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Newsletters - September 2008
| Better Than Ever Coaching |
*****************************************************
What Could Be Better?
Written by:
Helen F. Kosinski, ACC, MBA - Professional Coach
September 2008: Volume 3, Issue 8 / ISSN # 1935-4827
*****************************************************
This Month: Preparation = Confidence
- Feature Article
- What's Next for You?
- Resources
- What's Happening?
*****************************************************
Hi,
How was your summer? Wonderful, I hope! We had some guests visit
from the UK, which allowed us to have fun playing tourist this year! But I
have to be honest with you, I am struggling with the realization that
summer is OVER! It just doesn’t seem possible that we are heading into
fall, already!
Do you remember the ‘Gong Show’ from the 70’s? Well, this month’s
article has to do with preparation, confidence and not getting ‘gonged’…
I hope you have a Better Than Ever month!
All my best,
Helen
P.S. The Paradise Path Women’s Walking Retreat on October 4th has a
few spots open…be sure to sign up before Saturday, September 20th to
get the early bird rate. Check out the What’s Happening section for all the
details.
*************************************************************
Feature Article: Preparation = Confidence
*************************************************************
This summer I joined BNI (Business Networking International). It’s been
a real commitment to networking. During our weekly meetings, each of
the approximately 40 attendees has 60 seconds to ‘plug’ his/her
business. The timekeeper cuts off anyone who goes over the 60 second
mark. The first time I did my 60 second commercial, I went over the time
limit and I got, what I call, ‘gonged’!
The challenge I have created for myself since getting gonged, is to give an
inspiring, informative 60 second commercial WITHOUT getting gonged.
This requires preparation on my part. For those of you who don’t know me
very well, I can very easily get wordy, so in this case, the clock is NOT my
friend! Prior to our meeting each week, I take time to prepare my 60
second commercial, which includes defining my topic, writing out what I
want to say and then practicing it (a lot).
So, how has this paid off for me? Last week I met with the President of
our chapter. He was telling me how important the 60 second
commercials are to gain the biggest benefit from this organization. He
went on to say how much he admires my 60 second commercial because
I’m effectively communicating valuable information about my business
and I’m making it fresh and interesting each week. I was thrilled to hear
his feedback! It was a real boost to my confidence!
Preparation takes time. We’re all so busy that we often just figure we
don’t have time to prepare. We’ll just wing-it! Sometimes that works and
other times, well, you know, you get ‘gonged’ and it can really be a
disaster. Or, it results with you NOT putting your best foot forward, and you
walk away from the exchange berating yourself for not preparing!
I think a lot of people believe preparation has to take LOTS of time. In
some cases, that may be valid. However, I believe that spending just a
few minutes preparing for a meeting can build your confidence and
allow you to shine during the exchange. I want to be clear that when I say
‘meeting’ this can mean a business meeting, a family meeting or even a
discussion with your best friend.
Here are 10 questions to help you prepare:
Taking a few minutes to explore responses to these preparation
questions can make the difference between a successful meeting and
getting ‘gonged’. Additionally, you will feel more confident, which can
have a positive impact on the exchange!
*************************************************************
What's Next for You?
*************************************************************
Over the next month, before each meeting, take a few minutes to run
through the 10 preparation questions. During the meeting, notice how
you feel. Are you more comfortable? Do you feel calmer? Are you more
confident? Have you discovered other preparation questions that you
want to add to the list? Would you like to share what happened when you
prepared for your meetings? Please send an e-mail to: mailto:
Helen@BetterThanEverCoaching.com with a brief description and I’ll
include it in a future issue of ‘What Could Be Better’. Please let me know
if you’d like to remain anonymous.
*************************************************************
Resources
*************************************************************
-- Articles --
One Essential Key to Success is Preparation by Leanne Hoagland-Smith
http://ezinearticles.com/?One-Essential-Key-to-Success-is-
Preparation&id=806481
Self-Confidence – How to Develop This Important Key to Success by Colin
Dunbar
http://ezinearticles.com/?Self-confidence---How-To-Develop-This-
Important-Key-to-Success&id=15957
There are preparation articles about all different topics -- from preparing a
speech to preparing for an interview to preparing for your retirement. The
possibilities are nearly endless. You can use the following links to look
for preparation suggestions for specific topics:
http://www.selfgrowth.com
http://ezinearticles.com/
Note: Mention of any of the above resources does not indicate
endorsement.
*************************************************************
What's Happening?
*************************************************************
Calling all women! Join us for the Paradise Path: Stepping
Into Your Dreams walking retreat on Saturday, October 4th.
This 3-hour retreat is an easy 1 mile walk through the
Atlantic White Cedar Swamp trail of the Cape Cod National
Seashore in Wellfleet.
In this small intimate group of six women you will:
- Ponder the different facets of your ideal life
- Explore what gets in the way of making your dream
life a reality
- Play with the steps that will bring you closer to
the life of your dreams
- Discover the importance of nurturing your dream
Please check out my website:
http://www.betterthanevercoaching.com/retreats-paradisepath.html
for all the details. The early bird price of $39.95 is
available until Saturday, September 20, 2008. Please sign up today! It
will be wonderful to have you be a part of this time in nature!
*************************************************************
What have you been putting off preparing for? Maybe it’s a meeting,
or something much bigger, such as a career transition or retirement.
Partnering with a coach can support your preparation efforts, which will
ultimately build your confidence. Would you like to learn more? Please
send me an e-mail (mailto:Helen@BetterThanEverCoaching.com) to set
up a 30 minute complimentary telephone meeting.
Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter. It is published
every month, except for a combined issue in November/December
and July/August. To cancel or change your subscription, please
refer to the link at the very bottom of this newsletter.
Do you know someone who would enjoy this newsletter? Please
send the entire issue intact and unaltered to them! Thank you!
To subscribe to this free newsletter, please send a blank e-mail
to mailto:Helen20-192607@autocontactor.com. When you receive
the confirmation e-mail, please follow the instructions to
complete your subscription. As a special Thank You for
subscribing, you will receive Three FREE Success Journal Secrets
to Creating a Better Life!
Your privacy is important to me. I do not give out or sell my
subscriber list to anyone.
Please send any questions, comments or insights to me at:
mailto:Helen@BetterThanEverCoaching.com or P.O. Box 391,
Brewster, MA 02631. Or you can give me a call toll-free at:
(888) 294-5779.
Be sure to visit my website at:
http://www.BetterThanEverCoaching.com for more information.
*************************************************************
Better Than Ever Coaching
Partnering with Professionals to
Confidently Navigate Change
*************************************************************
Copyright © 2008 Better Than Ever Coaching, LLC.
All rights reserved.
*************************************************************
What Could Be Better?
Written by:
Helen F. Kosinski, ACC, MBA - Professional Coach
September 2008: Volume 3, Issue 8 / ISSN # 1935-4827
*****************************************************
This Month: Preparation = Confidence
- Feature Article
- What's Next for You?
- Resources
- What's Happening?
*****************************************************
Hi,
How was your summer? Wonderful, I hope! We had some guests visit
from the UK, which allowed us to have fun playing tourist this year! But I
have to be honest with you, I am struggling with the realization that
summer is OVER! It just doesn’t seem possible that we are heading into
fall, already!
Do you remember the ‘Gong Show’ from the 70’s? Well, this month’s
article has to do with preparation, confidence and not getting ‘gonged’…
I hope you have a Better Than Ever month!
All my best,
Helen
P.S. The Paradise Path Women’s Walking Retreat on October 4th has a
few spots open…be sure to sign up before Saturday, September 20th to
get the early bird rate. Check out the What’s Happening section for all the
details.
*************************************************************
Feature Article: Preparation = Confidence
*************************************************************
This summer I joined BNI (Business Networking International). It’s been
a real commitment to networking. During our weekly meetings, each of
the approximately 40 attendees has 60 seconds to ‘plug’ his/her
business. The timekeeper cuts off anyone who goes over the 60 second
mark. The first time I did my 60 second commercial, I went over the time
limit and I got, what I call, ‘gonged’!
The challenge I have created for myself since getting gonged, is to give an
inspiring, informative 60 second commercial WITHOUT getting gonged.
This requires preparation on my part. For those of you who don’t know me
very well, I can very easily get wordy, so in this case, the clock is NOT my
friend! Prior to our meeting each week, I take time to prepare my 60
second commercial, which includes defining my topic, writing out what I
want to say and then practicing it (a lot).
So, how has this paid off for me? Last week I met with the President of
our chapter. He was telling me how important the 60 second
commercials are to gain the biggest benefit from this organization. He
went on to say how much he admires my 60 second commercial because
I’m effectively communicating valuable information about my business
and I’m making it fresh and interesting each week. I was thrilled to hear
his feedback! It was a real boost to my confidence!
Preparation takes time. We’re all so busy that we often just figure we
don’t have time to prepare. We’ll just wing-it! Sometimes that works and
other times, well, you know, you get ‘gonged’ and it can really be a
disaster. Or, it results with you NOT putting your best foot forward, and you
walk away from the exchange berating yourself for not preparing!
I think a lot of people believe preparation has to take LOTS of time. In
some cases, that may be valid. However, I believe that spending just a
few minutes preparing for a meeting can build your confidence and
allow you to shine during the exchange. I want to be clear that when I say
‘meeting’ this can mean a business meeting, a family meeting or even a
discussion with your best friend.
Here are 10 questions to help you prepare:
- What do you want to have happen during this exchange (e.g., what
is the meeting purpose, what is your intention, what do you want
the other person to walk away with)? - How can you properly set the expectations at the beginning of the
meeting? - What is the best outcome for you?
- What are the best outcomes for the other people?
- What compromises are you willing to make?
- What obstacles need to be overcome?
- What can you do to minimize or eliminate any obstacles?
- What support are you willing to offer the other people in order to
reach the best outcomes? - What information do you need and/or want to share?
- How will you know the meeting was successful?
Taking a few minutes to explore responses to these preparation
questions can make the difference between a successful meeting and
getting ‘gonged’. Additionally, you will feel more confident, which can
have a positive impact on the exchange!
*************************************************************
What's Next for You?
*************************************************************
Over the next month, before each meeting, take a few minutes to run
through the 10 preparation questions. During the meeting, notice how
you feel. Are you more comfortable? Do you feel calmer? Are you more
confident? Have you discovered other preparation questions that you
want to add to the list? Would you like to share what happened when you
prepared for your meetings? Please send an e-mail to: mailto:
Helen@BetterThanEverCoaching.com with a brief description and I’ll
include it in a future issue of ‘What Could Be Better’. Please let me know
if you’d like to remain anonymous.
*************************************************************
Resources
*************************************************************
-- Articles --
One Essential Key to Success is Preparation by Leanne Hoagland-Smith
http://ezinearticles.com/?One-Essential-Key-to-Success-is-
Preparation&id=806481
Self-Confidence – How to Develop This Important Key to Success by Colin
Dunbar
http://ezinearticles.com/?Self-confidence---How-To-Develop-This-
Important-Key-to-Success&id=15957
There are preparation articles about all different topics -- from preparing a
speech to preparing for an interview to preparing for your retirement. The
possibilities are nearly endless. You can use the following links to look
for preparation suggestions for specific topics:
http://www.selfgrowth.com
http://ezinearticles.com/
Note: Mention of any of the above resources does not indicate
endorsement.
*************************************************************
What's Happening?
*************************************************************
Calling all women! Join us for the Paradise Path: Stepping
Into Your Dreams walking retreat on Saturday, October 4th.
This 3-hour retreat is an easy 1 mile walk through the
Atlantic White Cedar Swamp trail of the Cape Cod National
Seashore in Wellfleet.
In this small intimate group of six women you will:
- Ponder the different facets of your ideal life
- Explore what gets in the way of making your dream
life a reality
- Play with the steps that will bring you closer to
the life of your dreams
- Discover the importance of nurturing your dream
Please check out my website:
http://www.betterthanevercoaching.com/retreats-paradisepath.html
for all the details. The early bird price of $39.95 is
available until Saturday, September 20, 2008. Please sign up today! It
will be wonderful to have you be a part of this time in nature!
*************************************************************
What have you been putting off preparing for? Maybe it’s a meeting,
or something much bigger, such as a career transition or retirement.
Partnering with a coach can support your preparation efforts, which will
ultimately build your confidence. Would you like to learn more? Please
send me an e-mail (mailto:Helen@BetterThanEverCoaching.com) to set
up a 30 minute complimentary telephone meeting.
Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter. It is published
every month, except for a combined issue in November/December
and July/August. To cancel or change your subscription, please
refer to the link at the very bottom of this newsletter.
Do you know someone who would enjoy this newsletter? Please
send the entire issue intact and unaltered to them! Thank you!
To subscribe to this free newsletter, please send a blank e-mail
to mailto:Helen20-192607@autocontactor.com. When you receive
the confirmation e-mail, please follow the instructions to
complete your subscription. As a special Thank You for
subscribing, you will receive Three FREE Success Journal Secrets
to Creating a Better Life!
Your privacy is important to me. I do not give out or sell my
subscriber list to anyone.
Please send any questions, comments or insights to me at:
mailto:Helen@BetterThanEverCoaching.com or P.O. Box 391,
Brewster, MA 02631. Or you can give me a call toll-free at:
(888) 294-5779.
Be sure to visit my website at:
http://www.BetterThanEverCoaching.com for more information.
*************************************************************
Better Than Ever Coaching
Partnering with Professionals to
Confidently Navigate Change
*************************************************************
Copyright © 2008 Better Than Ever Coaching, LLC.
All rights reserved.
*************************************************************
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| | Home | Coaching | Retreats | Programs | Products | Newsletters | | Pictures | Resources | FAQ | Testimonials | About Helen | | Contact Helen | Copyright © 2005 - 2012 Better Than Ever Coaching, LLC. All rights reserved. Address: P.O. Box 391, Brewster, MA 02631 Telephone: (508) 896-5779 Click here to Contact Helen |