I hope you have enjoyed a break, if you have taken one over the festive season.  I did, I haven't written since the 18th of December.  It is always good to take some time out and do other things.  During my holiday break I was signed on to Skype the day before Christmas Eve and found a dear friend on line.  As it turned out, she was in Perth - down under spending Christmas with her parents.  We both have webcams so we got to see one another and I got to meet her mother on line for the first time.  I smiled at the thought of what was occurring.  Sat in the comfort of my office chair I am talking to, and looking at, somebody who is at the other side of the world.  I love to be able to do those wonderful things.

I shouldn't really be surprised where this friend is concerned.  We have had some extra-ordinary life experiences which have drawn us together, taken us apart again and then one day in July of 2007 after 15 years of not seeing one another something stranger than fiction happened.  I was helping a friend move into her new flat in West London when I overhead somebody taking messages off a telephone answering machine.  As my friend was talking to herself and repeating the name of the last caller on the answer-phone, to give to her landlady, I heard the name of my friend Sarah who I had lost contact with.  When the landlady arrived home and her messages were passed on, I asked her if by any chance this person called Sarah was the one that I had said goodbye to about 15 years ago at Heathrow Terminal 3 as she was heading out to India.  As it turned out, it was the very same person.  Not only that, she was best of friends with this lady that I have only met 2 days prior.  When I spoke to Sarah that evening, she told me that she had been thinking about me and she was not in the least bit surprised that I had shown up. 

You may have heard that expression that 'people come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime' and I always think about this when I meet new people or are re-acquainted with old ones.  Destiny has a way of putting people together, making connections so that their work can be done.  Who would ever have believed that I could have re-established contact with somebody who I had no idea where she was.  I smile each day that little miracles like this show up and of course I keep looking for them all the more.  Look for your miracles and notice them showing up.

Now the XFactor TV show in the UK may not have been everybody's cup of tea, however, having watched the finale on Saturday I was so very impressed by the winner.  It seems that each year the talent just gets better.  The winner of this years show is an amazing young woman called Alexandra Burke.  She tried out for the show 3 years ago and was sent home during the pre-show qualifying rounds.  Some people may have taken that kind of rejection very badly and given up on their dream.  She didn't do that, she took time to perfect her voice and focus on what she wanted to do..........to win!  She is undoubtedly one of the most talented singers I have seen in a while.  Her performances throughout the show were flawless.  At just 20 years old, this girl now has the most amazing future ahead of her. 

So what does it take to unleash the winner in you?  I believe there are a number of key ingredients such as; - ambition, determination, passion, focus, humility, fun and self belief.  Being passionate about what you do is perhaps the strongest driver.  When you are passionate about something you will find that your energy flows abundantly and freely.  What are you passionate about?  What have you won so far in your life?  What does winning mean for you?  When you slip off into a nice daydream, what do you daydream about?  What excites you?  What can you imagine yourself doing?  Now how much can you exaggerate that in your mind?  Go on, double the imagined feeling and then multiply that good feeling by 10!  Now how are you feeling?

Getting clear about your passion, ambition and motivation is pivotal to unleashing the winner in you.   When you are operating out of your passionate state, time will have little meaning.  Hours will just roll by on the clock and you may find yourself 'lost' in the very thing(s) that you truly love doing.  It is important that you get encouragement along the way too.  Surround yourself with supportive people who you know will back you every step of the way.  Think about some of the things you may have told yourself were unattainable in your life because of some knock back you might have had.  Remember that people have opinions and will freely express them.  If you are truly passionate and determined about getting what you want and winning, you will quickly realise that people's opinions are just information and the only one that really counts is yours. 

Have you noticed that in times of difficulty people pull together and produce some extra-ordinary results?  The war spirit of the 1940's during world war II produced some amazing feats of achievement.  People pulled together to help one another, in fact complete strangers.  The widening economic crisis that is being pushed down our throats every day will probably produce some similar results.  The interesting thing is that those who are most likely to respond and pull together are those who have had the least to do with the gluttony and irresponsibility of financial institutions and misguided spending by a questionable government,  yet they are the ones who are now most affected by it.

I have included a similar thread in a previous blog and I particularly wanted to revisit it today as I think it is a good opportunity to create some good energy.  The first thing you have to appreciate is that fear is contagious.  At this time of year people catch all sorts of things.  The season of goodwill means that people are sharing presents of the viral variety, i.e colds and influenza.  If you could harness the war spirit, what you would do differently to make a difference?  For the UK readers of this blog you will no doubt realise that Britain is being portrayed as the 'poor man of Europe' and indeed that extends globally.  The pound is at an all time low against the Euro and a basket of other currencies.  How do we know this?  Well we have news feeds, web sites, TV bulletins, newspapers.  They are all peddling the fear, uncertainty and doubt. 

Remember what happened on 9/11?  The horror of the terrorist attacks in New York were piped into the homes of people around the world, instantly.  Consider for a moment what kind of energetic impact that created.  Think about how many people actually became fearful in that moment and how that negative energy pulsated around the globe.  How would you perceive the current economic climate if there was no TV coverage, no radio news bulletins, no Internet and no data feeds to your mobile phone?  Other than buying a newspaper, how much fear could be created?

Gluttonous behaviour cannot go on indefinitely.  How much shopping can a person do in his/her lifetime?  How much food can be consumed over a period of a week?  How much bigger can the Behemoth's of commerce get?  Is there perhaps a trade off between convenience and thrift?  When I was a young boy living on an RAF base in Cyprus, I remember that there was a thrift shop on the base that was like an Aladdin's cave.  People sent all sorts of great things there and it was always exciting to sift through the bargains.  Charity shops are allegedly making record profits right now as people are getting into the habit of buying second hand goods.  The even better news is that those profits then go to help less privileged or needy people.

Think about spreading some gratitude and inspiration around and talking about it regularly to everybody you meet.  Simple gratitude is a wonderful way of spreading positive energy.  Here are just some of the things that I am grateful for:- the food I have on my table each day, the roof over my head.  Clean hot and cold running water, clothes that keep me warm, a wonderful partner to share my life with, abundant health, amazing friends, a fabulous place to see my clients from, optimism and the ability to see the good in most situations and a belief in the good of my fellow human beings. 

When was the last time that you felt abundant in anything?  What does abundance mean to you?  How would you know if you had abundance?  What would you be feeling, hearing, seeing, tasting and smelling?  If you have clarity about the answers to all of those questions then you are about to step into a much more resourceful place.  Every book that you are likely to read about the laws of attraction, be it 'The Secret' or 'Cosmic Ordering' or even Esther and Jerry Hicks' book 'Ask and It Is Given' will remind you about the importance of feeling the very thing that you want to manifest.

If you are not a natural kinaesthetic person (feeling person) then this might take a little more work.  By the way, for me, abundance is a feeling of having, and expecting infinite, wealth, success, happiness, joy, health and inspiration.  I expect that things will just come my way.  Like waiting for the postman to deliver an exciting letter that contains great exam results, a job offer or notification that I have just received a large sum of money.  Expectation of good and limitless things is a great way to attract abundance into your life.

There are lots of ways that you can feel abundant.  One might be to wear something you know you look and feel good in.  It might be wearing an expensive watch or piece of jewellery that just makes you feel great.  It may be going to eat at a restaurant that is particularly nice and not being concerned about the cost, simply feeling abundant and enjoying the experience.  In the lead up to Christmas we are encouraged to buy, buy buy.  It is a great time to exercise a little abundance and also to get clear about what kind of abundance you want in your life.  I remember the song title of a track on an old 1980's Frankie Goes to Hollywood album that said 'live your life like a diamond ring'.  I like that concept.  Are you inwardly focused or outwardly receptive to wealth and abundance.  If you are inwardly focused, do something today, tomorrow and every day this week for the rest of this month that gives you an experience of having abundance.  Then double, that feeling, treble it and remember to keep brining it back as often as possible.  It works!

The gravity of the past can be really strong.  I was reminded of that today when I spoke to one of my fellow gurus of self development.  She is an author and a pioneer in the field of coaching and I am so blessed to have her as a friend.  She reminded me of the importance of cleaning.  I am not talking about the kind of cleaning that involves a mop and bucket (although that kind of cleaning is also very healthy).  I am talking about mental cleaning.  When we slip back into old habits...................like worrying about stuff that we don' need to worry about.  The gravity of the past means that we often resort to doing the things we did over and over in the past.  Being fearful or being worried is a learned behaviour that belongs in the past.

There are a lot of distractions to our daily lives like; family matters, changes in the working environment, the economy, climatic conditions and a host of things happening all over the world.  I loved the simplicity of Ho'oponopono - getting back to the natural self and cleaning on all of the memories that make you fearful or stifled in some way.  I realise that from time to time I need the wisdom of those special people around me to remind me that cleaning is a lifetime commitment and occupation.  Everything I have done in my life thus far has culminated in my ability to keep on cleaning.

If you could clean up some thoughts, memories or ideas that are not serving you, or helping you to become; happier, healthier and more peaceful, then just remind yourself to keep cleaning.  Thank you for showing this to me.  These are just memories replaying.   I need to remind myself often, "I love you."  I need to remember that all will be well.  Remember to trust the inspired part of your being from where all things are possible.  

I have been thinking a lot about family over these past three days.  For those who celebrate Christmas, as the festive season approaches, many will spend it with family.  For some that will be an enjoyable prospect but for others, it can be an ordeal to get through.  It doesn't really matter what the occasion is, almost every culture and religion has a festival that centres around family being together.

Family life has changed enormously over the past 60 years.  Studies show that in the 1950's for example, people were far less likely to move away from the family unit.  Children grew up, married and raised their children in close proximity to their parents and grandparents.  Families also tended to be larger than they are today.  Then gradually in the late 60's and early 70's, people started to migrate to different parts of the country or indeed to completely new ones.  This was largely driven by the emergence of commercial enterprises who began to develop national and international structures.  Suddenly people where moving for their jobs.  Pursuing careers in different places.  The age of singledom was born. 

These effects have been far reaching.  Life Coaching began to thrive off the back of this new trend.  People who might have relied upon the family unit to bounce thoughts and ideas off were suddenly more isolated and remote.  They perhaps also realised that advice from well meaning family members was not always objective.  There are now a whole raft of people who live alone and have chosen career over relationships.  Many 40 somethings with big careers, living ex patriot lifestyles in foreign countries.  They have all made sacrifices.

The adaptability of humanity never ceases to amaze me though. Whenever there are significant changes in social and family trends, new habits develop.  There is a new type of family now for many, not those of blood relatives, but of friends who share similar values and views.  The truth is that you build new families wherever you decide to put your roots down.  I left home when I was 22 years old in search of a career in London.  I have now lived in London for longer than I lived in my home town and I have built a new family.  In many ways when my Father died, it made it easier for me to adjust.  When there are some degrees of separation between you and your blood relatives, the grieving process is made easier somehow.  I also have a mother who has a debilitating mental illness which has stripped away most traces of the person that I once knew.  In the space of less than 2 years both of my parents in some way have gone.  Although Mum is physically here, she is not somebody I really recognise anymore.  I am tremendously lucky to have an amazing partner to share my life with and close circle of people that matter.   The way I see it depends on how I choose to look at the whole situation.  I could see it as a tragedy or I could see all of the great  people that I have around me.  The way you see it will also make a big difference to the quality of your life.  Surround yourself with great people.  Relationships are worth investing in. 

Many moons ago when I was in further education and studying for an OND in Business Studies, I remember Economics being one of my least favourite subjects.  I don't know if that was wholly attributable to the rather dull lecturer who delivered everything in a monotone and un-enthused dimension, or if I just could not see enough practical examples of what I was being lectured on.  Nevertheless, I passed my exams and attained the necessary grades.

Of course there is no substitute for practical life experience and the laws of supply and demand soon become familiar.  When I started my working life as a travel agent, I learnt about the law of supply and demand in the holiday business and the airline world, especially when Laker Airways went bust and I had angry and anxious customers banging on the agency window before the shop was open - demanding that they get their money back. 

 The coming years are likely to provide some more interesting insights into the laws of supply and demand here in the UK.  Daily examples of shifting economics are evident.  I read yesterday that Christmas Trees are likely to be 50% more expensive this year as the UK Pound is now so weak against the Euro and the Danish Krone.  I couldn't help thinking that ethically this is most likely a good thing, given that millions of trees are felled each year, only to end up on garbage heaps somewhere.  That can't be right can it?  Then we have a surplus of flats to rent in London as 'would be' sellers have given up on trying to move their properties in favour of brining in a rental revenue.  Rents have allegedly fallen by 20% in some areas.  Again, an enquiring mind starts to think about all of the homeless people who have to sleep rough every night as they have no roof over their heads.   I wonder what could be done?  What could be done with a collective consciousness that says, let's embrace the changes and make the very best of it.

Of course I suspect that the laws of supply and demand are likely to be stretched a good deal further.  The labour government's nebulous policy on immigration means that there are now more people than ever competing for limited resources in public health care, welfare and housing.  When unemployment levels rise, this is likely to be exacerbated by those who are competing now for far fewer resources. 

If you are wondering what the point of this blog is, I guess it is really to gain insight into the value of looking at the bigger picture and learning from past events.  Would it have been useful for a government to think about the longer term effects of stretching the social system beyond capacity for the sake of votes to keep them in power?  Probably not.  Closer to home, what can you do to ensure that the decisions you make today are going to stand the test of time?  What can you learn about your own needs and your personal experience of supply and demand.  How much do you need?  What changes could you make that will help you and those around you?

You might remember a couple of blog entries ago that I talked about getting my new coaching clients to write their life story.  It is a powerful tool for reflection, insight and identification of trends.  It is a very privileged window into the worlds of extraordinary people.  The truth is, each and everyone of you reading this are also extraordinary.  No matter how mundane you might think your day has been, there are no doubt a whole series of wonderful things that you have just happened, perhaps things you might have taken for granted.   

If you haven't yet had the opportunity to write your life story, then take a couple of hours to sit down and do it.  You will discover some interesting things about you, your world and how you view things.  Most people are truly amazed at how much they have achieved without a great deal of planning.  Things just seemed to happen somehow.  Imagine then brining a new level of consciousness to your future story!  You can move from writing your life story to righting your life story.  You see the thing is this - you have an opportunity each and every day to decide what will will be written on your pages.  You are the creator of your own story.  How do you want it to be?  What do you want to read about yourself in 6 month's time or a year or in 10 years? 

Now if you have been carrying a hard-luck story round with you and it hasn't got you very far, it is time to change your fortune with something far more inspiring.  The great thing about everybody that I ever meet in a working capacity is that they know what inspiration feels like, looks like or sounds like, or they know somebody who inspires them.  Imagine that you are writing your auto biography every day.  What do you need to do each day to remind you of this exciting opportunity?  Remember, everyday you have a chance to write your story the way you want it to be told.  The future is already present in your mind - make it a great one!

Whenever I do journalist interviews these days they all want to know about top tips and strategies to weather the storm of the economic downturn.  It is a valuable exercise in many ways because it prompts me to look at different angles.  The thing that I like about the recession is that I am relatively recession proof.  In the same way that London businesses are less likely to be impacted by the recession as companies in other areas of Britain, my business is similar.  The reason is primarily that many of my clients are overseas clients so I am not solely reliant upon the volatility of the UK economy.  What can you do to expand  or diversify your client base so that you are dealing with overseas clients. 

If you have not already started to incubate your thoughts about how you can capitalise on the recession, the time is ripe.  As companies downsize and lay off their human capital, what can you do to meet the needs of a changing market?  What services can you offer?  What will people be looking for?  What do you have that might be useful to them?

Mass consumerism has become a way of life here in the UK.  If you doubt me, take a trip into your nearest shopping centre on any weekend, especially if it is raining, and observe the national pastime of the British public.  Yes, they are out shopping.  Collecting stuff.  Not that they need or really want it, it is just something to do.  There is now an exciting opportunity to break those habits.  After-all, if you have had to clear out the possessions of anybody who has died, you will know how long it takes to get rid of stuff.  We go through life collecting, for what purpose?  To fill an un-fillable hole. 

We can learn from those who endured hardship during economic downturn in the past.  I would like to acknowledge one of my clients and friend Cali, who inspired me by reading the biography of an art dealer in New York during the 1930's.  His book provided valuable insights about buying trends and habits during the depression.  What can you glean from the past?  We used to do things differently - remember?  We used to buy and cook natural ingredients to make meals.  We grew vegetables or bought things from farms.  We don't have to buy ready meals and pre-prepared food.

We have great on-line portals such as eBay whereby we can sell things that we no longer need and we can buy second hand goods.  As the festive season approaches, think about recycling unwanted things as gifts or trading them on-line.  Wardrobes can be recycled or you might want to wear some of the things that have never seen the light of day.  You can buy great clothing for a fraction of the price if doesn't have a designer label on it.  Learning to adapt is a useful thing.  Remember that in the midst of apparent adversity, there is always a gift.  Avoid being fearful, it achieves nothing.  Be inspired, that is when the magic happens!

If you grew up in England, you were a boy and a member of the Cub Scouts......you will remember this one!  If you aren't, not to worry, this is the 4th of Don Miguel Ruiz - "The Four Agreements".  It is simple, and clean.  Your parents undoubtedly told you to always do your best or be your best when you were growing up.  There are many dimensions to such a simple statement. 

Consider that your best is changing all the time too.  When you set out to learn something your skill level or competence in those early days is vastly different from the point where you consider yourself competent and you have had a chance to put into practice, many times over, the things that you have learnt.  Remember that when you embark upon something new.  You may not be able to do it perfectly, do the best that you can.  When the job is finished, ask yourself if you have done your best or is there something else you contribute?

Avoid over-doing things.  Know when enough is enough and you have expended as much time, effort and energy as is required.  The potential pitfalls of over doing something are that you end up being dissatisfied or spoiling something that was actually fine.  Remember that however much you may love chocolate, if you eat too much of it, you will no doubt end up feeling sick.

Stay in the present moment in whatever you are doing.  The present is all we have.  The past is done and we are unable to change it.  The future has not yet arrived and if you dwell too much in either the past or find yourself distracted by the future, you are robbing yourself of the present.  This is particularly important in your communication, particularly your listening skills.  Staying in the present allows you to truly hear what is being said.  It is far easier to do your best when you are present to whatever it is that needs your attention here and now. 

Remember that you need to take action on your ideas.  When you do that, you can be assured that you are working out of inspiration and creativity.  Your very best comes from the authentic YOU.  Do your best to follow your ideas, dreams and instincts.