Thursday, July 17, 2008

The power of PR.

The programme hasn't even gone out yet but already I've had enquiries from 4 new people to join my East End Girls and a potential client in the North West.

What will tomorrow bring? It's all very exciting.

Don't forget, radio 4 at 3.00 p.m. July 18th.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

On the Radio.

I love to walk and I'm also a little bit of a performer hence the reason that I love to train, to talk to people and to appear in the media.

I was delighted to get a chance to do a mix of these on June 9th when myself and some of the East End Girls (my walking group) did a walk in the Lakes for Radio 4's 'Ramblings' programme.

Here we are about half way through the walk

The programme will be broadcast this Friday, July 18th on Radio 4 at 3.00p.m. If you can, do listen and tell me what you think. We even got a write up in the Radio Times!

You can comment through the blog or on heather@walkerscoach.com.

If you are inspired and want to walk, then the East End Girls are always looking for new members - http://www.walkerscoach.com/east_end_girls.htm and Walkers' Coach also runs a range of local walks called Walk your Way to WOW - http://www.walkerscoach.com/walk_your_way_to_wow.htm

If you'd like something in your area, wherever that might be, please let me know as we will be rolling out our programmes and services throughout the UK and Ireland in 2009.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Chaos, or not really!

Feeling rather out of control as I survey all I have to do personally and professionally before going on leave.

It's been a hectic few months which is great as many plans are coming to fruition and it's so exciting. I've also been taking on more one to one clients and I love working out their needs and tailoring walking plans to deliver what they want.

At the same time as all this is happening, it's Ellie's last few weeks at Junior school and life is full of parties, trips, performances etc all which require planning, chauffering and shopping - I just spent a couple of ddays getting all her new school uniform.

...and I'm still celebrating my big 50, although I feel more like 30!! Hope I look it too.

Trying to manage all of this and one way is not to lie in bed mulling it over but to get up and take action, hence sitting in my office working through it all at 5.15 a.m. Sanity and control is seeping in though so good plan really.

Hope you're sleeping soundly.

Monday, June 30, 2008

Watch out world...

It's going to be a fabulous week. I can just feel it all around.

Perhaps it's because the month of July is about to dawn, who knows but it is my birthday month and there's a rather big one heading this way at the end of the week.....

I read some great stuff about business over the weekend and most specifically about marketing, which I am immersing myself in at present and also to do with niches.

When I started Walkers' Coach I was trying to run one full time business in the world of careers and set up another one re walking. Was that a successful strategy? No, of course not. I was pulled from one to the other and of course was doing neither justice. I ploughed on like this for a year or two, trying to keep them more and more separate as I knew that is was confusing to talk about both but that didn't work either.

I did have some successes and learnt a great deal along the way but it was only at the start of 2008 when I focused on my walking and honed in on my Walk your Way to WoW groups that things really started to develop as I wanted them to.

Why?

Well, I believe that it's because I had then really developed my niche and within that started to work with a micro niche within that which is local women.

As Will Craig of 'Promoting You' says 'The more focused you are on a specific market, the better you can serve that market'. He goes on to talk about how much easier it then is to research and meet the needs of that market.

If we try and do too much people wonder how we can possibly do all that we say we do or how can we be good at it all if we do that much. People want expertise not generalists.

So, how about you? If you are in business have you got your niche defined? Are you serving it to the best of your ability? If you're not in business but shopping for services, who are you going to? What attracts you to buying what you want and need?

I love my niche and I am trying every day to serve it better and better. If you have questions or comments, then ask. I'd love to serve you too.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Lille

I've been tweeting recently and am afraid Ive neglected my blog because of it. Since I last blogged, I've done a recording of a great walk in the Lakes for Radio 4's Ramblings programme, ran more of my local walks and now I'm in Lille spending a couple of lovely child free days with my wonderful husband.

We arrived by Eurostar yesterday - what a great way to travel and today have basically been walking and eating. It's an easy city to walk around and as you're walking you can look upwards and see all the fabulous architecture. There are loads of wonderful buildings and the french know and love their food.

The hotel we are staying in was once a hospice and is full of nooks and crannies so fun to explore. Lots of courtyards and small gardens to sit in and be at peace as it is so quiet.

They like to hide things away, makes it more interesting but they've hidden the stairs away too and it took me ages to find them. Seems crazy to wait for the lift when you are only one floor up. Why not encourage peole to walk?

Thursday, May 22, 2008

The New Commandments

Have as much fun as you can
Reflect on how good it is to be alive
Never worry about the size of your bottom
Delegate
Say what you think
Nourise your ambitions
Remember you always have a choice
Value friendship[ - but allow some relationships to die gracefully
Banish 'ought' from your vocabulary
If you don't like the rules, break them.

Sent to me by the lovely Val whom I have never met, but with whom I have communicated since I started writing my column, must be about 4/5 years now. Thanks Val, you always send me lovely words.

Thanks

.. to all of those who gave great testimonials at the last Athena meeting. It's always great to hear how much you enjoy the walks and what you get from them.

And of course your words inspire others to come along and get some of what you have for themselves.

Friday, May 09, 2008

What do you do when you can't sleep?

I was exhausted by 9.00 last night so I went to bed. I'd done over 30,00 steps in the course of the day (3 times my daily allowance) having walked with two of my groups and then having walked to a meeting, which I have to admit was further than I thought. I did feel a great sense of achievement though.

So when my head did hit the pillow, sleep was all I had in mind. It didn't come easily which rather frustrating and then at 4.00a.m. I was wide awake. I tried to get back into it but my mind started racing, I tossed and turned, the birds started to sign louder and louder and at 4.30 I gave up and got up.

I don't like alarms and prefer to wake at my natural time but I do love being up really early when the world is still quiet and it all seems rather serene.

I made a cup of Camomile tea and then headed down the garden. The lawn was covered in snails, the sky was pinky gold as dawn broke through and the birdsong wonderful. Now I'm at my desk enjoying the solitude and watching the birds in the trees and bushes and the squirrels running along the fence.

Yes, I may be heading to bed again at 9.00 this evening but for now my head is still and it's been a lovely start to the day.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

What makes you grateful?

For years now I have kept a Gratitude Journal. I picked a beautiful book and I write in it with colourful pens. It's kept by my bed and I try to ensure I write in it every night.

Most times my gratitude flows like water from a tap (and this has got easier the longer I've done it) but sometimes it's more difficult and it is then that I find myself being grateful for things like just getting through the day, being able to go to bed etc.

What I find interesting is that the things I am regularly grateful for are not expensive, huge things but often simple things like a hug from my lovely daughter, Alan and the things that he does, like washing dishes which I cannot do at present due to a wound on my finger. It's my friends and neighbours, smiles, kind words, flowers and sunshine. Today as I took 15 minutes for lunch in the sun, my eye kept coming back to the beautiful blue of the Ceanothus growing in the garden, and it was also good to reflect on the freedom I have in how I now live my life.

I'm also very grateful for the emails from all the East End Girls who are looking forward to this Saturday's walk and to Rachel and Sam whose feedback on yesterday's walk was - "How wonderful was that walk thank you" and "Thank you, thank you, thank you! I had just the best time –"

What more can a girl ask for.

Saturday, May 03, 2008

What a week.

It's been a very hectic but interesting week and the timing for a bank holiday weekend couldn't really be better. A three day weekend with very little in the diary - bliss.

Every so often I need a weekend like this, to chill, to catch up and to spend time with Alan and Ellie. We all have so many commitments that often we are like three ships passing. We started the weekend off with a big bowl of pasta last night and one of my favourite films - To Sir with Love. It's a bit of an oldie and watching it I was reminded of how fast the pace of films are now mainly due to the inability of many to sustain a concentration span of more than 20 minutes. Ellie loved it and it took me back to the days of my youth!!

This morning we had breakfast in the garden, the first of the year and this evening we are off to Elaine's for supper which is always a treat

Wednesday was the launch of a new Athena group so many of us established members turned up to support and it was a fab meeting. Loads of great women. I have been a member of the network for over a year now and it has really helped my business so if you are wondering about your networking and business building visit http://www.blogger.com/www.athenanetwork.co.uk and find a group close to you. Attending this was also a great opportunity to get out of the walking clothes and dress up a bit.

Yesterday I was in hospital for day surgery and am still talking about the experience, how good it was, how time efficient and with only a local anaesthetic I was able to catch the tube home and get back to work. And everyone was so caring, professional and communicative. So Barts Hospital in London, thanks.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Great Quote!

Always one to start the week off on a positive step, I wanted to share this with you......

"The most wasted day of all is that on which we have not laughed." - Sebastine Chamfort

So see how much laughing you can do today.

Last week I went to the Comedy Store in London's West End on Wednesday evening and laughed for two hours solid. It was a tremendous evening and I am in complete awe of the talented band of players whose whole show was decided by the audience. If you're looking for a great night out, I urge you to try it.

Happy laughing.....

Monday, April 21, 2008

She's a star!!


I have been working with my wonderful VA Susan Moore since early 2007 and it's really made a difference to my business. I am well aware though that there is so much more I could use Susan for so it is very likely that she will be even more of an asset than she is already.


I am so delighted to let you all know that on Saturday, Susan received the award of VA of the year for 2008 at the Virtual Assistant Coaching & Training Company Annual conference. It is a well deserved award and as you can imagine I've no hesitation in recommending Susan to any oif you who may be considering a VA.


Susan is professional, totally trustworthy, extremely personable, a great communicator and a pleasure to work with. She totally enhances all that I do, is there to bounce ideas around with and although we work through email and phone, she is close enough to me to allow us a few face to face meetings in the year.


I wish her continued success and if you want to check her out, visit her at http://www.mooreva.co.uk/

Monday, March 03, 2008

PA for a day!!

It was Mother's Day in the UK yesterday and I hadn't a clue what to expect.

What happened was wonderful and I was totally spoiled. Ellie decided to be my PA for the day and I was waited on hand and foot from I got out of bed until more or less when I climbed back in.

First I got a couple of gifts, one of which was a voucher for facial or other treatment and then I had brunch made for me. Later in the day, my wonderful PA gave me a very relaxing pedicure, brought me cups of tea and made sure I had all I needed.

As a family, we sat down in the late afternoon to watch Carousel, one of my favourite films and I was then treated to a three course all cooked by Ellie and supervised by her dad. It was wonderful and the highlight for Ellie anyhow was the desert.

Here she is displaying it and her PA badge.



I consider myself a very lucky mum indeed and what a wonderful idea. I did try to get it to last a week but I think I was pushing it......

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Glad to be alive

Two weeks since I blogged, so not doing too well on the intention for 2008 that says I will blog more regularly. I have let go of the need to blog every day because I feel I should - hurray but there's still some work to do on being more constant.

It's not that I forget, but I put it aside until later and later doesn't always come.


What kind of days are your glad to be alive days?

Here's a photo of the beautiful miniture daffodils in my window box, just the sight of them make me smile. In fact it's hard to be sad when faced with such happy flowers.

There seems to have been such little time without leaves and flowers this winter and I don't seem to have walked in the dark lots either. Now I'm looking forward to the bluebells as the carpets of them in Epping Forest as a sight worth seeing.


Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The birthday girl

It's my baby's 11th birthday today. Not a baby any longer, she is rapidly approach my 5ft 6inches and has already overtaken some of our female friends in the last couple of months.


I cannot believe so much time has passed since her birth and each year seems to bring more and more great opportunities for her. This year she is off on an outward bound trip again, is on a school's trip to Spain, singing at the Royal Albert Hall and just been nominated for a science competition. Then in September it's off to Secondary school, a new era.


As you can tell I am very proud of her. Yes, she has her moments, don't they all but she is great company, loves to chat and we have some great girlie times when her dad is away.


So Ellie, have a great birthday. I look forward to pizza tonight and your party on Saturday and here she is at breakfast this morning

Monday, January 28, 2008

Customer service on the slide

Ever feel you've been had? I did this weekend.

My husband and I have been contemplating whether or not to retain our cleaner whose work seems to have deteriorated since she started.

In those days, the place sparkled and we were all very happy but in the last couple of months, things have got slack and the ironing she would do if she had extra time, has been non existent. She spends time on the phone (her mobile) and there is dust where it should no longer be.

My first reaction was disappointment and I said so when I talked about things needing to improve . Yes, they did for one week and then slowly went back off the boil.

I cancelled her last week and decided to clean the house myself this weekend. I can tell you that this is not my favourite pastime but everyone, even Ellie pulled their weight. Only problem, things were so grubby that it took all weekend.

When she first came to me I would recommend her to others but now....

In a service industry, your service has to remain high as often there are many others that can take your place. I think we might do the cleaning ourselves now having made this weekends investment but it is a lesson to us all.

Today I have been reflecting and thinking about how good my service is? I hope it's still excellent. I try to make it so and constantly review it, asking clients for feedback. I have measures in place. Did my cleaner? Not in my view and now she is going to lose the work.

Could this happen to you?

Saturday, January 26, 2008

It's only January.

Where has the hibernation period gone?

I was out walking about 8.00a.m. this morning which was wonderful as it was light, makes a change from my weekday 7.00 a.m. although even that is not as dark as it was...

Anyhow as I strode out, saying 'morning ' to the numerous dog walkers, I was struck at just how many leave there were on the bushes. I think most of them were hawthorn but there they all were bright green and spring like.

The daffodils in my garden are up quite high to and the winter jasmine, meant to bloom in Jan/Feb, has blossomed in Dec for the last couple of years. The earth is giving birth to all manner of things that used to still be fast asleep at this point in the year.

So has nature started to reflect our fast paced lives, where there is no longer time to recharge batteries?

Since I started coaching and set up my own business, I have learned to pay more attention to the rhythms of nature. Instead of detoxing in Jan, I have learnt that, like nature, this is the time of the year to seek out good wholesome, comforting foods like soups and stews and steaming cups of hot chocolate and to curl up with a good book or a film. To sleep more and recharge.

I am still doing it but what is nature doing now? Yes, it's lovely to know that spring is coming but let's just slow the pace a little again and enjoy the comforting time.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Beautiful dawn

Dawn seemed to come earlier this morning and evolved into a pale blue sky and wonderful gold and pink tinged clouds that just seemed to illuminate.

Keeping to folklore, it might not have been the best forecast for the day - "pink sky in the morning" and all of that but it was a joy to see and I do wish I'd had my camera. I think I shall have to add that to the necessary pile when I go out from now on.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The giant and the dark clouds

On my walk yesterday morning, the sky looked really dark and heavy, you know the way it gets when it is a sort of midnight blue colour. These dark and ominous clouds rolled around looking threatening and very angry and made me think of a giant or a god, like those I learned about as a child in Greek mythology. I had in my mind these images of a bellowing figure venting his anger and I felt chilled.

However as the clouds rolled around more and dawn broke they thinned out and soon disappeared, allowing the morning light to penetrate and soon there was no sign of the angry giant at all.

It had all happened relatively quickly, over 30-40 minutes and I found myself thinking of the process of changing our moods and not letting an incident affect our mood for the whole day. Sometimes one thing can change your mood dramatically and often at the start of the day, set up a chain of events that makes us want to crawl back under the duvet. How much better to recognise that things do not have to be like that and to choose to swap the black mood for a much lighter one.

I am not always successful at this, sometimes, I want to wallow but in most cases I'd love to put on the calm cloak, so I'm going to make an effort to try. Are you?

Monday, January 07, 2008

An inspiration!

I received two emails in the past few days which said "I'm inspired to get up Wednesday morning at 7am and go for a walk! I'll let you know how I get on!" and "Thank you for the emails I'm almost inspired to get up early tomorrow and go for a walk."

It's very nice to be an inspiration and for me it comes easily when I am writing and talking about something that I love. It's also what makes getting up early in the dark on a cold winter morning possible too.

What and who inspires you and why? What do you inspire others about?

Is being an inspiration something that you aspire to be? Let me know.