Day number two of the blogging challenge.
And I had no idea what to write! Then I read the day two e-mail - "Key Words". 
"Keywords help you get found by both your readers and the search engines" - OK I get that.
"We're on day 2 of this 30 day challenge and by day 30 you'll understand keywords a whole lot better than you think". - OK I trust you!

And it reminded me of a time when I was working for an organisation.I was instructed by the purchasing department to find the best price for pool chemicals. Yes, really for chemicals to put in the hotel swimming pools, to keep guests safe from whatever it is that might make hotel pools unsafe. 

I had no idea what I was meant to be asking for except pool chemicals! So I duly phoned some suppliers (I loved the having to piece it together bit!) and although I was terrified as I was young I duly picked up the phone and contacted my list of suppliers. I was honest and explained my lack of comprehension in this area. Those companies that were understanding and helpful werre put in the tender pile. 

I have have recounted this experience several times in my work-life. I have also experienced this "pool chemical" moment several times throughout my work-like.

And what I realise is that sometimes you feel like you will never understand something. And then little by little it becomes clearer and you might even become an expert on the subject.
For those first few days it feels uncomfortable. And whenever I experience something like this I call it my "pool chemical experience" and I know that one day it will make sense and that for now I am in the right place.

I'd love to hear about your "pool chemical" experience.

Have an amazing day!

Heather

The Happiness Project is a book by Gretchen Rubin that I have been reading as part of a FaceBook book club. Every month 3 titles are short listed and members of the group can vote for the one they want to read during the following month. The most popular book gets chosen. 

I have finished The Happiness Project and I have learnt so much from the whole experience.

This is my first month in the club. When the shortlist was put up I voted for another book. 
So of course, I bought the winning title, and the title I had voted for!
Learning reminder - something that is it not your first  choice may be as good or even better than what you had originally wanted.
I sincerely believe this to be the case with The Happiness Project. 
The other book I bought is still waiting to be read!

I was having trouble getting through the book due to lack of reading time and I mentioned this to a friend. I had bought an e-version of the book and was wishing that it was an audio copy. If it had been an audio copy, I said, then I could have listened to it whilst driving to/from work. She exclaimed that she was sure there was a way to listen to e-books on my i-phone and a few clicks later and she had sent me a link of a you-tube video on the basics of how to do this! Now my drive to work and back is no longer a chore but a delight.
Learning something new - always look for the helpers. Please e-mail me if you would like the link to this video.

The book is full of interesting thoughts, ideas, challenges, star charts, goals, resolutions, resources and more.
As I had been behind with the book, and as I was now also driving whilst "reading"I had not taken any notes. I wanted to re-read the book and do this; and yet I knew that I just didn't have the time to do this now and that meant it would never happen! So I thought about the way the book was divided into months and decided that I would review each chapter in the month in question so I will re-read April's chapter in April and make notes for that month. It will take me a year to do this. And now I know it will get done, I can achieve this.
Learning to look at things in a different way - this relates back to my blog last week!

Lastly, although I could go on for hours, I'd like to ask you a question. 
In the final chapter Gretchen talks about her resolutions that she has discussed throughout the book.I have heard her talk about them for eleven chapters and it is only in this last one that I have a lightbulb moment.
Is there any such thing as a goal? What happens when you achieve that goal if a goal can indeed exist? Or have we been calling these challenges goals when actually what we meant were resolutions? Let me know what you think.
Learning via ah-ha moments - sometimes something has been staring us in the face and yet it has taken us ages to see that. And that's okay. That's exactly as it is meant to be.

April's book title is "The Gifts of Imperfection" by Brené Brown. Really looking forward to this.
I have gained so much enjoyment from this FaceBook book club - the one I am a member of is called Coaching Book Club. I am sure there are other book clubs out there dedicated to all sorts of interests. And if you can't find a book club that suits you then why not start your own? You might just learn a thing or two that you didn't expect to!

Have an amazing day.

Heather

What does a bottle of Nivea cleanser have to do with coaching you may ask?

I had a problem. My Nivea cleanser had nearly run out. There was still some in the bottle, however it took ages to get it to come out. As I’m sure everyone knows time is not something any one has masses of especially first thing in the morning.

So then I had an ah-ha moment and decided that if I turned the bottle upside down it would be ready for use straight away. Problem solved!

Now, I’m not suggesting that you should get all your clients to stand on their heads! However, looking at a problem from the opposite to how one might expect to solve it is a technique that I often employ. It is amazing how many problems can be solved in that way and it is amazing how it makes you feel too!

Try it and let me know how you get on!

Have an amazing day.

Heather