Thursday, January 27, 2011

Words of Wisdom: Catherine McDowell, MD of ANZ Private Banking




Today I read an interesting interview in a recent issue of 'inFinance' with Catherine McDowell, who is the Managing Director of ANZ Private Banking.

In it, she talks of her experiences - she says,

"I learnt at an early stage that a lot of your career progression is based on a couple of fundamental tenets: always be good at what you do; make sure that you've got the training and you are performing. And network. You've got to manage your own career and plan."

She goes on to say, "Having a mentor or coach for me was absolutely critical ... I was very committed once I decided I wanted a full blown career."

Here are my learnings from this:

1. To be good at what you do, it's important to know what you do really really well... and then do it.

2. Assess gap areas: for example skills you know you need to develop or knowledge you need to expand - then set a simple action plan for how you want to attack these areas in the next 90 days.

3. It's not necessarily what you know, but who you know. Networking is vital. I'll be sharing some top tips on this soon.

If you need help getting clarity for yourself on any of the 3 tips above, get in contact with me at any time.
-RW

Monday, January 10, 2011

Comfort Zones Are There To Be Broken




- Does fear get in your way?

- Do you waste energy conjuring 'what if...' scenarios in your head?

- Does the idea of trying something new freak you out?

Your comfort zone is 'comfortable' because everything within it is known to you. Here, there are no surprises.

Goals, by their very nature, are outside of your comfort zone. Trying new things, or testing yourself, are also beyond these boundaries.

Although it feels warm and fuzzy and safe in 'your zone' it also means you're potentially operating on auto-pilot: in a constant state of mere existence. Which, although easy, is not really all that fun.

As human beings, we have masses of potential and true fulfilment only comes from testing that potential.

As adults we teach ourselves to stop testing those limits because 'fear' creeps in. We start questionning whether 'we should' and 'what might others think of us'.

Here's a thing: set yourself a mini goal. Nothing too outrageous! Decide what you could do in the next 24-48 hours to get on with it and start making it happen. Already you're out of your comfort zone.

- Maybe you need to ask someone's advice
- Maybe you need to make a phone call
- Maybe you need to start doing some research

Whatever it is, go for it. Every single step you take expands your 'zone' so that you become 'comfortable' with so much more. This has a profound effect on your confidence and esteem - what else are you capable of?

-RW

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Make 2011 Your Year - Work with Rebecca!





Happy New Year! It's so exciting to have a fresh year ahead of us and I can really taste the winds of change. 2010 was a very hard year for many people. It's now time to look with fresh eyes upon the plethora of opportunities out there for us all.

If you are looking to take your career into a different stratosphere this year, you'll love everything that is going on at Clear Horizon Coaching.

If you :- Feel stuck in your current career
- Want to get promoted or enjoy a pay rise in 2011
- Know you need to raise your profile at work and get ahead
- Want some help to develop a simple yet powerful Career Plan for the next 12 months and beyond...

...then I am exactly who you need!

Check out the many testimonials on my website
Explore the ways in which I can help you
Book an introductory session today and enjoy new results!

-RW