About me

Hi and welcome to our blog and information site.

My name is Mike E. Kennedy and I'm a Personal Business Coach.  I've been a trained coach since 2001.  I've been a communication trainer since 1984.

I have a background and strength in business, psychology, therapy, training, coaching and mentoring.

You'll find I'm unique as a coach in that most of my work is done on the phone or by Skype.

I'm a multicultural global coach. My clients are business owners who live in Sydney, Manchester, Washington DC, Memphis, Halifax, Christchurch, Auckland, Hamilton, Phenom Pen and anywhere where there is a phone line or an internet connection.

You'll soon discover my job is to keep you thinking clearly about the important things in your business and your life.

My job is to help you set exciting, profitable, inspiring and meaningful goals and then keep you on track to achieve them.

My job is also to keep you out of fear and overwhelm as you strive toward those exciting, profitable, inspiring and meaningful goals.

Not only that, my job is to help you see how amazing you really are and what your capacity really is and to keep striving to extend your capacity.

I'm not everyone's perfect coach and I don't even try to be that.

A good fit between you and your coach is essential for the magic of coaching to happen and for you to get the best out of yourself.

Who gets the most from me and who I work best with are usually stressed out, frustrated and overwhelmed Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) business owners who want to take the next step forward in their business, but haven't found a way to do it yet.

A lot of people who don't fit that category get more than they expected from me and are delighted by the results they achieve.  The general rule is that we communicate well, that we have rapport and that we are inspired by each other and our goals.  The overarching rule is that your current situation is too painful to stay in, that you are hungry to achieve your goals and that you want to do whatever it takes to change your situation. 

The best way I know to see if I'm the coach for you is to email me on: 

addsvaluecoachmike@gmail.com 

...or call me (+ 61) 439 979 577(if you are not in Australia)

 or 0439 979 577 (if you are in Australia) 

to make an appointment by phone or Skype

That way we can talk about what you really, really want to achieve and how you can achieve it.

Right now, that won't cost you a cent and you will walk away with a greater sense of clarity about you and your business.

It would be a pleasure to meet with you.

In the meantime, you might want to go through the blog posts - there's some absolute gems here about the "Being-ness" of being a business owner.

Once again, welcome to our site.

Thanks for visiting. Do you want. Email me, Mike Kennedy...

You can run, but you can't hide (from yourself)

 

  You won't find your answer at the train station,

the bus teminal, on the road or even by jumping on a plane.

Some people look for it in their work,

Some find it in the bottle or the vein.

Some get religion, other's find it in love.

Some simply get on with it and vote with the status quo.

One thing is for sure.

When you remember your root cause, when you shed your tears for your original pain,

when you forgive everyone concerned (especially you),

this is the beginning of Choice

and the end of searching outside of yourself,

for what you really need.

This is only the beginning. Get to know clarity. Email me, Mike Kennedy...

Random Acts of Kindness!

Tough times really are a surprise!

Today a client blew me away by ordering me a new headset for my skyping coaching....without consultation or request - he just did it!

The other day I needed a battery from my mate at our local service station and he just put it in for me.

People really do show up when times are tough!

Email Mike...

You either have a Result....or an excuse.

Financial pressures and physical injuries can really test your patience.

But it’s also how you handle these pressures,that allows you to create and develop new possibilities.

It’s also an opportunity to build your character through relentlessly keeping your word.

A wise man told me once, when my back was to the wall, that you either have a result….or an excuse.

He told me that I was more comfortable with giving excuses and that I probably wouldn’t go the extra yard to get the result I wanted.

….and he was right.

I didn’t like it. In fact I walked out on him…..and was cursing him on my way out!

But he was right.

And I had to find my own way to come to terms with this and then commit to achieving small results just to get the hang of being successful.

You see, you may be just like I was….not used to getting the result I wanted and always having an excuse ready.

That can waste years in jobs you hate and lost opportunities …..because you have an excuse.

When you traffic in excuses, you are a slave of circumstance. In fact, you look to circumstances as a source of excuses – which makes you even more of a slave.

When you deal in keeping your word, no matter what, and you open yourself up to being coached, then you are freed from circumstances – you conquer circumstances - you are no longer at the beck and call of circumstances.

I know you want to be free..

Are you willing to pay the price?

I know you want to be one of those people in charge of their lives, doing what you love doing and making a difference….are you willing to pay the price?

….and what’s the price?

It’s about building up the muscle of your word and keeping it, no matter what.

It’s about being coach-able – letting people tell you what’s great about you…and what’s not - and listening to them about how you can make yourself better and greater and achieve the results you want.

If you want to pay the price, then call me.

I’m here to help you be free and go for what’s important to you….and keep the home fires burning and keep the wolf from the door at the same time!

All of the good stuff – the results you really, really want.

This is really it – what do you want?

Results…or excuses?


Email Mike...

What it takes to renounce excuses.

You renounce excuses when you reach a point that I call:

UP WITH THIS I WILL NOT PUT!

It's when enoughs enough.

You are no longer going to tolerate your circumstances.

You are going to do everything in your being to creating another reality.

Every sinew, every bone, every sense that you have is going to be used and stretched out to reach out of the prison you have been in.

That's how you renounce excuses.

You put your full attention onto your outcome, whatever you do, you get a result.

It might not be the result you want, but any result is movement forward to someone who is relentlessly pursuing what they really, really want.

In this state of mind - any excuse is seen as a pathetic irrelevant waste of your time.

All you can see is the pain of the present situation and the pleasure of achieving your desired situation.

Those Zen Buddhists were right - you have to want what you want as much as a drowning man wants his next breath.

Because that's when you hit the arena of your fight.

They say it's not the dog in the fight, it's the fight in the dog.

What's it going to take for you to stop tolerating your circumstances?

-what's it going to take for you to get to:

UP WITH THIS I WILL NOT PUT!

Email Mike...

This could change your life.

You know, it's so refreshing when you hear someone cut through the kaka, someone who is not taking seriously the thousands of minor complaints and discomforts that our society raises to an artform.


What did you get from seeing this?

What are you going to take on that's brilliant and worthy of your attention?

Let me know!

Email Mike...

Get a Backbone, not a wishbone!

If you think someone is going to help you get to where you want to....well, its not going to happen.

If you are waiting for someone to rescue you - join the club.

This club is so popular and its full of nice, well meaning reasonable people who prefer manifesting excuses rather than results....while they wait for someone to rescue them.

- but in reality, it's a queue to the failure of your dreams, enterprises or businesses.

While you are waiting in this line, things are crumbling all around you.

What you need to do is take responsibility.

Take responsibility for what you have created.

Then figure out what you want to build out of the ruins of that….

And then make a plan of how you are going to get yourself out of that...

Share your plan with people who support you....

..and then, work the plan - work the plan - work the plan………….

That will take backbone.

That will take you being ruthless with your word and doing whatever it takes including pulling rabbits out of the hat at the right time!

Nothing great is easy.

You just need to be hungry enough to make it happen!

Are you ready to build your backbone now?

What are you waiting for?

Email Mike...

Your True Colors.

The chief role of the coach is to see who you really are....

.....and feed that back to you whenever you have forgotten.

Funny thing is that is most of the time.

Most of the time you are unaware of what is really important, what resources you have at your fingertips, what your purpose really is and who you really are.

It's only when you remember who you are, what you stand for and where you are going, that your true colors get a chance to emerge.



Email Mike...

Be Cool, Be Masterful......

I saw this movie that has a real kick - and a lesson about keeping your cool - no matter what!

This video epitomises staying cool, keeping your focus on the people you are dealing with, being aware of and communicating with them about what motivates them.

John Travolta plays Chilli Pepper, a shady Hollywood movie industry man who keeps his cool around people who often have a gun at his head. He keeps his attention on what is important to them.

Several times in the story he tells people with guns at his head that he understands them better than what they think. He continually dances around their agenda by being ruthlessly straight with them. His amazing insights about them steals their attention from them.

A fantastic story about the power of keeping your centre in whatever hurricane you find yourself in.

A opportunity to dream build a vision of a capable, unflappable you.


Mike Kennedy,
Helping you find your clarity, in the hot pursuit of your meaningful and inspiring goals! email me and share what's important for you!
Email Mike...

Are you Waiting to be Rescued?

Many years ago I was renovating a basement with a girlfriend.

There was heaps to clear out and we were doing everything.

The only power there was a power cord which, instead of having a female end on it, had a male end.

.....this was live.

I reached out and grabbed it and suddenly I was being electrocuted.

My chest felt like it was being hit with a sledgehammer, my body was thrashing all over the room - I couldn't let go. I yelled out for my girlfriend to help me.

She just burst into tears and did nothing.

.........then something happened.

I heard myself saying: "Oh well, here I go again - I have to rescue myself!"

I pulled the other end of the cord and dragged the male end of the cord out of my hand. My agony ended, I collapsed to the floor - and then got up to comfort my hysterical unhelpful girlfriend.

But when I heard that little voice saying that - I realised I was waiting for someone to rescue me.

I was putting my own life at risk - was willing to put my life at risk....just so someone would rescue me.

I saw my dirty little secret. I wanted to be rescued.

I knew I could take care of myself....but wanted someone else to do it.

Kind of like being a kid, waiting for someone else to wipe your backside.

That was a turning point for me. I took responsibility for my own well being after that close shave.

I nearly killed myself for a cheap thrill of someone rescuing me.

Are you waiting for someone to rescue you?

What are you putting at risk while you are waiting?

Is it really worth it?

Let me know.

Mike Kennedy,
Helping you find your clarity, in the hot pursuit of your meaningful and inspiring goals! - email me and share what's important for you!
Email Mike...

What does the beginning of Spring and the Second Business Quarter have in common?

Well, it's a good time to celebrate your achievements as well as the blossoms and the warmer weather, it's also good to clean up after your first quarter sprint as well as your spring clean after a long winter.

Not only that, it's a good time to review your work flow and processes, as well as a good time to start building your physical and mental health with a seasonal cleanse.

You might even want to set some new fresh goals as well as sprucing up your living environment and wardrobe.

It's a time of new beginnings, and also a good time for a short holiday to recharge your batteries and your thinking before your sprint through to Christmas and the holiday season.

This is what Spring is about for business.

This is only the beginning. Get to know clarity. Email me, Mike Kennedy...

Inspiration is Best Served Hot!

You have to jump on it.

Inspiration is a gift, a sign of what's important for you in your work, your life and your relationships.

Some people are inspired more than others, have you noticed?

These are the people who realise that not only is inspiration best served hot....

....but also that one inspiration can lead to another!

Inspiration seems to congregate in packs.

So what are you waiting for?

Jump on it and see where it leads you!

....you might not only find a pack of inspiration, but a group of like minded people you can work with.

This is only the beginning. Get to know clarity. Email me, Mike Kennedy...

How to listen for the truth

Listening for the truth,

That's hidden from our sight,

Various agendas, working separately, cards held close to the chest,

A confusing mix of messages,

How do you tell, what's really so, when it's like

feeling around in the dark, half scared it's a setup,

with you as the fall guy - how do you find the truth...

....outside of your control?

There's a place where you know, a place that has the answer,

A place of wisdom, the place where it's clear

what's best for you, a part of you that sees around corners

and looks behind curtains obscuring what you need to know

Be still, be quiet, listen carefully now,

Look to your gut, go within, ask yourself what is really going on,

Then listen with your heart for that little voice within,

To reveal what's been concealed, what's hidden from your view.

Because bottom line, deep inside, you know what's the score.

This is only the beginning. Get to know clarity. Email me, Mike Kennedy...

What's the difference?

 What's the difference between someone with any limitation or condition, who doesn't know they have that limitation or condition,

and, 

Someone who has that same limitation or condition, who knows they have that limit or condition?

The answer is always: choice.

The former has no choice.

The latter has choice.

and choice allows you to generate possibilities.

You see that in Alcoholic's Anonymous meetings,

Where the statement: "...and I'm an alcoholic!" 

Allows broken spirits to stand tall and try again, by telling the grimy truth about it all

We see that in the special Olympics,

Where you witness the miracle of someone with no arms,

 winning a freestyle swimming race,


Awareness is the first step to transcendence of the situation or condition.

What can you be aware of in your present circumstances and endeavors,

That can enable you to have choice?

This is only the beginning. Get to know clarity. Email me, Mike Kennedy...

Where there's smoke, there's fire.

When you are feeling tired, lost or like you are going nowhere,

Time to remind yourself of who you are, what you stand for and where you are going.

You'll find the answers to this in your values, how you value your skills and if you have written one, in your vision.

Nothing like realising that you are off track or even violating your values and your purpose.

That awareness, in itself, will sort most of the tiredness you may be experiencing.

It may even help you see what you need to do with your current circumstances.

Let me know if you get stuck.

This is only the beginning. Get to know clarity. Email me, Mike Kennedy...

Why you need to keep yourself out of OVERWHELM!

 You know what happens when you slip into being overwhelm.

It's a slippery, gradual slope that's easy to get into and feels almost impossible to get out of.

One of the first signs of overwhelm is denial.  And what that means is that you just let it grow bigger and stronger the longer you stay in denial about it.

Then you find yourself:

 When you are overwhelmed, it's impossible to get things done.  You reach the point of diminishing returns and the harder you work to make something happen, the less you achieve.  It's a great way to sap your energy and demoralise your spirit.

You just can't create results when you are in overwhelm.

That's my job - to keep you out of overwhelm and moving in the direction of your inspiring and profitable goals. 

You will be working hard, you'll be achieving results, you be maintaining your focus and clarity and you'll be staying on track!

This is only the beginning. Get to know clarity. Email me, Mike Kennedy...

Self Care for SME Business Owners

The studies all reveal a sad truth.

Most business owners are flogging themselves to death for very little reward.

So how do you practice self care as a SME business owner?

You book yourself in for regular holidays.

You identify clearly the problems your business solve and the values you hold important.

You set clear, meaningful and important goals and stay focused until you achieve them.

You regularly review your progress.

You review your achievements, you bank your learnings and you celebrate your successes.

You let your team support you and give them responsibilities.

You keep them accountable to achieving results.

You manage your time effectively.

You sleep 8 - 10 hours a night.

You take at least a day and a half off.

You educate yourself.

You develop work habits that support you.

You develop personal interests that inspire and regenerate you.

You develop and maintain personal relationships that inspire and regenerate you.

You develop and maintain professional relationships that develop your capacity, your leadership and your ability to see obstacles and opportunities ahead.

You laugh more.

You take yourself lightly.

You take your business and your life seriously.

You have a coach who you trust to help you take care of yourself and your business.

This is only the beginning. Get to know clarity. Email me, Mike Kennedy...

Review, Bank and Celebrate your Achievements.

Reviewing your achievements, banking your learnings and celebrating your successes, gives you a foundation that you can build upon.

It reminds you of how far you have come, what needs to be cleaned up and what needs to be built on the shoulders of what you have done so far.

It allows you to see continuity, progress, personal growth and increased capacity.

It focuses you to build momentum, substance and success.

You can really build upon that.

This is only the beginning. Get to know clarity. Email me, Mike Kennedy...

Affirmation for a friend.

A friend recently shared with me, sleepless nights, churning their thoughts about whether they were good enough for their next step forward.

I found this wonderful affirmation from the amazing Louise Hay and made some adjustments:

Here it is my mate - read this instead of churning the rubbish of fear and self doubt. And for all the nocturnal worrying providers reading this, this one is for you.

I don't have to work hard in order to deserve a good income and incredible results.

I employ positive thoughts.

As I employ my Being, my Being employs me.

What a wonderful, brilliant, delicate, strong, beautiful energy my Being is. It blesses me with fulfilling work. Each day is new and different.

As I let go of the struggle to survive, I find that I am fed, clothed, housed and loved in ways that are deeply fulfilling to me.

I make it okay for me and others to have money without working hard at a job. I am worthy of bringing in a good income and creating amazing results with my work, without working hard at a job.

I am worthy of bringing in good money without struggling in the rat race or fighting traffic. I follow my higher instincts and listen to my heart in all that I do.

This is only the beginning. Get to know clarity. Email me, Mike Kennedy...

Hungry for Clarity!

It's amazing how clarity cuts through the confusion and complication of a situation.

You reach the point of clarity and everything is so simple and clear - you feel silly for not seeing what's patently obvious.

Clarity does lead you to power - the power to act decisively, deliberately and with great precision - Clarity is the ultimate in ecology - it doesn't waste energy, it's a lazer, not a shot gun!

So what situation are you dealing with that requires some clarity?

You probably would do well to book some time to think it through and work yourself toward some clarity in that area!

Go on - I dare you!

This is only the beginning. Get to know clarity. Email me, Mike Kennedy...