Lifestyle and attitude

Category: Editorial

I am writing this editorial on a Friday - a great step forward from my normal practice of doing it on a Sunday, particularly a Sunday evening. A definite step forward to getting my life in balance. It is not so much the effort on a Sunday - after all, I enjoy the process - as that it hangs over me all the time I should be relaxing.

This week's coaching notes from Carol Newland are about improving work/life balance.

One of the presentations at CoachVille last week was from John Allen Mollenhauer, who stressed that fitness starts with getting enough sleep rather than getting enough exercise. Then he emphasised the importance of eating what he calls nutrition rich foods. These tend to be vegetables, nuts and unrefined foods. Then he recommends a 'restful' holiday every three months (an active adventure holiday might de-stresss but might not rest the body). Note, however, that exercise is necessary.

Here is his Lifestyle Success Formula: -

Streamline and simplify to free up space and time to take care of you.

Recuperate and manage your energy to accomplish more of what you want.

Eat 80-90% or more nutrient rich foods so you're full, fulfilled and free of weight and health issues.

Take advantage of your overall improved condition to be more active, take more action and develop true fitness!

I have been recovering form an over night flight and a six hour time zone change. What could I do to help the recovery? Last night I went for a two hour ramble in the countryside and then had an early night. What could you do as a symbolic message that you are going to take more care of your body?

Some time ago I had some new spectacles. They are very fashionable but not very practical - they kept slipping out of position. As a result, I have had to take them in every few weeks for adjustment. Yesterday I took them in again and actually had them reshaped. I had excellent attention from a young lady assistant. At the end we agreed that I could bring them in again if they were not yet right. Then she added that, whatever, we had made good progress today. With the last three words she gave a little smile. It transformed the message. From her telling me, she drew me into a joint agreement. Little bits of humanity can transform an interaction. It set me thinking, what little things could I do that would make such a difference.

On my return to my office I had a call from yet another salesman wanting me to pay a large sum to meet a group of human resource managers. Within the first word I could tell what he wanted (alternatively that he was selling directory advertising space). What was it about his style that was so typical of such sales people and how was it different from people who can easily engage me? As with others he refused to take 'no' for an answer and I had to get more and more aggressive to get rid of him (Actually, I am considering an event such as he was offering, so he could, easily, have had a possible sale).

My lady optician's humanity slipped out through her body language. The salesman's lack of interest in me flowed though his voice tone an language.

Lou Cassara told us at CoachVille how building better relationships can help us communicate with more impact - and improve our sales success.

Perhaps we should not worry about our skills or behaviour when communicating but examine our attitude to others - for it will show through. And you are much more likely to have a positive, friendly attitude if you are relaxed and fit.

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