Tips from the Big Top

A newsletter for Mums @ Work

by Kirstin Barton at Alive to Change
www.alivetochange.com
www.facebook.com/alivetochange

Issue 7 - September 2013

The Lion Tamer

Do you ever feel like you're trying to tame lions? Not real lions, of course, but something that feels big, challenging, scary and has you quaking in your boots (but not necessarily showing it!).

The lions we have in our life can be the big projects, the major conflicts, the things that are right outside of our comfort zone, the people and situations which feel uncontrollable, fierce or somehow deadly dangerous. However many lions we've tamed before, the next one is still a unique individual, a new set of circumstances, an unknown challenge.

In a circus, a lion tamer can pay a high price it they get it wrong. Each successful encounter depends on continuous learning, of getting to know each individual lion and gaining its respect, of developing skills and confidence, of patience.

In our home and working lives, we don't always have the opportunity to get to know our lions before we're flung into the ring with them. We don't always have the time to think through our approach. We don't always have the skills and confidence to influence each and every lion situation or individual.

And that's OK. Because the lions we come across might scare us silly and make us want to turn and run screaming out of the big top - but they can't directly do us physical damage.

But being in these lion situations can have a physical and a mental impact over time. If we find ourselves feeling out of control, we can experience a build up of stress over time. If we feel frightened, we start to lose our ability to think straight. If we run away, we never get the chance to learn - and we reduce our own confidence.

What can we do about the lions in our life?

1. Know what lions are real for you right now. Where are the biggest, scariest ones?

2. What do you know about these lions? What else do you need to know? What do you respect about the lion?

3. What skills and resources can you bring to bear in handling them? What other skills or resources might you need?

4. Ask yourself - what would patience do? what would courage do? what would self-confidence do?

5. What are you ready to learn about lion taming with this particular lion?

6. Breathe. Don't run!

Lion tamers work with their lions, they don't try to beat them into submission, or to win a battle. It's more about controlling yourself than controlling another (being, situation). It's about learning how to handle yourself in these challenging situations and with these challenging people.

How can you work with YOUR lions?

It's great to be back after a long summer break from Tips from the Big Top. Welcome to this seventh issue. I'm now wondering how many circus acts I can possibly cover - if you have some ideas, please let me know!! Otherwise this will turn into a lion for me each month rather than the fun writing project I've been enjoying. If you enjoy reading this, why not forward to a friend?

Tips from the Big Top is my newsletter for Mums who are juggling home and work commitments. My aim each month is to explore a different aspect of our lives and offer some timely reminders about the things we can do for ourselves to make our lives as working mums as fun and fulfilling as possible. I use the Circus Theme because there are so many great images and concepts we can relate to in the Big Top!

I've recently planned my Autumn Programme (Autumn Programme 2013) of workshops. Please sign up if there are any you are interested in. I can also run these in the evening if there is demand - or 1-1 in a private session.

A big LION for me right now is a launch of a new joint venture - it's a new challenge, a scary but exciting journey into different territory, and a public celebration of the work I've done so far. I'm sharing my new coaching workbook Dare to Dream on Thursday 19th Sept and also launching Dare to Dream Experience with a friend and fellow Coach, Sharon Marshall. Will you be in our Room full of Dreams - read all about our event on this Dare to Dream Experience Facebook Page.

The next Beyond the Juggling Act workshop (Sunday 20th Oct) - do share with your friends / colleagues if you think they might enjoy this.

If you want to keep in contact with Alive to Change between newsletters, please check out and like (and share) Facebook Page. This is where I post random ideas and inspiration, as well as details of forthcoming workshops.

Alive to Change has gone from strength to strength in the past year, and particularly over the last month. I've really enjoyed working with so many new people in workshops, privately and in organisations. Thank you so much for your continued support - as a small business, this means a lot and makes all the difference.

If you need help in any aspect of your own personal juggling act, and you'd like to find out whether and how coaching could help, I offer a free exploratory session (face to face or on the phone). I also offer coaching workshops in and out of the workplace, and, skill sharpener sessions in groups or 1-1. I'm developing my Life Audit into a Juggling Act audit, so, from now, I'll be offering this service too.

I welcome any feedback you have on this newsletter - and any ideas for future topics you'd like to see explored. Next issue is in early September.

All the best for the rest of September - whether working, resting, playing or out there Taming Lions!

Kirstin
www.alivetochange.com

Alive to Change Coaching Services, 7 rue du Landskron, Leymen 68220 France
www.alivetochange.com