Be Thankful - Author Unknown

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary
Because it means you've made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessing.

Plan Your Perfect Christmas Now

As the shops begin to display their full ranges of seasonal gift ideas, they are putting plans into action that were formulated almost a year ago. For many of us, Christmas is a last minute rush and an expensive time of rampant consumerism and materialism.

So at the Enfys Acumen, we believe this is a good time to start planning your own perfect Christmas. Not in a materialistic sense, but in a sense that is measured by contentment and satisfaction.

In a few one-hour telephone conversations, at weekly intervals, I invite you to review where you are now and where you want to be in the future. Together we can create a strategy for getting to where you want to be and define the actions that will produce the desired results.

I’m always keen to point out however that a coach is simply the catalyst. It is the you, the client who makes the decisions and the commitment. For a great many of my clients, the weekly reporting back of progress is the spur that keeps them on target.

A lot of Christmas stress results from people trusting to luck that ‘everything will be alright’ rather than taking control and ensuring that they actually make everything as they want it to be.

I frequently ask my clients,

“What would you choose to do in your life if you could do absolutely anything with no limitations, no prospect of failure and no accountability to anyone?”

I am no longer surprised when clients answer this innocent question with a long list of what they don’t want to do. It seems to be a natural reaction. I don’t let them off the hook that easily. I listen and keep returning to the positive side of the question. Eventually I will get them to admit to themselves, and often this is for the first time, what it is that they really want to do. This awareness can be the best Christmas present that you can give to yourself.

It is nowhere near as selfish as it sounds either. My clients discover that, once they have a plan for their life and achievements and are working towards its fulfilment, all the other areas of their lives improve as well. Partners, relatives and colleagues alike notice a new sense of purpose, a new enthusiasm and a contagious happiness.

You may not be able to wrap all this up in pretty paper but even so, its value is beyond measure.

I am always happy to discuss this or other aspects of my approach to coaching, absolutely free of any cost or obligation. You can contact me during usual office hours on 01633 769657 or by email anytime.

It's a small world - please can you help?

Earlier this year the Enfys Acumen, made a social responsibility commitment to put aside up to two days every month to provide charitable organisations that could not otherwise afford our professional fees with pro bono organisational development support (Click here for more information). This initiative has proved to be most satisfying, both for us and the people who have received our support.

One of the charities that has asked us for this help is called Aid for Orphans and the Disabled (AFOD) and is from the Gambia in West Africa.

The charity is registered with the Gambian government and started its work about three years ago. We have received endorsements from international aid agencies in the area that are familiar with the organisation, but do not have the resources to support AFOD themselves. Over the last few weeks, we have been exchanging regular emails and have had a number of telephone calls, including a mini workshop by phone at our expense to clarify the support needs of the charity. Communications of this nature, although wonderful in so many ways, are hampered by the fact that the only email access my main contact has is at an internet café and due to a poor telephone network, calls tend to cut out every few minutes or so.

Let me tell you a bit more

The Gambia is one of Africa's smallest countries and unlike many of its West African neighbours has enjoyed long spells of political stability since independence. This stability has not translated into prosperity however. Despite the presence of the Gambia river, which runs through the middle of the country, only one-sixth of the land is arable and poor soil quality has led to the predominance of one crop - peanuts. The population of the Gambia is 1.5 million and the country covers an area of 4,360 square miles - both are about half that of Wales, my home country.

The extent and effects of the AIDS virus in Africa are well documented and no doubt we are all aware that the majority of people with the disease can be found in Africa. The Gambia is equally affected by the AIDS epidemic and currently over 20,000 of the population of this small country are infected. AIDS tends to affect people between the ages of 15 and 49 years - the time when people should be most productive and have the greatest economic and familial responsibilities. The orphans of AIDS victims and disabled people in most of Africa are very much the poorest of the poor.

What about AFOD?

AFOD is based in Bundung Borehole on the outskirts of Serrekunda, the largest conurbation in the Gambia. The charity’s aims are to address the social needs of orphaned children and disabled people in the area. With very little statutory support for these people like we have in the UK, their plight is very much in the hands of other people in the community, but unfortunately prejudice and stigma remains high. A recent survey carried out by AFOD has shown that in their own local community alone there are nearly 1000 people who are orphaned children or disabled. Some of the greatest challenges are concerned with:

• Education - most orphaned children and disabled people miss out on educational opportunities not because of academic reasons, but because of financial reasons: they cannot afford fees, transport to school, books, uniform and shoes. With very little practical skills, they quite often become street beggars with no hope for a future

• Nutrition - many orphaned and disabled children experience a very limited diet. Research has shown that many such children only have one meal a day, consequently they are at greater risk of other illnesses and early death

• Health - in addition to AIDS, other illnesses like malaria, headaches, stomach problems and fevers are rife especially amongst AFOD’s target groups. Medicines are expensive and many orphaned children and disabled people simply cannot get to health centres because they cannot afford transport costs.

Why is the Enfys Acumen supporting AFOD?

No doubt just like us, you are bombarded with appeal letters from dozens of very worthwhile charities. At the Enfys Acumen we are supporting a number of other charities, both with pro bono professional services and as volunteers and donors, so what is special about AFOD?

What has really attracted us to support AFOD is that it was formed and is led by young people who are working together to try to improve quality of life in their community. Their passion for wanting to make a difference is so encouraging and equally important is that they are not really looking for handouts, but rather the help to develop their skills and resources to move from dreaming to action. They want to be in a position to improve their lot themselves.

AFOD currently has the use of some premises with limited office equipment and is run by one paid member of staff, Lamin Fofanah - a truly genuine young man, with a fantastic sense of vision and a commitment to hard work to benefit his community. There is a membership of thirty people and most of the current funds are raised from holding monthly dances.

Activities to date have included an education opportunity addressing malaria; raising community awareness of the issues faced by orphans and disabled people, specifically targeted at addressing cultural stereotypes and beliefs relating to these people; and sponsoring orphaned and disabled children through the school system.

The needs of orphans and disabled people are huge and to be fair, there is so much that Lamin and AFOD would like to achieve, that up to now they have been trying to be all things to all people.

This is where the Enfys Acumen can really help and make a difference

As an organisational development and coaching practice we work with all kinds of organisations and businesses to clarify their goals, determine the values behind what they do, be specific about their starting point and agree the action steps to achieve what they want to achieve. This is exactly the kind of help that AFOD needs. Current ideas from the AFOD team include developing training and workshop facilities to help orphans and disabled people to lift them selves out of the despondency their circumstances so often put them in. They would like to establish a micro finance scheme to provide the basic equipment people might need to set up their own business ventures. AFOD really wants to develop the capacity to create new opportunities for orphans and disabled people. The Enfys Acumen is prepared to make a long term commitment at our expense to provide organisational development and coaching support to AFOD, but to truly get the ball rolling and help key people on the right to track, we have been advised that it would be beneficial to spend ten days or so, working with AFOD in the Gambia to develop plans and strategies.

How can you help?

As you will be aware the Enfys Acumen is a new business, we have only been trading since last year. However we are driven by a strong sense of wanting to make a difference in the world and these days our community is very much a global community, is it not?

We are more than prepared to make the time available to help AFOD in the Gambia, but unfortunately the costs of doing so will be considerable, specifically the costs of travel and subsistence expenses when we are out there. If the Enfys Acumen could actually spend time with AFOD in Gambia, we would be able to:

• Support the charity to create a development plan that will ensure they create the kind of services that are needed most, will be able to demonstrate to other members of the community and funding bodies that they really do mean business and consequently ensure greater support

• Create strategies for fundraising and marketing to secure the resources needed to take things forward - remember winners have 2 things: definite goals and burning desire to achieve them

• Provide community capacity building training for other people and projects in their community

• Set up a focussed email/telephone coaching process for Lamin Fofanah and possibly other key personnel to ensure the sustainability of AFOD’s work in the long term

Please pledge a donation or sponsorship

We see our work as an investment in the future of AFOD and would like you to also invest in improving the quality of life of some of the most vulnerable people in the world today. The fact that you are still reading this eBrief suggests that you might be driven by some of the same motivations as we are at the Enfys Acumen, you might not be able to offer the same kind of practical support that we can offer, but you can still help to make a difference.

We would really like you to pledge either a personal donation or some business sponsorship as a contribution to the costs of our social responsibility work with AFOD in the Gambia. We just need to raise funds to cover our travel and accommodation costs, remember the time will be given at our expense. At this point in time we only need to raise a further £300 to enable us to get to the Gambia.

Just think about this for a moment...

• A return flight to Banjul in the Gambia will cost approximately £550

• Accommodation in a guest house local to AFOD will cost about £40 per night

Why should you support the Enfys Acumen's work?

With one hand we are trying to appeal to your altruistic nature. We want you to feel the buzz of satisfaction and warm glow that giving money to improve someone else's quality of life gives us all.

But on the other hand…

• We have so much that we take for granted in our culture, wouldn’t it be great if you really could do something that would improve quality of life in another culture that is not as well off as we are in the UK

• There is plenty of evidence out there that to those who give, even greater abundance will be returned

• If a business or organisation pledges to sponsor us for £50 or more we will provide a framed certificate and photograph of our activities to display in your premises, supporting your own social responsibility endeavours.

• Perhaps we could work together in the future on developing a social responsibility commitment in your business or organisation.

Why a pledge?

If we don’t raise what we need to be able to get to the Gambia, we simply will not be able to provide AFOD with the kind of service they really need. We don’t want you to hand any money over unless we can be sure that we will get all that we need to provide AFOD with the required support.

Please make a pledge, when we reach our target of we will come back to you to ask you to actually make the donation.

I look forward to hearing from you soon, if you want to do so, please make your pledge within the next few days so that we can benefit from cheaper flights and the time available.

Doesn't time fly

I've just realised that it is over a month since I lasted posted to my blog. No excuses, just busy I'm very glad to say. Serious bloggers will note that this is not really good enough and you should contibute something to you blog on a regular basis.


Earlier on today I came across this quote from the mountaineer, WH Murray and really think it is worth repeating its entirety

"Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.

Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.

A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.

I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:

'Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.'"

I'm off on a family holiday for a couple of weeks. In the meantime why not visit our website www.enfysacumen.com. I'd love to hear from you when I return.

Retreat for Summer Miracles

Indians, we are told, do it more than any other nation. People with religious beliefs often do it once a year. Captains of industry do it less often. You can do it whenever you like.

For centuries, the practise of taking time out to do something different has been recognised as a sure-fire way of recharging your batteries, igniting your enthusiasm and solving problems. In commerce it is sometimes called a sabbatical, others may call it going on retreat, I’ve often called it an away-day.

We could all benefit from this simple procedure, couldn’t we? I’ll even go a step further. You don’t have to spend a week as a hermit on a mountain top. Just one day will release amazing benefits and the best part is that it doesn’t cost anything.

As a coach, I see that many of my clients benefit from this simple change to their routine. When you put a little distance between yourself and your routine challenges or issues, you see them in a different light and from a different perspective. You may even create a few miracles for yourself as a result. These will come as flashes of intuition that can lead you to take the action needed to resolve a problem.

Look at it this way, If you look at something, say an apple, and hold it close to your face so that it is touching your nose, you will see a very small part of it. Hold it at arms length and you will see the whole apple and its texture and colours. Look at it from the other end of the room and you won’t see the detail but you will see it in the perspective of its surroundings and in true proportion. It is the same with issues or problems. You add distance and see them from a new angle.

I know the weather out there this week might not seem like summer, but this is a great time of the year to do this. Simply set a weekday date in your diary right now, when you will take off to the countryside, the hills or the beach. Go by car, bike, train or on foot but go to somewhere that you have never been before and where you can be sure of some space alone. Set off early and plan to be out all day. Leave your mobile phone at home and travel light. Then just wander around for the day, thinking of nothing, focusing on the ‘now’ experience.

Many coaching clients are amazed how easy this is. They are ‘off the leash’ and just by being in a different place they find that their thoughts turn to solutions and answers rather than problems and challenges. You create in life what you think about.

So, make that date in your diary now. Look forward to it, keep it without guilt, enjoy it and return refreshed.

I am always happy to discuss this or other aspects of my approach to coaching, absolutely free of any cost or obligation. You can contact during usual office hours on 01633 769657 or by email.

If you do the same thing, in the same way, you will get the same results. Your away- day summer retreat may be the one enjoyable change that you need to create those spectacular ‘miracle’ results that you know you deserve.

Success - creating a life that matters

Are you a successful person? That is a huge question isn’t it? What does success mean? Do you judge success by how much money you have in the bank? How many people you people you employ? Is it determined by the kind of car you drive or the type of house you live in? Success can mean different things to different people can’t it?

I came across a great book recently called Success built to last: creating a life that matters. It is written by Jerry Porras, Stewart Emery and Mark Thompson. They have focused their work talking to over 200 people the world over who have achieved great personal success and fulfilment that will last their lifetime and beyond. Some of the people are famous some are not – just ordinary people who share powerful patterns of lifelong success. I don’t want to give the whole story away and thoroughly recommend that you read book yourself, but would like to share this quotation with you:

“Healthy, sustainable societies require the creation of healthy, sustainable organisations, and great organisations and societies can only be built by human beings who can grow and create meaningful success.”

The book talks about three simple pieces that must fit together for lasting success:

• Meaning

• Thought

• Action

The authors stress that putting these pieces together is not an easy process, but that is what the Enfys Acumen is all about isn’t it?

If you need support to develop your understanding of what the meaning of success is to you, to develop the kind of thought patterns that encourage you to be succesful and to plan the actions you need to take, then why not get in touch today.

Springtime - the promise of a new beginning

As the mornings and evenings grow lighter and as the last of the winter frosts disappear, there is a great feeling of a new beginning. The first trees are in blossom and the others have green buds. The grass is starting to grow faster than even the most avid gardener can mow it. Readers of the Enfys Blog will know that I am a keen gardener and get great pleasure from getting my hands dirty in my allotment, watching seeds I have planted, pop through and the satisfaction that comes from lovingly tending them and harvesting the benefits later in the year. I am confident that a bit of manual labou is really good for the soul and it is true what they say about your own produce tasting so much better than anything you can buy in the shops.

Now don’t you think that this is a great time of year to look back at those New Year resolutions, to review progress and to take any corrective action needed. As a coach with a keen professional awareness of the way that the seasons can affect our feelings and attitudes, can we ponder a little?

The chances are that you made those January resolutions in the midst of a cold, grey and wet winter. That probably made your emotions and optimism pretty cold, grey and wet too. But, when the natural world is bursting with the promise of a glorious spring and the warmth of summer, this is an ideal time to decide that you too will start over and put right anything that you feel needs correction in your own life.

Unless we humans interfere with nature, it has its own graceful balance, don’t you agree?. The old and used makes way for the new and vibrant. Anyone can do the same with their own thoughts and attitudes. Perhaps those fondly held beliefs that served you well in the past are due for an overhaul. Perhaps it is time to restore your own natural balance.

I’m a great believer that balance means harmony rather than discord and I suggest that this should include a brief but thorough examination of all the areas of your life - relationships, career, health, finances, leisure and talents.

Let me describe one coaching client to you:

This man was a success by most material measures. Despite his large house, ample income and luxury car, he was an unhappy person. He had spent so much energy building his business that he had no time left for all those other aspects of his life. As our coaching sessions progressed he began to work on restoring the balance. Within weeks he had found happiness too and without putting any of his material gains at risk either.

I am always happy to discuss this or other aspects of his approach to coaching, absolutely free of any cost or obligation. You can contact me anytime to find out more.

Let me finish with this - Just think, you would have to be a very cold individual indeed to totally ignore the promise of this time of the year. So take some of that promise for yourself and then make sure that it is a promise that is delivered. You deserve nothing less.

Work-Life Balance should be Life-Work Balance - what do you reckon?

We hear so much these days about the work-life balance, but isn't that bit of jargon putting up a barrier right from the start?

Surely life and all that it entails should be the priority, work is merely part of life. A major part of life for many people I know and I don't mean to diminish its value, by the way. Walt Disney kind of summed this up when he said:

"We don't make movies to make money. We make money to make movies."

When I am coaching people and ask what is really important in their lives, inevitably high up on their list is a desire to spend more quality time with loved ones, playing a sport, participating in a hobby, spending their hard earned money or simply chilling out.

If this rings some bells with you, why not try this short exercise...

• First of all, think about your life-work balance on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being totally out of sync and 10 being a perfect score.

• When you have done that, make a brief note of what a perfect life-work balance would mean to you. If this is difficult, try to think of an outcome you could work towards to move your life to a greater state of balance.

• You now have a goal you can be working towards. Achieving goals usually requires a series of stepping stones to negotiate. Remember, a wise sage once asked:

"How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time of course!"

• Think now about some actions you can take in the next few days to move you towards your goal. The things you are going to do must be realistic and achievable. Try to keep them positive and if you can, set a time for when you will do this activity.

Now what you have here is the start to a simple plan for living the kind of life you truly want and deserve. What do you think?

Imagine how you will feel when your life and work become more balanced.

Imagine what would happen if you applied coaching techniques like this simple one to other areas of your life: maybe you are not currently in your dream job? Perhaps you would like to live somewhere else? You might be stuck in a relationship that is holding you back? You might want to go dancing or sail a yacht?

We are all different and have different needs and aspirations. Sometimes we need someone else to help us find the right direction, to build up our confidences, to challenge our negative thinking, or to hold us to account.

A coach can do all of these things and lots, lots more.

Have a look at the Enfys Acumen website, I know we can help you to move from dreaming to action and live the life you deserve.