What artists tell us about change and inspiration

Ever heard the expression 'Take things as they come'? It's easier said than done, isn't it? 

Especially if you are facing 'a measure of darkness' or where times are proving challenging.

An artist is someone with a uniquely creative ability who can show us the light. Usually an artist sees the world in a different way to others, or experiences the world with extra feeling and sensitivity. They see the potential for freedom of expression in many ways. Their ability to reinvent and develop themselves, whether through art, music or many other medias, is an inspiring skill. 

When a painter/artist has come to the end of a particular passion or theme, they often have spare canvases that somehow did not quite develop into their full potential. These cast-offs are just steps along the way (they may feel frustrated, though eventually overcome that). A common process that usually leads the artist to produce another, better version, of earlier attempts. Often you'll see them re-painting over old canvases. 

It is that ability to transform that translates well into the human potential. Just as the artist, we can learn to cast-off earlier versions of ourselves, our behaviours and any outdated beliefs. We don't need a brand new canvas, we have ourselves. 

We can change, it just takes a little faith. Quite a lot of trust is required and we can change, we can fulfill our potential and find inspiration. 


Angie 

See:

http://www.angiegiles.co.uk/
Twitter: angie_therapist
Facebook: Angie Giles Hypnotherapy

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About the Author: Angie works as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach at the Norfolk Clinic Complementary Healthcare Clinic, 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich, NR3 4AG. 

Call Angie directly on 07773 610816 or email info@angiegiles.co.uk 
Angie offers a free initial chat to find out more, as part of your first consultation. 

Fear of the unknown

Once upon a time, a long time ago, I was told I had asked too many questions at a meeting. In order to keep the status quo, I learnt to keep my questions inside me, unanswered or answered at a later time when the moment of learning had passed. It wasn't the best strategy for me. 

Since blossoming into the person I am now, I know different.  It was all about joyful curiosity. Someone I respect who has helped me on my journey once explained to me that curiosity is what gets you moving away from the past and toward your future (well maybe not exactly what they said, though it was along those lines). Curiosity can be the key to unlocking someone's potential.

If you're afraid of insects for example, it could be that you did not have the joyful experience (see the picture) of being encouraged to love butterflies and all the other insects around you. Perhaps a wasp sting as a toddler put you off because your curiosity was without any fear at the time. What if that insect fear had developed into an irrational fear that stops you from enjoying time outside in the fresh air though? If you are still fearful of insects, consider how it would be to not have that irrational fear any more. What would that be like? What would it be like for those who have seen how scared you were now hearing and seeing you be fear-free? How liberating! I used to dislike moths, I can now have them flying above my head without the irrational part of my brain kicking in. 

What about an uncertain career or life path? What if you are going through redundancy or facing personal upheaval? The necessity of keeping a roof over your head and regular commitments might push you towards fear. Fear can lead to paralysing inactivity, taking a hasty decision that you later regret and worst of all... panic. Instead, what if you were able to take a breath (literally and metaphorically) and take a different view of the situation? To float above it and feel differently. Perhaps viewing it as the time to make a new start and find how it flows into the next exciting part of your journey. It can be done with joyful curiosity! I have been through redundancy and come through the other side myself. 

Whether you are facing an uncertain future, or you have been held back by fear of something there's always a time to develop curiosity, to make a change and if you want, to get the help you may need to do it. I offer a free initial consultation so you can find out what support I can give you too.  Good luck on your journey of joyful curiosity! 

Email info@angiegiles.co.uk  

angiegiles.co.uk
Twitter: angie_therapist
Facebook: Angie Giles Hypnotherapy

About the Author: Angie works as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach at the Norfolk Clinic Complementary Healthcare Clinic, 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich. Norfolk Clinic reception on 01603 660792 or directly on 07773 610816. She loves helping other people achieve their potential at work and in life and achieving happiness using a range of therapeutic techniques.

The Job Search Blues and ways to motivate yourself

During the job search, it’s often not only the bank balance that can seem like it's going downhill. If you’ve been through redundancy or been looking for work for a while, self-esteem can also take a hit. The bills may be piling up and all you want is for someone to just see your potential, take a chance on your and give you a job.  It’s not too much to ask really, is it? Well, that’s a good question!

If you are feeling low, the chances are you are unintentionally showing something of that to potential employers. It tends to ‘leak out’ without you realising it.  Almost imagining accepting yet another rejection letter floating through the letterbox before you've even finished the application? It will show. So what to do if you feel stuck or seem weighed down by the situation?

Some sure fire ways to get yourself motivated to complete your applications:

1. If you feel like your energy is almost get up and gone; get outside. Go for a walk and take yourself completely away from the job search for 10 to 15 minutes. Listen and watch nature. Breathe deeply.  Getting oxygen back in your system is valuable and can re-energise and refresh your mind and your body. It’s amazing how we forget the power of breathing to instantly improve our outlook on life.  
2. List your strengths or ask people who know you well what they think your strengths are. We sometimes forget these values as important to an employer. What are we good at? Would we be the one to keep a calm head when everyone else is flustered? A good listener? Able to explain complex things simply? Do you recognise in yourself what other people tell you that you are good at? Can you use that knowledge in your applications?
3. Think of each job application as a step towards your new future.  Like Takeshi’s Castle (a Japanese TV show) where the contestants go across water by giant stepping stones. Some of the stones are solid and others do sink so that a contestant falls in the water.  If you consider you have learnt something from those stones that don’t hold weight, it can seem less painful. Perhaps those roles were not right for you anyway and the next application may be toward firmer ground and a healthier bank balance too.
   
4. Make sure you concentrate on applying for jobs that you think you are going to enjoy.  If you really like the sound of the job, the more chance you’ll focus effort into getting it, rather than ‘just another application’.  Imagine what it would be like to work there. How would it feel? What are the people like? Look up the company details and do a bit of research on them, so you can ask questions to show interest if you’re invited to interview.  I was asked questions about an unusually listed company (private stock) at interview, and yes, I’d done my research so I could easily answer… and they offered me the job.Good luck and keep positive. You deserve success!  

See:angiegiles.co.uk
Twitter: angie_therapist
Facebook: Angie Giles Hypnotherapy

About the Author: Angie loves helping other people achieve their potential at work and in life and achieving happiness using a range of therapeutic techniques. Available via skype, telephone as well as face to face. Based in Norwich, Norfolk, UK.. 

When you dream...

It's been a busy week for me. I know there are times in life when there does not seem enough hours in the day for all the things that we want to do, right? I was sorting out paperwork for the last couple of weeks, in between seeing clients. I learnt a valuable lesson to be more organised in many ways.

I also was pleased to get a day out at a spa (with a company called 'Dream on'), courtesy of a competition win earlier this week. How lucky I felt!  Once this article has been published I will post it here. As part of the day, I was asked why I had become a therapist and about my transition to being self employed after working in the employed world for many years.  There's many reasons of course why we do what we do. What motivates us can sometimes be negativity (surely bad for Karma in the long run?) and there is also good stuff. Things that help us to push through - and way beyond - what we actually thought we were capable of. For me, opening up and saying my reasons and my background was challenging. I know that everyone has their own personal journey and mine is considerably easier than many other people. What I got from doing it, was a sense of pride to look back and see that despite doubting my own abilities over the years, I was following my dream.

It made me think. I suppose I am most of the time what some people call 'glass half full'. In reality a part optimist, part realist. I do have the odd day when the liquid drains right out too. Days when I need a way of recapturing my 'mojo'. I have a few personal ways of doing this. One is to watch a video of myself (a real one) of when I felt really good achieving something I worked hard to do. I feel really positive about it too. I would also encourage you to find a way of respecting your abilities and strengths. One simple way is to keep a photo memory on your desk or with you. Something to make you smile, or play music to lift your mood. A little 'pick me up' that you can dip into at any time.

I give my clients self help techniques, and they like it as they gain control. I hope to share these with you too perhaps, if you are interested? I can be contacted for an initial free consultation on 07773 610816, if you are ready to take a step towards realising your potential and going for your dreams. Just like I did.