A fresh perspective

This week Anna has arrived at our headquarters. We've already got quite a team, but Anna is here as Head of Sales and Marketing.

As she sat analysing our way of working and coming up with strategies to streamline us I felt almost jealous. I wished I could arrive at Life Clubs with the hat of a stranger on and move it on to the next level. As it is I feel so steeped in the product, I can't see anything objectively. I'd like a little more of her perspective and less of my feelings of maternal pride.

I can't wait until Anna starts really moving things along. She's promised that when she does I can sit and be creative 24 hours a day. I've even been promised my own zone - well away from all the craziness that's in the main room.

I think I've inherited a love of delegating from my father who practically invented multi-tasking. He used to enjoy sleeping best on planes because he said he was then doing two things at the same time - getting some rest and going somewhere. I love having a team because I'm then doing lots of things at the same time - and being allowed to do what I like best - be creative.

More about next week's club in a few days.
Nina
Founder Life Clubs

What's in your box of gifts?

I love this picture of a box. It reminds me of Pandora's box and how, once opened, you can never go back to how you were before.

That's what this week's workshop is about - finding the talents you have buried deep in a box. So many of us were told at a young age that we just weren't creative and it's haunted us for the rest of our life. It's liberating feeling that you're creative and we all are. Imagine how you would decorate that box if it was yours - or would you leave it grungy and mysterious - a nod to previous owners and what they may have kept in it.

Notice what's in your box this week. When can you be like Pandora and open it?

See you this week to discover your talents,
Nina
Founder Life Clubs

Just how successful are you?

I've always wanted to go into space. I can't imagine anything that would make me feel as successful - as if I'd achieved everything I wanted to. I'd float out there, staring at the world and feel so free and, literally, 'spaced out'. And yet, how silly is that, because it's probably the one thing I'll never do and so I'm setting myself up endlessly for feeling a failure. And that doesn't feel good. I'd like to feel a success.

Once you know how, it's quite easy to feel successful. All you have to do is to finish things - to achieve them. The reason you can feel a failure about your e-mails or writing your blog or being a good mum is because it never ends. You will always have e-mails in your inbox, you will always have more posts you want to write and you will always have children to be there for. How can you possibly have any sense of success in those areas?

Rather than thinking about what you can't do, as we so often do, today let's start thinking about what you are successful in.

I was totally successful at tidying away breakfast today. I've been really successful at being lovely to my children this morning and I'm going to be successful at posting today's blog.

Gosh, I feel good now.

Tomorrow I'm going to buy a map of the moon and start planning my journey. I can feel pretty successful at that as well.

See you in space.
Bon voyage,
Nina

What's Important?

'Choices. I don't like choices' said my 10-year old. When I asked him how he made his decisions, he replied 'Do what you don't want to do first then you can really enjoy what you do want to do instead of having to worry about things that you don't want to do while you're doing your exciting thing.'

What brilliant advice and if only he practised what he preached, we wouldn't have hours of nagging mum saying 'When are you going to do your homework' as he played endlessly with his Bionicles.

This week the wonderful foot of snow kept me away from my TV slot in Ireland (the airport was closed) and gave me a day in which to catch up on what was important (and that included spending time with Tommy). Tommy and I built a snowman, went for a stunning white walk and I took some photos of snowmen - and Tommy. There's such a great stillness and quiet in the air when it snows. It's totally magic.

But I wish I was straight as that arrow and as focused at all times. That list of 'to do's' is crying out to be prioritised at this week's Life Club.

So, bring all your choices along and let's see what's really important.

See you at Life Clubs,
Nina
Founder Life Clubs

Mirror, Mirror on the wall....

One day the Fairy Queen was looking at her subjects.

"They are kind and wise" she thought.

As she thought this, she gave the Fairy King her last pomegranate.

"Maybe I am kind too" she mused.

As that thought crossed her mind, she understood that the way she saw others was a mirror of herself.

"I think I'm wise too" she acknowledged.

****************************************

At Life Clubs this week, we're holding up mirrors and seeing how we can use our findings.

Meet the Fairy Queen and me,
Nina
Founder Life Clubs

Get Going

What gets you on to that first step or moves you along to the final one? How do you motivate yourself?

Instead of mentally beating yourself up for not having done what you wanted to, it's a great idea to talk to yourself the way you would a friend who can't get going.

Let's imagine your friend just can't think of anything to say on their blog and phones you up for a little motivation.

Would you be sympathetic: "I know just how you feel. I sometimes can't think of anything to say either, and then I have a shower and relax and a thought pops into my head. I know you can do it, you always write such great posts."

Or would you be all questiony: "What helps you get creative? What usually inspires you?"

Or would you just be brutal: "Oh, get on with it, you're always moaning."

Think about it, because however you talk to a friend is the way that would most inspire you.

And then, when you've written your post, let me have the link - I'd love to read it.

See you at Life Clubs this week where we're getting motivated,
Nina
Founder Life Clubs

Why?

Dear All,

It was my birthday weekend and I just wanted to let you know how truly wonderful it was to have a weekend in which I indulged myself and others indulged me. We went for a stunning walk, I had a swim, a facial and manicure, I enjoyed tea in London with some of my children and then supper in Leeds with my husband and son and Alice, my son’s girlfriend. We ate in a tiny bistro that squeezed us in at the last minute and gave me an impromptu pudding with sparklers. The whole restaurant sang ‘Happy Birthday’ and it was great.

All I could think all day was ‘Aren’t I lucky?’

I know that’s not a real question, but it brings me nicely to our topic this week, which is questions. It’s the New Year, what could make you feel as lucky as me? Come to Life Clubs this week and find out.

See you there,
Nina