Love Your Life...

Just Jump Here

2011-04-06T02:28:00.000-07:00

There are lots of posts and updates for you on the main EilidhMilnes website.
Read more.
Other links that might interest you are:
The Confidence Report
The Confidence Forum

And why not sign up for my FREE fortnightly e-letter from the home page? It is full of confidence tips and stories. We load previous editions on the Blog, so check them out.

And finally if you are on Facebook you can also 'like' The Confidence Coach there - for hot news, exclusive offers and events. The current special thank you to my Facebook followers is a fun profiling quiz... just like and it is free for you to download.

All these links and ideas should keep you happy, confident and upbeat, so enjoy a productive week!

Ever Positive,
Eilidh

The Confidence Club

2011-02-26T07:07:00.000-08:00

The forum = The Confidence Club has an average of 81.19 page views per day... so do join. It's FREE! Subscribe today to share, get expert tips on how to boost confidence when changing jobs, presenting effectively, handling stress, meeting new people, redundancy and lots more. It's simply, a great place to be! To your success!

This wordle gives you a flavour of a typical post...

Why not make your own wordles?

See you on the forum...

Ever Positive,
Eilidh

2010-09-06T18:19:00.001-07:00

Ken Hare @rapidbuy thanks for taking my book to Dennis Chiron @ CBEC & buying your copy too! http://tinyurl.com/ycn5qmx

2010-09-04T13:03:00.001-07:00

Seven Steps to Happiness | BTalk http://bnet.io/bNGHzs 4 Enjoy on BNET

New Service 'Virtual Conscience!' Plus Preview of New Confidence Book...

2010-03-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted someone to give you a nudge to achieve your target? Someone to encourage, question or cajole? Someone to act as your conscience? Many people need a process, guidance and a reminder to stay on track. To this end I have developed an affordable and unique support service - a painless way to prick your conscience.

‘Virtual Conscience’ can make the difference between your success and failure.  
It is a bolt on to life to help you to achieve your goals.
Read more here to learn how the service works...

Thanks to Kate Fox of Fox Graphics there is a published a 250 word taster of my new book, "Confidence - the Key to Your Happiness" in Kate's 'My Business Magazine'.

The new book is full of stories and strategies to ride the roller-coaster of life and is due out early summer and goes to the editor on April 6th. Enjoy the a snippet edited for the magazine..

Task Switching

2010-03-19T07:48:00.000-07:00

Kyle was discussing the merits and demerits of task switching. And as someone who considers herself an adapt multitasker I listened intently. In summary, Kyle protects his team from interruptions and distractions by being the guy to field requests and queries that come to his department. This way his IT team can stay focused on their projects. At the same time, they keep a scratch pad to note down ideas and interests. Then as time becomes available, they can contribute and take on fresh work that interests them.

We agreed that in cases such as a production line, tasks can be tedious and repetitive. In these situations task switching can have real benefit. Who wants to be less than effective due to boredom?

I have applied Kyle's methodology to writing my latest book and I must say it is proving very productive. 'Confidence - The Key to Your Happiness', goes to the editor on April 6th as a result! Are you effective or time wasting? Do you find yourself switching and skipping?

When I asked this question on Twitter, Ali Turnbull had this to say:

Say you have three people who all need one day’s work from you this week. You could say 'I will do:

Tom’s project on Monday;
Dick’s on Tuesday;
Harry’s on Wednesday.'

Sod’s law is that Harry will ring on Monday for a progress report, or that you will find a glitch in his project that you can’t ask him about till Wednesday. You will have a smoother week if you rotate the projects.

1. Divide Monday morning into three.
2. Allocate a slot to each project.
3. Start each project, making a note of the questions you think you may need to raise with each client/colleague. There’s sure to be some talking point.

On Monday afternoon, e-mail or phone your client with your questions. They will all be impressed that you have made a start! You may also find out who is chafing at the bit and who is a bit more laid back about their deadline.
At the end of Monday write down targets and time slots for Tuesday.
Continue on Tuesday and Wednesday rotating the three projects so that you finish sizeable chunks of each every time, but don’t get bored.

If you are easily distracted, you could use Interruptron as recommended by Chris Davidson. And of course if I can help you or your team with time management issues just call or mail me.

2010-02-15T06:47:00.001-08:00

North-West England - 4 special events worthy of your time listed here: http://ping.fm/4k0TO RT

2010-02-11T23:09:00.001-08:00

Stoke Sentinel needs 3 ladies in their fifties who truly believe being that age is a great thing! Know anyone who wants press coverage?

2010-01-31T10:11:00.001-08:00

Coaching my sister on benefit of Twitter. http://tinyurl.com/ya7luko then realised I'd not tweeted in Oz. Off to read my own advice!

2009-10-27T04:16:00.001-07:00

Updated website http://ping.fm/5ZbNn Thanks to reciprocal feedback with Simon Bucknall. Great to have fresh eyes. Want to know more?

2009-10-22T02:04:00.001-07:00

Having fun showing clients my new smart meter! Is it the natural thrift of a Scot that attracts me to money saving gadgets?

2009-10-21T00:07:00.001-07:00

Preview Talk Confidence Intl before it publishes later today http://tinyurl.com/lwobah Comments welcome my Twitter friends :)

2009-10-20T03:09:00.001-07:00

10 Ways to Engage Your Staff on Carbon Reduction Initiatives Webinar 16.00 today http://tinyurl.com/ygp6r67 Join us?

2009-10-20T02:57:00.001-07:00

Having fun with my Smart meter! Isn't this a clever gadget to monitor your power usage. And I love gadgets that save me money :)

2009-10-19T01:34:00.001-07:00

Button F1 Winner! Outstanding result! Eddie Jordan puts it down to 'confidence and consistency!' As The Confidence Coach I agree!

2009-10-15T08:11:00.001-07:00

Big KISS! http://tinyurl.com/yks35ey Attend learn at a great event - Nov 5th. Had to agree to speak with name The Big Kiss!

2009-10-13T06:42:00.001-07:00

Robert Craven http://ping.fm/rPULY keynote speaker @ Barclays event @ Crewe Hall today. Superb! Actions planned!

2009-10-10T09:01:00.001-07:00

@anthonyday just started new post on energy prices on Confidence Coach forum http://tinyurl.com/ygh6ap5 Have your say

2009-10-07T00:22:00.001-07:00

Sitting having a breakfast meeting with Mindy @bookmidwife and sharing great ideas

2009-10-02T05:24:00.001-07:00

Smile! It's World Smile Day:) Read more here http://tinyurl.com/lwobah Become a World Smile Day® Ambassador & help just 1 person smile today

2009-09-30T23:08:00.001-07:00

Meeting with Siemens this morning... coaching ... closing with Martin Bell's book-signing at Waterstones, Deansgate. Going to be a fun day!

2009-09-28T01:49:00.001-07:00

Combat Stress Luncheon last week raised wait for it - £6005.00! Well done to the organisers, Khumi Burton, her team & speaker Martin Bell.

2009-09-27T02:19:00.001-07:00

Off to another charity luncheon. In this downturn the charities need our support more than ever. Win Win. No cook for me! Happy Sundays all!

2009-09-26T07:42:00.001-07:00

Guys gone off in B5 to Fulda leaving me to work on latest E-book. All words of encouragement welcome.

2009-09-26T07:24:00.001-07:00

Thank you to all visitors to The Confidence Coach Forum! Can hardly believe 7597 page views since June! WoWee! http://tinyurl.com/yedu222

Talk Confidence

2009-08-24T09:34:00.000-07:00

Weekly blogs are now posted on Eilidh Milnes, The Confidence Coach website

Check out The Confidence Coach- Positive person's virtual diary, Talk Confidence broadcasts, Be inspired! - Eilidh's Talk Confidence Newsletters are stored here...

Couple of current hot topics - redundancy and student debt.

You might also enjoy the Confidence Club Forum

Redundancy-Risks-Happy Teachers-Educators-Education-Tips-Resources-Student Debt-Employment Options-Meeting New People-Weight Matters-Handbags and Hipbones-Love, Life Fridge Magnets and the Universe et al...
Hope to see you posting there very soon.

Talk Confidence - March Ezine

2009-03-28T03:39:00.000-07:00

Ezine March 2009
As we revamp eilidhmilnes.com the easiest way to publish the monthly newsletter is via the Blog.
So here it is for you now ...

Reading time: Just a couple of minutes
Talk Confidence

Roger Black former Olympic Champion and fellow inspirational speaker, was featured on Working Lunch BBC2 earlier this month. He spoke with clarity and authority on the importance of being proactive, finding a good coach and dealing with change. Roger’s key messages:

Don't flounder on your own
Don't take on others people's concerns for you
Be positive and open-minded

This weekend sees the start of Formula One. Whether or not you follow the F1, think of your life like a car for a few moments. Your belief system acts like the steering wheel, guiding where you go in your career and your relationships. Your actions are your engine; you use your efficient dynamics to get things done and leave an impressive roar as you burn rubber and race toward your goals. The flashy paint job, Xenon headlights and alloy wheels are your words. They give a good impression but mean little without strong beliefs, commitments and action.

So if you accept that your most important words and conversations are those you have with yourself; then these Talk Confidence tips are in tune with the keys to your success.

When you think about positive thinking, do your grind yourself into a state of mental exhaustion with an endless effort to accomplish the apparently impossible? There is more to success that persistence. There is wit and resourcefulness; there is fluidity and spontaneity. There is the ability to recognise the value of an alternative option or even a totally different direction altogether.
“So if at first your don’t succeed….” What should you do?

Contemplate a change of attitude. If in the past you have found that your subconscious mind is more focused on what you cannot do than what you can do, it could be time to do some serious brain washing and re-programming. This negative habit can prove challenging, so here are the Confidence Coach tips for March.

Help others – a sure way to feel better about yourself is to help someone else with their issues and problems.

Stopwatch – allow yourself to think the worst with a time limit of say two minutes. Have your personal ‘pity party’ and conjure up the worst possible outcomes… but watch the clock. Have a good old moan to yourself. Imagine the least appealing scenario. However when you are in what the translates from German as the ‘Devil’s circle’ it is time to break out! Hit your delete button – and then trash these thoughts and focus on your best outcomes.
Stay Upbeat - Hit your enter key to positive thinking and should negative thoughts re-surface shout out, Talk Confidence.
Remember that according to Earl Nightingale, "Whatever you plant in your subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality."

Read more here: and follow the tips in the section, In Bed with Ants.

Holler if you think I can help you, your colleagues or clients and….

Be the Formula 1 Champion of your own life!

Best!
as aye,
Eilidh

To Twitter or not to Twitter...

2009-02-05T03:09:00.000-08:00

That is the question...

What I like most about Twitter is its simplicity.
Can you string together 140 characters? Sure you can - it is just 17/20 words?
So having established that let me assure you that you can use www.twitter.com and it does have many benefits.

Why should you bother to look at another online site? Maybe you are already on LinkedIn or Facebook or Utube and MySpace.

Then again maybe you are just looking to join the virtual friendship /business/relationship world. If so, Twitter is ideal for a novice.

Well a good enough reason for me, is that social networking experts are promoting the virtues and power of this latest on-line phenomenon.
Secondly, it is fun and fast.
And as someone who subscribes to a "Do it Now” philosophy for jobs that take two minutes and less Twitter is a must have plug-in to my online life.

It is good to link up with faces new and familiar and find up what they are up to. Was one of your new year's resolutions to stay in touch and be better connected to old friends? Twitter could be your new best friend!

The content of the Tweets and the quality of the people I have selected to follow is good on the whole. I have learned some great tips and ideas and shared a few as well. And as I type one new Tweeter is leading me to some potential speaking opportunities.
Let me, as someone who has only been using Twitter for about a month and thoroughly enjoying the experience, offer a few tips to you now:

• Take a good look at the bios of those you are considering following
• A return follow is not mandatory although always worth considering
• There is an option to un-follow or block but with your screening or selection process in place this unlikely to be required
• Check @Replies and Direct Messages first, as this is where I have found my most valuable information
• Chose an eclectic mix of people so that you get a wide variety of "tweets" to inform and inspire, laugh or loathe (yip a few will make you groan and moan and hehe that is good too!)
• Look at whom your favourites are following and consider doing the same
• Promote Twitter to your circle of contacts, friends and family - keeps you in touch - and raise your online presence
• Organisations use Twitter to inform membership – savvy schools posted closures on Twitter this week
• Major businesses, rich and famous use Twitter to create community and generate interest>sales
• Find out how to link Twitter to other sites and save time (lots of great ideas on Tweets as to how to do this)
• Select a Twitter-time in your life stick to it - otherwise you could find the process rather time consuming and maybe even addictive
• Give it a go for a couple of months - if you like it and see benefits -stick with it - if not - just stop twittering on

Read more on Jackie Cameron's great Blog

12 hours old and counting

2008-12-03T12:56:00.000-08:00

7 Ways to be a Cool Fat Cat website is live!
And it has been a joy to build.
Steve Otton at Apple Store Manchester has been a great teacher however, I do have to say that Macs are so-o easy to work with and so sensible, logical, simple and straightforward. Cool kit for Cool Cats.

Please visit the site and comment.
The simple strategies behind the 7 Cool Fat Cats are designed to work over a period of ninety days. This is a known success period in goal achievement terms. Just to 1% (yes just one per cent) extra each day and at the end of 90 days (yes ninety days) you will see an improvement of 90 per cent. (yes nearly 100% increase!)

Wow!
Ins't that worth giving a go?
What if it works?

Log on now and make a start...

Bullying by Stealth - TES

2008-11-17T00:17:00.000-08:00

"We spend the best years of our lives at school, although few pupils realise it at the time. But what about teachers? Can they honestly say that education is as rewarding as they would wish it to be? It should concern us all that many teachers answer that question with a regretful “No”, because there are few professions which are as vital to the future of a nation as that of teaching.
We entrust not just the intellectual wellbeing of our children into the hands of these dedicated men and women, but also the social and moral standards that society needs to uphold if
civilised behaviour and care for others is to cascade down from generation to generation.
I’ve spoken to many teachers about the great satisfaction, the spiritual reward, they obtain from seeing young minds and souls bloom and grow under their care. But sadly, I have spoken to many others for whom the classroom is a place of stress, anxiety and unhappiness."
Chris Roycroft-Davis

Chris wrote these words as part of the forward in "Love your Life.." and the reason the came to mind this morning is because I was reading in TES an article about Bullying by stealth - The drip-drip-drip of management bullying is wearing away at teachers.
If you have experienced this kind of treatment or know of a colleague who has been on the receiving end of bullying, please share your thoughts and ideas.

You might find the download "Dealing with Difficult People" available at eilidhmilnescom useful.

You will simply have to register to gain access to the free download materials.

A-List Readership!

2008-11-10T01:57:00.000-08:00

I have often said that I have the best of clients.
Now I think I can extend that to the best of readers too!

Dear Eilidh,
Just letting you know that I am enjoying the book that Geraldine Masson gave me as a leaving present on my departure from Wheelock Primary.
I like the common sense approach and the use of stories particularly the story of Teddy and Mrs Thompson! It does rather remind you why we are in this great profession.
Since I last saw you at the Deputy Heads Conference, I have been very busy: Successful Ofsted, achievement and attainment significantly improved for past 2 years, completed my NPQH alongside my Masters degree in Educational Leadership and Management (just!!), leadership and management visit to Cape Town schools through LECT ( now that was an experience!) and I have just been appointed as Head teacher to a large urban primary in Stafford (Flash Ley Primary School), a very different catchment from Wheelock but I have the same aspirations and expectations from that community.

I really like the 'Seven Ways to be a Cool Fat Cat' many of the concepts I already try to adhere to but some have focused me on improving those aspects of our characters/leadership that need a bit more TLC!! I have enjoyed reading about ensuring the profession doesn't take over our lives and am making sure I spend as much playtime with my own children as well as deciding to transfer my Territorial Army Commission off the Reserve List and back into an active unit, well all work and no play makes a very dull day. Overall I will certainly be recommending the book as it is so easy to read compared to all the other stuff out there, and I did enjoy the familiarity of knowing several of the names quoted from within the Cheshire area! Best of luck for the future and keep up the good work!

Regards
Gareth Morris
Wheelock Primary School

P.S. On my departure the kids in my class asked me “Now you are a Headteacher are you going to have to start acting responsibly?" My response was asking them what they thought the chances were of that happening. Their loud and enthusiastic reply was a unanimous “No way, not a chance!"...They know me too well!

Please let me know your views and news.

F1 World Champion

2008-11-04T06:53:00.000-08:00

Did you see the final of the F1 this weekend? It was drama and tension right to the last corner! And as family of Formula One fanatics... it was a true triumph.

Whether or not you caught the race, it cannot have missed your attention that the UK now has the F1 World Champion in Lewis Hamilton.

He is an amazing young man with so much determination and skill. Lewis had lazer focus on his dream. He believed in himself. He knew that he had what it takes; what was necessary to make him successful.

What can we learn from his amasing feat? Socrates said, "A warrior doesn't give up what he loves... he finds the love in what he does." And it is perfectly clear that Lewis has a passion and love for racing and this has embraced his entire family as well.

Never ever give up – even when things seem hopeless and slipping away from you.
Chase your goal with gritty tenacity.

There is a poem on my website called Don’t Quit!I recommend it to you.

Here is the first verse:
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must – but don’t you quit...

Just log on and register to read the rest of the poem and then you can download a variety of other resources too.

17 Reasons to be Grateful

2008-10-28T01:28:00.001-07:00

I am thankful:
1. For the wife/ partner who says, “It's beans on toast tonight,” because at least she is home with me and not out with someone else…
2. For the husband/ partner who is on the sofa being a couch potato because he is home with me and not out at the pub…
3. For the teenager, who is complaining about doing dishes, because it means she is at home; not on the streets…
4. For the taxes I pay, because it means I am in work…
5. For the mess left after a party, because it means I have been surrounded by good friends…
6. For the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have plenty to eat…
7. For my shadow that watches me work because it means I am surrounded by sunshine…
8. For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need attention, because it means I have a home...
9. For all the complaining I hear about the government because it means we have freedom of speech…
10. For the parking spot I find at the far end of the car park, because it means I am capable of walking…
11. For my heating bill because it means I am warm…
12. For the baby screeching in the supermarket because it means I can hear. ..
13. For the pile of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear. ..
14. For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been capable of hard work. ..
15. For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours of the morning because it means I am safe and alive. ..
16. For too much e-mail because it means I have friends who are thinking of me. ..
17. And finally, I am thankful for the crazy people I work with because they make work interesting and fun!

Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart!

Give Thanks - Excerpt from "Love your Life..."

2008-10-26T05:58:00.000-07:00

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of
all the others.” Cicero (Roman statesman and philosopher).

According to Emmons & McCullough, gratitude is the forgotten
factor in their research on happiness (2003). In this research,
under the heading Measuring the Grateful Disposition, most people
who reported being grateful (average rating of nearly six on a
seven-point scale), also had a sense of:wellbeing, prosociality, spirituality and were less materialistic.

In my experience, keeping a log book helps clients to focus on positive experiences and I am pleased that this opinion is supported in the research findings: “In an experimental comparison, those who kept gratitude journals on a weekly basis exercised more regularly, reported fewer physical symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic about the upcoming week compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events.”

Why not keep a gratitude log book? In troubled and uncertain times as we have in the world today it pays to focus on what you have... as opposed to what you have not.

Let me expand a little further on the four categories mentioned above:

Wellbeing: Grateful people report higher levels of positive
emotions, life satisfaction, vitality and optimism and lower levels
of depression and stress. The disposition towards gratitude
appears to enhance pleasant feelings more than it diminishes
unpleasant emotions. Grateful people do not deny or ignore the
negative aspects of life.

Prosociality: People with a strong disposition towards gratitude
have the capacity to be empathic and to take the perspective
of others. They are rated as more generous and more helpful by
people in their social networks.

Spirituality: Those who regularly attend religious services and
engage in religious activities such as prayer or reading religious
material are more likely to be grateful. Grateful people are more
likely to acknowledge a belief in the interconnectedness of all life
and a commitment and responsibility to others.

Materialism: Grateful individuals place less importance on
material goods; they are less likely to judge their own and others
success in terms of possessions accumulated; they are less
envious of wealthy persons; and are more likely to share their
possessions with others relative to less grateful persons.

What are YOU reading at the moment?

2008-10-21T04:49:00.000-07:00

Have you heard it said, “leaders and readers…or.. readers are leaders”?
If you accept this as a truism then let me ask the question again, “What are you reading just now”?

I’d be interested to know what is currently popular out there. As someone who works within personal development, I promote reading 10/15 minutes of positive input on a daily basis. Reading just before bedtime is ideal as it means your subconscious is put to work on the positive as opposed to negative.

250 ideas are on http://community.tes.co.uk/forums/t/180176.aspx

And if you wish a copy of my suggested reading list just register on www.eilidhmilnes.com and download the details.

Did you Watch the Awards?

2008-10-20T01:51:00.000-07:00

If you missed the programme last night then you can still check out the winners on http://www.teachingawards.com/winners/

Jeremy Vine and Myleene Klass hosted a great show and if you want to watch the video http://www.bbc.co.uk/videonation/feature/teachers/

It was all about commitment, caring, drive and outstanding leadership. Some of the clips were magical and made me feel privileged to have been a teacher. Reminded me of how much I miss the profession today.

Why not enter one of your "star" colleagues for the 2009 awards today? And even send some words of encouragement to the 2008 winners... all their details are on the website links above.

Celebrate Your School! Nominate By 1st March 2009!

2008-10-19T03:19:00.000-07:00

There is no better way to say thank you than recognition and reward.
Making a nomination is a fantastic way to give teachers, school governors and schools the recognition they deserve.
The closing date for the 2008 Teaching Awards has passed but nominations can now be submitted for 2009.

The closing date for the 2009 Teaching Awards is 5pm on 01 March 2009.

Gold Plato for top teachers: the UK 2008 ceremony is on BBC2 18:00, Sunday 19 October. Yes that is tonight!

Schools across the country are getting ready for the biggest celebration of excellence in education. Watch the 2008 Teaching Awards UK ceremony and post your comments...
For further information logon to: http://www.teachingawards.com

Is Relocation an Option for You?

2008-10-18T07:34:00.000-07:00

Western Australia is actively seeking teachers.

If you are in secondary education there are vacant posts with immediate effect.

Primary vacancies are for 2010.

Take a look at http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/

Or mail me for more information.

Other side of the coin

2008-10-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

Abbreviated copy of Eilidh's email to Edensor Technology College in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent,

Dear Mr Mercer,
I have just returned from a speaking tour in Australia to read in the press about the reaction to your planned staff training event in Marbella.
It seems crazy that this had to be cancelled and so short-sighted in respect of the authority, some parents and local government officials.

I have spoken at conferences in UK where the delegate rate is far higher than your planned expenditure.

Well done for trying to raise the staff morale in terms of self-esteem and self-worth. What a wonderful training treat you had prepared. Your staff would have returned refreshed, valued and inspired.
Mr Meredith, Stoke Mayor, certainly has a lot to learn about leadership and motivation. His small minded attitude seems to abound at present. Did he not stop to consider the positive effect your trip would on your staff have in terms of team building, self confidence, self-respect and worthiness.

And I wonder how staff morale now as a result of the cancellation?

Is there a forum or link where I can post my comments? I work with education establishments all over the world and would be happy to share my opinion with your critics.

If there is anything I can do to support you, please let me know. If you wish to comment or add your support follow this link.

Read more on http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7647891.stm

Ofsted Rewards

2008-10-14T01:23:00.000-07:00

I received this email from a head teacher last weekend.

"...Having a hectic term, had a two-day Ofsted Inspection last week, which went really well, only two weeks to half term! ..."

Have you had a positive experience with Ofsted? Were you rewarded appropriately?

Many schools are graded good and outstanding. Enlightened head teachers then look to reward the staff in a practical fashion.
Several forward thinking leaders look to further encourage the team with some unique personal development.
First class presentation skills are needed in teaching, especially nowadays.
One of our training offerings via IMU is a unique half-day seminar aimed at professionals, who want to improve their personal impact. It delivers solutions to develop self-confidence, self-awareness and presentation skills.
It is entitled Maximise your Visual and Vocal Impact!

We will mail the outline to you if you wish further details.

Seminar Includes:

• Detailed Participant Guide
• Style workbook – Your personal brand
• Signed copy of “Love your Life…”
• Audio CD "Taking Control of your Voice”
• Personalised Colour Swatch
• Cool Fat Cats Action Card!

Why not forward this to a colleague or your senior leader? We can tailor the event to the needs of your school. And you can also attend as an individual or with a group of friends.

One school is combining an Ofsted reward and Christmas gift - it is being part-funded by school. Colour coaching for all teaching and support staff. How cool is that? Better still the staff can have this super treat in their PPA time on school premises.

How do you think this makes the staff feel? Well done leaders!
Please comment…

Free Stuff for You - zoe@eilidhmilnes.com

2008-10-12T00:55:00.000-07:00

Would you like a copy of the "Cool Fat Cats" action card?

If so, mail us your postal address and we'll post one to you totally Free!
The action card is a great reminder to pop on your desk, notice board or fridge door. It gives you simple tips - the 7 Cool Fat Cat Strategies.
Take these on board to make a tremendous difference in your life.

All we ask in return is that you share the Action Card with colleagues, friends and family.

Mail to: zoe@eilidhmilnes.com with Cool Fat Cats in the subject box.

You'll find a copy in chapter 7 of "Love your Life... Survive the System..." too.

Other free materials are on the website under Downloads - you just need to register (bottom of the tool bar) and then gain access to the member resources.

Look forward to hearing from you :)

Posters and Display Resources

2008-10-11T06:59:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves a poster! TES have got a great selection for you accross all Key Stages - ready to use as memory joggers in class or as starting points for the children’s own work.

Click on http://www.tes.co.uk/ and select Resources

The Secret - Newsletter - October issue

2008-10-11T06:43:00.000-07:00

Do you enjoy surprises? Are secrets easy for you to keep?

Our secret is out! And boy was it hard to keep our surprise visit to Oz from Ms Cat. So many times we nearly slipped up gave the game away. Yet somehow we kept our clandestine plans hush-hush. And the result was that Catriona nearly fainted with shock and delight when we turned up, out of the blue, on her doorstep last month. It was fabulous to be there to help our daughter celebrate her 21st birthday. Cat's stunned reaction was worth all the time, effort, expense and skullduggery. We would not have missed it for the world.

Video footage captured the real gem of Kyle and Sarah's arrival at Latitude 21 on the Mackay harbour, where Cat and I were sitting sipping Chardonnay on the pretext of meeting her dad. Sarah and Kyle constituted an 'uber-surprise'. Catriona was really overcome with joy and emotion.

Can you create a magical time for the special people in your life? The perfect part is that by making someone else feel happy you feel great too!

Read more of the ezine on the web-site ...

FREE Download and Resource Materials

2008-08-31T02:32:00.000-07:00

You will see symbols used throughout "Love your Life...".
These are listed in the Introduction. They highlight action points – tasks to consider, snippets or takeaways of note and possible staff meeting/ team meeting topics.
The @ symbol indicates online resources or downloads. To download the FREE PDF files visit www.eilidhmilnes.com, register as a member and download the files you require.
There is a requirement to enter a code to become a full member and access exclusive download materials. This code is listed on page 14 of the book.

To buy your copy of "Love your Life..." you can visit my website or you can also purchase a copy directly from Amazon by following this link.

Benefits of "Love your Life..." to you and your organisation

2008-08-31T02:28:00.000-07:00

By the end of "Love your Life... Survive the System..." you should:
• Understand the importance of achieving a work/life
balance that suits you, your lifestyle and your teaching role
• Identify the benefits of achieving an effective balanced
lifestyle
• Identify ways to improve and maintain satisfactory
time management
• Be able to set clear goals around your own life priorities.

This should then lead to increased morale in your work environment, job satisfaction and a more balanced and happy life.

Eilidh on the Front Page!

2008-08-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

Click here for an introduction to TESconnect.

TESconnect has launched

Report by Craig Kind

Top UK teacher Eilidh Milnes is ready to play a key role as the British teaching community embraces its bright and buoyant future. One giant cyber-leap for teachers everywhere, the new social network and resource sharing platform for teachers, TESconnect, is set to radically change the educational landscape. An impassioned source at TES said the following:
"Hundreds of teachers and everyone here at TES have worked tirelessly to get TESconnect to where it is now, but more importantly, our efforts would all amount to nothing were it not for people like Eilidh and countless others. There are over 500,000 teachers being brought together in ways that were never before possible, until now. We’re connecting to each other and sharing tried-and-tested lesson plans between teachers who are hundreds of miles apart. Offering each other experience, inspiration and advice — all in an instant. The good that will come of this, for teachers, is potentially limitless."
Fellow TES members are particularly thrilled at the prospect of connecting to and hearing some of Eilidh ’s own resources and ideas.
In an interview, one member told us:
"Eilidh has been doing some really good things up to now, so I’m looking forward to sharing notes and resources... "

Love Your Life…Survive the System - Book Contents

2008-08-21T06:01:00.000-07:00

Become a member using exclusive log in code. Free download resource materials for site members - see P14 of the Love your Life

Contents

Foreword 4
Preface 6
What people say about Eilidh 8
Chapter 1: Introduction 11
Chapter 2: Why teach? 17
Chaper 3: Strategies for coping with stress 33
Chaper 4: Tips and goal-setting 53
Chaper 5: Contributions, observations and opinions 69
Chaper 6: Ideas to make your day fun 83
Chapter 7: Strategies for a happy, less stressed life 93
Chaper 8: Respect 99
Chapter 9: Thorny issues 105
Chapter 10: How to achieve a more balanced work schedule 117
Chapter 11: How to increase confidence and feel better about yourself 131
Chapter 12: Is it all worthwhile? 137
Chapter 13: Final challenges 145
Chapter 14: Happiness – one last action point 151
Further Resources 154
Bibliography 155
Acknowledgements 156

Ethics in Education

2008-07-26T01:38:00.000-07:00

If you bring up the topic of ethics in business you may hear a conversation about Enron, insider trading, fraud or Northern Rock. In education circles the topic of ethics may take a slightly different slant.

In 2007, Baroness Blackstone stated in the House of Lords, “We have to allow the working group led by the local authority employers to see whether it is possible to remove grossly incompetent teachers …. After all, they are damaging the education of children.”

How do you feel about Baroness Blackstone’s comment? Has she identified a major ethical issue? Does her statement generate an emotional response from you? Do you basically agree or disagree? Perhaps society gets the teachers it creates and deserves? In my opinion, educational institutions are microcosms of the culture and the society that supports them. As such, they should be bastions of ethical behaviour. Our institutions should be the training ground for staff and students to determine and practice their personal ethics code, which will guide them for the remainder of their lives and professional careers.

As I see it, decisions which have substantial impact are made within administration bodies. These decisions affect the entire institution, including staff, support personnel, students, and even visitors to the school. As such they should be a model of ethical consideration for all involved, and should serve as an example for the school community. Higher education has the role of providing not just such examples for students, but of providing students with education in ethical values, including the underlying concepts, critical thinking skills to help in decision making, a broad view of universal ethical codes, and a sense of responsibility for others when making personal choices. A quote from the Ethics Workbook 1999 states that “Ethics, like the gyroscope, is a mechanism that must be used consciously and continuously to maintain direction, stability, and equilibrium.”

The tragedy is that teachers are often afraid to take ownership of their beliefs. They fear alienation and rebuke for as society is all too keen to blame teachers when things go wrong. Faith schools still have a strong underlying ethos of moral guidance and many parents and students are drawn to these educational establishments and yet these too are under government scrutiny. So it is little wonder that teachers feel disconnected and dissatisfied and go on to consider alternative employment.

Read Chapter 9 Thorny Issues and post the questions you would ask...

BBC Radio Stoke - Pete Morgan interviews Eilidh

2008-07-18T00:09:00.000-07:00

Listen again - for the next seven days - Pete Morgan of BBC Radio Stoke interviews Eilidh to do with classroom blues - and how the new book "Love your Life... Survive the System" can help reduce stress and workload in the classroom.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-perl/whatson/prog_parse.cgi?FILENAME=20080724/20080724_0700_52275_7704_180

Love your Life - Now Available

2008-07-17T11:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Your-Life-Happiness-Curriculum/dp/1906316139/ref=sr_1_1?
ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216142385&sr=8-1

Just copy and paste this link to Amazon to order your copy today.
And why not be one of the first to enter a comment?
Or email us and we will post a copy to you.

Talking of comments, here is an endorsement for the book from QCA. Mick Waters Director of Curriculum QCA (Qualification and Curriculum Authority) says,

"We want young people to be at ease with their learning. That is why good curriculum design is vital… and why we have emphasised a ‘bigger picture’ of curriculum as a way of getting people to use the impact of their work.

Of course, one of the essential factors in youngsters being happy with learning is the teacher… and learners often mirror teachers… happy teachers; happy children!

This book offers a step by step analysis of the way teachers can take control of their lives, professional and personal. It is full of ideas, techniques, approaches and sense.

I do take issue with the part that says the curriculum can be a problem. Think about it; curriculum is why we have schools… and all over the country we find teachers who can make it work for them rather than the other way round.

Happy teachers, happy learning, happy youngsters... Enjoy the book and enjoy the job!"

Media Expert - Chris Roycroft-Davis reviews Love your Life...

2008-06-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

"I've spoken to many teachers about the great satisfaction they obtain from seeing young minds and souls bloom under their care. But I have spoken to many others for whom the classroom is a place of stress, anxiety and unhappiness.

This book has been needed for many years and Eilidh Milnes has done a great service in satisfying that need and presenting her sound advice in an easy, effective manner. It will give teachers the inspiration and positive guidance they need to love their lives and be happy.

If you're not a teacher, there is learning and nurture here for everyone, whatever your vocation. Treat it as an old friend you can return to repeatedly for a fresh dose of common sense and some kind and nourishing words of encouragement and help.

This book truly reflects the upbeat nature of its author, a woman who will never let a smile or a joyful thought pass her by, and who loves to share her inner strength with others."

Chris Roycroft-Davis – Former Executive Editor of the Sun Newspaper

Think like a question mark!

2008-06-15T03:27:00.000-07:00

Time is a limited and expensive resource that requires as much, if not better, management than money. If time is money, how many people would spend it so unwisely and freely without any focused pre-planning, prioritising or indeed any forecasting on the return on the investment?

In today’s busy world many are still forced to do just that because they don’t have the time to change their behaviour. 'No' is your most powerful time management tool. When we know what our values are, and when we have a clear set of goals in all areas of our lives, we're in a much stronger position to politely and appropriately say 'no' to potential time-stealers and less relevant activities.

Every week, block in a few important non-urgent actions. It's too easy to get caught up in deadlines. To change that emphasis make appointments with yourself... and if you are not sure what to be tackling then address the big issues you have been avoiding.

Constantly ask, 'What is my highest priority right now?' This is a great focusing question. And how can I do this task more efficiently?' Think like an exclamation mark and question your activities.

Love Your Life…Survive the System - A Teacher’s Happiness Curriculum

2008-06-09T22:29:00.000-07:00

TUC Study - Unpaid work study or Professional enslavement?

In UK almost 5million people missed out on almost £5,000 each in wages by working unpaid overtime in 2007 a study shows.

The report by the TUC, found that one in five people was not paid for carrying out seven hours and six minutes of extra work each week. If the unpaid work were carried out at the beginning of the year, the survey calculated that the average worker would not be paid until February 22^nd.

Is this not a good reason to manage your time more effectively or do you practice professional enslavement?

Learn valuable time managment tips - tailored to teachers... in the Love your Life, which launches next month...

Radio Manchester

2008-05-30T12:42:00.001-07:00

May 30th 2008

Listen again to Radio Manchester with Heather Stott and Eilidh, Glen & Pat reviewing news and views on Coffee Shop

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-perl/whatson/prog_parse.cgi?FILENAME=20080530/20080530_0900_50228_59503_180

Are our children being tested tested to destruction in our schools?

2008-05-13T00:15:00.000-07:00

Panorama Report on SATs

This week in primary schools all over England children aged 11 are sitting down to do their Standard Assessment 'SATs' tests.
But do the exams - as the Government claims - help to drive up standards?
Or are they narrowing the curriculum and creating a culture of "teaching to the test" - spoiling schools, and the education they can offer children?
Log on to http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/to get more details on this report.
And have your say here... what do YOU think about SATs?

What is Your WHY?

2008-05-09T00:20:00.000-07:00

Excerpt taken from a chapter entitled, Why did you start this journey?

"I love teaching and even in my darkest hour I could not imagine leaving the profession..."

"Teaching drives me crazy at times, but I cannot imagine doing anything else..."

"Great teachers know that they are always on stage. They know who they are, how they act and what they believe in. These are as important as the subjects they teach..."

In my leadership sessions, I encourage teachers to move from the position of being good to that of being great. In my opinion, great teachers give us a sense not only of who they are, but more importantly of who we are and who we might become. They unlock our energies, our imaginations and our minds.

Effective teachers pose compelling questions, explain options, teach us to reason, suggest possible directions and urge us on. The best teachers, like the best leaders have an uncanny ability to step outside themselves and become a liberating force in our lives...

Why teachers either don't get in or want to get out?

2008-04-26T23:24:00.000-07:00

"A research document by Durham University in November 2006, stated that the issues of workload and pupil behaviour were found to be the most important in dissuading teachers from entering the profession or possibly causing them to leave teaching..." excerpt from "Love your Life... Survive the System.

Post your comment today.

Blog Offer for my Favourite Ambassadors

2008-04-25T03:33:00.000-07:00

Special Offer!

The first 50 signed copies of 'Love your Life...' will be available to my favourite ambassadors at the special knock down price of just £8.99 inc. P&P - a saving of £6.96! The book will also retail via the normal channels - online stores such as Amazon and high street bookstores. RRP £12.95

The promotional copies will be on a first come basis and all that I ask in return is that you place a book review on the Blog by the end of August and respond to a simple on-line survey ... And of course promote the book to friends and colleagues!

Buy your copy at the shopping cart very soon!

The quarterly newsletter will alert you to the offer going live. So check that you are registered at www.eilidhmilnes.com

The details of how to order multiple copies and bulk orders at discounted prices will be available nearer the launch date.

A Great Team and a Taster

2008-04-23T23:08:00.000-07:00

'Love your life... survive the system' is at the editorial stage. Perhaps writing the book has been the easy part, as now the task of marketing and promoting of the book begins. Fortunately, I have a great team and I am confident that we will achieve the tight deadline.

Look out for the online surveys ... special offers and promotions... and here is a taster of the book for you:

Do you have more to do than time to do it? Does the quality of your work suffer? Do you find it hard to be happy because you are trying to do just way too much? Well, welcome to modern life! Yet it does not have to be this way does it?

You love your life…but it drives you crazy sometimes. People love you…but you drive them crazy sometimes. You’re full of ideas…but you wish you could see more of them take root and grow to their full potential.

You’re supposed to slow down; you’re supposed to exercise more and meditate; you’re supposed to eat fibre for breakfast and fresh fish for dinner and drink eight glasses of water a day. You’re supposed to make love regularly, pray often, and do unto others as you would have them do unto you - not forgetting the all important task of list making!

Well there is no Pulitzer Prize for writing the best “To-do” list!

There will be weekly teasers of the book from now till the launch. So keep coming back to read more and place your comments. Thank you.

Love Your Life... Survive the System...

2008-04-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

This resource book for teachers publishes on Thursday 17th July...