accountantscoach

The coolest accountant on the net

The question you are all asking is who is the coolest accountant on the net? Well its not me, but I do have the answer.  Read on......

The Argument Clinic

Monty Python again and I like this one better than the Chartered Accountant.  At a recent networking event, I was asked what coaches actually do.  Well I did my usual elevator speech and started to talk about some examples of coaching topics I am currently covering with clients.  One insight I shared was that a surprisingly significant number of clients like to use me purely from the accountability perspective ie they employ me to nag them.  I was explaining this to the networking group and described myself as being employed as the office nag. That was when someone mentioned this Monty Python clip  - booking a professional argument. And it is true, besides the nagging coach there is a steady demand to play devil's advocate too, not that far away from the argument arena.  I have to say though, I don't use a bell to signal 'times up' (I use the alarm on my mobile!). Watch and enjoy!

Monty Python Chartered Accountant

Ok, a bit predictable, but I did have to start with this one.  Actually not quite as funny as I thought but perhaps we 'new economy' acccountants hardly recognise the 1970s caricature: dull tedious boring dull timid unimaginative dull.  Moi? And what about you management and certified accountants  don't think you're off the hook!

The To Do List Nightmare: The Fatal Assumption that Programs Frustration into Every Day

By Andrew Leigh

To Do Lists are great way of getting the most out of your day. But using them wrongly can be a real nightmare – the result of a fatal assumption about our daily work that can lead to a recurring sense of failure. Here are 4 steps to put it right.

Live a Life of Balance - Now

By Shawn Doyle

Want to live a powerful life? The power of living a powerful life is to live a life of balance. Learn techniques, tips and approaches to living a life of balance. Achieve succes now by using the ideas in this article.

10 Tips for Managing Your Work Time More Efficiently

By Dawn Arkin

Business today is more hectic than ever before. Corporations are streamlining their workforce, leaving remaining employees overwhelmed with the extra work to make up the slack. Learning to manage your time will not only help keep your regular work flowing, but will free up time for special projects as well.

But how do you organize your time when you are under pressure? It's not easy when you are being pulled in several directions at one time. Here are some tips for managing your time better.

The Wheel of Life

One of the most powerful coaching tools I use is the Wheel of Life (click on the image to enlarge). It's a simple tool which helps determine the current focus of your time and energy.  This in turn can help identify areas of relative neglect and thus define where you would like to make improvements.  The coach helps you consider each area of your life in turn and assess what’s ‘off balance’.

The Wheel of Life is powerful because it gives you a vivid visual representation of the way your life is currently, compared with the way you'd ideally like it to be. It is called the "Wheel of Life" because each area of your life is mapped on a circle, like the spoke of a wheel.  In the example above, the client feels that their highest levels of satisfaction are in the areas of Finances and Personal Development which they have rated at 80% (4/5).  The lower scoring areas are Family and Leisure at just 20% and these are likely to be where they would like to focus and make improvements.

The Life Audit

A fantastic gift idea... Who do you know who would appreciate spending time looking at their life or career and making plans for the future?

Coaching has always been associated with improving sports performance and now professional personal coaches are using the same tools and techniques to maximise potential and performance in life and work. Just a few examples:

• Who do you know who is outwardly successful but wants to change direction, take control of their career, move to next level of success, start a new business, write a book..?
• Who do you know who would like to improve their work-life balance, find ways to work and play smarter, reduce stress, increase personal effectiveness?
• Who do you know who wants to take stock of their life or career, would benefit from a fresh start in 2007, is looking for inspiration to make lasting change in some aspect of their life or career?
• Or is it you, yourself?