Successful Steps Blog
The Successful Steps blog is run by Anne McGhee and focusses on Personal and Professional Development and a whole bunch of related subjects. You are encouraged to comment if you have a viewpoint on anything you read about.
A Car, A Job Title and An Interesting Article / 21st Apr 2010
Whilst browsing creative commons I came across the photo opposite by Romana Klee. It made me smile, so it's definitely one for the Smile File. Intrigued by the job title on the car I did a little research and came across this interesting article.
By the way the position is at the University of Life. Renumeration? Loads of fun tokens! Car not included ;)
by Anne McGhee in the category of Happiness
happiness, professor of happiness, Christophe Andre, Ode Magazine, Peter Van Dijk, romana klee
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PPD Sans Frontiers / 13th Apr 2010
Recently I had the the privilege of interviewing a young teacher who had taken part in an education visit to Milawi for a CPDShort. The experience had such a big impact on her that she was inspired to do something more to support the development of education there, so she made repeated visits in her own time and at her own expense.
I was inspired by how this CPD activity had not only impacted on her both professionally and personally but the cascading effect it has had, benefiting a whole range of people from the pupils and staff she worked with there, the family she lived with and the range of other professionals both at home and abroad whom she has shared her knowledge and experience. Now, that's what you call adding value, isn't it?
However, this young woman felt a little guilty about considering spending time this summer fulfilling one of her own dreams when she could do so much more with her time and money in Milawi. Now we are all prone to a little guilt and perhaps self sacrificing. The problem with that kind of feeling is there is no value in it - guilt serves no one and in many ways it reduces our power to help or to change things.
My perspective on this is that Milawi provided an experience which helped her to learn loads about herself and expand her boundaries. She is now more able to stand in her own power and make greater changes for herself and others. She has become a Change Agent. Personally speaking I think whilst she takes a break doing something to nurture herself another opportunity to make a difference will manifest.
This interview affected me in a number of ways:
- It got me thinking about the reciprocal nature of life - you give and you receive often so much more than you give and mainly in unexpected ways from unexpected sources.
- I was inspired by this young woman's desire 'to give something back' I'm aware of a stronger spiritual climate developing all around me as well as within me.
- For me her story also demonstrated leadership at it's best - PPD sans frontiers.
Here are some questions for your reflection:
What personal or professional activity have you participated in that has made a big impact on you or others?
When was the last time you felt inspired?
Dare to share? ;)
by Anne McGhee in the category of Personal and Professional Development
CPD for Teachers, CPDShorts, International Education, Volunteering, Africa, impact
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Missing In-Action / 9th Apr 2010
Hello, remember me?
I know it's been a while and as the title of this article suggests "yes I've been missing in-action!" Note the hypen in the last word of the previous sentence because it's important. I had to learn to slow down to get more done. I was living life like the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, always in a hurry to get to the destination rather than enjoying the journey.
By slowing down and creating space for myself I was able to get clarity on what really mattered to me and what I really wanted. You see in my business I was doing stuff that I wasn't enjoying to please and do for others and it was draining me. It was blocking time and opportunities for the things that I really wanted to cultivate. When you clear the clutter, eliminate the negative thinking and doing, and focus on what you do want and enjoy, life is so much easier. And the opportunities? Well, they seem to be flowing and therein lies the work of the law of attraction my friend.
So to quote a Spice Girls song 'Tell me what you want, what you really, really want?
Create some space for yourself and ask that question again and again until you get to the core of your desire. Don't be tempted to list your don't wants, that route takes you off target. Get clear about what you do want. Make a list of the things you could do to move you closer to what that is and over the next 90 days work your way through the list, one successful step at a time.
by Anne McGhee in the category of Personal Development
enlightenment, me time, space, getting clarity, wants
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Grow! Networking - Events for Businesses in Glasgow / 4th Jun 2009
Grow Networking is a division of Successful Steps. It's a popular non membership network which provides unique opportunities for business people to make connections in a relaxed and informal manner. We also provide networking skills training, consultation and facilitation of in-house networking events for public sector and corporate clients. Our Dinner? Ladies event recently featured in an article in The Guardian Online and tomorrow we celebrate our second anniversary. As formal networking slows down slightly for the summer I'll be providing some Networking CPD on this blog to help you develop and fine tune your networking skills in preparation for the start of the new networking season.
by Anne McGhee in the category of Networking
successful steps to networking, Networking skills training, Networking, Networking tips, Networking in Glasgow, Networking in West End
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Curiouser and Curiouser / 19th Mar 2009
I was recently reminded of the old saying 'curiosity killed the cat'. I've decided I don't particularly like that saying as it imples curiosity is a negative thing, personally speaking I prefer to see it in a positive light. Curiosity about one's potential leads us to taking the big leap from employee to entrepreneur or perhaps to becoming an intrepid traveller. From becoming a couch potatoe to running a 10K or taking up some other sporting challenge. From become a reader of books to authoring one. Whatever the change or challenge it's curiosity about our potential that kick starts the journey of personal and professional development. So I'd like to say cheers to curiosity and rather than killing it in yourself and others cultivate it!
by Anne McGhee in the category of Personal Development
curiousity, potential, big leap, change
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Building windmills / 1st Feb 2009
When the winds of change blow there are those who build shelters and those who build wind mills - Chinese Proverb
Given the current economic climate what's your attitude to business and networking? Are you a windmill builder?
by Anne McGhee in the category of Networking
networking, networking strategy
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A Successful Step to Change Managment / 14th Jan 2009
"Human conversation is the most ancient and easiest way to cultivate conditions for change - personal change, community and organisational change, planetary change"
M Wheatley
It's good talk, it's all relational. So what conversation do you need to have?
by Anne McGhee in the category of Wise Words
Change Management, personal change, organisational change
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Small Talk / 13th Jan 2009
Looking for an opportunity to get to know your colleagues and staff?
"Small talk matters - never eat lunch alone"
Unknown
by Anne McGhee in the category of Wise Words
Networking, leadership, working relationships
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Va, va, va, voom / 12th Jan 2009
In her book 'A little light on the Spiritual Laws' Diana Cooper talks about the Law of Reflection and how every part of your car represents some aspect of you. Diana provides a couple of examples such as the brakes failing may be a warning for you to stop something your doing, the horn refuses to make a sound - is it time to speak up for yourself?
Last year I drove about in a car that was a magnet for disaster. I mean I had the lot; indicators not working, a couple of flat tires, a flat battery and living in the west end of Glasgow I got more than my fair share of dents and scratches. On reflection my beloved little car was reflecting exactly how I was feeling; a little unsure of where I was going in life, let down by some people, lacking in energy generally speaking I was feeling a bit battered and bruised by life.
Even though I had a really hectic festive season I'm feeling 'brand spanking' as they say in Glasgow - just like my new car!
Food for thought don't you think?
by Anne McGhee in the category of Personal Development
spirituality, the law of reflection,
Comments are open. There's been 2 comments so far.
Compliments of the Season / 12th Dec 2008
Interesting things compliments don't you think? Often treated with suspicion and regularly contradicted or rebuked by the recipient. That kind of response says more about you and yourself esteem than you know.
Whilst I appreciate that not all compliments are sincere; if you've been shopping for a party dress recently I'm sure you'll have come across a few. But those that are genuinely given shouldn't be thrown back with put downs but acknowledged with 2 little words 'thank you'. Please note the full stop!
Think of a compliment as a gift and learn to accept it with grace. From another perspective the joy is in the giving so don't take that away from someone.
Here's one of the Successful Steps Teams favourite quotes for your consideration
'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?'
Nelson Mandela
by Anne McGhee in the category of Personal Development
receiving compliments, self esteem
Comments are open. There's been 2 comments so far.
