So you may have noticed that the nights are ‘drawing in’ and people have started to talk about the ‘C’ word ... yes the autumn season is fast approaching and then it’s the wind down to Christmas ... (ouch! - there I said it!!).

It’s a funny old time of year – many of us have come back from holidays and have plans for the remaining months of the year; there are those going back to school/college/uni/work - buying pencil cases and uniforms to last through from autumn to winter.  There is strangely, both a sense of new beginnings and also of tailing down to the end of the year.  It’s a unique time – time to reflect, celebrate and formulate and also time to energise, to act and to start afresh – be that in life, in business or your job search.

In businesses, with everyone returning to work there is a late summer hiring surge, new projects are starting, budgets need to be used and so you have a great opportunity to harness the energy of this unique time of year by giving yourself a head start.

I know that I definitely have big plans for the rest of the year.  I moved back to the West Midlands in the Spring and since then have been building on my contacts and customers both here and back in the East Midlands – culminating in my coaching ‘sale’.  As a result I have met fabulous new clients and supported them through some amazing career and business changes – and it has been so rewarding.  Well I’m back from my summer holiday and now is the time to take the next step again, to provide more opportunities to more people to make the most of their passions and talents ... for me it’s definitely time to step up and shine even more brightly and of course, as my plans activate and unfurl, I’ll let you know how that’s all going to look ...

On the job search front Dale Perret - Director, 'Novo Executive Search and Selection' explains:

“Without question the busiest months of the year for candidate job applications are January and September. In this competitive marketplace I would encourage candidates to be well organised and get applications in early to maximise their opportunities”

So – getting hired in September means getting short–listed now … Increase your chances of getting the job you want by thinking about:

• CVs AND APPLICATIONS:  Is your CV you bang up to date, focussing on your accomplishments in a way that portrays your skills, competencies and key words in the best possible way? If you are unsure how your CV measures up, then check out our CV writing services and maximize your advantage NOW.
• JOB SEARCH: Have you thought of every possible avenue and worked every angle or are you on a treadmill of doing the same old thing and getting the same old results?  Peachey Days will coach you through the best plan for YOU.
• INTERVIEW AND PRESENTATION PREPARATION: Getting interviews, but not getting results?  Let Peachey Days help you to prepare to be the best you can be.  Got a presentation to give and don’t know where to start – we can help?!  You can now manage your nerves, be focused and be ready for success.

Click here to found out how Peachey Work will give you the verve and the know-how … now.

It’s a great time of year to get new projects started and with the help of Peachey Support, you can harness this unique energy, blast away blockages and end the year with a bang – check out our coaching packages and remember that for individuals and businesses alike September = Peachey Days!

Enjoy the new term ...

     Sandra

Sandra Peachey - Founder – Peachey Days

At a networking meeting a couple of weeks ago, I introduced myself to a small business owner, who told me how he had heard all about coaching, met lots of coaches and had “pooh poohed” the whole coaching thing.  Interestingly he went on to say that recently he had noticed how all the most successful people he knew had coaches ... 

There are many kinds of coaches out there and when asked if I am a life, business or career coach, it’s an interesting question.  The simple fact is that I’m a ‘Results Coach’ and that’s about supporting people to get the results they want – be that in life, in business or finding / changing careers.

When I left the corporate world of Human Resources after 25 years, I most definitely positioned myself as a life coach, wanting to leave that world firmly behind, yet found increasingly that people were drawn to my blend of practical experience, business know how and empathetic coaching.  And when I started to deliberately combine my coaching with psychometrics, I found that more and more businesses – be they sole proprietors or larger organisations were interested in what I had to offer – whether they wanted results inside or outside of the work environment.

Using psychometric personality questionnaires together with coaching can yield fast and powerful results.  For coaching clients of Peachey Days, the process starts with the coachee completing a questionnaire and then they have a feedback session to verify the results and start the process of planning what areas to focus on in their coaching, how to capitalise on their strengths and also what they might want to do differently.  In fact - as part of the Peachey Days Summer Sale, I have a very special introductory offer which combines a psychometric profile with 30 minutes feedback, plus an additional 60 minutes coaching, (click here for more information).

As someone qualified in administering and interpreting psychometric questionnaires (I have the British British Psychological Society - Level A and B qualifications) I am trained in a number of personality and aptitude systems.  Having used them for a number of years to support the processes of recruitment, coaching and team building, I have found that they offer a quick route to building trust and certaincy in the whole process and provide a structured framework to work from.

Where people are not used to the concept of coaching, they are also a great ice breaker, giving them the confidence to see quick results and immediately giving them a comfortable and constructive frame of reference that they can easily understand and work around.

Then, once the issues have been identified and the goals established, the coachee must be willing to participate fully in order to get the full benefit. Having had their de-brief - they have already started the process of developing better self knowledge and self-awareness and we can then refer back to the results throughout the coaching programme as needed.

In terms of choice of test - there are a huge variety available.  As a qualified Occupational tester I can use most of the major tests out there and in terms of personality profiles, have been trained in Thomas International’s  PPA, (also known as DISC), Saville Holdsworth’s OPQ and McQuaig’s Word Survey, as well as their aptitude testing products.

The PPA and the OPQ are the ones I use most often, depending on the context of the coaching.  And at the moment, I have a special offer using a combination of Thomas’ PPA and coaching – either as a single session or a programme of 6 (see my shop for further details).

The functionality of PPA is broad since it has the capability to produce a variety of reports that focus on a range of business skills - including sales and management types and it also can build a team profile which I have used as the basis for a number of very powerful team building events. 

I have used this questionnaire with candidates from all over the world and can arrange for it to be taken in many languages (including American and Australian!) - the criteria is 'which language do you think in'?  The written reports can be produced in the original language too and verbal/on-line feedback will be in English.

The PPA takes only 8 minutes to complete either in person or on-line.  I can then provide you with a written report which details strengths and development areas, communication style, motivators, basic fears and behaviour under pressure.

I can also provide a variety of additional reports focussing on different business strengths, including sales and management styles - ask me for more information and costings.

As well as the written report you receive detailed personal feedback either face to face, on-line or by telephone. 

The Thomas PPA has a wide variety of uses, including:

•          Identifying suitable career paths for those starting out and those wanting to change

•          Identifying precisely the areas for development that will have the maximum impact on you and your business

•          Looking at how to maximise, improve and manage performance

•          Recruitment and best fit

•          Identifying the right people for promotion, career change

•          Creating and developing teams

•          Resolving team issues

•          Gauging motivation and morale

So having wanted to leave the corporate world behind, I now find that my unique blend of skills and experience comes into play in a different way - where people want the structure of business know how / psychometric results, blended with my own special brand of motivation and inspiration ...

To see how psychometrics and coaching can give you the results you want as an individual or business, check out my current deals and contact me for more information at: sandra@peachey-days.co.uk / 07921 494363.

With warm regards

  Sandra

Founder – Peachey Days

“The difference between school and life?  In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test.  In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson. ~Tom Bodett

Written on the train on my way home from London – Tuesday 19 July:

I’m reflecting on my day ... And this wasn't any old day ... No - it's not every day that I stand, barefoot, on a wet park bench in Regents Park, performing to camera (and loving every minute of it I might add!).

The camera in question belongs to Christina Morassi - aka 'the Heart Shot' photographer – a unique and gorgeous woman who works with fabulous women entrepreneurs in the US and UK to help them to develop their brand.

Christina, from LA in the U S of A, started her career in fashion photography and found her self working with the likes of Cindy Crawford, Heidi Klum and Britney Spears in the world of super model / pop star glitterati.  She loved photography, but wasn't finding the fashion scene fulfilling. So she then embarked on a journey of self discovery which lead her to holistic healing and the world of intuitive arts, including trance dancing ... On the next stage in her life journey Christina realised that she had a unique set of gifts and skills that she then blended together to become the ‘Heart Shot photographer’.

A fundamental aspect of the heart shot philosophy is 'developing your brand'. For Christina this is a passion to get womenpreneurs to reflect who they really are into the world - their brand being the sum total of their skills, passions, and life experience - the unique gifts that they and only they have to give to the world. And since that what Damsels in Success is all about too, it's a perfect partnership now that she has become our very own brand specialist.

As the heart shot photographer, she explores women's fabulous feminine uniqueness, and guides you to 'flip the switch' - which in her terms is stepping out of the ordinary and into the realms of the extraordinary - where we connect with our core and then reflect that back into the world via her lens.  As Damsels in Success we believe in shining our light into the world too, so Christina embodies our core philosophies in so many ways.  To found out more about our fabulous feminine community - have a look around the Damsel's website.

Back to my day in London … It took a dozen women to create the magical photos of the Damsels in Success Leaders. 10 as the subjects, then the photographer and the all important hair and make up artist. As Christina's mission is to get you to 'the next level' in your sense of self and your business, the dress code is 'the next level' too. So, surrounded by my shining sister Damsels in Success leaders and looking and feeling like a million dollars inside AND out - imagine how those pictures turned out ..? Well having had a sneak preview I can tell you that they really capture the essence of the amazing spirit of Damsels in Success and yes, of course, each and every one of us looks truly GORGEOUS!

Look out for the pics anon on this and the Damsel's website ... and to find out how to have your own Peachey Days and shine YOUR light, have a look round this website … I'm offering amazing deals on coaching at the moment ... Oh yes the world is going to get a lot more 'Peachey' thanks to Christina and Damsels in Success and of course to ME - for 'flipping the switch' and shining my light!

Oh and if you want to see more - then click here to check out my video of the shoot.

Sandra Peachey - Founder - Peachey Days

As leader of the East Midlands branch of Damsels in Success - the fabulous female self development club, I often see women who are run ragged - chasing about looking after everyone, everything and generally acting like wonder woman on speed!  So this months fabulous Damsel's event is all about resting and recharging and so we will be asking our members and visitors whether they feel like a polar bear or a penguin .... You see we all relax and recharge in our own unique ways and what works for one can often have totally the opposite effect on another … take me for instance, a guaranteed recharger is to put my favourite Karaoke game on the WII and sing my little heart out … what can I say ... I have a particular penchant for Broadway classics at the moment ... I appreciate that this may not be YOUR cup of tea, yet what ever your thing is, I would love to share another tip that works wonders for me when it comes to getting my 'batteries' recharged.

Take today for example … I have been on the go all day … I was up early and after a long drive, gave a breakfast talk at a networking event, then on the way home I went food shopping, then got home and reorganized and tidied up the whole of the downstairs of my house, which has just been redecorated, then had a quick nap (very important!) made lunch, and set to answering emails. Now that‘s a lot to pack into a morning, yet work is my passion, I love shopping (food or shoes, I am not particular ;-)) and now I have the satisfaction of an organised and tidy house (for now at least!).

Of course seeing life as a series of positive transactions, rather than a parade of chores helps, as does playing my favourite 80s tunes very loudly on my IPod to help me along! I have also made the decision today to enjoy everything I do and to add into the mix lots of energy and commitment ... And the tip I would like to share is that leaving a job half-done or not even starting it at all saps your energy and completing a job gives you loads more!

You know how satisfying finishing something is, especially if it has been nagging at the back of your brain or slipping down your To Do list. Those un-started and unfinished tasks can eat away at us, depleting our energy and enthusiasm and often getting harder to start the longer we leave them and yet once you start doing a task and then complete it, suddenly and magically you want to get stuck into the next thing!

So as a Recharge today why not do that one thing that you have been meaning to get around to … may be sort out those files, clear out the cupboards or get those old clothes into the charity bag and then bask in your satisfaction at a job well done and now complete :-)

Join us at Damsels in Success in Ashby de la Zouche on the evening of 20 July to get your dose of our own very special brand of Relaxing and Recharging. You will pick up some fab tips, connect with gorgeous like-minded women and have some quality YOU time into the bargain. It is set to be a fabulous event, with guest spots from fitness instructor Becky White and holistic healer and trainer - Sally Rosemary. Add to that the fact that it is free for first timers - oh and there will be tea and cake too!!

It would be great to see you there, to join the party follow this link or copy and paste it into your browser and reserve your place: http://www.damselsinsuccess.co.uk/events/?event=94

With love, laughter and the satisfaction of several jobs well done today ;-)

    Sandra - Leader, Damsels in Success, Burton on Trent

Wow - talk about coming out of my comfort zone ...

No sooner had I recorded my video blogs & tips, (many thanks for all the positive feedback :-)) than I had the great idea of recording interviews with 2 of my personal mentors - the fabulous Richard Wilkins and Liz Ivory - the Co-Creators of 'Broadband Consciousness'.

It all seemed such a good idea, since I had been sharing their deceptively simple, yet amazingly profound teachings with my ‘Damsels in Success’ self development clubs in both the East and West Midlands.

Liz and Richard are warm, genuine and colourful characters and they have had a tremendous impact on my life, especially in my understanding of myself - even though I thought I already knew me! Not only that - but my understanding of everyone around me changed and that in turn meant that my view of work, relationships and well – everything shifted into new and more exciting realms.

So the interviews didn't seem a stretch ... until that is I started to worry about what questions to ask, how to manage the technology of recording them and so next thing I know - "blah, blah, blah" – the voice of self doubt starts nagging me - pointing out all the pit falls of my foray into Oprah Winfrey territory ... Have YOU got that negative voice in your head – the one that tells you all the pit falls, problems and perils associated with the task in hand? 

Well fortunately Richard and Liz have taught me all about this, they call it the 'script' and so instead of falling into the pit of peril, I chose to ignore it and to then get excited instead! As it turns out I really enjoyed the whole experience and will definitely do it again - so watch this space for more of the same!

So fear and excitement – two sides of the same coin and with a little know and some simple techniques, fear can easily be flipped to fabulous … ask me if you want to know how …

Oh and if you are curious, you can still down load the interviews I recorded – they mention a women only event that I ran in May – but hey – guys can listen and learn something from them too ;-)  http://www.damselsinsuccess.co.uk/teleconference/Richard_Wilkins_interview.mp3 and http://www.damselsinsuccess.co.uk/teleconference/Liz_Ivory_interview.mp3

Sandra Peachey - Founder, Peachey Days