Christmas and the holiday season is upon us, and 2016 is almost behind us.

Some will be glad to see the back end of it, whereas for others it’s been a wonderful year.

Where are you on the spectrum?

How was 2016 for you?

A fabulous year?

A challenging year?

Or perhaps it’s been a year of two halves – a bit of both?

3 questions for celebration and acceleration

We can be really tough on ourselves and focus on the things that didn’t go well during the year and let me tell you, I’m REALLY good at doing that.

I’m a reforming perfectionist, so I’m constantly learning to think about the good and to learn from the mistakes and things that didn’t go well.

Isn’t time we started being a bit kinder to ourselves by celebrating our successes – big and small ─ too?

Here are 3 simple questions you can ask yourself that will hopefully inspire you to see your 2016 year more clearly.

Qu 1:  Looking back, what achievements, successes, fantastic experiences did you have?

Go through your calendar and remind yourself of the year you’ve had.

Think about your achievements, successes and experiences; think more widely than your work. Take a global view of your year; think about your family, friends, business associates.

What stands out as wonderful during the year?

Have you done things for the first time that you’re proud of (for me it was boxing), that you can celebrate yourself for?

Successes, achievements and experiences don’t have to be monumental.  They can be very personal and small, perhaps iterative steps towards something bigger that you’re working on.

You will have them if you look for them…. In fact, you will have a big list of them if you’re being kind and generous with yourself.

Go on…. seek them out and write them down.

Be proud of yourself.  Give yourself a pat on the back too.  You deserve it.

Qu 2:  What mistakes have you made that you’re learning from?

Let’s face it, we all make mistakes in business and life.  We always have and always will.  I like making mistakes (not that I set out to make them though), as intense learning comes from them, so long as we’re willing to reflect and learn the lessons.

I’ve made loads of mistakes this year, and I’ve learned some wonderful lessons too.

And the surprise for me is that mistakes also lead to unexpected opportunities.   Who’d have thought?

So what mistakes have you made this year?  What lessons can/have you taken from them that will support you in business and life going forward?

I don’t believe that things happen for a reason but I do believe we can ALWAYS find meaning in those things that happen to us.  We can use the experiences positively going forward.

One day you may look back and be grateful for the mistakes you’ve made.  They may be a pivotal part to some evolution in your life and business.  Now how exciting is that?

Qu 3:  What’s holding you back from being and achieving all that you desire in business and life?

When we reflect over our year, it’s REALLY easy to say ‘I haven’t done enough’, ‘I haven’t achieved enough’, ‘I’m not good enough’, or any other mean ‘thing’ we say to ourselves.

What negative voices are in your head right now?  Sadly those voices and the mean spirited things you’re saying to yourself will be holding you back.

Isn’t it time to create another story in your head? A more positive, supportive story that guides you towards fulfilling your potential and achieving many of the goals you may have set yourself.

What is a more loving, kind and empowering story you can use to guide and inspire you in your life? Perhaps it could become an affirmation too?

Maybe it’s also time to remove toxic people from your life – people who zap your energy rather than uplifting you.  We all have them in our lives. Set yourself free.  While initially a little hard, you won’t regret it.

And then there’s the clutter we need can remove from our lives too; things that drag us down rather than uplifting us.

What clutter needs to go from your life and work?

What are you doing that doesn’t uplift you?  Can you stop doing it?  If not, can you delegate it to someone else?  Can you outsource it?

There’s always a way to be rid of clutter!  First identify what that is in your world and then work out a plan to remove it.

I promise you’ll feel much more alive for doing so.

Here’s to a fabulous 2017

So they are my 3 end of year celebration and acceleration questions.

I truly hope you’ll think about them before you start planning your new year.  You’ll feel differently about 2016 if you do.  I promise. 🙂

Needing guidance?

Are you thinking you need a business coach/mentor for 2017?  Someone who can guide you to achieve your business vision and goals?

I have now only have space for two new clients in my 2017 schedule as I’m taking a reduced number of coaching/mentoring clients because as I’ll be focused in other areas (more on that next year).

If you’d like to talk about how I might support you, then let’s have an initial conversation before 1 January and see where it takes us.  Here’s my calendar to make an appointment.

Enjoy the moment

Enjoy the remaining days of busy-ness in the lead up to Christmas day and the New Year.

Most importantly, remember to celebrate yourself – perhaps even have a drink to yourself and all that you are, and have achieved, learnt and experienced in 2016.

I wish you a joyful, relaxed and nourishing festive season.

With love

Adèle xx

With all the experiences I’ve had in business and life, there is one thing I know for sure.

SUCCESS SELDOM ARRIVES IN A STRAIGHT LINE

You may have seen this image (below) showing the reality of success.  It’s a very simple and honest perspective, don’t you think?

Vision, Belief, Action…and the reality

It’s true that however we define success in our lives and businesses, to get there requires vision, belief and action.  But the reality is that on the journey, we’ll experience setbacks, pivots, restarts, failures  and much more…. and after all those experiences, we may even redefine what success looks like for us.

That’s certainly happened to me on many occasions.  I’ve had grand visions for things I’ve wanted to achieve in my life and various businesses, and then as I and my teams work towards achieving those visions, I’ve (or we’ve) encountered enormous hurdles.

Hurdles are a gift 

Hurdles test us.  They’re put in our way to challenge our vision and belief.

Do we really want the success?

Are we prepared to push through the tough times to get to the other side?

Are we prepared to learn from the journey?

Are we prepared to pivot, to make changes, to change direction to achieve success as we see it?

In the hardest times there are always lessons to be learnt… and in learning them we’re often being given the opportunity for a better tomorrow, even though it can seem bleak in the moment.

Where are you at?

Where are you at in your business right now?  Are you charting a course to achieve the success you want in your business?

Is it going to plan?  Or is it a bit topsy turvy?

So many people have had really challenging times in 2016 – me included.  It happens.

When you come through the tough times, out of the fog comes clarity….

That’s happened to me this year. Bring on 2017 – I can’t wait to tackle it with renewed energy, enthusiasm and excitement in business and life.

If you’d like some guidance to get out of the fog in your business (or life), to get more clarity on direction, purpose, strategy and actions going forward, then how about a short Skype call before the end of the year?  I have space for four new clients in my 2017 schedule.  If you’d like to talk about how I might support you, then let’s have an initial conversation this month and see where it takes us. Here’s my calendar to make an appointment.

My boxing bout last Friday

Well, I did it.  I fought my hardest last Friday night at my white collar charity boxing match.   I had a great evening….. and sadly, I didn’t win.  I lost my bout.

Some would say it was a mis-match.  My opponent has been doing boxing training for 18 months, and me 10 weeks.  Bit of a gap in experience…. and she hammered me.

Clearly I came off a little ‘worse for wear’ as you can see from the photos below.  Don’t worry, it didn’t (and doesn’t) hurt.  It just looks pretty gruesome (without make-up)… the bruises are getting deeper before disappearing.  More badges of honour. 🙂

Most importantly, I loved the training…. It’s the journey that we must fondly remember, not necessarily the destination/end result.  I am super fit as I discovered on Saturday after hitting a group interval training class at the gym; I’ve met loads of new people; and I’m happy.

On the night, while I was outboxed by a more experienced opponent, I was humbled by the strangers who approached me afterwards and who told me that I was an inspiration, because despite getting beaten up, I didn’t give up.

I might not have shown my boxing talent as I wanted to that night, but I tried to… even when my nose had blood flying everywhere (I’ve spared you that photo)… I kept going at her, trying to find a way to land some punches and do some damage in return.

Whatever happens in life (and business), never give up… keep going… the experience will make sense one day… and we learn the biggest lessons from the journey, even if we didn’t achieve what we wanted.

In a funny old way, I think the loss will serve me better than a win, as I seem to have inspired loads of people.  I’m now thinking about how I can incorporate this boxing journey in the business keynote and motivational speeches I’m giving, and podcasts I regularly get interviewed for.

So, onwards to the next physical challenge.  More on that one next year.  When you hear of my next personal challenge, you will no doubt raise your eyebrows in shock, horror, amusement or delight. The next challenge will be a lot more difficult for me… bring it on!!

Right now, I’m smelling the roses… and basking in the joy that the boxing experience gave me, even though I didn’t achieve my goal of a win.

Success….it often comes in ways we don’t expect.  And I love that possibility.  I hope you embrace that idea too.

With love

Adèle xx

PS:  I am so grateful to everyone who has donated money to the charity I am supporting via the JustGiving link or cheques given to me.  I will continue to fundraise for twins Lennon and Layla Coady for a few more days.  They’re struggling with their cerebral palsy at present.  Any funds I raise will support the enhancement of their quality of life.  If you’re able to spare a few $$/££, I’d be very grateful.

Today I’m four days away from the ‘fight of my life’.  For the first time ever, I’m entering a boxing ring as a real boxer….. Over three x 2 minute rounds, I’m boxing against another woman for charity, and in doing so, I’m also achieving a personal goal.  I’ve always wanted to be boxing fit and to box in the ring.  Call it a bucket list item that I’m about to tick off!

To say I’m excited (and a little terrified) is an understatement.  But, bring it on! 🙂 Friday can’t come quick enough for me now!

I know boxing isn’t everyone’s game, but I have to say, it’s been a magical 11 weeks, as I’ve trained for this very special and personally important event.

I love business and I also love achieving my personal goals as I’m all about being alive, passionate and extraordinary in business and life, as I define it.

As I’ve trained for this event, I’ve thought about the similarities between achieving goals in business and boxing.  Here are five thoughts I’ve had recently…

1.  Clarity of purpose and goal

Before embarking on this boxing journey, I needed to have complete clarity around why I was doing it.  After all, the chances are high that I’d get injured (which I did), bruised (see photo above) and bloody nosed (I spared you that photo), at the very least.  I could also get broken body parts (that’s not happened yet) or neuro damage – thankfully, I’ve steered clear of that too (so far).

I also needed to know what my goal was for this boxing journey….. I’m clear on that!!  I WANT TO WIN MY FIGHT NIGHT BOUT!

That goal has driven my training over the last 11 weeks…. It’s kept me focused when I wanted to roll over and go back to sleep at 4.15am five days a week after my alarm rang to get me out of bed for the next training session at 5am.  It kept me focused when it hurt too, when my injuries made me waiver a bit.

It’s no different in business.  I have complete clarity for my businesses too…. if our business goals and vision aren’t important enough to us, we will waiver when times are tough (and all businesses go through tough times).

What do you want to achieve and why in your business?

2.  Get your strategy nailed

Yes, I want to win my bout…. How was I going to get there?  Well, doing it alone was not going to work as I don’t know a thing about boxing, and I was pretty unfit…..

I got a team around me to help.  Boxing coaches, personal trainers, and a group of other boxers who are on the same journey ─ we’ve supported each other.

I also set a fairly punishing six day a week training schedule with my team.  I’m doing a lot more training than some of my boxing buddy colleagues.  Each to their own; I want to be in top form on fight night.

It’s no different in business.  When you know what you want to achieve in business and why, next is developing the strategies to get there.  Typically that includes marketing, sales, branding, operations, finance and people…. what are your strategies in each of those areas?

3.  Action and measurement

Five days of gym (strength, fitness, conditioning) workouts each week with some boxing work thrown in, plus weekly Saturday boxing group classes.

I’ve done this week in week out for 11 weeks.  Some days it was hard, other days easy.

I can honestly say that with all the training and work I’ve put in, I’ve not been this fit in a long time.

At the start, after 10 mins of boxing training, I’d feel like I was going to die (I was sooo unfit for boxing).  I can now shadow box and spar for +40 mins and still have energy for more…. and I’m loving it.

I’m strong.  I can punch hard and my south paw (I’m a left handed boxer) is the ‘money shot’ (I’m told).  Eeekkk, I hope I don’t hurt my opponent too much on the night.  🙂

Oh, and I’ve modifed my diet too (loads of protein and limited wheat carbohydrates/sugar etc), so the scales are looking good – I gained a bit more muscle and carry a lot less fat.  YIPPEE!!

In business, planning, action and measurement is critical.  What do you need to do to achieve your business strategy?  What actions are you taking?  By when?  What are your key performance indicators (KPIs)?

4.  Be a learner – get a mentor/coach

Elite athletes have coaches…. and I have had boxing coaches and personal trainers too.  What a difference it has made.

I’ve learnt so much.  I would never have developed my skill, strength and stamina to this level if I’d done it alone.  My coaches are at the top of the game in their fields.  They have been in the ring and fought the fights, they are master personal trainers, and they practise what they preach – they have great bodies, strength and fitness too ….  I’ve learnt from the best.

In business, all coaches/mentors are not equal.  Make sure you find a coach who has run businesses.  A great coach/mentor will guide you through the ‘noise’ of business, and they will make a serious difference to your success in business.

Be a listener and learner.  You will learn a lot from a business coach/mentor, if you’re willing.

5.  Believe in yourself

I believe I can and will WIN MY BOUT!  I dream about it.  I visualise it too.  It’s that important to me.  If I don’t win, I have to be honest and say I will be gutted!

My mindset all the way through has been the most important component….and it will play its biggest role on the night – Friday 9 December – fight night.  I’m told I have the fitness and skill…. I just need to believe I can do it…  I’ll let you know next week how it went.

Believe that you can and will achieve all the success you want in business (and life).

So that’s it 

They are the similarities between business and boxing.

I’m very excited about fight night… I hope I bring home the trophy as a winner…. I hope my opponent has trained hard too so that we have a great bout, and I hope she’s enjoyed the journey at her boxing gym like I have at mine.

I know I end the year with renewed energy for business and life in light of this personal challenge I’ve put myself through I’m excited about that.

I’ve got more personal goals to achieve next year (more on those later) and they will sit neatly next to all the business goals I want to achieve too.

Bring on 2017. 🙂

Need some coaching/mentoring guidance?

What about you?  Are you excited about where you’re at in business and life?

As we head towards year end, has 2016 been a good year?  How can 2017 be better and more successful and fulfilled for you?

It’s tough being a business owner/entrepreneur.  I know that from running my own businesses and I see it day in day out with the business people I work with, guiding them to achieve the success they seek in their businesses.

Do you need a coach or mentor to guide you in your journey?  If so, please arrange a free no obligation 30 mins Skype strategy meeting with me.  Here’s my calendar to make an appointment.

I have space for 6 new clients in my 2017 schedule.  If you’d like to talk about how I might support you in 2017 to achieve your business (and life) goals, then let’s have an initial conversation this month and see where it takes us. Here’s my calendar to make an appointment.

Until next week when I will share how fight night went, have a fabulous rest of week.

With love

Adèle xx

PS:  As mentioned, I am fighting for charity.  If you’d like to donate a few ££/$$ to Joni’s Army, the charity I am supporting, I would be so grateful.  Please click here to donate to my JustGiving page.  Thank you so much.