Shocking Goal (update)

For new readers to this blog you'll have to read the last entry to get a full idea of what I mean when I talk about 'shocking goals'.

However, to give the quickest of recaps; a shocking goal is when you set yourself a target that when you tell other people about they either laugh or tell you not to be so silly, or even better - you tell yourself not to be so silly!

A few of weeks ago I began a shocking goal to learn the art of stand-up comedy with the wonderful Stand-Up & Deliver group in London.

Whilst enjoying more laughs doing the silliest things during the first 5 meetings, a few surprising lessons have occurred to me;

1. I didn't realize how different stand-up comedy is as opposed to making people laugh at various points during another kind of performance, such as training, or singing. In stand-up there's just the comedian, the microphone and the audience - no power point slide show, exercises, music or song to back you up - just you and your joke.
2. Whilst I expected and looked forward to being challenged and working in my stretch zone, I've become aware how 'stretch' can mean different things at different times. Reading aloud lines-in-progress not yet finished or particularly funny is a challenge in itself.
3. Meeting 20 like minded people also doing the course, and finding that whilst we are different comedy is a great thing to have in common. The support and fun we share, having a drink afterwards, and meeting up from time to time to discover other new comedy is brilliant.

The showcase is coming up in early December and I'm now at the point where I need to get serious about writing good comedy. The others are already coming up with more and more really funny material, and that in itself is challenging me to do the same.

Onwards!

Setting Shocking Goals

Attended Johnny Apple's Sales & Marketing Group Monday afternoon where we talked about the need to have some 'shocking goals' - you know, the one's where people either laugh at us or tell us not to be so silly, but by achieving them we would move a huge step forward towards whatever goal we've set.

So, after week's of waiting and getting nervous and excited in equal measure I finally attended the first of what will be a 12 week stand-up comedy course 'Stand Up & Deliver' on Monday night - my 'becoming a more accomplished trainer' shocking goal!

As someone who loves to train and generally be in front of people I've always been intrigued by what makes an audience laugh, or to be more precise what makes a performer funny.

I've never had a problem with audiences laughing at me - sometimes even when I've wanted them too!

However, to be able to take ownership of this skill and know how I can develop it, whether training a group of coaches or business people, singing (I was professional for over 15 years), and also (am I really saying this?!) in stand-up comedy (writing and performing...).

Right now I'm reading 'Stand Up Comedy' from the 'Teach Me...' series, written by the course tutor Logan Murray.

Two more sessions next week in which I may be a talking tree, a party political dog wanting to spill the beans on what really happened at conference, or an actor performing Macbeth in less than 50 words - who knows!

Finally, how do I really know this a shocking goal? Because I'm still quite shocked I'm doing it!!What would your shocking goal be?

New plans!!

Even though it's been a while since my last post, all's been good. In fact life has seemed to be in somewhat of a 'hyper-dive' throughout the summer and now into fall (or Autumn, as we call it in the UK).

I'm going to be developing a completely new venture with regards my coaching consultancy, and even though it's too early to say what it is now, I do intend for this blog to be the first place I will announce it's arrival - which hopefully will be before Christmas.

I'm also beginning something else for myself next week, which I will tell you more about next week! Just to say that for now I'm both excited and so completely in my 'stretch zone' it's unreal! More soon.

PS: If you were one of the attendees at my workshop this weekend for The Coaching Academy in London West One, thank you so much for being there and helping make the energy soooo special.

Hugs to all xx

How can I let this week pass without mentioning the sad loss of Michael Jackson.

Never having been what I'd call a real devoted fan, I've found myself looking back and realizing how much of his music is etched in my memories; fond times with people I love - what I call 'magic moments'.

It is a rare gift to have written and sung the soundtrack to so many people's most special times, and that for me will be Michael Jackson's lasting legacy. Some of my magic moments and best memories of Michael's music include:

• Christmas 1979 in New York dancing to 'Rock With You'.
• Seeing the 'moonwalk' for the very first time.
• Watching the TV premier of 'Thriller'.
• Rushing home from school as a teenager to watch 'The Jackson 5' TV show.
• Michael singing 'ABC' as a youngster... the list just goes on.

Of course, I've been shocked by the 'Wacko Jacko' persona through the years, and even though I'm sure some of it was 'smoke and mirrors', some more of it was probably true.

However, what he gave us was wonderful music, great entertainment, and a few surprises along the way, though maybe what he lost (or at least missed out on along the way) was his childhood and youth, real friendship, and knowing what it was like to grow up into the person he never became - a truly adult Michael Jackson.

It seems he paid a very heavy price for his fame.

I'm sure the sideshows to his life will carry on in the shape of courtroom dramas, speculation of what really happened at the end, not-to-mention trying to discover who the real Michael Jackson really was.

However, best of all we're left with his music.I hope you're lucky enough to have some of his music as a soundtrack to one or two of your own magic moments.

'Thank you, Michael - God bless'.

New online course is launched!!

Okay, so it's been delayed a few times, but I'm pleased to say my new online course 'Communications Skills Upgrade' is now finally ready, launched, and available in hyperspace for you all to grab a copy of!

What began as a simple idea to create a programme to help people improve and upgrade their communication skills became more and more a labour of love for me.

Three main reasons:

1. Communication, if you've read the 'biog' page of my website, is dear to my heart as well as being my number one value. Because I had a severe stutter until my mid 20's, being able to savour easy, good quality communication became my life's ambition - and I guess explains much of the drive behind my coaching practice.


2. Nowadays, as a Master Practitioner and Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), I've long been excited to share the varying ideas and solutions that come from such a fascinating study of excellence. Often known as 'the user's guide for the brain', and 'the science of communication', I knew very quickly that this new ecourse would include much of what I've learnt in NLP.
   
3. After working with over 1,600 people in a one-on-one coaching capacity, as well as many thousands more during my workshops, I know the one thing that keeps us alive is the communication we have with those around us. We are social creatures. We thrive on interaction, and on one of the most basic levels we NEED love from others to survive.

So, in short, communication is important.

If you want to read more, you can by visiting my website, signing up for my FREE eNewsletter 'Your Best Life' (now in it's 6th year), reading about and by buying 'Communication Skills Upgrade'.

After all, what else do you think you could achieve in your life with even better communication skills?

Busy times and quiet moments

Gosh, it's been such a busy few weeks - which right at the top of this blog I must say is absolutely wonderful.

Four 2 day workshops with The Coaching Academy, which for me means having the opportunity to work with 80-100 amazing, motivated people per event - which recently has been in London, Manchester, and Leeds; fantastic, a real buzz.

Individual coaching sessions (telephone & face-to-face) have also been sooo busy - and again it's amazing to work with such a fabulous range of people.

My new up-and-coming online course, 'Communication Skills Upgrade' is now literally days away from it's 1st June launch date. I've been with laptop tapping away last minute edits and additions, since I want this course to be my best yet.

Now the flip side, and something I never managed to factor in to my life until a few years ago; quiet time away from the busyness of the business - to relax, reconnect with myself and loved ones around me, which all goes to recharge my batteries.

I'm going to Ireland on Saturday for a few days, and I'm really looking forward to seeing Dublin for the very first time.

Will be back to London on Tuesday, so see you again then.

...and remember, no matter how busy your life can be, it's important to take some quiet moments away from the hustle and bustle ever once in a while. Where would you go to unwind and recharge?

Communication & Eurovision

As well as being pretty busy coaching with appointments on the telephone today, I'll also be working on the final edit of my new online course 'Communication Skills Upgrade', which I aim to launch next week.

This week I've had so much fun watching the Eurovision Song Contest semi finals in Moscow. Having missed the show for many years I finally caught up with it again last year, and whilst there are still the odd (?) entries - which can often be among my favourites, it's fantastic how seriously the participating countries take the contest.

Last year, as well as the obvious winner 'Believe' (the Russian entry, which was excellent) I loved the wackiness of the French & Spanish songs, one arriving on stage in a golf cart, holding a beach ball throughout (male & female backing singers sporting false beards to mimic his), and the other in full prosthetic nose, chin and huge quiff as if like a cartoon character. Both songs did well, and both scoring far more than most of the more traditional pop/ballad song.

This year all eyes are on Moscow. As last years winner it's their duty to stage this years event, and they've put together an amazing stage in their Olympic arena - and Mikey's 'top tips' for the 2009 show include Iceland, Moldova, UK, Bosnia-Hercegovina, and Finland.

The most amazing thing for me watching this show (with friends, a few bottles of wine, a nice meal and a large serving of humour) is the vastness of it all. More than 500 million people also tune in to watch this live - that's communication on a massive scale.

Whether we take Eurovision seriously or with a giggle, one thing is certain; tomorrow night a large chunk of the Euro population will be feeling patriotic, marveling at the spectacle (Russia have spent more than £30 million on this show), and simply enjoying the music - which after all is one of the best ways to communicate there is.

United Kingdom, 12 points!