Rightly or wrongly, I’ve always battled with living the ordinary kinda life – I just didn’t and still don’t see that for myself.
So, 49 years young, how’s it all looking now?
Well, honestly, probably 75% of it still feels like “ordinary” to me but I now have an absolute CLEAR VISION and SUPER STRONG FOCUS on how to change that to EXTRAORDINARY!
“Bit by bit”, has always been a key phrase for me and it really does work, if you stay consistent and committed to your goal in action.
So what will make the difference now, as opposed to 5, 10 or 20 years ago?
Well, this time, I am building on absolute SOLID ground and my core values are so deep rooted into the purpose behind my vision that even a magnitude 10 earthquake could not shake me off this meaningful path.
You see, I never had that before. I always had the belief and the self-confidence but spinning too many plates, led to too many distractions and therefore building on shaky ground – that was never going to last longterm.
I also just ‘feel it in my bones’ this time around. Everything seems to be pointing in the right direction and I feel like I am dancing towards the finish line, rather than running scared!
It can be exhausting changing your life for the better. So much energy is consumed at the start and it feels like nothing much is happening. It’s usually when you feel like giving up that a little glimmer of hope begins to sparkle from the distance.
Please don’t get me wrong, I’ve had a blast, living most of my ordinary life and it can feel quite perfect at certain times. We all have different definitions of ordinary – it’s really just down to personal preference and can be simple or somewhat complex.
Ultimately, if you’re happy, well in my eyes, you’ve already hit the jackpot and I genuinely salute you.
Does that then mean I’m not happy, chasing the extraordinary? For me, I am happy and I am MOST HAPPIEST pursuing my aspirational future whilst helping others along the way.
I guess, we’re all in this together, so let’s enjoy the process and give back as much as we can.
By Clarabelle, London, UK Written on 8 August 2022 Posted to blog on 2 September 2022
A friend once said to me, “I don’t do fear”. I was like, “WOW”, what a way to think! She would share stories with me of times in her life when she faced so much adversity that fear was never an option for her – she had to survive! This woman is one super BRAVE lady!
Today though, as I reflect back on that enlightening conversation, I think of all the times in my younger life when being “fearful” was actually a positive for me.
I was sometimes fearful of my teachers at school, so much so, I would do extra studying after school, just so I could get the teacher’s question right in class. Overall, I think that did me a litte bit of good – especially in Accounts, which I hated but passed with flying colours!
I was lots of times fearful of doing talks and presentations in front of a little or a lot of people. This fear was also good, because it made me practice and practice and PRACTICE in order to improve and become better at it. In a weird sort of way, I still find it easier to talk to a live audience of thousands of people, rather than an intimate bunch of 20. Give me a huge big stage and I’m comfortably on it! I also have a very loud voice and super high energy – so I guess it all fits!
I’m certainly not advocating all fear, I just think, sometimes it can work to your advantage in certain ‘self-development’ circumstances.
Where, I think fear did not work for me, was when I pulled myself out of the running races at School because I knew I wasn’t fast enough to beat some other runners. In my head at the time, I thought, I’m not entering this competition because I won’t win the gold medal and I don’t want silver or bronze – how super childish is that thinking!
That type of silly thinking also straddled into my young work life when I didn’t go for early promotions because I thought other colleagues would get the job over me and I didn’t want to deal with the hurt, embarrassment and rejection. So this type of fear that I am describing, is really NOT good. Thankfully, those types of fear I just don’t have anymore and nothing like that ever holds me back from “giving it a go”.
Today, I am a “face fear head on” type of person – if I’m fearful – then I must do it – that’s it!
Imagine yourself today, STRONG, FEARLESS and POWERFUL – now what you going to do about it?
By Clarabelle, London, UK Created on 9 August 2022 Posted to Blog on 29 August 2022
Are you craving for some peaceful tranquility in your life right now?
If you’re running around in a frenzy trying to get everything done yesterday, then maybe you do need to slow down a bit.
There is nothing more important than your health and wellbeing, so please, give yourself some well needed, ‘breathing space’.
Your family, friends and work will benefit more in the long run, if you jump off that hamster wheel and take some ‘time out’.
Your head and your heart needs a break from all the noise and unnecessary distractions that pull you in so many different directions. How on earth can you move forward with all that stuff pulling you back.
Make time for yourself to BE YOURSELF – not the angry parent, stressed out boss, frustrated friend or worried workmate.
Just time for you, to focus on YOU!
I bet, even that very thought, seems like bliss.
Remember you are deeply loved, respected and admired by the people in your life – so make sure you bring your best energy when you’re with them and that means a well rested you in advance.
Remember your experience and you’ll remember your worth!
Many years ago, a genius mind once said to my doubtful mind, “Claire, remember your experience” and that was EVERYTHING I needed to hear at that moment in time.
For some reason, I had forgotten about it for a little while and it turned me into a short-term worrying wreck. However, as soon as I was triggered to think about what I brought to the table, I turned into that brave, courageous, self-confident human being I love.
Never EVER doubt the extraordinary qualities you offer and be proud of your life successes to date.
Even if you never ever become the BEST in your field, the fact that you actually strive to be the greatest, is what will make the difference between being ordinary or being AWESOME.
I always aim to be better today than yesterday – it might not always work out, but at least I go for it!
If I believe I AM THE GREATEST in my field, I won’t let limited thinking stand in my way of progression.
Even if, in the eyes of many, I am not the greatest, I don’t allow their thinking to have a negative affect on mine. Well, wouldn’t that be a bit BIG HEADED then? Absolutely NOT, if it is for a meaningful purpose and aligns with your core values.
Never apologise for aiming to be the BEST in your field. Never ‘dumb down’ your talents and abilities to fit into a smaller box. In my opinion, battle your way out of any boxed thinking and set yourself FREE to achieve greatness.
If you’re not aligned with the above – that’s okay – you just need to kick your way out of that box!
I see you doing AMAZING things, when you let your greatness shine through.
By Clarabelle, London, UK Article written on 3 August 2022 Posted on blog 19 August 2022
There is absolute genius in you and you’ve got to believe that.
No other person in this world has had the exact same experiences as you or thinks exactly like you.
You can always bring ‘another level’ to whatever you are involved in.
Don’t be scared to demonstrate the best of you. Be proud of you and your true potential, enabling you to get to where you want to go.
Never shy away from what you truly deserve to have in your life. Only you can hold you back – now read that line again!
Be a sponge for learning new things, no matter what age you are and ensure you focus your energy on what really matters to you.
Mix all of the above with undeniable self-belief and you’re on your way to not only changing yourself for the better but to having a positive impact on the world too.
You may not think about it in this way, but you really can inspire others with what you say and what you do – that’s how powerful you truly are.
Go out today and show everyone what you’ve got. Your future success relies on today’s impactful thinking, so make sure your brave heart, leads you through every unknown battle and into the life you truly deserve.
Personally, I prefer to drive my own way through life – sometimes the journey is smooth and other times it’s a very bumpy ride.
Life, with all its twists and turns, can somedays be higher than high, then the next day, lower than low – I guess, that’s just the way life is and we must, stay strong and roll with the punches.
Set backs in life are inevitable but it’s important that you remain determined and resilient as ever, as these powerful qualities bring real passion to the common phrase “keep going”.
Always visualise yourself WINNING, no matter what’s going on around you. I encourage you to DRIVE from within and get to your desired destination, with that amazing feeling of real self-achievement.
Remember, your deep experience in life, love and in work. You are crowned everyday with unique capabilities that are open to true growth and self-expansion
I challenge wonderful YOU, to forge your way forward into achieving your goals and aspirations.
Ponder on this thought for today…..DRIVE or be DRIVEN?
If you ever, EVER hear yourself blaming others for something that is NOT going right in your life, I want you to STOP that useless thinking RIGHT NOW!
You are where you are, because of YOU. Hold yourself accountable for your own decisions, choices and wants that took you to where you are standing today.
If you are NOT happy with where you’re at, don’t go blaming anyone else for that. Take control of the situation NOW and do what you need to do to CHANGE that.
The past is the PAST, the present goes so fast, it is basically the past – so focus on your future wants and needs and bring your “A” game to the table in order to achieve your desires.
Don’t ever play the “blame” game – I promise you, it’s pulling you backwards and that’s not a progressive direction to be heading in.
Forge forward with all your might and self-power and let go of that draining blaming stuff today.
Go on then – oh and don’t blame me if you don’t do it!
I see you flying high…..always and I want you to see it too!
It’s always nice to be able to help a friend every now and again. Â I have been helping a really good friend of mine get his Greetings Cards Business off the ground and I’ve been helping him with his blog/website too.
I would like to share with you today his Greetings Cards Website, called “Curious Cards”. Â He has worked very hard putting it all together and I feel his poetic talent, natural humour and fun side really shines through in his cards.
Please, if you have a little minute, I would love you to check his website out, here is the link below:
Sometimes in this life, a simple card won’t do, it’s not how you would say it and it doesn’t speak for you. They come across quite boring, the same as all the rest, so try our range of Curious Cards, it’s time to try the best.
I am ever so chuffed with the outcome of my new Clarabelle Business Cards, I just love them. I designed them myself on moo.com and I would highly recommend using them, I received exactly what I designed and with excellent quality and finish too.
These beautiful cards will now be sent off with my paperback book, “Clarabelle’s Musings” to people all over the world.
None of these items would have been created if it wasn’t for me starting this blog in April 2012. I just love the fact that the book and the Clarabelle Branding started out here on this blog, WOW and almost 35,000 blog hits later and I continue to excitedly and passionately write to you every day, because I am super committed to my writings to inspire you.
I am happy when I write to you on here, I love it, I love sharing my musings with you in the hope that it will benefit you positively in your life.
It’s only a matter of time for your vision to come alive. Â First you feel it in your heart, then you see it in your imagination, then you feel it moving in your bones and then it dances throughout your body….and only when it has flowed through all of those stages, only then it begins to take form.
It starts with one word, one step, one piece of the 100,000 piece jigsaw puzzle but it doesn’t matter how long it takes, because you know “your calling” is going to make it. Â Listen to me my friend, it’s only a matter of time……because it is in silence of faith that dreams can be awakened.
So can I relate to the above? Â Yes, you’ve got it, of course I can. Â Almost 6 years ago, I was kind of laughed at because I said at the very start of my business that I was going to have my own books, my very own positive book range……I just knew what they were thinking, their faces said it all, but you know I BELIEVED, I really believed in me, I always do and sometimes I get off track but I always get back there, back to where I need to be.
I sit here today looking at my first Amazon paperback book,”Clarabelle’s Musings”, sitting on my home office desk and I am smiling with pure joy, excitement and adoration of what I see before me……for my heart is sitting on this table, my heart is painted on the pages of this book, making its way to you.
So if you believe like I believed in me, when other people laughed at what I wanted to achieve for myself, may my own story inspire you to keep going my friend…..6 days, 6 months, 6 years, you’re going to make it…..it’s only a matter of time.
My friend shared some very simple words of wisdom with me a few weeks ago, he told me to keep an open mind when thinking about my career development. Â I took those words on board when I was looking at other career opportunities because a lot of my skills are very much transferable. Â This thinking has now led me on to pastures new and I move out to Dubai at the end of next month to take on a new challenge.
So cast your net wide and challenge some of those limiting beliefs that may just be keeping you away from an opportunity that is truly meant for you.
See the world as an open book and write in it, the words, that you want to read.
I have been working on the core values for the Clarabelle blog.  Values are really important to me and I believe they hold the foundations together and are the glue for any business, organisation or company to grow on.  In my other business, Murray People Executive Coaching I work with Company Directors and Senior Executives in helping them define their own core values and the values for their business, it can be quite an enlightening experience for them.
Below is an image I created today of the 8 connected core values which the Clarabelle blog lives by, these are: Â
LOVE-LIFE
DREAM-DO
GIVE-GRATITUDE
HEALTH-HAPPINESS.
What is most important though is not necessarily the words, it is the meaning behind each of these words which add purpose and passion to each value. Â I will be doing another blog post in the near future explaining what each of these values mean.
Over the years, I get asked a lot of the time to create bespoke poems for colleagues, friends and family and I am now offering this up as a service to others who wish to benefit from it. Â I have been working on my own flyer design and I thought I would share it with you today.
I believe that poetry touches the heart in a much more deeper and fulfilling way than a bunch of flowers or box of chocolates could, it is that special gift that lives in the heart of the receiver forever.
I have a simple vision, I want everyone to have a poem, verse or song from Clarabelle because I know it will always come straight from the heart to reach and connect with other hearts. Â Much love to you today, as always Clarabelle.
The work I do, it is very important to me, I love to go the extra mile and I am always thinking about how I can advance others. Â Let me give you an example of how I went the extra mile this week.
I was asked a couple of weeks ago to do a half hour talk on Executive Coaching to a large Banking Organisation. Â This was a marvellous opportunity for me to talk about something I am very passionate about. Â I had to focus the talk from the ‘Coachee’ perspective. Â So rather than me just turning up on the day and sharing a few of my own thoughts on this, I decided to “go the extra mile”.
What did I do?
I coach a lot of Directors and Seniors Leaders in Organisations so I decided to ask them what they thought i.e. “How do you get the best out of your coaching sessions?”. From the 25 people I asked, I got 20 fabulous detailed responses. Â I then collated and analysed all the feedback from these clients and produced “practical application” hand out notes for the people I was going to talk to, including 50 Top Tips!! Â I also approached another Coachee that I worked with in the Banking Organisation last year and asked her if I could share her coaching success story and I was delighted that she was happy for me to do this. Â I then created a presentation entitled “The Coachee’s Story” based on her coaching experience and positive results.
Advancing Others
I wasn’t expected to do any of the above, I wasn’t specifically asked to do that, but I wanted to give new participants on the coaching programme the best information I could offer them. Â Before I prepared any of the above, I said to myself “How can I advance these people in this short talk?”.
I did the presentation yesterday and I feel it went down very well. Â I was happy that I did some special research for the talk and I feel I gave people a great start going forward. This for me was “the extra mile” stuff.
I share this with you today, because I feel if you can make a good effort at going the extra mile for people it will not only satisfy and fulfill you from within but it will also really benefit and advance others. Â It also makes you a really good role model for others, they see you going the extra mile and they want to do that too.