I've Completed My Coaching Program. Now What?

Executive coaching is one of the most powerful tools available to increase your value to your employer and grow your personal impact and satisfaction in your leadership role.

But the benefits may be fleeting unless you take steps to avoid going to back to old habits and to keep growing.

Sure, once you're my coaching client, I'm your coach for life (or at least until I retire). You can always pick up the phone to ask me a question, bounce an idea off of me, or ask for my advice -- without opening a PO.

What I'm talking about, though, is more than that. I recently created a "Leadership Success and Happiness" list of recommendations for a VP of Engineering who was completing his coaching engagement. As I reflected on it further, I realized that with a little modification, there's value in it for anyone who's ever completed a coaching program. Here it is:

1. Monitor your self-talk on a routine basis. We all have voices in our heads that tell us positive, constructive stories and others that tell us negative, destructive stories about ourselves, other people, and whatever situation we are in.

Nearly all of my clients got to where they are because they are very critical people. They have always set a high bar and worked hard to jump over it, along the way noticing and correcting everything that interfered with that goal.

However, it's a true case of "whatever got you here, won't get you there," because once you are either a VP-level executive or a small business owner, you see the inherent messiness of all businesses and all markets. It's not even clear what exactly that high bar should be or what it should be sitting high above. You just have to accept the risk that you're wrong and take your best shot at it.

Besides crippling decision-making, remember that an overly critical attitude will also squelch the motivation of the many people who now count on you for inspiration.

When critical internal voices start screaming (as opposed to objectively assessing trade-offs and progress), this is about fear, nothing more. The primitive part of your brain is doing its duty, trying to save you from danger, but it can't tell the difference between the light threat of on-the-job overwhelm and the serious threat of a ferocious lion about to eat you, so it screams.

Try reversing the negative message into a positive interpretation, because this is really not about the facts; it's about how you interpret them:

* "I'm growing, so some growing pains are to be expected and are perfectly normal."

* "We have a long way to go, it's true, but I'm correcting my past mistakes and we will get there."

* "I am completely confident that even though I don't know the answer, I am perfectly capable of figuring it out."

* "Things may be tough now, but soon I will look back on the journey and its challenges with joy and satisfaction."

* "Perfection is for people with too much time on their hands." :)

You can also simply step back and ask, "What am I afraid of?" Then decide if your fear is justified.

2. Fiercely guard your happiness. Spend time with positive people who believe in you, have faith in you, and genuinely build you up. Disassociate yourself from negative people or those who don't believe in you. If you can't disassociate yourself from them (for example, if they're your in-laws), minimize your exposure and maintain firm personal boundaries when you are together. If you consider yourself an extrovert, in particular, know that the company you keep will have a substantial impact on your happiness.

3. Continue to explore and develop the parts of your personality that you underutilize and work with the insights you gained about your natural style and habits at work. For example, let's say you've learned that your natural style is to not say things more than once (because you value efficient communication), and to do most of your communication one-on-one (because you hate meetings).

You've also learned through the feedback process that your natural style is hurting your organization because employees need you to more openly share and promote your vision, and not just through email, but through face-to-face brown bag lunches and all-hands meetings.

It's one thing to read the feedback and say, 'o.k. I can change that." But what you need to do is set a plan in place to behave differently, and be rigorous about executing the plan throughout the year, not just during the months when your coach will hold you accountable.

By gently working with the parts of yourself that are underutilized (in this example, the outgoing part of you and the part of you that is willing to give up communication efficiency in exchange for communication effectiveness), you will find new insights into your beliefs, your attitudes, your assumptions, and your relationships. You can then use these to approach and address vexing work challenges from a broader and less personally biased viewpoint.

4. Involve another person for mutual support. A mentor who has achieved what you want to achieve, a peer who is also on a growth path, a good friend, or even your coach, under certain circumstances.

As with Tip #2, this is particularly true if you are an extrovert. You will get farther and grow faster by literally speaking out loud with another person than by working on your own. This is not a character flaw! Let me repeat that. The fact that you need to work with someone across time in order to not get stuck is not a character flaw! Stop those darn critical voices from Tip #1. It's just a matter of personal style. This is how outgoing people propel themselves forward.

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Do you have programs no longer functioning properly on your computer? If so, then you may need to update your drivers. A driver is a program that interacts with certain devices and software programs. Without the driver your computer could not communicate with your printer, sound card, video card and just about any other piece of software you might have on your machine. Without the driver, these items will no longer work properly.

Occasionally when your Windows updates, it will cause problems in some software programs. When this happens you will need to update your drivers to ensure they are up to date with the Windows update. If you experience strange behaviors or a piece of software stops working the first thing to do is check for updates for the drivers, if no updates are available you may need to reinstall the driver. Its best to check for updates on a regular basis so that you know your programs will function as they should.

If you have an OEM computer, such as Dell or HP, you can usually find all of the driver information and downloads you will need at the companies website for any internal drivers such as network cards, sound and video cards. If your machine was built by the local computer store you may have to hunt for the drivers you need to update, just as you will for any software you might have added into the system. Your printer drivers will be located on the disk that comes with your printer, and can be located online if you no longer have the disk.

Searching for drivers can be a long, drawn out process, and doesn't always turn up the exact driver you need. A good place to start is with the manufacturer of the device your trying to update. There are several websites available today that say they will locate all of your drivers for you.

There is a new program on the market called PC Updater that does all of the work for you, in a short amount of time. This program has one of the most comprehensive databases of drivers available today. Why spend all that time manually searching for drivers and hoping you have found the right one, when you can be finished in a matter of minutes with PC Updater?

Stimp Rating of Local and Professional Courses

If you are a novice golfer, there is a good chance that they have never heard the terms stimp meter or stimp rating. In fact, the occasional golfer who directs the course for leisure also might not know what a rating is stimp. But, a stimp meter is quite important to the speed of a course that helps to know about it, even if just a little.

Blu-ray and DVD Covers: The Cover Says It All

Creating DVD and Blu-ray covers is a hobby that many people in the world still. Some people ask, why would you create DVD or Blu-ray Covers when part of the initial purchase. Well, the answer to this question is simple. Original covers fail to convey the general feeling of the movies that finally you will grow to love. There are countless film fans worldwide who are passionate about movies. The last film fans want these things is reviewing its collection of films deserved only to be disappointed by the quality of the artwork. Custom designers DVD and Blu-ray covers can capture the true essence of a film takes shape for a beautiful cover.

The way it began:

Basically, the DVD and the blu-ray cover concept evolved from the creation of the blu-ray disc. Developed by the Blur-ray Disc Association, Bluray or Blu-ray Disc is defined as an optical disc storage format of the media. The disc serves as a standard CD or DVD but with high-definition video and data storage highest ranks. In general, a smaller wavelength is great, because it means more data storage. And with the Blu-ray Disc with a wavelength of 405 nm, which can store more data than any DVD format (650 nm wavelength).

Having been developed recently, the Blu-ray Disc is perceived among potential replacements for DVD. That said, it would be true only if it is based on factors such as the ability to read, the estimates of usage and mechanics. The disc has 25 GB of capacity (single layer) and 50 GB capacity (double layer). It uses blue-violet laser to read mechanism, which again is smaller wavelength. In addition, the disc can be used principally for the entry and recording of high-definition video, PlayStation games, and data storage. Thus, the Blu-ray disc can be really far ahead of other storage media available disk.

Blu-ray Disc developer:

The Blu-ray Disc Association is comprised of companies representing computer equipment, consumer electronics, and film production. Apparently, the Blu-ray Disc standard involves several patents of those companies that compose it. A joint licensing agreement has been finalized just last March 2007. And a more recent development is the release of over 450 Blu-ray Disc titles in the United States and Japan on February 19, 2008.

High quality issue includes:

Presentation matters. This may be true for most people especially those who are deeply interested in the collection of game films or videos. True, DVD and Blu-ray covers a whole lot can be said about the quality of the more than movie.g., Special Features, capabilities). It is not surprising how poor presentation can instantly affect consumer preferences and purchasing decision.

Specifically, Blu-ray and DVD covers are created or produced in the highest quality possible. Even the largest companies producing and film studies (for example, Warner Brothers, Walt Disney, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Paramount, Sony, etc.) have begun distributing copies of films in Blu-ray format, which is with the cover. In addition, there are even Internet sites that offer specific and covering labels for Blu-ray and DVD cases. So, either making their own or have others do for you. In any case can be easy to produce high quality output.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

All over the world various species of animals, insects, and plants are being slowly wiped out. Some may argue that it is the natural order of things, but human involvement has certainly exasperated the issue, causing untold amounts of damage to the worlds ecosystems. All of the world, that is, except for the Arctic Circle and Alaska.

The Arctic is home to many different species of birds, bears, fish, and other animals. Much of the Arctic is still unspoiled, and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) intends to keep it that way. This organization and reserve sees the value in unspoiled landscapes and thriving wildlife.

The ANWR reserve spans over nineteen million acres, and within its boundaries there are over 500 different species of recognizable wildlife, and many more that have yet to be discovered. Some of the world's most succulent fish find their way in and out of this reserve, and many native tribes continue to live here.

Life, Untainted

Life continues to exist and thrive without human intervention. In fact, it could be said that the biggest attraction of the ANWR is the continuation of life cycles before the recent intervention of man. The wildlife continues to raise their young, hunt and forage, and evolve in peace.

This situation is particularly unique due to the climate of northern Alaska and the Arctic Circle- the extreme temperatures and high amounts of snow have kept humans and animals alike from setting up camp. However, with recent oil projects starting up in Alaska, the ANWR's role will become more important than ever as it strives to maintain the unspoiled solitude that the wildlife has enjoyed for thousands of years.

The results of this untainted lifestyle are easy to see: the fish are healthier and larger, the land animals graze in packs, and the hunters stalk without fear of reprisal. There is no pollution, no noise, and no intervention. Just nature doing what it was always intended to do.

See the Refuge

Close your eyes for a moment and picture the sun setting over the hills. A stream runs through the valley that you are standing in, and the few remaining rays of sunlight reflect off of the water, giving it a golden edge. A flock of Geese fly overhead, their call echoing unchallenged throughout the landscape. A few Moose stand at the base of the stream, drinking the golden water. You sense peace, and feel as if the world has all but disappeared, if only for a few fleeting moments.

You can open your eyes. Nowhere else in the world will you be able to see or experience something as tranquil and serene. Tourists are able to see certain areas of the ANWR and experience some of the magic themselves. But remember, life here is how it was meant to be, you may find that you won't want to leave.

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The tragic loss of a loved one, the death of a spouse, the break up of a long and fruitful marriage life is full of chances for grief, and can easily be wasted on grieving.

Grief is certainly a reality that we must all face,
but when we go beyond facing it when we sink deeper and deeper into it, we tend to lose sight of other things in life that are more important. We may neglect people who are close to us, alive, and who still need our love. We may drag ourselves to work, there to do nothing but sit and stare out into space all day. We may be wasting away without knowing it, and only because we did not know how to handle grief in the first place.

Grief is not easy to handle: the long road to recovery is often winding, and can sometimes lead you back to where you started if you are not careful, or if you are too intent on forgetting the cause of your grief. The key to handling grief is to recognize that recovery can be painfully slow, and to know that the faster you get out of it, the number you will be. Numbness is not something that you want your heart to experience, because there is more to life than grief: numb your heart, and you will find even the more enjoyable things in life difficult to appreciate.

How can you handle grief and make your heart better prepared to deal with life in general? Here are ten tips that you might want to follow as you trek the long and winding road to recovery. Note that this list is by no means comprehensive: you can find other ways to heal yourself, and cope with your grieving heart.

1. Learn to let go of things that remind you of the person or situation. Whenever someone is lost to us, or whenever we find ourselves in a situation of grief, we tend to hang on to things that remind us of what we have lost. This can be attributed to the human need for something to hang on to when all else is falling: it is the human need to hope for something when all the world seems hopeless.

If someone you love has died, you might want to keep a few mementoes of his or her stay on earth. However, you will need to let these things go little by little. By letting that photo, dress, or figurine go, you are also letting the person go, and letting the grief dissipate. Think: would the person have wanted you to waste your life pining away for him or her?

2. Write a gratitude journal. By recognizing what things you can still be thankful for, you are also giving yourself a chance to see the rainbow through the rain clouds. Take any ordinary notebook or diary and make a commitment to write in it at the same time every day. List down five (or more) things that you are thankful for. They can be as simple as seeing a rose bloom, or great as getting a long vacation from work.

Make this a habit, until you learn to see the good things through the bad. A gratitude journal works wonders not only in allowing people to deal with heartbreak and grief. It can make all of us understand that there is more to life than misery and pain.

3. Blog about your experiences or write a diary. Writing about your grief is one sure way of letting go of the pain. Unreleased pain can turn your heart into a festering wound: without air and a salve, the wound can go deeper, and will never heal. By writing an online diary, you can also get people to see how you feel; if your blog has a commenting or reply feature, people can also take the time to comfort you and make you feel better.

4. Engage in as many hobbies as you can. By focusing on other things instead of your grief, you can find yourself healing faster.

5. Find a support group. Talk your problems out, and listen to people with the same grief and problems as you. As many psychiatrists will tell you, talking always helps, and a support group can help show you the way to a faster recovery.

6. Don't go it alone. Do not refuse the help of your spouse, children, or friends as they try to comfort you. The more people there are around you, the fewer the chances you will have to concentrate on your grief.

7. Have a spiritual life. Engage in prayer, or enroll in yoga or meditation classes. There are many ways to feed your spirit. By having a spiritual life, you can find strength and support in divine and unseen forces an important thing to consider when your friends and relatives are not around to support you.

8. Stay away from vices and addictions! People in grief tend to turn to alcohol, drugs, and other vices to drown their sorrows away. Stay away from these! There's so much more to life than empty addictions!

9. Don't force the grief away. Keep a mindset that gradual is good. The faster you get out of your grief, the easier it comes back. By keeping this mindset, you can recover better.

10. Help others. Put up a foundation celebrating the goodness of your lost child or friend. Join a charitable organization. Work in outreach programs. If you open your heart to doing good, you can stay away from the debilitating effects of grief and put smiles on the faces of those who come in contact with your goodness.

The seminar

The seminar was attended by more than 70 accident reconstructionists including police officers and engineers. Mr. Scott discussed numerous topics such as analyzing damage, bicycle dynamics, and bicycle laws. Bicycle acceleration and deceleration testing was also performed using a variety of cycling skills and bicycle types. Upon completion of the seminar, accident reconstruction professionals were well informed of accident investigation tactics when bicycles are involved.
JDA Senior Accident Reconstruction Specialist John C. Scott has great creditability to provide this seminar. John has over 14 years experience in the field of accident reconstruction. He is considered an expert in accident reconstruction after gathering evidence, investigating, and analyzing data of hundreds of vehicle reconstructions.
John Desch Associates Inc is an engineering consulting firm servicing the accident reconstruction and traffic flow management needs of attorneys, insurance firms, fleet management organizations and developers. The accreditation that JDA and their 16 certified experts provide to your case is undisputed. JDA is well known throughout the Northeast United States for their close work with law firms, insurance companies, organizations with large fleets of vehicles, municipalities, counties, state and federal agencies.
JDA is pleased to announce the recent certifications of three Senior Reconstructionists for the Vetronix/Bosch Crash Data Retrieval System. Steven N. Emolo, John G. Karpovich and John C. Scott have the most current certification to download crash data using the Vetronix/Bosch system on supported vehicles that may contain information about a collision event. Mr. Scott is also fully certified on the latest vehicle event data recorder technology as a Crash Data Retrieval Analyst, which assists JDA in understanding vehicle collisions. The reception of the certifications that these three JDA associates have received is of great honor. JDA is considered an elite Accident Reconstruction firm that serves as professional testimony to a given case. The completion of these courses to receive such high certifications brings even greater honor to John Desch and Associates. These certifications represent even more reason why JDA is the firm to lean to when an automobile crisis arises.