ActionPodcast

Time management is always a challenge, but taking the time to use a few tricks to keep you on track can make a dramatic difference. If you think something should take 45 mins then setting an alarm for that time not only keeps you on track but also serves as a reminder that you need to focus on what you are doing. It's also great for making sure you take breaks that will actually add to your motivation rather than hinder it. Chris and Gina reveal many other tips to help you make a conscious effort to keeping on track and on time.

Do you do what you say you will? Are you trustworthy? Do you find that by not following through you are really letting yourself down as well as others? Chris and Gina cover the subject of walking your talk. Tip number 54 in our eBook. By not following up with what you have promised can really put a strain on your own self confidence. Where as if you stay true to your commitment you'll feel more empowered.

Are you true to yourself or do you feel frustrated by not being able to be yourself with people? Gina and Paul talk about how we all can find ourself in a situation where we find we just aren't being honest with ourselves or the people around us. Maybe we started to tell little white lies at first as it just didn't seem important, but now it's become unbearable. At the start of a relationship it's all to easy to adapt yourself to fit into the image that you think your potential partner is really looking for, only to find further down the line, you end up resenting them for "making" you act in a different way. Find out how being honest from the "get go" can really make your life and relationships a lot less troublesome in the future. Learn to be loved for who you really are.

Many people know a few bits and pieces when it comes to body language. Often it's difficult to think about your own when you are actually in the moment. Paul and Sam discuss how they use body language and a really simple trick anyone can use to send out the right signals. Also why you should think about your body language even if the other person can't see you. This tip was also covered in our ebook which you can download instantly by popping your email address into the box in the top right corner of this page. [amazon ASIN="0061438294"]What Every Body Is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-reading People[Paperback] [/amazon]

After a recent visit to Florida, where he was impressed by the high level of customer service (often missing in the UK!) Paul shares his insights with Gina about providing good customer service. How can you provide good customer service to someone without feeling you are about to be taken advantage of? Here's how: by simply by giving yourself a few seconds to calm down and sense what the real issues are, what the person is asking for and how you can really be of most help to them. Giving great customer services does not mean you have to compromise yourself. If you have downloaded the podcast from iTunes remember to post a review and visit our website at ActionPodcast.com to leave a comment or contact one of the presenters directly. Sign up to receive the podcast directly to your inbox, plus an additional weekly blog post! You’ll also receive a copy of our new e-Book.

Paul and Chris talk about how you can deal with times when you know things are just going to be a lot of hard work. We all have times when the going gets tough, it's all a part of the ups an downs of life. If you feel you are going through, or are about to, a period in your life that could be a bit of a burden, then this podcast is for you. Packed full of tips, tricks and ideas you might like to try yourself. Learn how to reduce the burden of long distance and frequent traveling Develop how to take a break, even when work is demanding a lot of your time How to cope with over indulgence, either self imposed or as a result of a host's hospitality Techniques on how to stick to what you know is good for you Dealing with repetitive tasks Find out your own ways to relieve the pressure and then let us know what works for you! (As mentioned in the podcast here is he photo of Chris at the Pyramids!)

It's all too easy to fall into the habit of admonishing and punishing friends and loved ones for their irritating habits. How many times have you asked him/her to put the loo seat down, put the plates in the dish washer and not the sink and put their clothes away? It can be exhausting repeating yourself. And your pleas often fall on deaf ears! So after reading an article on reward vs punishment, Sam and Gina consider the benefits of encouraging a change in behaviour by focusing on the good things your partner's done. To encourage them and let them know you've noticed. We've put it into practice with our own partners (and more importantly - ourselves!) and the good news? It works!

For many of us, spending time helping others is second nature. We willingly sacrifice our own priorities and needs, and give more to others than we do for ourselves. In this podcast, Gina and Chris discuss ways to make sure you do keep a healthy balance of taking care of yourself, while still being strong, supportive and available for your friends and colleagues. If you have downloaded the podcast from iTunes remember to post a review and visit our website at ActionPodcast.com to leave a comment or contact one of the presenters directly. Sign up to receive the podcast directly to your inbox, plus an additional weekly blog post! You’ll also be the first to receive a copy of our new e-Book.

Have you ever noticed that moment when the person you’re speaking to suddenly seems to mentally drift away, their eyes glaze over and you know they’re not listening to you any more? Do you do that to others? In this podcast, Sam and Chris discuss three levels of listening and offer practical tips to ensure you not only listen well but remain engaged and interested in your conversations. This topic was inspired by the recent request from a listener, and our answering podcast - The Dance of a Social Butterfly. If you have downloaded the podcast from iTunes remember to post a review and visit our website at ActionPodcast.com to leave a comment or contact one of the presenters directly. Sign up to receive the podcast directly to your inbox, plus an additional weekly blog post! You’ll also be the first to receive a copy of our new e-Book.

A major area of stress in our lives in trying to cope with 'all the things that need to get done'. The challenges of trying to keep up with it all can be compounded when you start to feel guilty or overworked by constantly trying to catch up. In this podcast, Sam and Chris explore the emotional impact of falling behind and simple shifts you can make to minimise the impact and quickly get back on track. If you have downloaded the podcast from iTunes remember to post a review and visit our website at ActionPodcast.com to leave a comment or contact one of the presenters directly. Sign up to receive the podcast directly to your inbox, plus an additional weekly blog post! You’ll also be the first to receive a copy of our new e-Book.

Do you find the mis-communication is causing confusion, or even worse the total lack of communication is resulting in duplication or work? When is the last time you reviewed your communication with your fellow workers? More specifically do you take control and manage up the communication between you and your manager? During this podcast Chris and Paul talk about how you can actively work smarter and not harder. If you have downloaded the podcast from iTunes remember to post a review and visit our website at ActionPodcast.com to leave a comment or contact one of the presenters directly. Sign up to receive the podcast directly to your inbox, plus an additional weekly blog post! You’ll also be the first to receive a copy of our new e-Book.

Meeting new people in any situation can inspire a mixture of fear, excitement, nervousness and anticipation - depending on how easily we cope with the dance of the social butterfly. And even if you enjoy a chance to socialise, it isn't always a bed of roses! So when a listener wrote in recently, Sam & Paul were keen to present a bouquet of flowers as thanks: "When I am in any situation especially social I am able to make a great impression and have fun/etc - but after a while I get tired/bored and cannot maintain the energy or enthusiasm. I have tried making goals - using NLP-type exercises and all of these help in the short term, but not for long. Can you please advise if you have any input?" Whether its a small dinner party or a large event, join us as we explore the different levels of attention we can switch between at a social events, and how to combat the sense of guilt when you find yourself tired, bored or feeling trapped. With a bit of practice and these neat tips, the dance of the social butterfly is one we can all start to enjoy! If you have downloaded the podcast from iTunes remember to post a review and visit our website at ActionPodcast.com to leave a comment or contact one of the presenters directly. Sign up to receive the podcast directly to your inbox, plus an additional weekly blog post! You’ll also be the first to receive a copy of our new e-Book.

Whether you are wanting to try something new (and don't know where to start, or are worried you might not be good at it) or whether you are wanting to improve on something you are already doing, there is no point reinventing the wheel if someone has already done it successfully before. Chris and Sam explore why learning from the best isn't cheating, and Chris explains that there are key elements common to all successful achievement regardless of the type of activity you are wanting to excel at. Mixing in a pinch of every-day-action, and a bit of fun! If you have downloaded the podcast from iTunes remember to post a review and visit our website at ActionPodcast.com to leave a comment or contact one of the presenters directly. Sign up to receive the podcast directly to your inbox, plus an additional weekly blog post! You’ll also be the first to receive a copy of our new e-Book.

We all have different ways of approaching a task, particularly if it is something we've not done before. Paul and Sam explore the possibilities of asking "How to...?" do something - whether it is drawing, cooking or starting a podcast! From opening a Pandora's box on Google, to discussing the merits of having a clear goal (or picture) vs simply knowing where to start; different styles can even affect our self-criticism! Join us for this teddy-bears' picnic! (And do share your drawing on our Facebook page if you take up the How-to-draw-a-Bear Challenge!) And here's a sneaky video of Paul's drawing in action! If you have downloaded the podcast from iTunes remember to post a review and visit our website at ActionPodcast.com to leave a comment or contact one of the presenters directly. Sign up to receive the podcast directly to your inbox, plus an additional weekly blog post! You’ll also be the first to receive a copy of our new e-Book.

Are you moving towards your main goals, dreams or priorities? Or does it feel like there is just so much going on in your life at the moment, that it's hard to tell whether you are coming or going! By using just two magic words you can cut through all the fluff and really focus on what's important. During this episode Gina and Paul talk about how to help you get really clear on what actions you should be taking on issues that are truly important to you. What are your two magic words? If you have downloaded the podcast from iTunes remember to post a review and visit our website at ActionPodcast.com to leave a comment or contact one of the presenters directly. Sign up to receive the podcast directly to your inbox, plus an additional weekly blog post! You'll also be the first to receive a copy of our new e-Book.