How to find your own true self and authentic work

While in London recently I met with best-selling UK author Nick Williams.  I was so thrilled to meet Nick – whose own book “The Work You Were Born to Do” inspired my own journey – and was totally blown away by the kind words he wrote about my own book. Here’s what Nick wrote:

“In June 2009, I was listening to Paul Potts, winner of the 2007 Britain’s Got Talent show, being interviewed by Steve Wright on BBC Radio 2 on his Big Show. When Paul appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, he was working selling mobile phones, but astonished the judges and the audience with his incredible voice. He now tours the world wowing audiences with his voice.

Steve Wright asked Paul whether he loved singing as a child, or whether he came to singing in later life. Paul responded, “Yes, I’d always loved singing when I was young.”

So Steve then asked him why he ended up selling mobile phones rather than singing professionally, Paul answered by saying, “No-one ever told me when I was growing up that I something I loved could be a career.”

Most of can relate to that: doing something you loved and then getting paid for it simply wasn’t a career option that we were aware of or encouraged into. Too many of us believe that work needs to be a relentless and life long activity doing something we’d rather not be doing, but that we have little choice over. We just have to do it to survive. And as long we are not enjoying it, are suffering, bored, stressed or are sacrificing ourselves, then that is real work, and we deserve to be paid for it.

Too few of us have been bought up to believe that it is possible to make our living doing something we love, that lights our hearts up and stirs our passions. This I call the work we were born to do and is our true work. To find your true work is a great blessing, one of life’s greatest blessings I believe. And to be paid for your work rather than work for pay it one of life’s great joys.

More and more people today, either through choice or necessity, are looking for new and more fulfilling ways of working and earning their livings. Old ways are breaking down. Today, sacrificing your deeper passions for the security of a pay-check is no guarantee of security. Following your heart and deeper self is the new security. Your heart is the well-spring of possibility and opportunity that will never run dry.

In this book, Cassandra helps you find your work, inspiring you to consider new possibilities, gently guiding you beyond limiting thinking, and helping you find your own true self and authentic work. Those who have found what they were born to do usually have usually developed a generosity of spirit and want to hold a hand out to others who are still searching. In this book, Cassandra has done just that. Out of the blessings she has won for herself, she shares generously with you where to look, and what signposts to follow. She guides you to trust yourself to be able to bring your inner and outer worlds together, so that how you make your living in a way that reflects who you are and what is precious to you.

Enjoy this book and let it guide you to the work that is in your heart to do.

Nick Williams London, UK, December 2009″

If you’d like to find your own true self and authentic work you can purchase your own personally signed copy of “Happy at Work” here

“I love Happy at Work, I’m onto the chapter about Stress, very good timing!!!!  I have lots of positive feedback about it which I will most definitely pass on.  Really like the workbook nature of it too and its definitely on my wave-length.” – Pam Naughton

Click here to read the interview the NZ Herald did with me “Self-made story an inspiration to others” – confirmation that I have found my own true self and authentic self!

You can listen to my interview with Nick Williams here

How to motivate, guide and nurture your teenager

An artist friend of mine sent me the following email today:

“I had a wee think recently. NZ has one of the highest (If not the highest) elements of teen suicide, depression and pregnancy. I watched something on telly whereby a group of kids were completing a year-long programme thru the Graham dingle programme. they ALL talked about Passion. the kids were busy, tired, fulfilled and NOW building up in confidence. I believe that we as parents and a community have provided our kids with cell phones, xbox, playstation…ipods etc which has made our kids isolated form their families and communities.

They have become sedentary, lack-lustre and have no idea about dreams and goals. no idea about passion. Of course, these children grow up to be adults and have learnt very little about drive and determination.”

I had to agree whole-heartedly.  I blame our education system and economic system with it’s over-emphasis on achievement standards, rational career choices and the pursuit of profit for much of our kids malaise. Yet it doesn’ t have to be this way.

We need more passionate role models – those who show that passion can be the cure that heals fractured souls, fosters confidence, and brings life to life.

Monika’s email also reminded me of my second writing project – “passion at work: for the teenage soul”

Passion is the fire that drives and fosters determination, builds confidence and nurtures self-esteem.

Parents play a key role in encouraging kids to develop and use their natural knacks and talents and passions.

While in London I had the great fortune to meet with a young lady whose parents actively nurtured her dreams and desires. Now 28 she says that the support and encouragement of her family helped her land a dream job working for Christies Auction House in London. You can listen to our discussion here

If you had a magic wand – tips from a former ordained Buddhist Monk re right livelihood and finding your heart’s work

Last month in London  I met with the super inspiring UK author of  “The Work You Were Born to Do’  Nick Williams. Click here to watch and listen to him talk with a former ordained Buddhist monk re how you can find your dream job and live and work with inspiration.

Listening to this talk reminded me of the things I have always done to feed my passion and nurture the seeds of change:

• Give yourself permission to sit down and be really honest about what you would love to do – avoid editing “I don’ t have enough money’; “my partner would never let me”; “I don’t have any time” etc etc
• Let your imagination go – write about your dreams in the present tense as though it has already happened
• Visualise your preferred future
• Create a dream/vision board
• Protect your dreams from the vision bashers
• Seek positive support – ask people who are living your dream how they achieved succcess; ; network etc
• Get practical experience – seek  a mentor or coach with a holistic approach
• Take action – take your big vision and work out your  baby steps  and tangible actions. Be gentle, but realistic. Set weekly goals and celebrate your achievements
• Foster and nurture your confidence
• Be of service
• Teach what you know
• Don’t settle for less – have faith that you deserve better and that there is a better future for  you
• Be authentic – be yourself and share your most inspired and inspiring talents
• Do something everyday that nurtures the seeds of your inspiration

Get Inspired!

1. Hello
I’m in London at the moment – visiting my sister who has just had a wee baby girl Freya. As well as spending quality time with family I’ve also been making plenty of time to rekindle my passions and fuel my inspiration.

So many people over here are stressed to the max. The recession is still taking a chunk out of peoples souls and as pressure mounts on those still employed to work harder inspiration can get drowned in a sea of stress.

Perhaps this is the same for you. Or mayabe as a new year approaches you’re wondering what you’d like to do with the rest of your life.

Whatever your situation I hope this newsletter helps

Passionately and happily yours
Cassandra
2. How to get inspired
Many of my clients say,  ‘I don’t know what inspires me.’

One of the best ways to be inspired is to surround yourself with inspiring people. Yesterday I met with British author Nick Williams. You can listen to the chat we had in a London park here http://www.inspired-entrepreneur.com/upload/download.asp?filename=Cassandra.MP3

I also interviewed a courageous young lady who picked up her kit back of skills and moved to London to pursue her passion – landing a job at the super prestigious art auction house Christies. Read more about her inspired journey here http://areyouhappyatwork.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/how-to-be-inspired/

3. Read your way to inspiration
One of my most inspired projects over the last few years has been the creation of my book ‘Happy At Work’. Much passion, love, inspiration and dogged determination has gone into creating this book. So it is especially exciting to receive feedback from people who are know using the book to fuel their own inspiration and success.

 You can see images of the book in the Pinnacle Books as well as link to video footage of the book here

http://areyouhappyatwork.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/happy-at-work-published-now/

If you know anyone who is unhappy at work would really appreciate directing them to the book which can only be purchased on line at www.cassandragaisford.com or Pinnacle books

Here’s some feedback I received from the first person to read the book- makes it all worthwhile!
“I am still buzzing after your visit on Friday. Can’t tell you how delighted I am to receive the very first copy  of your book. You gave me a real boost – thank you so much.I have dipped in the book several times over the weekend – it is so readable. My only complaint to date is that it has kept me up late at night as I couldn’t put it down.” – Julie.

4. Overcome obstacles
One of the ways I fuel my inspiration is by subscribing to inspiring newsletters- check out this inspiring tip here re how to stop seeing obstacles as barriers to progress http://areyouhappyatwork.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/overcoming-obstacles/

5. Twitter your way to inspiration
One of the simplest daily tonics I devour is logging into twitter and following inspiring people. Deepak Chopra, Lynn Robinson, Nick Williams and Sonia Choquette are just a few of the people I follow. Many of them follow me too. You can follow me on Twitter too – http://twitter.com/gethappyatwork

6. Bye for now

I hope these few tips have provided you with a few ways to fuel your own inspiration. I’m continuing to be inspired while away by taking loads of photos and feeding my new passion with lots of trips to the National Portrait Gallery – http://www.npg.org.uk/. They currently have an awesome exhibition of The Beatles,The Rolling  Stones, Bowie and other 60’s cult musicians – http://www.npg.org.uk:8080/beatles/exhib.htm. Also on show is ‘Twiggy: a life in photographs’ and an amazing exhibition of successful entries to the latest photographic awards. I’ve also been checking out all the art galleries – the Tate Modern being the latest. My heart leapt for joy when I say a wonderful Matisse and my dream team of CY Twombly and Rothko.

And of course I’ve been feeding my passion for helping people follow their own passions by meeting with UK work expert and author Nick Williams, and interviewing people who have followed their passion (I have been commissioned to write an article for the NZ Herald re this.)

Don’t forget to feed your passion and inspiration everyday – it really will help you succeed. If you need more help please contact me to arrange a personal inspiration coaching session – I’d love to help.
Passionately and happily yours
Cassandra

overcoming obstacles – how to stop resisting and go with the flow to achieve career and life success

I came across this post the other day and thought you may find it as encouraging as I did:

Have you ever had the experience of moving merrily along ‘your path’ when a massive roadblock suddenly appeared?

More often than not, people will use force and push against the block in hopes of moving it aside. The exertion of effort usually leads to more ‘roadblock’…
1. Exhaustion
2. Disappointment and frustration
3. Resignation

All this delay could be avoided if we simply ’surrender’ to the roadblock. In the state of surrender, open to the possibility that there may be other paths.

  What if your business mission (your true path) really is laid out before you by some unseen organizing source? What if a ‘roadblock’ is simply a signal we have strayed off our true path?

To resist the roadblock would be self-defeating. What if we opened to being grateful that the roadblock appeared and prevented us from going further ‘off course’.

Today, let’s consider where we may be resisting a roadblock and embrace it. Then, let’s notice if your own true path synchronistically ‘lights up’ before you.

 Source: DailyTips@perfectcustomers.com

How to be inspired

I’m holidaying in London – visiting my sister and my newly born niece. While here I’m making the most of it and nurturing my passions daily.

 

Many of my clients say,  ‘I don’t know what inspires me.’

One of the best ways to be inspired is to surround yourself with inspiring people. Yesterday I met with British author Nick Williams. You can listen to the chat we had in a London park here http://www.inspired-entrepreneur.com/upload/download.asp?filename=Cassandra.MP3

 

Today I met a young, courageous and totally passionate Kiwi, Zofia who left the security and safety of NZ and landed a plum job working for the prestigious auction house Christies. A big part of what I took away from our conversation was how vital it is for parents to nurure their childrens passions. I can honestly say I felt a bit envious, in a good way, of Zofia. Right from the start her parents told her to follow you passion. Mine told me to get a job that earnt money. I’m sure many other mid-lifers can empathise with that. Still it’s never too late to change!

Here’s a summary of what we discussed:

What are you passionate about?
Art, dance, music, reading
 
Prior to moving to London how did you think the move would help you fulfil your passion?
In NZ the arts sector is very small and the people that work in it tend to keep hold of their jobs so there is not much opportunity to break into that sector. The UK is so much bigger that I thought there would be much more of a chance to get a job in the arts sector and fulfil my passion rather than just have a job to earn lots of money.
 
Has this been fulfilled? I.e. how did moving to London enable you to live your passion?
Yes this has been fulfilled. I was lucky enough to get a very low level job in one of the biggest auction houses in the world (which is not present in NZ but is known about there!) and from there I have worked my way up in the company. I have also been able to see and experience so much more in the art world in London where there is more of it than in NZ. I have a job where I get to meet people I never imagined meeting and get up close to art and artefacts that you can’t even get that close to in a museum! It also enabled me to discover more about myself and what career path I really wanted to pursue.
 
What did you leave behind (role etc) prior to moving to London?
In NZ I was working as a Statistical Analyst for Statistics New Zealand.
 
What gave you the confidence and courage to change?
The timing was right as many of my friend were heading to London around the same time and my supportive family gave me the confidence to believe in myself and make that leap away from them and over to London. Once I was here I was so out of my comfort zone I felt the only thing to do was to make an effort to pursue my passion.
 
Tell me about your new role
I am currently the Client Information Coordinator at Christie’s. I am responsible for a team of 3 people who take care of the day to day maintenance of our Client Management System for all Christie’s clients worldwide (excluding the US which is handled by our US team). We ensure that all information has been correctly entered into the system by staff and are responsible for entering the more sensitive client information into the system. I also undertake analysis of the work my team are doing with a view to improving general company processes for handling client information.
 
If you were making a change again what would you do the same? What would you do differently?
If I were to make a change again I would do it with the same determination I had this time, setting myself a goal when I first arrived and striving to achieve it. I applied for everything that I had some sort of skill match for whether I was over qualified or under qualified; I felt you would never get anywhere if you didn’t apply and that strategy proved successful. I also think that taking advantage of every opportunity presented to you is important for reaching your goals.
 
What I might do differently is to be more open to the possibilities and be more confident in myself. Now that I have done it once I know I could do it again.
 
5 things that represent your old life
1. Money – the job paid well
2. Family
3. Friends
4. NZ
5. Maths and numbers
 
5 things that represent your new life
1. Job satisfaction – happiness!
2. Confidence
3. Travel
4. Friends and family
5. Creativity
 
What advice would you give to others contemplating a change?
Go for it! Make sure you have some kind of plan and set yourself some targets, but otherwise just take the leap of faith and give it a go!
 

 

 

 

Careers – how to increase your chances of getting a job

The chances of getting a job via an employment website are slim, a report by Forrester Research has found. The report says only 4 per cent of job-seekers are actually getting jobs online, and that your odds of getting a job via internet job sites are one in 250.

John, a friend of mine, knows these statistics only too well. Aged 59, his job was “disestablished” six months ago. Despite registering online and applying for over 60 jobs, he hasn’t even made it to the short list.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Used proactively, the internet can be a useful tool when job-seeking. Using internet employment websites just to respond to job postings is missing their true value. A savvy job-seeker will use them to identify trends, build relationships, tap into the grapevine and target companies and opportunities that may not be obvious to others.

New technology means employment and company websites can offer easier links with job-seekers. This has led to a new kind of job-hunting online – “inter-networking” – with a global virtual community.

Management expert Tom Peters says the internet is revolutionising the job market, and candidates will need a recognised name online.

 

Click here to read the rest of this article

How to build your personal and professional brand faster – with passion, purpose and profit. Twitter!

Okay dokay here is the first of the coaching tips to help you build your personal and professional brand faster – with passion, purpose and profit.

Twitter!

Twitter is a social networking site that allows you to send tweets, the equivalent of text messages or Facebook status updates.

The catch: Tweets are limited to 140 characters, so you have to keep them very short and simple. This is a bonus for those who aren’t born writers and/or are time poor!

Sign up for a twitter account at www.twitter.com Select an account name wisely. Mike Dobbs, the group director of SEO at 360i, a digital marketing agency that drives results for premier brands, recommends doing this: “Optimize the Twitter account name to best reflect your brand. Your name is what appears next to your profile, which can be different than your handle/URL. You obviously want an account name that promotes yourself, your company or your brand. You should also consider which variation of you brand name has the most search frequency every month. Take some time to consider what your audience, market, good and services in order to choose the most compelling name. “

This may be your business name, personal name or one-line selling proposition. If in doubt google ‘how to choose best twitter account name.’ My search came up with this link which has some great tips tp://mashable.com/2009/06/25/twitter-seo-tips/

Make your Bio count. “Optimize your Twitter page’s “Bio” line, ” says Dobbs, “so it includes the most important, mission-critical phrases for your brand. Take advantage of all 160 characters! (Yep, that’s right: They give you 20 more characters than a normal tweet.) Your bio is consistently indexed so its contents are what provide your Twitter page with its core relevance.”

Search for and begin to follow your “virtual mentors” – people who inspire you, keep you focused and both incite and excite you to shoot for the stars. These may be spiritual mentors – I am following Deepak Chopra for example, and also intuitive author Sonia Choquette. I am also following Kiwi financial advisor Liz Koh – it’s time to get my financial house in order! Following more experienced ‘tweetors” also helps you master the art of tweeting sucessfully and professionally

Don’t follow all and sundry! ONLY those who inspire you and “tweet” inspirational content.

Let people know where to find you. Add your twitter address to your home page, blog, email address etc.

Set up Twitter as a new contact -  type in your user name and password. This way you won’t forget it!

Follow me! I’ll show you how to tweet your way to success and continue to inspire and encourage you. I have two addresses – you may find this helpful too (enables you to segment your market)

Follow Me on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/gethappyatwork

http://twitter.com/thecolourgirl

Get “tweeting” Write keyword-rich tweets if possible. “Wherever possible, start your tweet with a primary keyword phrase to theme each message. Take advantage of any “active lingo” or buzz words as this will enable you to capitalize on timely searches on those terms. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should fill your tweets with buzz words at the expense of providing value to your followers! Rather, think carefully about which word choices will best convey your message and also allow you to leverage the real-time and long-term index relevance across the engines that continuously spider and index tweets,” suggests Mike Dobbs

Be interesting – only tweet things that will interest, help or excite others. You want to increase your followers not bore them. If you are an accountant, for example, tweet tips to achieve more with less etc – then link to your blog or website for more information. This is where you can do your “selling”

Email me to let me know your Twitter name

Have fun

How to rekindle your passion for work and life

Rekindle your passion for work and life – listen to your body barometer and notice the times you feel inspired!

During my time in The States  several years ago I was very lucky to have been able to stay in New York and to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I was even luckier because while I was there I unexpectedly rediscovered a passion I had forgotten.

I share the follow excerpt from my Passion Journal (which incidentally is bright red!) in the hope that it illustrates some of the strategies that help me and in turn that it allows you  to  discover and rekindleyour passion for work and life:

“To see these paintings makes my heart sing, my eyes sparkle, and a smile settle upon my lips. I feel a shortness of breath and my heart rate quickens. I want to take them all in and love the ones with texture so rich you can almost feel the paint. I have to stop myself from reaching out to touch them. I am flushed with excitement and a thirst that cannot be quenched.“

‘And so it was that my “body barometer” reminded me of the deep joy and love I feel when I paint with oil. I had traded my passion for the convenience of acrylic, but I find it joyless and plastic and for some reason it is to oil that I must return’, I wrote in my journal at the time. ‘I thought it was a great confirmation of  the power of passion when an art gallery who brought some of my paintings, said to me “ you have a rare ability to capture an emotion.” ‘

When was the last time you felt inspired?

Social media sites – why I love them and how they can help you

I’m a new convert to Twitter and a huge fan of this and other social media sites. Why?

In a world that seems bereft of inspiration, joy and passion, in a click of a button you can connect with people who share your passions, joys and sense of purpose.

Take today for instance – out of the blue I received this:

Hi, Cassandra Gaisford.

Vince Poscente (vinceposcente) is now following your tweets on Twitter.

A little information about Vince Poscente:

5801 followers
227 tweets
following 5490 people

“Wow” I thought, “but hey who is Vince Poscente”

I clicked on his Twitter link and found all sorts of inspirational tips and strategies. I immediately thought, “Hey here’s a guy that feeds my soul!”

So I clicked follow him too! And now we can tweet together and send mutually inspiring articles.

In case you are wondering who Vince Poscente is too – he’s a New York Times best selling author and Hall of Fame presenter. How cool is that! Plus how cool is it that Vince – all the way in America wants to connect with little ol’ me in Wellington, New Zealand!

So what are you waiting for? Get tweeting today!