Finding My Value - Your help needed...

Following on from my post yesterday about finding my core message and the creation of a vision board, I have been thinking about where my 'value' is within the projects I am doing now and have completed since May last year - when things really started for me. 

Within the play 2 win community that I am part of (which is a follow on group from the 30 Day Challenges that I have done) we have a weekly 'buzz' which is aimed at getting us to think about different aspects of the play process.

This particular buzz really stood out for me as it suddenly dawned on me that I haven't actually been reviewing my projects and seeing what went well, what wasn't so good, how I could develop them further, what the value in the project really was - for others, you. I'd been jumping straight onto the next project! 

So to address this I have put together a very short survey. And this is where you come in! 

I would really appreciate it if you would complete my survey - only ten questions. I want to better understand if what I have been doing is of real value to others. 

The survey is anonymous (unless you want me to know you have completed it) so please be honest. ;-)

Please complete the survey by clicking on this link..Finding My Value

And of course if you would like me to help you with something similar - just ask. 

We don't always see what is right in front of us - or inside of us for that matter! 

So see this as a very valuable step forward!

Thank you in advance!

Creating a Core Message Vision Board

I've been working on this on and off for the past few weeks and am now happy to say I think it's finished!

After completing my most recent 30 Day Challenge and working with Health Empowerment Coach - Ann Hobbs, I've been wondering really what I'm all about and what my 'core' message that really underpins what I do is (and I did wonder if I did actually have one!)

So here it is..this is me!

Taking the time to create this board has really helped me to 'see' what's inside and what I want to share with the world. After the initial feelings of guilt about 'playing' I TOTALLY enjoyed the whole process and was fully engaged in it. I didn't start out with a picture in my mind of how this would look. It has just evolved. 

I have also realised that my 'inside' vision isn't quite matching my 'outside' at the moment - so there is work to do. I am starting to feel more comfortable with actually 'stepping into' who I am supposed to be. This also scares me silly though - so after sharing this I may well retreat back into my shell...(anyone else do this?) until I feel comfortable to come out again!

I feel like I'm going through quite a shift at the moment and wanted to share some of this journey to connect with others also going through this transition as well as those out there who want to do this too but feel 'stuck', to say really - that its OK.

I'd love to hear if you have created your own core message board and how it has helped you? Or if you haven't created one - maybe now is a good time to do so..?

Four Elements Art - my recent 30 Day Challenge

For the past 30 days, along with 200 other folk from around the world, I've taken part in my second 30 Day Challenge - run by the fabulous John Williams (Author of Screw work lets play) and coach extraordinaire Selina Barker. Yeah! 

Once again it has been a fantastic experience, and very different to last years - my first ever 30DC - which resulted in my '30 days - 30 bags' project.

This time I wanted to try something different.

Inspired by the recent 'Ice art' that mother nature had herself created (well with the help of cars!) see below:

The wonder of nature

I decided to create my own artworks using the four elements - Air, Water, Fire and Earth. 

I had no real plan and let each idea for how to 'use' each element unfold... which was all part of the enjoyment and the playfulness about it really.

I also had a go at making some short films - a first for me and something I really enjoyed - from the filming to editing and then seeing it all come together. Something I will certainly be doing more of..

So here's a snapshot of what I have created. I took way more photos of each 'element artwork', but have limited the images to three of each here...

Air
Materials: Polystyrene cup, paint, water (to thin the paint down) and paper...

Water

Materials: Water (!) food colouring & ink

Inspired by the work of photographer Mark Mawson who photographs paint in water, I wanted to have a go at creating my own moving water images.  I love the way the picture changes every second creating ever changing patterns, creatures and even numbers that appeared in the images I managed to capture. What can you see?

Fire

Materials: Matches, glue gun, wood

There is something about these images that says to me about 'burn-out' of the human soul when working endlessly in a job that you hate and also about deforestation. What do you think?

And finally..

Earth

Materials: Clay powder - Kaolin, Fullers earth, Arrowroot, Milk powder and coco powder (so I got the benefits of a spa mud bath treatment at the same time!!

This one took me a while (to pluck up the courage) but I'm really pleased with the results (and it was so much fun!)

The film: I ran out of time to finish this one as I would have liked - so I will return to it at some point - but in the spirit of the 30DC and not being over 'perfectionist' here it is!

I've learnt a lot about myself from this years challenge - including asking for help! and have found it an incredibly enriching experience. So I'll be back again for the next one...!

Do What You Love - Interview no.8 Ann Hobbs - Health Empowerment Coach

Interview number eight in a series of ten - meeting Bristol people who 'Do What They Love!'

Ann Hobbs - Health Empowerment Coach

Name:  Ann Hobbs

Age:  41

Business name:  Ann Hobbs

Location:  Bristol

Website:  www.annhobbs.co.uk

What do you do?

I am a Health & Empowerment Coach helping people be free from pain and empowering them to make changes in their lives.  

A typical client would come with a health issue, i.e. headaches, digestive problems that have been chronic for a while – I am literally their last chance! I have amazing results because I see beyond the physical illness and treat the emotions that are behind so that the client has an understanding of how their physical symptoms manifested.  I truly treat the whole person, they are not just a headache to me, they are an amazing person who has just lost their way in life.

What do you love about it?

I love to see clients come back free from pain – I had a client who suffered from severe headaches for over 25 years. After working together to find the root cause, she became free to move forwards and make positive changes to enable her to live the life she wants, and as a result the headaches disappeared.  I love seeing a client move from being totally stuck to flying forwards with ease.  It’s great to see how many positive changes can be made within a short space of time.  I also love working with clients, particularly women, to give them hope and encouragement. To date I have treated over 400 clients – some as far away as Australia. I can hold sessions via skype, as long as I can connect to the person’s energy and have permission to do so - it doesn't matter where you live.

How did you get there?

12 years ago my sister was killed when I was 8 ½ months pregnant with my third child.  I very quickly fell down into depression and anxiety which I beat naturally.  I didn't want to take tablets and feel ‘disconnected’. I want to show people that there is another way to treat stress, depression and anxiety, you can do it with a shift in mind set.  When I was very poorly and down, there was no-one to help me through it until I found holistic therapies, they were my saviour and so I want to share my experience with others. You can do two things in a tragic situation – wallow and become a victim or make positive changes in your life – I choose to help others break free from their pain and struggle as sometimes clients aren't in physical pain but emotional pain too.

'Empower yourself by 'owning' the problem or issue' says Ann Hobbs

How does it work?

I don’t follow a set process, as everyone is different. The first 10 minutes are key and I've got to a point now that by using my experience I’m able to really look underneath the problems that people come to me with. They may come telling me something that they believe to be the problem, but once I've been able to see them and talk to them am able to get to the root of it – and more often than not it’s something completely different to what they think or expect!

For a lot of people their ‘story’ that they repeat over and over becomes part of the problem and just by stopping telling that ‘story’ and helping them to learn how to think differently can have a profound effect.

I tune in to what they really need and that’s where my work begins. Also, I don’t take any crap! That might sound harsh, but it actually helps people to get ‘out’ of their victim story.

This really empowers people as they need to be able to actually ‘own’ their problem and take responsibility for it rather than being a victim. That’s a very important concept to grasp.

To switch from stuck ‘victim’ mode to being empowered to take action you need to be able to accept these three steps:

Acknowledge it
Take Responsibility – Own it
Take Action

These can be harder than they sound!

At the moment I mainly work with women as they seem to be able to accept these concepts more readily and appear to be more emotionally open to the work I do. I’m not discounting working with men – but this is the experience I’d had so far. There needs to be a great deal of trust between myself and my client as they need to be able to feel comfortable telling me everything.

How long have you been running your business for?

6 years

What has been the biggest challenge you've faced so far?

Getting out there and letting people know what I believe in, helping those who are looking for something different – but I can’t help everyone. They have to be ready. Marketing myself as well as working ‘in’ the business as well as running the business. Which are two different things really.

What’s been the highlight so far?

Being able to help so many people that thought there was no hope. When people come to me they tend to be at their last stop before that point of no return. It’s a frightening place to be, having been there myself. Being able to use that experience alongside what I have learnt is really what makes this so important to me. Being actually able to change peoples lives for the better is amazing. You need to learn how you body works and how everything interacts. Your body is telling you a message and you need to listen. You have the solution. All the answers are inside. If you start looking externally for the answers then you are in trouble.

'Your body is telling you a message and you need to listen'

What’s the best piece of advice you've been given?

It was actually something my acupuncturist said to me while I was having treatment myself. He said ‘I see this all the time.’  Those few words gave me so much hope and really kept me going knowing that I wasn't the only person feeling like this. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted.

Also being advised that I don’t have to be ‘perfect’ to be a therapist. That was something I had strived for – but know now that’s not realistic and any good therapist has been on a journey!  And can share those experiences to relate to my clients.

What have you learnt about yourself as a result?

A huge amount. Every client you see reflects something back to you. If I’m not growing as a person and a therapist then I’m not going to be able to help my clients. The learning never stops and it’s not easy, but it has been the most worthwhile thing I have ever done.

I use kinesiology as part of my practice and have learnt to trust myself and my inner voice. That took me a while to do as for a long time if something popped into my head I would question it and doubt it. But one particular client really changed that. I kept getting a message ‘hand bags’ every time I saw her. Eventually after a few sessions I just came out with it – and she just looked at me and said ‘how do you know about that?’ suddenly everything changed for her. It turned out this lady had 300 handbags in her wardrobe! She had been hoarding them and keeping them a secret.

Can you tell me about any success stories with a client?

I’m pleased to say there are so many, but one in particular stays in my mind. I have just finished a 3 month program with a lady who had been suicidal for over 2 years before she came and saw me. After working with her for a while I witnessed the most amazing transformation. She told me that her depression was lifting and that it was as if a huge weight had been lifted. She has gone from strength to strength since then.

'Stick at it, Get yourself a mentor and learn to develop your own way,' advises Ann.

If others want to do this I’d say...

Stick at it - it’s not easy. I’m the only one from my class of six actually putting what I learnt into practice. Look at where you choose to train and what they are teaching. Get yourself a mentor. Learn to develop your own way. And from a business perspective – understand how that works and especially marketing as there was no business element to my course.

What’s next?

To create a community of people where you can go and be who you are without fear. A safe place to offer support, as that is one of the key issues I've witnessed in my practice, a lot of people have a real lack of support and feel so alone.

I’m also in the process of writing two books which I hope will be published with Hay House. One of my all time favourite and inspiring books is ‘You can heal your life’ by Louise Hay.  I would recommend that everyone read this. I’d love to be the next Louise Hay or Tim Robbins!

I’d also love to have a regular health agony aunt column where I can help even more people. In fact I was asked to write a piece for Natural Health recently which was fantastic – I’d love to do that on a regular basis.

Lastly to continue to share my passion of helping others and if this project allows me to inspire one person to change their lives for the best then it would have been worth it.  I don’t want anyone to struggle with health issues, emotional or mental health.  I want to tell people that there is hope.

Useful links:

To contact Ann – visit her website www.annhobbs.co.uk

www.timrobbinsthemedium.com

www.louisehay.com

Thank you to Lydia Samuel for taking the lovely photographs. ;-)

What is The 'Do What You Love' Project..?

After printing this message on my bags I thought - ooh I'd love to find ten local Bristol business people who do what they love, interview them about what they do, why they love it and how they've got there and also 'model' one of my bags / cushions. 

I really wanted to work with a local photographer - so approached Lydia Samuel via Outset to see if she would be interested in collaborating with me. She was! Perfect!

So a call-out was created, posted on facebook and twitter and people started applying! Over thirty people applied, and it was really difficult to choose ten. I spent my time going through each application and selected the ten as I felt their passion really shone through.

Everyone who applied will be featured though in some way as I think it's important to celebrate everyone who is doing something they love!

These interviews and photographs are the results.

I hope you enjoy reading this series of interviews, and that it will inspire you in some way to pursue your dreams and ‘Do what you Love!’  (that is if you aren’t doing that already! - if you are - do let me know by leaving a comment about what you do and why you love it!).

Want your own 'Do What You Love' bag or cushion? 

They are currently on sale via Etsy 

Do What You Love - Interview no.7 - Tanya Moore

Interview number seven in a series of ten - meeting Bristol people who 'Do What They Love!'

I’m a firm believer that learning should be fun – and was really inspired to meet Tanya Moore as part of the ‘Do What You Love’ project.

And Tanya is all about learning being fun! Hope you enjoy reading her story below and maybe it will spark you to think that in 2013 - I will learn how to.......(fill in the gap yourself!)

And just want to say a huge thanks to At-Bristol for letting us hold the interview and photoshoot in their 'All about us!' learning zone (It's a fab, fab place - and not just for children - they do adult learning evenings). And of course big thanks to Lydia Samuel for taking the super photos!

Tanya Moore - Accelerated Learning Teacher and founder of Inner Spark Education

Tanya Moore - Accelerated Learning Teacher and 
founder of Inner Spark Education ©Lydia Samuel Photography

Name: Tanya Moore
Age:  27
Business name: Inner Spark Education
Location: Bristol
Website: www.tanyamoore.co.uk

What do you do?

I teach using accelerated learning.

What’s Accelerated Learning?

Accelerated learning is using the brain more effectively to achieve a faster learning rate.
We believe that our brain learns at a particular rate, because that is how we learnt at school. In fact, the speed of learning can be increased by understanding how the brain learns best and fully utilising its abilities.

It’s about engaging both sides of the brain by using a system I've designed based on five elements : 

Relaxation - Relax the body, why spend energy on tension in the body, when it can be spent on learning?
Collaboration – We are social beings, the brain is designed to learn from observation and immersion.
Wholeness – The brain needs a lot of water and nutrients, this increases during learning. If the brain is dehydrated, its productivity decreases and concentration is lost.
Memory – Using memory techniques within learning sessions, so that students know how to easily recall the material
Teaching - Encouraging students to teach each other
Learning can be really easy and naturally it is supposed to be fun!

It’s been proven that we learn most when we are relaxed – so that’s where the mediation, music and movement comes it. They are all used to ‘aid’ learning, not to distract from it. And the peak amount of time to learn is actually 20 minutes.  So by learning in 20 minute chunks you’ll actually be able to retain a lot more than if you try and spend hours pouring over something. 

Everyone has incredible talent, and sometimes the main thing holding people back is self-belief and confidence.

The Inner Spark Method is an innovative approach to learning. It can be applied to any subject and time frame and is used to learn information very quickly.

It is very interactive, engaging and involves lots of creativity. The activities are short and fast paced. Students have so much fun, that they can forget they are learning!

The Inner Spark Method is the result of a culmination of my experiences, teaching and training in different environments. I have used it to teach a variety of subjects, including English, History, languages and most recently the principles of permaculture.

It draws upon existing methodologies and pedagogical practices from different areas, including education, psychology, personal development and memory experts.

Learning is about having fun! ©Lydia Samuel Photography

What do you love about it?

I love teaching, I love learning and I love connecting with people!

How did you get there?

I was teaching in a school in London and realised that there were many ways that students weren't reaching their potential. I wanted to support the students to get their best grades, without the constraints of the curriculum and the school environment. I started to think about my experiences and what I’d learnt myself and how I liked to learn. That was the first step towards me developing the Innerspark System.

Tanya's advice - 'Listen to your heart'
 ©Lydia Samuel Photography

I studied Drama at university in Northampton and have always been interested in movement and music, but it was only after teaching for a while combined with my own personal experiences (I have epilepsy and through lots of trial and error have learnt how to manage it. 

Having epilepsy really sparked my interest in my brain, how it works and what think I could to do minimise any episodes. I discovered that water is massively important and helps to keep my mind in balance, so it is partly down to my investigations over the years that I discovered and created an alternative approach to learning – that in my opinion, and is proven through research, is actually a much, much more effective way to learn.

I spent a week at a school in Russia earlier this year, as I’d heard that they were using accelerated learning techniques as part of their mainstream learning – so I wanted to see it for myself. 

I was amazed by the results. Each student learns on the basis that the next day they might have to teach fellow pupils in their class what they've learnt. So they really, really need to understand and engage with what they are learning so they can then pass that knowledge on.

I run language courses, as I am very passionate about languages and I love seeing people realise how much they can learn in a short space of time. I’m not a native Spanish speaker, in fact I have never actually studied Spanish – or any other language in depth – but am able to learn it and teach it by applying these principles. It really frees you up to be able to learn pretty much anything you set your mind to. That’s powerful stuff once you realise that – and how to do it!

How long have you been running your business for?  

6 months

What has been the biggest challenge you've faced so far?

Promoting myself and communicating what accelerated learning is. I’m good at promoting other people – but not so good at talking about myself! And setting up as self-employed is scary! I was working in a school before deciding to become self-employed.  Suddenly I had to do everything myself. 

What’s been the highlight so far in owning and running your own business?

So many things – but one is discovering ‘pay it forward’ and utilising the principles in education. It has really changed my approach to life. The simple act of doing something for someone and not expecting anything in return – but for them to then pass on that act of kindness –  has had a massive impact on me.

What’s the best piece of advice you've been given?

To listen to your heart

What have you learnt about yourself as a result of becoming self-employed?

Really it relates to the best piece of advice. After being told that –to listen to my heart -  and then doing it – which isn't always easy as you have to stop and ‘listen’. I had to think ‘what makes my heart sing’ and to then jump and do it! 

"I love seeing people realise how much they can learn in a short space of time."  ©Lydia Samuel Photography

Can you tell me about any success stories with a client?

Haa haa lots actually – but one stands out. One of my Spanish students, who at the end of the two days said ‘you've made me face my biggest fears! Singing and languages! I never imagined I’d be able to learn so much in such a relaxed and fun way. Now I feel there is no stopping me!’

When I get feedback like that at the end of a course – it just makes me feel wonderful that I’ve really be able to make a difference and change someone’s perception of what learning can be!

If others want to do this I’d say...

I’d actually encourage everyone to be self-employed! I know that we do need institutions and people to work together – but I think it is an experience everyone should have – and would benefit from by trying it!

Me holding Tanya's 5D learning chart and Tanya with one of my 'Do what you love' cushions. ©Lydia Samuel Photography

What’s next?

It used to be to set up my own school that taught accelerated learning – but when I was talking about this a few years ago, I realised that wasn’t actually what I really wanted.

My vision is to see accelerated learning being used to teach everything, for everyone (children and adults) to understand how it works and apply it. 

My vision is also to see kindness, meditation, relaxation, empowerment taught in schools. Kindness is good for a person's health, for the community and it supports learning. Meditation is great for relieving stress, improving health, calming and it is benefits learning!

There are so many incredible organisations promoting kindness, and sharing kindness activities. Check out www.pifexperience.org

I am currently working with the amazing Aine Belton of Global Love Project to create a Positivity Programme for schools, connecting schools with experts in yoga, wellbeing, meditation, fun, self development, confidence etc

So, if you know anyone who wants to learn accelerated learning and use it in their work, please connect me or pass on my website - www.tanyamoore.co.uk
and if you know anyone who currently runs workshops in schools and would like to be involved in Global Love Project, please connect us!

I am also in the process of writing my book - 5D Accelerated Learning, it explains the 5 Key elements to fun, fast, effective learning. Each chapter contains exercises that can be used for different subjects and age groups.

My intention is to co-create this book with children - I am looking to go into schools, communities, educational groups and share this approach to fun learning, teaching it to children and teachers. This can be a 2 hour interactive session (although, of course it can be adapted to suit different needs and requirements). In teaching the approach, I will also explain the key elements that are in the book and we will do some of the different exercises. I would ask the children if they would like to contribute to the book in any way, this could be writing or drawing something during the session.

Here is a talk I gave about 5D learning and how it works - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tWlNjKCAok

To read a review of one of my courses in the TES, click here http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6243845

Tanya’s top 5 tips to improve your learning:

Breath – Use rhythmic  breathing – In for two – out for two as being in a meditative

or ‘alpha’ state is the best for the brain to learn

Drink lots of water – helps keep your brain hydrated. Your brain is 70% water

Visualise – use visualisation as part of your learning, create images in your mind to

associate to new pieces of information

What’s your motivation for learning X,Y or Z? understanding that will help you to

learn

Learn with others!  A shared experience is more memorable than on your own.

Books and people that have inspired Tanya....

The Element – Ken Robinson

Ken has written and talked about how schools kill creativity – watch his TED talk here

Dominic O’Brian – British Memorychampion

Dr. David Hamilton –Kindness is good for you

Tony Buzan – Use your head

For Tanya's upcoming talks and courses - visit her website: http://www.tanyamoore.co.uk/

What is The 'Do What You Love' Project..?

After printing this message on my bags I thought - ooh I'd love to find ten local Bristol business people who do what they love, interview them about what they do, why they love it and how they've got there and also 'model' one of my bags / cushions. 

I really wanted to work with a local photographer - so approached Lydia Samuel via Outset to see if she would be interested in collaborating with me. She was! Perfect!

So a call-out was created, posted on facebook and twitter and people started applying! Over thirty people applied, and it was really difficult to choose ten. I spent my time going through each application and selected the ten as I felt their passion really shone through.

Everyone who applied will be featured though in some way as I think it's important to celebrate everyone who is doing something they love!

These interviews and photographs are the results.

I hope you enjoy reading this series of interviews, and that it will inspire you in some way to pursue your dreams and ‘Do what you Love!’  (that is if you aren't doing that already! - if you are - do let me know by leaving a comment about what you do and why you love it!).

Want your own 'Do What You Love' bag or cushion? 

They are currently on sale via my Folksy page