ActionPodcast

At times we all find ourselves in a state of worry. It can be a very debilitating state and really impact our well-being and prevent us from getting the results we want. But it doesn't have to be that way. In this podcast, Chris and Paul discuss how to simply break the cycle of worry in any situation and find a better approach. After listening to the podcast and trying the suggestions, please leave a comment and let us know how it worked for you. We'd love to hear from you!

Feel like you are going nowhere? We might label it as laziness or procrastination at those times when we really don't feel like we're making any head-way at all. But what is really going on? It could be that point in the rollercoaster ride where we are faced with a journey that looks entirely up-hill. Are you really being lazy? Could it be that you are just progressing towards your goal REALLY slowly? Have you overlooked what you've actually completed? Or even worse, are you actually moving in the opposite direction (away from what you want)? Join Paul & Sam as they explore how to tell which direction you're facing, whether you're moving or not, and some ways that you can start to measure & track your progress so that you are always clear on the action that is needed.

Have you ever avoided telling someone something, because you knew as soon as you did they would start telling you what you have to do to fix it? Especially with close friends, family and loved ones. Their advice is always well intended but sometimes you might just need to get things off your chest to help you think things through. The last thing you need is someone giving you their words of wisdom before you have even finished giving them the facts! In this show Sam and Paul go though some of the pros and the cons of giving advice and when not to. It can be confusing knowing when to give or receive advice, so giving people the heads up before you start can make the whole conversation take on a different slant. We also cover how to deal with unwelcome advice without burning your bridges and upsetting people, which can all too easily happen as you'll hear!

On this show I talk to someone very special indeed! One of our listeners has agreed to take a huge step outside her comfort zone and speak with me about the podcast, personal development and her own experience.

"It takes one to know one" is a phrase that often gets used by children when name-calling starts! Yet, despite it's derogatory use as a rejoinder - there is a lot of wisdom present. Think of someone you really admire, and which character traits of their's shine through. Sometimes it is much easier to believe something unpleasant about ourselves, than to acknowledge and accept that those traits we really admire in another person are part of us too. When we think of each relationship as a mirror for ourselves, there is a lot of worthiness there to love - if/when we accept it. (Likewise, when someone is really annoying us - chances are we are doing that 'annoying thing' in some way too!) Join Sam and Paul as they explore the piece of poetry that inspired both this discussion and a Full Out and Fearless blog post by @CoachCharrise on 22nd April 2009; and discover a quick and simple way to start reflecting the love to yourself that you deserve - no matter how scary that may sound! Seek that which you love in me And find it in yourself, For I am but a mirror for all Your magic inner wealth. See me shine and light the way And choose to do so too, For shared just like the Olympic torch You too can burn so true. Feel me stretch and challenge my bounds And find your wings to fly, For deep within your caterpillar heart You are a glorious butterfly. Sense my presence and be inspired And acknowledge your own gifts, For we each are divine and worthy Your soul my heart uplifts. Written by Sam Forsberg, 15th February 2008, For Cameron

The 3rd episode in their impromptu series on life's ups and downs, follows the progress of Sam & Paul's journeys through boiling point (1st) and swinging between extremes (2nd). Ignorance is not bliss. In fact, it tends to make life hell. As we learn, we are likely to move through 4 stages of competence - rarely jumping from Unconscious Incompetence (ignorance!) directly to Unconscious Competence (mastery!). Along the way, we pass through Conscious Incompetence (aware but struggling), and hopefully into Conscious Competence (aware and succeeding). Join Paul and Sam as they explore how their actions (no matter how imperfect/perfect, small/large) move them through the challenge of overwhelm and unresourcefulness, and into more aware states of learning, choice and empowerment; where things aren't all rosy but are a darn sight less ugly! Tell us why you love this podcast by leaving a comment below (before 15th May), and you'll automatically be entered into our milestone 5,000th motivational download celebration draw! Click here for more details, or simply add your comment below NOW!

How does it feel when you are speaking to someone and it seems like your words are passing through the air between you, going in one of their ears, and out their other ear almost simultaneously? There is nothing much more frustrating than that! "I'm not being listened to! They aren't hearing me! Why am I so misunderstood?" Having to constantly repeat ourselves is not the only option! Join Chris and Sam as they explore the differences between hearing and listening, how it affects our communication when we feel like we aren't being listened to, and what we can start doing to improve the effectiveness of our speaking and listening straight away.

Join Sam and our latest Guest Podcaster Wyn Morgan - Executive Coach & Facilitator - as they discuss how one well-timed and well-chosen question can open up doors of options, energy and immediate action to get us through those times we just want to avoid! We all have days and/or moments where we: don't feel confident enough feel too fat/boring/unattractive don't have the energy for it have committed to something but don't really want to do it Sometimes we can 'force' ourselves into action, and at other times we give in to the resistance and indulge our desire to avoid whatever it is. It can be far more fun and easy though, to simply ask ourselves a question that encourages immediate action regardless of how we feel - and then lets our emotions and attitudes catch up to our new perspective! Click here to find out more about Wyn and his Wynning Ways!

This is the high-energy follow-up to the previous podcast 'Blindsided by Anger?' Sometimes it feels like we're swinging from one extreme to the other - one moment careening towards a crash, and a moment later, struggling up the mountain without a clear view of when (or if) we'll reach the top. Life can feel like a rollercoaster ride of heady peaks and stomach-churning troughs, and whilst we would all be terribly bored if it was just a flat track to the horizon... wouldn't it be great if we could learn to balance out those pendulum-swings just a little? Even-it-up a bit so that it flowed more smoothly, and we could actually start to enjoy the ride? Sam joins Paul on his train-journey of discovery into how we can keep the momentum and motivation flowing when we need it most! We've just had our 5,000th motivational podcast download and are celebrating by giving away 4 free telephone coaching sessions. All you have to do is post a comment on our site (Comment on this post!) before 15 May and you may be the lucky winner. Click here for more details and leave a comment to win. Take that action now!

It can be hard enough to talk about or express positive feelings like love and gratitude, let alone harsher or more 'negative' feelings like anger, frustration and hurt. Do you bottle them up? Do you cry them out? If you've ever felt blindsided by strong emotions that you couldn't express, then there is a good chance they have been lurking in the shadows waiting for the opportunity to jump out when your guard is down. Paul and Sam talk about how their own frustrations reached boiling points recently, and that in the process of trying to understand what they were feeling, they discovered what was hidden in the causal blind-spots that then allowed them to acknowledge and release their pent-up emotions! We've just had our 5,000th motivational podcast download and are celebrating by giving away 4 free telephone coaching sessions. All you have to do is post a comment on our site (Comment on this post!) before 15 May and you may be the lucky winner. Click here for more details and leave a comment to win. Take that action now!

THANK YOU SO MUCH ! We are very excited to announce that today, Friday 17 April 2009, Action Podcast enjoyed its 5000th download! To celebrate, we are offering our listeners a fantastic, motivational offer –  4 FREE telephone coaching sessions with an Action Podcast Coach of your choice! To make sure you are in with a chance of winning, simply post a comment in the box below, or post an iTunes review, telling us what you most enjoy about actionpodcast.com. On 15 May 2009, we will randomly select one entrant as our 5000th download winner. So don't delay! Here's your chance to get help in turning your life around. Post a comment below now, or submit a review on iTunes TERMS AND CONDITIONS The 4 free coaching sessions will last 45 minutes and must be taken between Monday 20 April and Wednesday 30 September 2009. They will be by phone (if you live in the UK) or by Skype. Due to the global nature of this offer, there are certain restrictions to the time of day that these sessions will be available. The winner will have 7 days to accept their prize or it will be re-drawn and awarded to another listener. Post your comment now - and make 2009 a year to remember. Good luck!

Are you finding it increasingly difficult to communicate with your children? Do you spend more time trying to control and discipline than talking with and listening to them? If you are feeling disempowered as a parent, then this podcast may well be the answer to your prayers! Gina talks to family coach pioneer, Alan Wilson, founder of Develop Your Child, about effective ways to engage with and listen to your children, leading to a deeper emotional connection and a more fulfilling and supportive family dynamic. For further information on family coaching and resources available visit Alan's website at: www.developyourchild.co.uk

Once again from recent experiences with Twitter Paul finds himself discussing them on the Podcast. This time Paul and Gina cover dealing with negative people without having your head in the clouds, or sand for that matter!

Asking for help seems to be one of those dying arts. Something we've lost touch with the ability to do. We feel uncomfortable and vulnerable; and like we've failed or can't handle the pressure. But when it's offered, we're suspicious of the motive. Whilst the perfectionist or overachiever in us cringes at the thought of requesting assistance and sharing the load, our controlling aspects can feel desperate and frustrated, and this seems to add to our stress and uncertainty. Yet receiving help can be both a miracle and a gift - helping us to make progress and overcome challenges, whilst empowering the giver-of-help with a sense of achievement and purpose. They say two heads are better than one, so Gina & Sam put theirs' together to explore just why asking for help is so hard, and how we can take small steps towards fruitful collaboration.

Are you the type of person that doesn't seem to have any time to yourself? Do you also find that you never get thanks for the thing you are doing? Maybe it's time to start giving yourself some credit. Spending some time and energy on yourself doesn't automatically make you selfish!