WHAT IF TOMORROW……….?

What if tomorrow requires us to think differently, act differently, live differently, be different? 

Isn’t this just what happened with the Covid lockdown? Overnight, without any advance warning, almost everything that we had become used to in our lives, changed. In fact, our ability to adapt was challenged in almost every area and at every level of our lives.

It is a known fact that the majority of people do not like rapid or dramatic change, and here we had this tsunami of change sweeping over us with nowhere to run. Suddenly, we were living in a post apocalypse world, perhaps not physically, but certainly emotionally, and many of those things that we would normally have done to cope are no longer available to us, whether it be getting together to have a meal with friends, a long walk in nature, a workout at the gym, a night out at the theatre, a weekend away, all suddenly are gone.

In addition, we now sit in a situation where we do not know what tomorrow will bring, we cannot predict, even in a small way, the future normal.

This is probably the biggest brain shock in the lives of most people, after the mental gymnastics thrown at us by isolation and lockdown.

How then do we confront and overcome this challenge, or in simpler terms, how do we re- normalise?

Firstly, we must look at things to see, realistically, what are likely to go back to our normal, and what are not, in our individual lives. Some have lost loved ones, some have lost work, businesses or livelihoods and all that goes along with it. What does this change in circumstances mean and how can we handle it.

Secondly, we must separate those circumstances over which we have control from those over which we do not and invest our mental and physical energies on those which we can influence.

Thirdly, we must create new habits that will help us move forward, habits that begin with changing our mental approach first, in order to overcome the emotional resistance that keeps wanting to arise,

Then we must start working out, and working on, those new skills that we will need going forward. 

Sadly, unlike the dramatic events that caused our lives to change, this probably will not happen overnight, but, with consistent and focussed effort we will be able to get there. Yes, it will be hard. Yes, it will be challenging. Yes, it will require some blood sweat and tears. But the results may well place us in a better position than we were before, even if we cannot foresee that now.

There is a strength in human beings that is found in no other aspect of nature, the strength and power of the human mind, created in the image of God. Use it well, and to your advantage, by taking control, slowly if necessary, of your thoughts as they arise. By changing them, you will be able to change your words and your actions, and ultimately, your future normal.

WHY IS THERE STILL RESISTANCE TO REMOTE WORKERS?

Why is it that so many employers still resist the concept of remote working employees?

Is it the mindset that 'I need to see bums on chairs from 8 to 5 in order to believe that people are working?'

This is the 'presence equals productivity' trap, into which so many fall. Remember, just because people are at the office does not mean they are productive, very often it is the opposite. Distractions, chatter, even availability, often cause people to lose focus and productivity drops.

In the same way because a person is working remotely does not mean they are going to 'skive off'.

In fact, the time spent in traffic between home and office, particularly in the morning, can be better utilised as some of the most productive time, as those early hours are when our minds are fresh and at their best. It seems crazy that people should spend that time battling traffic just to go to an office where they will email colleagues in the next office, something that can be done just as effectively from a remote station.

And those people who are likely to be unproductive remotely are just as likely to be unproductive at the office as it is an attitude issue, not a location issue, that needs to be addressed. The same applies to managers who need to see their subordinates at their desks. Could it be the need to micromanage? Once again, it may be the need for an attitude change.

Whether on site or remotely, ultimately trust plays a major role in workplace outcomes and perhaps that, rather than where, is the underlying factor that needs to be uppermost when addressing how we can achieve maximum team collaboration, effectiveness and optimum productivity.

Terri Codd Corporate Training & Life Coach: 076 751 3556: coddterri@gmail.com: terricodd.blogspot.com

PERSEVERANCE LEADS TO MASTERY – ARGUABLY THE BIGGEST FACTOR IN SUCCESS

The more I practice, the ‘luckier’ I get. Have you ever heard an expert tell you that? And they mean it. The difference between champions and also rans is most often that the champion keeps on practicing the same move over and over and over again until he or she not only gets it right but goes way beyond – to mastery.

But in this high speed, ever changing world the biggest challenge is not the move, it is the challenge associated with doing the same move over and over without becoming bored. In a world always looking for the next revolution or the quick fix, doing something for as long as it takes to become expert at it has almost become anathema, looked down on even.

At the end of the day, a runner needs to run, an investor needs to invest, a chef needs to cook, a salesman needs to sell and they all need to do all the little things necessary day in and day out - many of them considered downright boring-until they become masters of their craft. A world class athletic coach, when asked for his secret, replied: “it doesn’t matter what level my athletes are, most of the time they are doing the basics, over and over and over again. The trick is not doing the basics, it’s overcoming the feeling of monotony or boredom that often goes along with it”.

Bruce Lee once said: “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practised one kick 10,000 times”.

Ask yourself,” what are the basic things that you need to do to succeed in your world?” Are you doing them persistently come rain or shine until you succeed?

Because the more you practice, the ‘luckier’ you’ll get.

Talk to us about our ‘Tiny Habits’ workshops and change your life continuously, one step at a time.

Terri Codd - Corporate Training & Life Coach: 076 751 3556: coddterri@gmail.com: terricodd.blogspot.com

IT’S YOU WE NEED

There is a story told of a king who went into his garden one morning only to find everything withered and dying. He went to the great oak tree that stood at the gate and asked what the trouble was. The oak said it was tired of life and wanted to die because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine tree. The pine was depressed because it could not bear grapes like the grapevine. But the grapevine was throwing its life away because it could not stand erect and bear fruit as large as peaches. The geranium was despondent because it was not tall like the lilac.

And so it went on until the king came to a violet whose face was as happy and bright as ever. The king commented that the violet was the only one in the garden who did not appear disheartened.

The violet responded – ‘well you planted a violet so you must have wanted a violet. If you wanted an oak, a rose, or any other plant you would have planted them. But you wanted a violet, so my role is to be the best violet I can be, no more, no less.’

And that’s how it is with each of us. We are created to be unique, one of a kind and the greatest success we can achieve in life is to be the absolute best we can be at any given time, in any circumstances, with whatever resources we have. Nothing more, nothing less.

So, forget the new year resolutions and take a decision now that whoever you are, whatever you are, wherever you are, you will be the best you that you can be. Nobody can ask more of you, and you can do no more than that to discover and fulfill your life’s purpose.

The world needs YOU, or you wouldn’t be here.

Terri Codd Corporate Training & Life Coach: 076 751 3556: coddterri@gmail.com: terricodd.blogspot.com 

HANGING ON TO HOPE

Three years ago it happened – I was downsized in a company restructure, after having given a number of years of value to the company. In the new structure my role was redundant.

And, to cap it all, the job market was not then, nor is it now that great.

There was no option but to go it alone and so I became self- employed.

Those who have ever started, or attempted to start a business, know that without capital this is not an easy thing and, in addition, during this time I have experienced every negative ‘ism’, rejection, and loss of all things material. But, with a little help from my friends and faith in my God and Saviour, I am still here, still alive and still strong, even if it is often a little bit here, a little bit there.

You see, it is very simple. In difficult conditions we can choose either to carry on, or to quit. There is no third choice. Carrying on, and how we do it will mean different things to different people, as will quitting. But the choice will need to be made.

How we keep going, on a practical level, will differ from person to person, but one thing is certain, we must keep going and we must have hope. Hope, that belief in things we don’t yet see. There is an old saying, where there is life there is hope. True. And we can also ponder on good old Abraham who ‘against all hope in hope believed’.

While there is breath in my body, your body, there is hope. Things can turn around in an instant, if we keep going, but not if we quit. If we quit we close all doors and hope fades into darkness.

Where are you today. Breathing? Then I urge you to keep going, one second at a time if necessary, but do not quit, do not give up your hope.  Look higher, look further, look outside your circumstances.

For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord……..Plans to give you hope and a future.

Yes, it may be hard to do, but hanging tightly onto hope is the first step in achieving your dreams.

Terri Codd Corporate Training & Life Coach: 076 751 3556: coddterri@gmail.com: terricodd.blogspot.com