’s excuse?

I couldn’t help it, my mind just went there; I had to ask myself “what would I say to Paris Hilton if she were my client?”

1. When you leave jail, travel in the real world. There is more out there than the filtered version that you have seen through first class hotels and your reality TV show.

2. Mentors: Meet with women whom you admire, seek their advice, ask questions

3. Sort through the people in your life, get rid of the sycophants.

4. Make decisions about what you want to do with your life and set goals but don’t parade them like another publicity stunt. Instead start to work on them quietly and with sincerity.

5. You live in a different world and parties are part of that lifestyle, but look at attending functions where people talk and interact. Meet with people who can help you with your new endeavors.

6. Create a team of competent people to help you. Treat them with respect they are not there to get your lattes or walk the dog.

7. Learn how to use the press, the way that that Princess Diana use to. She knew how to have them show up so that the attention was on minefields or the victims of aids.

8. Trust your instincts, your mind and what I suspect is a kind heart. You can enjoy a life of privilege and give back to the world.

Speaking of newsletters, I do subscribe to some that are sent out by other coaches. Specifically those famous or high-end life coaches. It gives me a chance to see what they are talking to their readers about, also what they are currently marketing and how.

This week the title of Debbie Ford’s July 4th newsletter, captured my attention; “Creating an Unforgettable Week”. To me it really got to the core of us feeling that we have no control over our life & more specifically the time we are given. When in truth we can create or shape, build, compose, construct, make or design a day, a week, even the next hour.
They are action words that take away the acceptance of the inevitable to be replaced with the concept of the power of doing something.

A great breakthrough moment for a client is when they realize how time is controlling them instead of vice versa and the only ‘action’ that they take is to run around and complain.

So I leave with you the thought that we create our own stress, our overloaded schedules and our forgettable weeks. Maybe we should take back control. You pick the action word and run with it.

I made the appointment two weeks ago for this Friday @ 2pm.
I booked a facial, an hour to relax, put myself in someone else’s hands and if nothing else to give my dry winter skin some much needed attention.

As the day gets closer, there are so many important things that I need to book into that time slot & numerous reasons to pick up the phone to cancel. I am also as usually working with my clients coaching them through the process of finding time for themselves and practicing self care.

So did I keep the appointment or cancel? Only my esthetician knows for sure.