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Articles from Gina Gardiner | Selfgrowth.com
- What makes the difference between success and failure - by Submitted on Aug 26, 2010 from Gina GardinerAny business owner must have asked themselves that question countless times and it has never been more pertinent than now. I read some research earlier this week which focussed the top ten worries for business owners. They included some pretty weighty issues, survival being top of the list. ...
Views: 5226(7 votes) - When Does Giving them a Hard Time Pay Off? - by Submitted on Nov 25, 2009 from Gina GardinerWhen Does Giving Them a Hard Time Pay Off? One of the fundamental principles of modifying behaviour you don’t want is that you reward the behaviours you most want to encourage. Yet many partners of workaholics work against this principle. Picture this;- A wife or husband wants to ...
Views: 1436(1 vote) - Harnessing the Creative Force - by Submitted on Nov 25, 2009 from Gina GardinerHarnessing The Creative Force of Your People Embracing the Opportunities of Today’s Difficult Climate. Almost every newspaper, radio and television programme, which offer news and current affairs, are talking gloom and doom. Many experts say we are talking ourselves into a recession. Yet it ...
Views: 1355(3 votes) - Are You Guilty of Horsetrading - by Submitted on Nov 25, 2009 from Gina GardinerPure love is very simple. You love the person for who they are – right now, whatever they are doing or not doing. In its simplest terms, you love them and give your love unconditionally. Many of us believe that is what we do, ye, the reality is, we love them, but we want something in ...
Views: 2122(1 vote) - What Will Your Last Words Be? - by Submitted on Nov 09, 2009 from Gina GardinerThe loss of someone you love is always very difficult but out of bereavement comes a golden opportunity to examine your priorities and to re-evaluate the way things are done. The loss of my brother made me think about many things at a personal level and also it gave me the opportunity to ...
Views: 1742(2 votes) - Make Living Life to the Full Your Highest Priority - by Submitted on Sep 24, 2009 from Gina GardinerOn May 31st at 12 noon I received a telephone call which I found hard to comprehend. My brother aged 49 had died whilst on a training session preparing for the London to Brighton Cycle race. At first, I simply couldn’t take it in. I drove to Colchester hospital but have absolutely no ...
Views: 1343 - How Heavily Do You Rely on One Person for Key Activities - by Submitted on Sep 24, 2009 from Gina GardinerHow heavily do you rely on one person for key activities? How much stress is your staff under because there is no one who can fulfil their function if they were to go on holiday or to be ill? What contingency plans do you have in place for dealing with the sudden disappearance of one of ...
Views: 1429(1 vote) - Manage Change - Minimise Stress - by Submitted on Jun 09, 2009 from Gina GardinerWe are currently living in difficult economic times. Organisations, we have all grown up with and thought of as invincible, appear to be struggling. The media constantly speculate on the next expected casualty and when a difficulty is confirmed they drive themselves into a reporting frenzy. ...
Views: 1337 - You Work Long Hours - by Submitted on Jun 09, 2009 from Gina GardinerYou work long hours; work fills your waking day. Solving problems, supporting clients and colleagues and it takes all of your conscious thought, your energy and your time. At the end of the day you fall into bed. You slip into unconsciousness or your brain is on hyper drive. You spend the ...
Views: 1362 - Maintaining Team Morale and Enthusiasm in a Recession - by Submitted on May 12, 2009 from Gina GardinerBusinesses world wide are facing probably the most challenging time since the Second World War. Most of those in positions of responsibility have little or no first hand experience of dealing with a recession on a global scale. In times of boom it feels easier to motivate and enthuse people ...
Views: 2179 - Counting the Cost of What We Do - by Submitted on May 12, 2009 from Gina GardinerEvery choice we make has consequences. When work takes over, it has significant consequences across the whole of your life. Some consequences will be positive and others negative. It is the balance between the activity and what it costs you which determines whether you should continue with ...
Views: 875 - The Power of Relationship Games - by Submitted on Feb 10, 2009 from Gina GardinerWe all play games. No I’m not talking about football, cards or tiddlywinks. I’m talking about the games we play with ourselves and others. The “I’m not going to listen to what you have to say - even if it makes perfect sense, because if I do it will mean that you are right and I’m wrong” ...
Views: 2193 - Getting the Best Out of Your People in an Economic Downturn - by Submitted on Feb 10, 2009 from Gina GardinerThere is a real challenge in managing staff in an economic down turn. For many Managers the first instinct is to drive everyone harder to ensure that the maximum productivity and return is created. In the short term, this may appear to work but in the medium to long term all it does is fuel ...
Views: 929 - Is There Life After Redundancy? - by Submitted on Feb 10, 2009 from Gina GardinerAny significant change in your life can be challenging. Leaving home, your first job, getting married, a promotion or having children, all bring the need to make adjustments to your thinking and to the routine of daily life. Yet every one of these situations brings with it excitement and a ...
Views: 1341 - It's All About Perception - by Submitted on Jul 26, 2008 from Gina GardinerBefore we start to consider why it is important to focus on your perceptions, let’s clarify what I mean by perception. Throughout our waking hours we take in millions of pieces of information. We take in information through all our senses. What we see, hear, feel, smell and taste. By itself, ...
Views: 938 - If I'm Not My Job, Who Am I? - by Submitted on Jul 26, 2008 from Gina GardinerWhen you ask people about themselves they will very often answer by telling you what they do rather than who they are. Our sense of identity is coloured by what we do. We are all lots of versions of ourselves: I’m a father or mother, a sister or brother, a son or daughter, a friend or an ...
Views: 1195 - I'll Start Living When.......................... - by Submitted on Jun 23, 2008 from Gina GardinerHow many times do you say to yourself, “I’ll do what I really want when…? I’ve finished the project… I’ve got that next promotion… I make Director… I have become a multi millionaire.” How often have you missed a date with your significant other, or an important milestone in your child’s ...
Views: 1012 - Taking Time To See The Bigger Picture - by Submitted on Jun 23, 2008 from Gina GardinerSuccessful leaders and managers have the ability to step back from the frenetic day-to-day operation or their department so that they can see the bigger picture. Military leaders of the past would seek out a vantage spot high over the field of battle. From that vantage point they plan their ...
Views: 1036 - So You Think You Are Indispensible - by Submitted on Jun 23, 2008 from Gina GardinerWe all need to feel of value. We all gain that sense of value in different ways. None of them are wrong in themselves but the meaning we give to situations can have a profound impact on how we operate with others and how we feel about ourselves. Understanding what motivates us and how ...
Views: 1003 - ***Creating World Class Teams - by Submitted on Jun 23, 2008 from Gina GardinerWhy is it so important? The business world is facing more challenges than ever before as it manages the speed of change and competes with world markets at a time of economic down turn. Times of such challenge will see many organizations go to the wall. Those who succeed will look for the ...
Views: 991 - Indispensable People Are Far Too Costly For Your Organisation - by Submitted on May 26, 2008 from Gina GardinerThe “no one else can do it as well as I can” and the “It’s quicker to do it yourself” Schools of Management can work very well in the short term but have significant consequences over time. Consequences for the individual who tries to manage the impossible and ends up with stress and ultimately ...
Views: 854 - ***Corporate Team Building Activities - by Submitted on May 26, 2008 from Gina GardinerIt is well known that the strength of people working effectively together is qualitatively stronger than that of the individuals of that team working in isolation. The success of the Corporate Leader is dependent on how well he or she can maximize the potential of those they lead. Any ...
Views: 1673 - When Nagging Gets In The Way - by Submitted on May 26, 2008 from Gina GardinerWhether you are working with your partner, your teenage children or a work colleague the principle is the same. What you say and the way in which it is said, the tone of voice, the words you use and the timing of when things are said all have the capacity to widen the gap between you and the ...
Views: 861 - The 9 Principles Of Creating Effective Team Building Activities - by Submitted on May 25, 2008 from Gina GardinerMany managers rely on serendipity to create effective teams. At times this creates excellent teams who in turn produce amazing results. Fantastic teams which jell think creatively together and become a force to be reckoned with. They often seem to grow out of nowhere. Managers enjoy the ...
Views: 1627 - ***Learning To Switch Off The Voice In Your Head - by Submitted on May 25, 2008 from Gina GardinerManaging our time effectively is a challenge which many of us wrestle with on a daily basis. There are many strategies to doing this which I cover in other articles including creating effective boundaries, learning to say no and a wide range of techniques to save time and ensure you don’t ...
Views: 1005 - It's Not What You Say It's The Way That You Say It - by Submitted on May 25, 2008 from Gina GardinerThis principle is true of almost every situation but if you manage people it is vital that you learn the underlying principles of this if you want to create a team of people who respect you as their manager. Modelling good behaviour is also a great way of teaching your team to be mindful of ...
Views: 990 - Creating Personal Boundaries - by Submitted on May 16, 2008 from Gina GardinerThere are so many different calls upon our time; it is often difficult to fit everything in. How often have you said or heard, “I must make more time”. Sadly, it is impossible to make more time. Whatever you do there are only 24 hours in any day or 168 hours a week. We cannot manufacture more ...
Views: 1432 - ***Creating The Ideal Conditions For Organisational Change - by Submitted on Apr 28, 2008 from Gina GardinerIt is an organizations ability to manage change effectively which will determine whether it succeeds in the long term or not. Change is ongoing and yet all too often it is dealt with in a way which leaves the organization in a difficult place and individuals feeling traumatized and ...
Views: 1084 - The Power Of Anticipation - by Submitted on Apr 28, 2008 from Gina GardinerAs we rush about frantically preparing for the holiday season we all have a sense of anticipation. Love Christmas or loathe it those of us who live in the Western world are affected by it. Anticipation has many guises. For little children there is the wide eyed wonder as twinkly lights and ...
Views: 4205 - What If Your Default Setting For Life - by Submitted on Apr 28, 2008 from Gina GardinerBeing a workaholic is a challenge. It becomes the default setting we return to when life gets tricky or you stop focusing on the life you want. The problem with only using your ability to “focus” is that it requires constant effort and it fails to get to the underlying causes which are usually ...
Views: 939 - The Champagne Corks Have Been Popping To Celebrate Your Promotion - by Submitted on Apr 28, 2008 from Gina GardinerThe champagne corks have been popping to celebrate your promotion. You have a well paid job you love - it's really interesting. You are using your talents to the full and your boss really values your contribution! If you recognise yourself in the statement above - congratulations! If you ...
Views: 937 - The Power Of Anticipation - by Submitted on Mar 27, 2008 from Gina GardinerAs we rush about frantically preparing for the holiday season we all have a sense of anticipation. Love Christmas or loathe it those of us who live in the Western world are affected by it. Anticipation has many guises. For little children there is the wide eyed wonder as twinkly lights and ...
Views: 1003 - Taking Your Work Home Or Keeping It In Its Place - by Submitted on Mar 27, 2008 from Gina GardinerWorking hard and providing a great service whilst you are at work is what we expect to do. Many of us find that the working day is extended well into our personal time. There are bound to be times when a particular deadline needs to be met but all too often taking work home physically and ...
Views: 874 - How To Feel True Fulfilment - by Submitted on Mar 27, 2008 from Gina GardinerI wonder if you feel truly fulfilled? Do you look forward every day with glorious anticipation to the day ahead? Does your heart sink at the thought of what the next day will bring? Do you love bits of your life and wish that the rest of your life matched up? I believe that living a ...
Views: 863 - Anticipation Underpins Organizational Success - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2008 from Gina GardinerCreating success is only half the story. For those organizations who want to survive and thrive in the long term sustaining success is the name of the game. Many do not. As you walk through your high street or local shopping mall consider how many shops arrive in a great flurry of publicity ...
Views: 930 - The Power Of Silence - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2008 from Gina GardinerWhy is it that so many of us find silence hard to deal with? As a coach I work with so many people who find their heads constantly filled with “chatter” much of which is negative or downright destructive. These internal conversations have the power to colour our emotions and influence our ...
Views: 912 - Managing Personal Overwhelm - by Submitted on Feb 03, 2008 from Gina GardinerWe all lead incredibly busy lives. Almost every one you speak to complains that they are short of time and have too much to do. For many of us the way in which we deal with our “To Do” list can add to our sense of overwhelm leading to high levels of stress and a diminished sense of ...
Views: 984 - Creating Professional Fulfilment - by Submitted on Feb 03, 2008 from Gina GardinerI read a survey recently which stated that over 50% of people were dissatisfied with their job for one reason or another. That’s a significant amount of dissatisfaction. At a personal level that is a huge shame. At an organizational level it is a performance and economic disaster. The ...
Views: 1032 - What Is Professionalism - by Submitted on Jan 28, 2008 from Gina GardinerMuch is spoken about behaving professionally. Most people can actively recognise professionalism or the lack of it in others, but find it extremely difficult to define it, or model it when considering their own behaviour. So lets unpick exactly what we mean by professionalism. Think about the ...
Views: 11743 - The Champagne Corks Have Been Popping To Celebrate Your Promotion - by Submitted on Jan 28, 2008 from Gina GardinerThe champagne corks have been popping to celebrate your promotion. You have a well paid job you love - it's really interesting. You are using your talents to the full and your boss really values your contribution! If you recognise yourself in the statement above - congratulations! If you ...
Views: 795 - Saying Yes When You Would Rather Say No - by Submitted on Jan 21, 2008 from Gina GardinerSo many of us find ourselves agreeing to do things even when it is detrimental to us. Having said “Yes” we find ourselves flying around, stressed and resentful. Creating a great relationship with yourself where you treat yourself as well as you treat others (no better, no worse) is vital for a ...
Views: 1399 - Organisation Beliefs - Long Hours Mean Better Productivity And Being Busy Is The Same As Being Productive - by Submitted on Jan 21, 2008 from Gina GardinerLimiting beliefs are just as much an issue for organizations and departments as they are for individuals. Any belief which limits potential should be challenged. In this article I'd like to consider the belief which is held by so many organizations that working longer hours means those who ...
Views: 846 - Optimising Organisational Energy - by Submitted on Jan 09, 2008 from Gina GardinerEnergy is a finite resource. How we live our lives as an individual impacts hugely on how energised we feel. (Article - Energy - Are You Making The Most Of Yours). Organizations often neglect to think about how they generate or dissipate the collective energies of their workforce. As a ...
Views: 1019 - How Our Relationaships With Ourselves Impact on Our Relationships With Others - by Submitted on Jan 09, 2008 from Gina GardinerThe relationship we have with ourselves is based on a number of things, our genetic make up and hormonal and chemical balance - (nature), how we are bought up - (nurture) and on our interpretation of all our experiences both positive and negative, throughout our lives. Every experience we have ...
Views: 893 - Effective Delegation - by Submitted on Jan 05, 2008 from Gina GardinerDone well - delegation can free managers to lead and think strategically with a positive impact on productivity and efficiency. It offers a wonderful opportunity for professional growth and the best use of time and resources. Many managers talk about delegating to their staff but in reality ...
Views: 1914 - Energy - Are You Making The Most Of Yours? - by Submitted on Jan 05, 2008 from Gina GardinerWhen you are feeling at your most alive - raring to go and full of passion and energy - what are you doing? When you feel tired and out of sorts, pulled down and exhausted what is at the bottom of your lack of energy? You might think that for each person the answer would be entirely different ...
Views: 837 - Dealing With Unacceptable Behaviour - by Submitted on Jan 04, 2008 from Gina GardinerI spoke with a client this evening who was feeling tired and under pressure. It soon became clear that the problem was being caused by one or two members of staff who she said were “dragging me down.” After further investigation, it appeared that at the heart of the matter both people were ...
Views: 2122 - Career Move - From Shelf Filler To Manager - by Submitted on Jan 04, 2008 from Gina GardinerAre you in a dead end job? Are you fed up with low pay and long hours? Are you bored and want to do something more interesting? Do you want to be the person telling others what to do rather than being the one taking orders? You can make it happen! if you are determined enough. Consider the ...
Views: 903 - Interview Technique - by Submitted on Jan 04, 2008 from Gina GardinerAre you just about to leave university? You are just setting out in the job market? You have a number of hurdles to get over before you have the job you have been dreaming of. You find the thought of an interview daunting. You want to make a good impression and succeed! Creating a good ...
Views: 1116 - Interview Technique - by Submitted on Dec 14, 2007 from Gina GardinerAre you just about to leave university? You are just setting out in the job market? You have a number of hurdles to get over before you have the job you have been dreaming of. You find the thought of an interview daunting. You want to make a good impression and succeed! Creating a good ...
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