This week’s TED Talk clip is from an independent TEDx event:
The surprising secret of motivational speech | James Cullen | TEDxBathUniversity
Clip length: 10 mins 59 secs
Prefer to watch via YouTube? In that case you’ll need to click here.
In this week’s guest post creativity coach Taisir El-Souessi uses her knowledge and experience to discuss:
You’ve probably heard of coaching; life coaching, career coaching, executive coaching… the list goes on. In a general sense, a coach is a professional that can help you develop a fresh perspective, problem solve, set goals and support you as you work toward reaching those goals. So what’s a Creativity Coach and why would anyone need one?
Many people think of themselves as not being creative or they put limits on their creativity. You may be one of these people. You might think there isn’t a creative bone in your body. You may think that you are creative at work or in other specific areas but not as an “artist” or a “writer.” You may be a professional artist, performer or writer who has times that you “get stuck” and can’t seem to find inspiration or discipline. Basically ANYONE could benefit from this type of personal growth work because MOST OF US have had experiences that may in some way make it hard for us to create.
A Creativity Coach does some of the basic coaching things I described above but also much more. They can help you with multiple aspects of your creative life or lack thereof. Blocks in creativity can be related to a variety of issues that are practical, emotional, existential and psychological. A coach can help you figure out where to get started or support you in working on issues of confidence that may be stopping you from achieving your goals such as writing that novel or performing on stage. A coach in this line of work typically has some type of experience in the creative arts and understands the difficulties that can arise during the creative process.
I believe that the arts (drawing, music, dance, etc.) are the language of our deepest human connection. They help us tap into the healing that is within all of us. You are an artist. You are a poet. You are a singer. You are a dancer. I believe you were at birth. What happened? Maybe you’ve been able to hold onto it and flourish in your creativity but sometimes you hit roadblocks and need some support to get going again. Maybe you feel your “creative self” was stolen from you by circumstance or life experience but you want it back. Maybe you feel like no one ever tended that garden but you know there are seeds buried under there that can grow and flourish with some help.
I’ve been there. This field is important to me because I’ve seen others flourish through arts exploration and I’ve had profound personal experiences myself, but I hear from many people that they are not creative or they don’t know how to unlock that creativity. Working with a Creativity Coach can help create movement in these areas.
EXAMPLES
“I’d love to paint or draw but I’m just not creative and I don’t know how to get started.”
This person could use some help making plans for getting started and work on those negative thoughts that are sending them the message that they’re not creative.
“I’m not sure where this fear about painting is coming from, maybe because my parents always told me it was a waste of time.”
This person could use some support to heal from these old wounds about not being good enough or their creativity being a waste of time.
Thanks for reading!
Taisir El-Souessi, MS, LPC is Licensed Professional Counselor, Expressive Arts Therapist, Creativity Coach, Workshop Facilitator, Artist, Singer, Writer, Crafter and Belly Dance Instructor based in Asheville, North Carolina. She specializes in guiding others in personal growth and expression through a variety of arts modalities individually and in group settings. She loves being at her learning edge and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship and a 200 hour Yoga Certification. Webmasters and other article publishers are hereby granted article reproduction permission as long as this article in its entirety, author’s information, and any links remain intact. Copyright 2016 by Taisir El-Souessi.
Contact: http://www.CreatingArtWorks.com
Article Source: What Is Creativity Coaching?
Ezinearticles expert page: Taisir El-Souessi
This week’s TED Talk clip is from an independent TEDx event:
“Mindfulness” A key for personal and collective evolution | Linda Carlson | TEDxCanmore
Clip length: 14 mins 35 secs
Prefer to watch via YouTube? In that case you’ll need to click here.
In this weeks guest post Networking Coach Tony Altham shares some of his expertise and knowledge in:
After years of networking to win business and meet new contacts I appreciate that the thought of attending business networking events and meeting new people to win business can be very uncomfortable for many people so they simply don’t do it. BUT it doesn’t need to be. Networking is simply about this:
Remember that people have 3 fundamental psychological needs
So when meeting new people and existing contacts at social and business networking events you just need to follow the… Be, Do, Have formula for success
Be nice & be yourself because people buy people. When you are sincere and natural it is far easier for the people you meet to get to know you and build rapport with you.
Be interested & show you care by asking more questions about them and their business and interests rather than focusing on your needs and dominating the conversation. We all learn more when we are listening and the other person feels that they have had an enjoyable conversation when they feel listened to and that their opinion matters.
Be Honest because people need to feel comfortable and establish trust before they commit to working with you and recommending you to their family, friends and business contacts.
Do help people unconditionally without leaving them feeling that they owe you because a gift (your help) is appreciated and builds trust and respect while a debt (someone owing you something) puts pressure and a feeling of burden and inequality onto a relationship.
Do what you say you are going to do because this is a mark of your integrity and confirms that you mean what you say.
Do it when you say you will because timing is important when building trust and very often you will find that some things are time sensitive.
Have faith in the power and value of reciprocation – help first and you will be helped later because the more people you help and the more help you give, the more people notice you and value you. The more they appreciate you, the more they feel similarly motivated to help you succeed as well.
Have patience – be a relationship farmer (sow, feed, tend and harvest) and not a hunter (stalk, select, target, shoot and kill). Farmers invest time, energy and resources for the long term and gain a bigger return over a longer period of time. Hunters target their prey and have to keep repeating the process to survive.
Have time for people – because everyone matters. You never know who knows who and you always judge people at your peril. Make time for people and talk to them and about them as you wish for them to treat you.
SOS (Business) Networking Coach, Trainer and Professional Speaker http://www.tonyaltham.com
For more information on Networking Etiquette to build strong relationships click on the link below and download my FREE REPORT – “7 KEYS TO NETWORKING ETIQUETTE” http://www.tonyaltham.com/tony-altham-professional-speaker/7-keys-to-networking-etiquette/
Article Source: Business Networking Made Easy
Ezinearticles expert page: Tony Altham
This week’s TED Talk clip is from an independent TEDx event:
The courage to trust yourself…listen to the nudges | Jo Simpson | TEDxUniversityofEdinburgh
Clip length: 16 mins 45 secs
Prefer to watch via YouTube? In that case you’ll need to click here.
In today’s guest post coach Tonya White Johnson shares some of her experience and thoughts about establishing her own business.
Entrepreneurship! This 16 letter word has so much power and yet projects so much fear. It is a dreaded word for some and a liberating journey for others. For me it is a liberating journey. Yes, it’s challenging. It definitely gets tough sometimes. There are days when you are going to feel like you are on your last leg of hope and then there are days when you are gliding on the clouds. It is indeed a roller coaster of emotions. But these varying cycles of emotion I wouldn’t trade for the world. Sometimes I do have to remind myself of my faith, my hope and who I belong to, but even those days are counted as joy.
My entrepreneurship journey started a little more than two years ago. I had enjoyed more than 13 years in corporate America in the hospitality industry and nine plus years in academia. When I decided it was time to plunge into the deep waters of entrepreneurship I was completing my first year as an associate dean of online learning for a local university. It was a dream job. I was quickly progressing toward my dream of becoming a university president. And just like that my heart began to change. And while I certainly felt like I was making a difference in the world of education. My heritage, my legacy, my footprints in the sand were calling me. I knew I was born to do more, to be more, and to impact the world in a different way. I was never good with the status quo. I was never one to blindly accept what someone said. I was a born leader. This leadership ability had been proven in every administrative and management position I’d held up to that point. Looking back, if there was only one thing that I wish I had done a little differently, it would be preparing financially a little more. But then again, I don’t know if I would have ever felt really prepared for the leap.
This is what I do know. Everything happens the way it should. There is a purpose for all things under the sun. Even my being not financially prepared happened perfectly.
So here’s how I define entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is when you step out on your own, completely trusting in your faith and your own abilities to bring in an income. It doesn’t necessarily mean you are not working for someone, because we are always going to work for someone. Perhaps, not in the conventional 9 to 5 sense, but someone will always be demanding something. You may be a contractor. For example, one of my jobs, is as an online professor for a couple of schools. I work on contract. But there are timelines and schedules that I have to keep up with. And keep in mind you are always working for your customers, customers are very demanding and rightly so. As a consumer myself when I spend my money I expect to receive the value of that money. I also own an online fashion boutique for women. I am also a career coach. The point is you are always working for someone, even if its your customers.
But here’s the kicker. Entrepreneurship means that you are the creator, marketer and promoter of your business or businesses. Whether you succeed or fail is truly in your hands. When we work for an organization, we leave the overarching responsibility of profitability and success to the CEO, the owners, and the corporate office. They make the decisions that will affect the bottom line of the corporation.
When you are an entrepreneur, you are all of those things. The CEO, owner and corporate office. Your everyday decision affects your bottom line. I guess that’s probably why it could be a bit scary.
So why do we do it? Why do some of us take that leap?
It is definitely an individual decision. It is not something that should be done lightly and on a whim, but I still say it’s worth trying. The experience and lessons learned on this journey are more powerful than you can imagine. If you are a student of life this is one of the greatest lessons to be learned. Through this journey I learned so much about myself. I’ve found strengths and weaknesses that had not been discovered. I’ve found lost courage and determination like no other. I’ve even found a hidden stubbornness that has evolved and continues to grow.
There are definitely pros and cons to taking the plunge. I think it may be a little different for some, but for most, the same basic pros and cons apply. Here’s my list:
Pros
Cons
I think the pros and cons are pretty self-explanatory. Many great things about entrepreneurship are also the things that make it not so great. It is certainly not a cake walk. I’ve found that if you have the guts to step out into this world you already know that.
Some of my clients ask me how do you know if you’re ready or what are the qualities and traits of an entrepreneur? I am sure these qualities and traits will evolve over time, but I think these are definitely the very basics.
I think these foundational traits will take you far. If I had to offer any suggestions for budding entrepreneurs I would suggest the following:
Prepare yourself mentally, spiritually, emotionally and financially
Take some time to prepare yourself for this journey. Do your research in the market you are interested in pursuing. Do your research on entrepreneurs who are successful as well as those who have failed. Most times they are one and the same. Ask questions. Prepare yourself mentally for the journey and don’t expect an easy payday. As much as possible, save money for the first year. Imagine you will be out of work for the first year and save enough to cover you. However, this can also backfire. I think not having enough kicks you into third gear.
Don’t procrastinate
Prepare yourself, but don’t procrastinate. Fear is operating when you are just waiting for that perfect time. There is no perfect time. Entrepreneurship is risky. If there was a perfect time it would be called something else. Understand you will never feel completely prepared. It is that emotion, that uncertainty that will keep you grinning.
Be willing to ask questions
Don’t reinvent the wheel. Know that somebody somewhere has already tried what you are attempting. Google is a great resource, use it often. People are a great resource. Never underestimate their experiences. Keep in mind that you can actually learn the most from those who failed. They can certainly tell you what not to do.
Never envy your seemingly successful colleagues
Taking the time to watch others stops your progress. Always support and help as many as you can. You never know when that hand will be coming back to you.
Dr. Tonya White Johnson is an inspirational author, speaker, entrepreneur, and career coach. She specializes in personal and leadership development. You may contact her at http://www.tonyawhitejohnson.com for your free 20 minute consultation. You may also listen to her podcasts at http://www.tonyawhitejohnsonpodcast.com
Article Source: Entrepreneurship: The Dreaded 16 Letter Word!
Ezinearticles expert page: Tonya White Johnson
This week’s TED Talk clip is from an independent TEDx event:
Scared vs. Afraid | Tom Leveen | TEDxChandlerPublicLibrary
Clip length: 16 mins 06 secs
Prefer to watch via YouTube? In that case you’ll need to click here.