celebration – Career and Life Coaching

What Does Christmas Mean To You?

Published on December 1, 2014February 29, 2016 by Allison FisherLeave a comment

Christmas day does not have to mean the traditional large family, turkey, ham and beautiful summers day. Christmas isn’t like that for many and who is to say what is the best kind of Christmas anyway? Having expectations of what things are “supposed” to be at Christmas can create disappointment and dissatisfaction. Also the mind will start comparing what others do and have, and ask Why aren’t we like them!! Not great for confidence! This Christmas you decide what you want it to be and with who.

So here are a couple of things to remember at this time of year –

a) What you see in others isn’t necessarily what is real. Read the glossy gossip magazines and everyone seems like they have such happy families and going to have an amazing Christmas. Really??? I think not – often what is portrayed is the good stuff not the hard tough, tragic stuff that happens within families.

b) Love what you have. This isn’t the time to wish for a different life/family/mother/house/ in law etc. This is the time to acknowledge what you do have, whether it’s the love of a wonderful friendship, your gorgeous puppy or a lovely spouse.

c) What can you do with what you have? How about deciding how you would like your Christmas to be this year. Forget about “supposed to” and think about wants. What is the food you can afford and would like? How can you make it interesting? Who do you really want to spend Christmas day with and where would you like it to be? On the beach, at a cafe, in the bush?

This year make Christmas special for you in whatever way that is.

What ever you do wherever you are, have a merry Christmas day and may 2015 bring all you wish for and all the love you need.

Warmest

Allison

Contact Allison Fisher, Career & Life Coaching to discover and achieve what you want in 2015.

Thank You!

Published on December 18, 2013December 16, 2013 by Allison FisherLeave a comment

To all my teenagers, parents, career explorers and life changers. To those who have learnt more about themselves, those who had the courage to reach out, those whose pain is still raw, and to those who I have connected with in some way I would like to give you a gift for Christmas.

Through my Career Coaching and Life Coaching work I have met many wonderful people. I thank you for your honesty and openness.

To thank you I’ve gathered together some articles for you to simply enjoy. Here are a whole variety of articles from ideas on social media to living a full life:

7 Positives only Introverts would understand – Introverts you will love this it affirms your allowed to be who you are!
Social Media Mistakes for Older Job Hunters – Come on get up with the play you can do it!
12 things to do after getting laid off – There are things you can do and action is the key.
Brene Brown – her ted talk on Shame – So Inspiring.
Grateful Kids at Christmas – How to encourage gratefulness in your children.
30 things to ask yourself before you die – Life is short so ask yourself the right questions.
Living from a 10 – Live well and from your own values

and finally and most importantly a gorgeous video on Gratefulness, Beauty and Connection

Please relax in the holidays, and as you reflect aim to let go of the stuff in 2013 that you don’t need anymore and ask yourself, what do you want to bring into your world in 2014?
A very merry Christmas to you all.

Blessings from Allison

Worried about family interactions at Christmas?

Published on December 5, 2012 by Allison FisherLeave a comment

Christmas can be such a fun and exciting time and a time to connect with others. However it can also be a time of being really aware of what we think we don’t have in our families and perhaps get triggered by people or events. Sometimes being with family can be a blessing however other times…..???

So how about preparing yourself for this festive day to ensure you do have a good time rather than a time of wishing you weren’t there or even had a different family altogether?!!

To help, consider the answers to these questions below to try to manage those thoughts that come up and to be really prepared.

Who is it that is likely to trigger you? Mother, mother in law, brother, husband?

What happens when this trigger occurs? What are your thoughts and feelings? How old are you? I ask this last question as often we revert to a childlike state when we get anxious in these situations. So the thoughts we have may come from when we were a lot younger. and may not necessarily be the adult you.

Once you’ve clarified the triggers then decide how would you like to be on Christmas day? Do you choose to be happy? Do you choose just for today to care for everyone in your family? Do you choose today to enjoy yourself no matter what?

If those triggers arise and you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts or feeling less than or unloved how can you turn that around at the time to ensure you don’t feel victimized?

Could you remember your strengths and talents. Remember a time when you were confident? Remember a time that the person did do or say something nice to you? And check in with yourself in the moment – did they really mean that or are you feeling sensitive today?

So decide before Christmas day how you want to be, take control of your thoughts and emotions. If you don’t you may be at the mercy of your child within.

It is not about pushing aside what may have happened in the past but choosing to hold both – the family history and dynamics as well as choosing to enjoy your christmas.

A very merry christmas to you.

Achievements

Published on November 9, 2011November 11, 2011 by Allison FisherLeave a comment

Now is a good time to assess your achievements for the year. It’s a really good idea to affirm and celebrate your self before exploring what you would like to achieve next year. Set aside some time to reflect all you have done right in the past year. Try and write down 20 things that you are most proud of over the past months. You might like to do this over the next week and keep a piece of paper close by to write things down when you think of them. Here are some questions to help you –

🙂 What have you achieved or accomplished? 🙂 What qualities of character have you developed or strengthened? 🙂 Have you supported others in some way? 🙂 What special memories do you have with those you love? Once you have completed this then share your achievements with good friends and celebrate them! Remember this is what you have achieved and you darn well deserve a pat on the back. Enjoy your YOU celebration time. 🙂

Let’s Celebrate

Published on November 2, 2011 by Allison FisherLeave a comment

After the wonder of the world cup celebrations why not keep the momentum going. It’s so easy to get on with the mundane and forget to stop and smile and enjoy! Do some things to keep that celebratory feeling and acknowledgment of self and others. Here are some ideas:

1. Every day make sure you acknowledge one person, maybe a trait you like in them, something they did which deserves praise or how they look.

2. If someone has a birthday think of new ways to make them feel special.

3. Celebrate the little things. For instance your teenager took out the rubbish without asking – go over the top in acknowledging them, dance around them, try to hug them and tell them how wonderful they are!

4. Ring someone out of the blue and tell them just how much you admire them.

5. And remember celebrate your own successes everyday! And how would you like to do that? A quiet glass of wine at night acknowledging the good things you did that day, a walk on the beach, taking yourself off for a beauty treatment? Maybe it’s actually telling someone what you achieved and feel proud of. I think we don’t do this enough we tend to keep these things to ourselves and not share to our good mates.

So think up your own ideas to keep up the celebration as there is much to celebrate in our wonderful country New Zealand.