Finishing off this year and planning your New Year with the "Three Step Process"!

Coaching is all about you forward planning, setting goals and living into your future! By doing this, you create a competitive edge, Clarity of thinking and can anticipate challenges that may crop up

The objective of "The Three Steps" process is that you have a worksheet where you systematically finish off this year and you start your planning process for next year. Not only that, you will have a plan in place of how you are going to start your year off powerfully.

It’s an hour and a half phone session with Mike where you:

• Review and complete your ups and downs of this year


• “Bank” your learning's from this year


• Create your 2009 in the areas of: your overall theme, your plan for maintaining high energy, developing your capabilities and being remarkable.


• You will also identify your key business & personal relationships and who you are going to give back to & support


• You will also develop a plan for hitting the ground running when you return to work in 2009.
  

You will receive a template of the process where you can systematically update and improve your plan – a fantastic resource to add depth and value to your planning!

If you haven’t experienced this process before, it’s a "clearing the table" experience that enables you to lay the foundations of your planning for your 2009.

It's also comprehensive enough to make sure you cover your personal and family side of life as well! All work without play is not a good recipe for success!

Give yourself a head start in what looks like a challenging year ahead!

Testimonials:
“….the three step process was a key element of my successful 2008!”
“I completed my 2007 and created my 2008 – I would have never done this on my own!”
“I clarified what I’d achieved last year and got to plan systematically for my next year!”

Email Mike... to secure yourself this experience.

Mike Kennedy - Coach.

In the old American Indian story about the two wolves, there is an analogy of there being two wolves in every human. The black wolf wants to destroy you and your works and the white wolf wants to develop you, grow you and nurture you and your works.

 

When asked which wolf wins, the storyteller always answers: "The one you feed...."

Mike Kennedy is an Australasian Based Personal Business Coach who works with clients wherever they are, to help them feed their white wolf.

He utilizes telephone, Skype and the Internet as communication medium.

He helps his clients deal with change and thrive in environments where most people are reacting in panic, feeding their black wolves.

He says that most people have unspoken goals that they really, really need to work to achieve, but that these goals never get any attention, because they are swamped with "busy-ness" 

"I help people find their own clarity - what it is that's important to them, what they really, really want to achieve and what are the most important things for them to focus on. 
Once they find their clarity, they then get down to work on the goals that are really important to them!"

He uses classic coaching techniques as well as his experience working with people for the last 25 years as a trainer, mentor and coach.

Crisis's are dealt with with the client's goals, values and long term objectives in mind.

This is called: "Feeding the right Wolf!"

Over the last 13 years, Mike has worked with two separate coaching companies, supporting their coaches with training competency development and mentoring their case work. He also coaches and mentors a number of independent coaches, helping them in their professional development. "I love working with people who are going out there and making a difference to the world!"

Here's some pictures of Mike and his wife Rose and their son Ted at the Special North Island Independence Games for kids with special needs in Hamilton one year.

Mike and Rose Kennedy have been married for 17 years and have Ted, a 16 year old son with Downe's Syndrome. "The experience of being a special needs parent has helped me develop strengths and understanding, that no education could have given me!" says Mike. "It's also shown me which wolf I need to feed!"

"The Spice Girls sang: 'Tell me what you want - tell me what you really, really want!' Nobody ever asked you that question as you were growing up - they never even asked you what you needed!- it was usually all about people telling you what they wanted from you!"


Mike encourages people to find out 'What they really, really need!'

"Something amazing happens when someone asks you that question - it's usually a shock, and once you get past the mistrust and looking for where the catch is, and you actually start to answer the question, then the magic happens! Its then you realise the benefits of feeding the white wolf!"

Peter Drucker says:  
"Management by objectives works if you first think through your objectives. Ninety percent of the time you haven't."

That's how Mike sees his role - getting people clear about their objectives.

Not only that, he helps them articulate their Purpose:
"If my clients have clarity of intention, the job is half way done!  The right wolf then gets the food it needs"

And that's the sort of coach Mike Kennedy is - open in heart, wide in experience, well read and focused totally on keeping his client's focused on what's important to them.

"I show people how to manage their wolves - you probably don't care how much I know until you know how much I care! That's the kind of coach I am."

AddsValue Coaching: How does it work?

Stage One: Phone introduction – you have a conversation with Mike to see if you can communicate with him, if you have any rapport with him and if you think it’s worth going onto the second stage – the trial session.

Stage Two: Trial Session – you have a trial session with Mike where you set three inspiring goals for yourself for the next 90 days and you make a decision if this is something that would be of value for you to take on.

Stage three: Coaching Series – you embark on your journey of discovery and achievement with your coach.

Stage four: 90 Day review – you review what you have learnt, what you have achieved and what your next 90 days will be all about.

AddsValue Coaching: What Can I Expect?
You will be working with yourself putting focus on the different areas of your life: Your business, your work, your relationships, your creativity, your finances, your family, your friendships, your adventures, your health and fitness – and whatever else you choose to bring forward.

As you move towards achieving your inspiring goals you will be raising your awareness of your values, how you communicate and what really motivates you. You can expect a series of what we call “impolite” conversations, that is, conversations that are succinct, straight and specific between you and your coach. During these conversations you become aware of your self limiting thoughts and habitual Behaviours which then gives you to power to unleashes yourself from your “Same Old, Same Old” circumstances and results.

There are layers of structure that support the coaching process and as you move forward, you will get to know your coach better and have a better understanding of the coaching process.You can be assured that that your coach is operating within professional ethics, guidelines and is demonstrating industry competencies as listed by the International Coaching Federation. It’s a well documented, tested process that has duplicatable processes and competencies.

You can expect to...

• achieve your business, work and personal goals


• free yourself from your “Self Limiting Thoughts and Habitual Behaviours” which have kept you in your “Same Old, Same Old” circumstances


• have a much better idea of who you are and who you are becoming


• have raised your awareness of what your values are and what your purpose is


• increase dramatically your ability to communicate
  
• be clear about your business values, aims, goals and purpose

Hopefully, you are reading this because someone who has been coached by a AddsValue Coach has recommended you – that is how most people find their way to a AddsValue coach. If you haven’t, then here’s a couple of testimonials from people who have chosen and walked this path....

Mike has coached me through a few series now and I can’t believe the difference it has made to my life. Mike encourages me to look for Clarity in all the areas that I’ve set goals in and then keeps me honest to reach those goals. His sessions are structured but still flexible enough to deal with the issues of the day. He has an incredible amount of experience and life skills that he brings with him, which gives me confidence that I know what he is doing! Mike is an absolute professional in all that he does, but he is human enough to listen, support, encourage and motivate me forward. One of the most important things I have learnt is that there are no problems, only opportunities and choices. The progress that I have made in my life in all areas in the last few months is absolutely incredible. Thank you would be too small a word to express my gratitude to Mike for the work that he does. I can only encourage anyone who wants clarity in their life to talk to Mike, he really does coach with heart and soul!

AddsValue Coaching: Should you try it?
The best way for you to make this decision is to experience for yourself the trial session. In that, you will experience what coaching is, how it works and you will set three inspiring goals for your self. You won’t be charged a cent for that process and by the end of it you will have enough understanding to know if you want to go forward or not.

You might however, be still reluctant to pick up the phone and make an appointment. So we suggest, in completion, that you ask yourself the following important questions:

1. How much has not being, doing and having what you want COST YOU?
   
2. What would it be worth for you to achieve your goals, resolve your problems and be truly fulfilled and happy?
   
3. What can you possibly lose in having trial session at no cost, and what could you gain by having one?

Thank you for reading this and we encourage you to keep living at the edge of your comfort zone and creating outstanding results!

AddsValue Coaching: What Is It?

Many people you meet want more out of their life, they think that life has to be the way it is and don't realise that they have the power to change it. They often will think that they just have bad luck or any other number of very good reasons so they carry on doing the “Same old, Same Old” things over and over again.

What they don't realise is that it is purely their beliefs and attitudes that determine how their life is. The good news is that they don’t realise how easy these are to “break through”. Some people seek help, only to find they understand their problem better... though the problem itself remains.

With AddsValue Coaching you will identify and set for yourself three “Inspiring Goals”. This usually is a breakthrough in itself. Many of us have not set goals that we “really, really want”, but what others want from us. For some of us, this is like being given permission to do what we really, really want for the first time in our lives!

In the process of being in hot pursuit of your goals, you will be bumping up against your “Self Limiting Thoughts and Habitual Behaviours” trying to do their job – keeping you trapped in your “Same old, same old” thoughts and behaviours. Your coach will assist you to recognize what’s happening and help you keep moving in the direction of your inspiring goals.

It’s not that your coach knows the pathways to the achievement of your goals – there are plenty of sources these days to help you with finding all that out. Your coach’s role is to keep hearing your strengths, your vision, your values and your amazing creative flashes of genius as you move in the direction of your inspiring goals. Your coach then feeds that back to you so you can be the hero or heroine in your own life rather than you being a co-star or supporting actor/actress in someone else’s movie.

The result? You always move to clarity,
you are always learning and you are always moving forward!

Why would you want a Addsvalue coach to work with you?

There are many reasons why you might want to have a AddsValue coach work with you....

• If you want to make sure your business follows the values, reasons and outcomes you want
  
• If you want to make sure you are not being sidetracked by emergencies, compliance, stress


• If you have had enough of “Expert” advice and other influences beyond your control


• If you want your work to be guided by your values, reasons and outcomes you want


• If you want to move on but don’t know how


• If you want to be living a life that you love


• If you want to turn your problems into opportunities for personal growth


• If you feel stuck and want to move forwards towards inspiring & meaningful goals


• If want your life to be great instead of listening to reasons why it can’t be great


• If you are looking to step up to the next level and reach your potential


• If you have a nagging feeling that there’s more to your life than you have ever been able to get to....

The Demystifer Button.

Rose and I got into the car on a cold wet and windy day.

The windscreen was misted up and Rose told me to press the demystifyer button.

I didn't know our car had one. But I was really excited about having one!

Mainly because that's what what we do in a coaching session - we de-mystify! - I started to think about all the other buttons we have around us.

It all starts when our clients press their coach button:

That activates their coaching session and we start looking at their goals.

Usually there are some challenges to face, sometimes even big challenges. In the session, just facing up to some of those challenges takes the power away from those challenges and puts things into perspective.

Sometimes even the big things turn into small things. By Acknowledging "What is So" turns things into "So What?"

I am amazed that there are so many buttons in a coaching session!

Not only that, in a coaching session, you can align yourself with your purpose and your values. If your purpose and values were a horse and your ego was the rider, some riders try to ride a horse by facing it's rear end and saying "giddy up!" and the horse won't go anywhere they want it to go.

When they acknowledge this isn't working and turn themselves around to face the same direction of the horse's head, things become effortless - now that's the easy button!

And we've been talking for some time about how we slow time down in a coaching session. This is where we find our power. That's the power button!

And finally, when we set our goals, we define where we are now and then we write down our inspiring vision for our goal...and we plan how we are going to get to our goal, then we fire up our engines and start our journey to our success!

Thanks Rose for telling me about the demystifyer button!

Definition of Insanity.....

Insanity is often defined as doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result.

What are you doing right now that fits this definition?

What would you have to do to explore other ways of doing something different?

What is stopping you from doing this?

How to Find Your Ideal Coach.

You may remember my suggestion in previous posts to be rigorous on making the choice of your coach.

The Coaching relationship needs to be Special. You need to Connect. It needs to be obvious to you that this person has what it takes to help you to be the person who is going to achieve your goals.
You also need to be comfortable about saying “No!”

You need the “Yes!” to rise up from inside of you. You need to feel like you know that the way forward is clear, your goals will be achieved and your personal integrity and special gifts will be honored and encouraged.

You need to feel excited, not by the coach, but by you and what you know you can achieve, with someone by your side, keeping you focused, keeping you strong and keeping your thoughts strong, positive and resourceful.

All coaches will give you permission to go for it, but you need a coach who you will listen to when they give you that permission and also be someone you respect enough to Act Upon It.

You need the faith in them that they will keep you on the path of success and that they will last the full distance.

You need to know that they will be tough on you when you need it and also to be able to celebrate, create and commiserate at the right time.

You need to know that they won’t give up when you want to and that they will believe in you when you don’t believe in yourself.

Funny that.

……….It seems that it’s more about you than the coach.

Maybe the real question, the question that calls for the deeper significance in you is:

“Am I ready to let a coach help me move to the next level of my life?”

And the next and probably only question left to ask is:

“Do I think this coach would be a great coach for me and do I have the courage to tell them that?”

…hope you find this useful.

Fear of Success!

…your client doesn't really want to succeed.

A paradox.

In every client you take on,
There is a part of them,
that really doesn’t want the coaching to work

They don’t really want anything to work
They are scared to succeed
They are scared of success

And when you come across this shadow self,
And you will know it when you do,
Talk to them about “The Fear of Success”,
About how most people are more fearful
of success than they are of failure ....

Take some time to generate awareness and clarify all the things that would change if your client achieved their PLEASURABLE END RESULT.

Look for things that would give them discomfort if things stayed the way they are and get them to see how hollow their fear is .....

Tell them that fear is an acronym for
False Expectations Appearing Real
Ask them what they really, really, really want

Listen carefully for the sound
of fear’s footsteps leaving ...

....for fear cannot bear the light of clarity
and awareness.

Let your client see how they don’t really want to succeed,
So that they can accept, move on and
Really Really succeed!

Hocus Focus!!

My coach just nailed me.

"What are you doing even thinking about doing that?"

I'd just told him I'd been invited to speak at a conference in Australia.

" - It's not related to what you are trying to achieve - how is this going to benefit your clients? How is this going to benefit you? How is this going to move you forward? How is this going to grow your business?"

I was nailed. I was being called to account.

I knew he was right. I knew I was flattered that I'd been invited for this role, I also knew that in my past, as a speaker, I would be chasing a gig like this. At that time, with my focus then, this was an opportunity to be celebrated that would most probably lead me to more speaking events.

I really, really wanted to do this conference. Every cell in my body was moving me towards accepting this invitation.

But I also knew that it was no longer related to what I'm doing now, or even what I'm trying to achieve now. It would be a distraction and a consumer of my time in the areas of preparation, travel, my time spent there and travel back home. Even though the speaker's fee was substantial, it simply was not appropriate or even worth it for me to accept this.

Hocus Focus.

You keep on your focus and the Hocus starts to work - you start to reap the rewards.

Hocus Focus.

There's so many distractions out there - new ideas, emails to read and answer, interesting conversations, family demands, things to do, people to see. Busy, busy, busy!

But what about the important things? What are the important things to focus on?

Hocus Focus.

You choose the important things - these are the things that are going to move you forward. You know the important phone calls, actions and deadlines you need to pay attention to.

Hocus Focus.

It takes discipline, it takes hard work, it takes being on task.

It bears fruit, it creates results and it moves you forward.

Hocus Focus.

Sometimes...no - oftentimes - it means you walk past the seductively interesting, the loud and demanding and the seemingly innocent wasters of your precious time.

It requires you to take charge, make decisions and to stand by them.

Hocus Focus.

What are the most important things for you to be focusing on?

Today? This week? This month? ........This year?

Why have a Addsvalue Coach?

I've been thinking about how Narcisist saw his reflection in the lake and fell in love with it and couldn't bear to move from his reflection.

There are so many disciplines out there, psychotherapudic, counselling and transformational, where by focusing internally on the causes of your behaviours, you gain understanding and strengthen your choice in the matter.

I love the way the coaching model get's Narcisist to take his mind off his reflection and put it onto an inspiring quest, task or goal.

Finding yourself in your endeavours, overcoming your neuroses in action - Being on the trot in relentless passionate pursuit of a goal you love and believe in - sounds much more exciting to me than being stuck on the shores of the lake obsessing about your self.

Not that these disciplines have no value - at the right time and for the right person, they are the most effective way to initiate transformational change.

But certainly they are not the fix-all tool for our very mobile and urgent lifestyles.

Viva!! - the pursuit of worthy and inspiring goals!! VIVA!