PLAINLY POSITIVE
positive thinking in layman's language
A short course, delivered in very plain language, in taking control of your life
Over the last few years of training and working I have learnt a whole host of brilliant techniques and skills that have absolutely changed my outlook on life, and made me a much happier person.
I recognised straight away that there was some great, really effective stuff to pass on, however...
The first challenge I faced was how to translate the jargon & psycho-babble in layman's language, without losing any of the power.
The next one one was that one-on-one coaching can be out of some people's price-range, so what can be done to make it more affordable?
The answer is group training!
So I have developed
Plainly Positive positive thinking in layman's language
Below are some articles I wrote on the subject for my weekly column in my local newspaper (Crossmaglen Examiner).
But be sure, this course is like no other.
no jargon!
no group hugs!
no nonsense!
But loads and loads of
cop-on!
common sense!
& Craic!
A Course designed and delivered in a plain-talking, entertaining way
This is your golden chance to grab this unique opportunity - don't let it pass you by!
YOU WILL LEARN LOADS...
click on either of these links to view a poster
http://www.chilo.org/PlainlyPositiveLandscapePoster2.pdf
http://www.chilo.org/PlainlyPositivePortrait.pdf
Below is an article from the Crossmaglen Examiner explaining the course and answering a few questions...
Please note that following (suitably plain spoken) feedback, this course will now take place over 4 weeks not 6.
The money-back guarantee stays firmly in place!
HOW TO BE HAPPIER IN 6 WEEKS ...OR YOUR MONEY BACK!
Isn't it great to be alive? Imagine a short Course called 'In Pursuit of Happiness'. It involves a minimum two hours per week of your time. Imagine a programme that guaranteed you would feel happier and more content at the end of it - or YOU CAN HAVE YOUR MONEY BACK. 'Ah,' you say, 'there's bound to be a catch'. But no, it means exactly what it says on the tin. Very simple. Your money back… ALL OF IT!
Well it will be full of 'book-learnt', fancy stuff that sounds great, but won't work in the real world... Not this time. Every single technique you learn, every exercise you do, has been 'pressure-tested' in real life by thousands before you. Many things have been tried out , the best are all included.
This course has absolutely no Crystals, no chanting, no 'getting in touch with you inner… whatever', and definitely no group hugs! What it does have is ordinary working people learning brilliant stuff to make themselves, and their families, happier.
Well the fella running it will be an ould Hippy, or some mad Professor-type, using loads of jargon and trying to blind us with science... Nope. The fella running it is an ordinary five-eight (a builder actually) who looks, and talks, like you. The whole thing is delivered in layman's terms, in language that anyone can understand.
There is no Mr Smart-arse trying to make himself feel good, and you feel silly, because he knows a few fancy words. In fact he sees his job in terms of being a translator. He has spent years learning this approach and asks, 'Why should only posh people have access to the good stuff?'
But I haven't 'studied' in years… Not a bother. This is not school. You just have to listen, join in and have a bit of craic. Answer me this question. How do you eat an elephant? By taking bite-sized chunks… one mouthful at a time. That's how this course is designed. Nothing will be 'over your head'.
What if he tries to get me to stand up and speak in front of the whole crowd? He wont. He knows his job is to build your confidence, not wreck it! The whole idea of a group-based programme, is that the confident ones can speak up, and the quieter ones don't have to - but everybody learns and enjoys.
I suppose it's on in some fancy hotel in Dublin, or up a mountain in West Cork? Ford's Cross actually, at Silverbridge Football Club.
I suppose it costs an arm and a leg? Nope. It is priced realistically and offers excellent value for money. The Introductory night is FREE OF CHARGE. All you have to do is come along and listen with an open mind. You do not have to sign up to anything you don't want to, and will not be pressurised. In fact, at the end of the night, if you are not convinced (or do not feel ready to commit) - then quite frankly, this is not for you.
How can you be so sure of all this? Simple. I will be delivering the Course myself, and I KNOW it works! I have spent hundreds of hours (and several thousand pounds) over the last few years learning all this great, inspiring stuff. This is your chance to get some for a small fraction of that amount.
The stuff we will cover has completely changed my life, and that of my loved ones. I think everybody should be able get some, and change their life for the better too.
Don't struggle - Take action!
I know One-on-One coaching can seem expensive, especially in these troubled times. I also know that many people are struggling to cope with pressure, stress, anxiety and unhappiness. And that's before we factor in the Winter Blues (which affect so many of us) and the fact that Christmas (the most stressful time of the year) is fast approaching.
That's why I have developed this short course around group work. Give me your time and honest commitment, and I will give you the tools, and the confidence, to feel happier about yourself, and about your life.
Plus, and I can't really say this any more plainly,
IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPIER AFTER SIX WEEKS…
YOU CAN HAVE YOUR MONEY BACK… ALL OF IT!
If I have whet your appetite, why not come along to a Talk, called 'In Pursuit of Happiness'which will be a bit of craic in itself? It's at Silverbridge GFC, on Wednesday 21st October. It starts at 8pm sharp. THERE IS NO ADMISSION CHARGE for the talk, and I will gladly answer any questions you may have. The programme itself starts the week after.
What have you to lose by listening?…except maybe your limitations
You will be under no obligation.
If you enjoy reading this Column, you will LOVE this Course.
If you think everything I write here is nonsense… don't come!
The choice, as ever, is yours.
Be happy, and Thank You For Listening!
The article below is from the Crossmaglen Examiner dated 20th October...
Plainly Positive
Isn't it great to be alive? Well, last week's article seems to have created something of a stir. Just to remind you of what I am talking about… it's a FREE Introductory Talk for a short course in positivity, in happiness and in TAKING ACTION. It's on this Wednesday at Silverbridge GFC at 8pm. I will give a short presentation, which I am sure you will find informative (and definitely entertaining) and I will gladly answer any questions you may have. If even half the people who have said they are coming turn up, you may get there early to get a good seat. I have to say I am greatly looking forward it. Why not join us.
One thing you can say about this area is that there are plenty people who shoot straight from the lip - who tell it like it is. I am grateful to some of these people for pointing out, in very plain language, some shortcomings in the Course I was proposing.
Now when people tell you what you need to know, as opposed to what you might like to hear, you have two choices. You can take what they say on board, and make some changes, or you can say "To hell with them, I'll go me own way". Which is the right way depends entirely on the situation. On this occasion I could instantly see the wisdom in what I was being told, and have made two important changes. One, the Course is now a short, snappy, straight-to-the-point 4 nights… instead of a long-winded, 'this is like going back to school' 6 weeks!
Secondly, people told me that 'In Pursuit of Happiness' was a bit too woolly, a bit too group-huggy a title or concept. So the course is now called 'PLAINLY POSITIVE - positive thinking in layman's terms'. This explains exactly what it is. It's the very best (practical) ideas and techniques - that can CHANGE AND ENHANCE YOUR LIFE, STRAIGHT AWAY - explained in normal people's language. No Jargon. No nonsense. There will be very little writing. There will be lot's of craic.
One thing that does not change is the money-back guarantee. If, at the end of the 4 nights, your life has not been changed and enhanced by the Course, you can have your money back - all of it! Am I being cocky? No, I am just calmly confident, in myself, in the message, and in my delivery. Calmly confident? Yes, I am. Nowadays. But I wasn't always like this!
You will learn…
- To take responsibility - Understand your own power to control your mood, your thoughts and your emotions
- How to 'Seize The Day'… make each day something that you choose and control, not just something that happens to you
- The Power of Forgiveness - how letting go of bad stuff is good (for you)
- The Power of Gratitude - how you get back what you give out, and what a wonderful world you can make for yourself
You will feel, and be,
- Happier
- More contented
- More confident
- More enthusiastic
Let me be clear. This Course will not suit everybody! If you prefer your medicine diluted or sugar-coated; Don't come on this course. If you prefer to wallow in your own misery and self-pity, where it's the world that's out of step rather than you - this course is not for you; If you drain the life out of people with your negativity - don't come. If you derive pleasure from other people's misery - you are not wanted! Unless of course you want to change these things!
If, however, you are curious to know just how life-changing this stuff can be; if you want to be happier; be more positive, to learn how to beat the Blues, how to enrich your life and that of your loved ones… I look forward to meeting you this Wednesday night. It should be a great nights craic. If, on the other hand, you already know everything… stay at home, muttering to yourself, and kick the dog (again)! The choice, as always, is yours. Thank You for listening.
Plainly Successful… Positively Inspirational
Isn't It Great To Be Alive? Have you ever gone with a hunch, followed your gut instinct? Have you ever set yourself up for a big fall, by declaring publicly your intention to do something? Something that has never been done before, but you are convinced you can make happen? But if you don't you will be left with egg on your face?
I did recently when I launched my short course 'Plainly Positive - positive thinking in layman's language'. This was delivered over 4 weeks - one evening per week with some tasks to do in between. I knew that nlp and positive psychology had a lot to offer. The problem was that it was usually offered in jargonese, in big words and psychobabble that went straight over most people's heads. The trick would be to make it accessible and relevant. Now I do exactly that most days, on a one-to-one basis. That's my job. But could it be done in a group format? I was sure it could be, and that I was the man to do it.
All I needed was the audience. Together we could build a respect and understanding that would make this stuff easy to grasp, and to use every day. Or that was the theory anyway. What would it be like in practice? With an audience made up of the builder from Cross, the housewife from Cullyhanna, the office worker from the Bridge, of shop-workers, farmers and students? So, there was nothing for it but to put it to the test. I couldn't dip my toe in either - it was all or nothing really.
So I took the plunge and, I am happy to tell you, that it was a success that exceeded my hopes by a country mile. 20 people took part. No-one dropped out. Each week our learning and understanding increased. We wrapped it up last week and the (straight-taking, honest) feedback was heartfelt and heart-welcome. All agreed they had learned stuff that was not just interesting, but actually useful. Things about how, and why, we behave, react and think; and about taking responsibility for own happiness.
You may recall I offered a money-back guarantee? Well of course, nobody was looking their money back. That's not because I am any kind of genius. It's because it is nearly impossible to engage in this process and not feel the benefit, not to feel happier. None of it is rocket science. It just requires your attention. I think everyone agreed that this was a time when the more you put in to the job, the more you get out of it. That in itself is a reason to celebrate.
THANK YOU
I would like to take this opportunity to say a sincere 'Thank You' to all who took part in the adventure that was 'Plainly Positive'. Thank you for taking the 'leap of faith'; thank you for your attention; for your excellent questions; for the way you all engaged and responded; for being open and honest; thanks for seeing it through, so we could all reap the benefits; And most of all… thank you for not leaving me like Billy-no-mates, feeling and looking like a complete fool!
VENUES FOR JANUARY
These will be of a Wednesday evening in either Silverbridge or Cross; and on a Thursday night in either Camlough or Meigh. The actual venues will depend very much on where the demand is. I will be booking the rooms within the next week or so - . so if you have a preference, please get in touch and register.
NUMBERS
Numbers will be strictly limited and on a first come-first served basis, so it makes sense to reserve your place now. I know from talking to people that a number of people missed out last time.
BOOK IN ADVANCE
I know that has money is always tight in January, especially the way the work is now. So why not book and pay for your place in advance? That way you will have something to look forward to in the New Year, without worrying about the cost. I also know many of us struggle with the thing of 'I can't justify spending money on me'. Well believe me, your whole family will feel the benefit when you are happier, so it's not just for you!
Or better still, why not buy a 'Plainly Positive' gift voucher for a loved one for Christmas? However, I strongly suggest you check with them first, or you may end up with a saucepan wrapped around your head!
So once again, a sincere thank you to everyone who took part in 'Plainly Positive'. It changed my life, and you tell me it changed yours too. And thank you also, to each and every person who takes the time to read this wee column. Thank you for listening
Talking The Talk… Walking The Walk
Isn't It Great To Be Alive? Do you ever have a great idea and then, straight away, start talking yourself out of doing anything about it? Have you ever felt inspired and then told yourself to cop on, that you can't do the likes of that? Well join the club. You are not alone, far from it. We all self-sabotage from time to time. We do it to protect ourselves from feeling foolish, or from being laughed at for getting 'ideas above our station'.
I always smile when people assume that because I write this stuff, I am naturally Mr Happy. Some kind of super-confident ray-of-sunshine type. Anyone who knows me, especially those I worked alongside in the past, will tell you I am not. Far from it. No, the reason I am good at what I do, and the reason why people find me believable, is that I recognise and accept that I am a fellow-struggler. I need to work at this stuff the same as everyone else. Here's an example…
Some months ago, I came up with the idea which became the 'Plainly Positive' Course. Now, I'd like to tell you that I sprung into instant action and made it happen. But of course that is not the case. Every time I was about to make a start there was always something else more 'important' to do. There was always some excuse why 'now' was not quite the right time. It never would be. This continued for ages, until one day I got so annoyed with myself for my inability to take action, that I wrote the article announcing it and just sent it in. I hadn't even the room booked at this stage. But I had stated my intention in public. In many ways what I did was to replace my de-motivating fear of looking like a gob****e if it failed; with a motivating fear of failing to deliver on a publicly made promise. I now had no choice, so I just got on with nuts and bolts of organizing it.
The day before the 'Introductory Talk', however, the wheels came off. A number of people, who had said they were definitely coming, cried off. Then I met a few more who said 'What talk?' Before I knew it my inner opponent was away and running. "See, nobody will turn up… you will look a fool… people will laugh at you… you'll never be able to show your face again…who do you think you are anyway…you clown... always with the big ideas… why can't you just cop yerself on?"Etc. We all know how this works. One little thing lead to another until a full-scale meltdown was in progress - as I began to beat myself up for daring to dream.
Then, just as suddenly, I caught a grip of myself. I did what I would advise anybody else to do. I turned and faced my fears. And you know what? They were not all that scary after all. I asked myself "What's the worst thing that can happen?" The answer was that nobody might turn up. So what? All that would mean was that I hadn't YET found a way to get my message over in a way that people could 'get'. Big deal.
If it doesn't work, learn from it and move on. Simple really. People who wish me well would see it for what it was… an honest attempt to do something good. Trying something that might not work wouldn't make me a fool. NOT trying something because I was afraid it might not work is the act of folly. The only people who would think it did, were people I didn't give a monkey's about anyway.
Just as quickly as the panic set in, it was gone. At that precise moment, I smiled and let go of my fears. Two minutes before, the power they held was overwhelming. Now their bubble was well and truly burst, and you can't un-burst a bubble, can you? But it could easily have gone the other way. Indeed one of the techniques I would be sharing on the course was exactly how to handle such an emotional highjacking. What better time for a reminder of it's power?
The next night at Silverbridge I was calmer than I have ever been. I knew, and accepted, that whatever happened, I would learn and grow from it. At the very moment that we lose the fear of failure, massive success becomes possible. I am no longer afraid. Just as well really, when you see what I'm coming up with next week!
You see, these things really are as difficult, or as easy, as we choose to make them. So, are the 'hurlers on the ditch' or the 'wise men of the high stool' running (and ruining) your life… or do you choose freedom? Slavery or liberty? The choice, as ever, is yours. Thank you for listening