Never again....

I want to make it clear right away that this week's Never Again workshop is not about being eaten by bears - though it could be. It's about all the things you never want to do again. It's deciding what you want backwards.

This is a scenario that quite often happens to me...

It's late at night and I'm driving along the motorway feeling peckish. So I stop at a motorway service station to buy something and I don't really know what it is I want. I look along the crisps, then the chocolates and then the nuts and slowly eliminate what it is I don't want. That leaves fewer and fewer things to decide between until I've worked out just what it is that I want.

Of course, sometimes I walk in, head straight for the Cadbury's flake and just know... but more often than not, I don't.

That happens in life too. I don't really know what I want to do this weekend, but by eliminating some of the possibles (a long walk, a trip to the beach, hanging out with friends), I'm left with what I really fancy - a lazy sun bath in the garden and time alone to write.

Never Again is a great way of backwards thinking. Come along next week and find out more.

Have you ever been approached by a bear??? I hope not. We're a lot friendlier at Life Clubs.

Nina
Founder Life Clubs

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Keep The Faith

Last week was LAW (Learning At Work) week and Life Clubs went out to hundreds of people and had an incredibly successful time. We visited British Airways and Tate & Lyle and this is some of my group at The Big Lottery Fund. They were learning how to make every minute count and about 80% of those who attended wanted Life Clubs to be brought into their organisation and 100% (give or take a few) wanted more.

So, why am I writing about that wonderful news with a heading of 'Keep The Faith'?

Because of a lack of confidence that I can do what I want to do and succeed at it. Next week's workshop is on confidence and it's something that we could all do with more of. I certainly feel nervous when I go into one organisation after another. I feel nervous when I wonder if I can pull off what I want to pull off. I feel nervous when I read the papers and see how negative the news is.

When I got an e-mail from a lovely young friend on Monday saying 'Keep The Faith, you're doing a great job', my confidence leapt. Yes, deep down I know I can do it, but sometimes we waver and that's what next week's workshop is all about - keeping the faith.

See you at Life Clubs - I know I'll be there,
Nina
Founder Life Clubs

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I'm still procrastinating

Yet again I was about to start writing my chapter when I found this photo in my in-box.

It's of me talking at the National Mentoring Consortium Awards Ceremony on May 1st. I spoke a little about mentoring and then I handed out an award. It was very exciting and a definite first for me, going to an awards ceremony - even though I think I was the only person there who didn't actually get an award.

Joking aside, it was totally inspirational being there. I wish I'd had a mentor when I was younger - actually I'd like one now. The university graduates who were there - most of them having only arrived in the UK a few years ago, spoke eloquently and warmly of their mentors. They acknowledged that they'd achieved so much more with the help of their mentors than they could have done without. It was a great event and wonderful of those people who give of their services to mentor.

My mentors have always come in all shapes and sizes, from my 10 year old son to my 93 year old mother and a whole load of people I've met on the way. But I like the idea of someone being there for you and holding your hand through thick and thin. Maybe we could just start an informal mentoring system. How's about asking someone you really respect if they'll mentor you - or maybe offering your services to another.

Or shall we just meet at Life Clubs, the random (because you never know who your mentor will be) peer-mentoring system.
See you there... when I've finished my chapter,
Nina

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What stops me....?

It's funny how, even though there's a green light beckoning me forward, I don't always do the things I want to.

I'm in the middle of writing a book - and enjoying it so much - and yet I'm writing a chapter right now that I keep on procrastinating on. What's annoying is that every time I leave it for a couple of days, it becomes so much harder to get on with because I can't remember what I've written and I'm not in the flow and I can't remember what I wanted to say. By the time I've remembered and adjusted my chair to the correct level and checked my e-mails for the nth time and gone and made yet another peppermint tea, I've forgotten again.

We all procrastinate, but there are very simple ways to get round it - I do usually practise them... promise.

What do you do when you notice yourself procrastinating?

Our secrets to getting round procrastination will be revealed next week. I hope you can come along.
To stop all procrastination on coming, we're offering free membership (worth £10) to all newcomers. £15 (or £10 concessions) still payable - works out at just over £2 a day.
See you at Life Clubs,
Nina

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Making Relationships Work

I've been reading all about how to make blogging relationships work and I've been told it's all about asking questions. A good blog doesn't just rant on about relationships (next week's topic) and I don't tell you how bad I am at listening (I do it all day so why at night?) or trusting (been let down too many times) or relaxing (working is so much more fun).

Instead I get to ask you lots of questions and you get to answer. So, here goes:

What secrets have you got as to how to make relationships work?
What would you like to have known at 16 about relationships?
What would you like to know now about relationships?

Please tell me as then we can start our relationship.

I can't wait...
Nina
Founder Life Clubs

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