This is just to let you know (in case you’re wondering) that this usually-fairly-assiduously-updated blog will be back, hopefully by next week.

“Pressure of work is a dreadful excuse, but that’s what happened initially. Then, there’s been some technical stuff that should be sorted out soon .

But “back” this blog will be. In the meantime, here’s a thought for you. In the past month there have been three major UK news stories which concerned people who concentrated their efforts on not wanting something, but ended up getting exactly the thing they were keen.

Eg. a donor to one of the political parties didn’t want press attention, and ended up getting it by the bucketload, having made donations through other people.

More proof, if any were needed, that the only thing that works is concentrating on what you want, I guess.

More soon-and in a better-updated fashion

Clare

OK, so this was going to be a course review. But the course (see previous post) turned out very differently from that which I had expected, so this post, in turn, has become a “Caution About Courses” and specifically, those of the “bricks and mortar” kind.

As you’ll see, this is not so much a comment on the course itself, as “bricks and mortar” courses generally. Whilst some key aspects of the course weren’t my particular cup of tea at all, they may be for others. Plus, the activities were crystal clear (obviously the result of much prior experience and research)… And, I did pick up some very valuable lessons and techniques (both scheduled and otherwise!) from the experience, for which I’m really grateful.

But the whole experience reminded me yet again that in choosing a “bricks and mortar” course, a person has to be so much more careful than they might be when plumping for something online (the normal stamping-ground for this blog).

I can’t blame anyone except myself for having chosen something that was less than suitable…But I can take steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

In case it helps you in making your choices, here are some key questions I’m going to ask myself before I book a bricks and mortar course in the future:

Questions to ask yourself before you book a “bricks and mortar course”:

1) Do I really need this course, or is it likely that I know these things already, either intuitively or from prior learning? (Of course, even if you do know something already, a course can be a great affirmation of that which you know, and therefore a huge confidence boost).

2) Is this course worth the time, energy, money and effort it will take to attend? Obviously, this answer will vary in every case, depending on the distance you have to travel, etc. If in doubt, take it upon yourself to ask plenty of questions before you book.

3) Do I have unreasonably high expectations of this course? Eg. if this course is very short, is it likely that many of the more valuable aspects on offer might be kept for a later (and mysteriously more expensive) date?

4) Is this course right for someone with my particular beliefs and value system?

I’ll call it a night for now. But as comments from quite a few people recently suggest that enrolling on a course that turns out not to be right for that person is quite common, the next post will be about strategies you can use in that situation.

Hope this helps!

More soon

Clare

OK so it’s a big football night here for the English team. (That’s “soccer” if you’re reading this in the US, of course). And, from watching the match on Saturdya, there’s a personal development point to be made, I think.

“What do you mean, football couldn’t be more different!” I hear you cry. Hear me out, also.

Duriong Saturday’s (equally important) match, the team played really, really well. At the end, did they get a rousing ovation from a packed stadium(full of the same fans who are likely to whinge when things go wrong)?

They did not. Sure, they got enthusiasm. But (at least from what we TV viewers could see) it was dimmed by the fact that, when it was clear the team was going to win, thousands of people left early.

Understandable enough in a 90-thousand odd seater stadium. But very symptomatic of a general issue. People rarely praise the good as much as they complain about the bad.

Obviously, this is an issue we can each do something about in ways that work. We can readress the balance as much as we choose individually, and dare to be different. We can honour and cherish the compliments we do get. And most importantly of all, we can learn to sustain ourselves with self-encouragement and belief. I hope our players have done that!

So, well done that team for Saturday-whatever happens tonight…

More soon

Clare