Back up more, cry less

That's my new motto. Last week I thought I had lost everything on my computer as the screen went black and the dear little thing gave up the ghost and spluttered to a halt. I felt: sick, dizzy, panicky, hot & cold, furious and utterly defeated.

The following day, the Mac doctor gave it some medicine and fixed everything so that within twenty four hours, I was up & running again, all back to normal.

On Thursday I woke up and couldn't lift my head off the pillow. I felt: sick, dizzy, panicky, hot & cold, furious and utterly defeated.

The following day I felt the same and the the day after that and the day after that. Funny how the machine got fixed so quickly and I didn't!

Fortunately, I'm back to normal too now and raring to go with a fabulous week ahead. First, a trip to Nottingham later today to work with  a fabulous client I haven't seen for a while. Then back to admin/ catch-up calls and general sorting out of the office on Wednesday. 

But it's the lovely social stuff I've got lined up that is also making feel so good this week. First, coffee with my old pal Treez, then a lovely friend is over from far away places and we are spending Thursday together. On Friday, a shopping day with best friend in the world and on Saturday a treat with two great mates in the street - to Billy Elliot and a day in London.

In case that isn't enough excitement, I am over the moon, having got two tickets to see Kenneth Brannagh in Ivanov in November - hooragh!

On a more sober note, I am so sorry for all my friends and clients past and present who are grappling with the ups and downs of banking and the finance sector right now. I cannot understand the gloating and smirking in some sections of the media and, I'm ashamed to say, amongst my own social circles, in parts. Because of the success of the 'money-makers', so many of us have taken the cheap loans and mortgages and benefited hugely. Now it's going wrong, ok we stand to lose out but not as much as those people trapped in the City. They don't all take home millions of pounds' worth of bonuses - the majority of them do ordinary jobs and earn ordinary salaries.  I wish them well.

See you soon,

Angie

Back to Business

The baby afternoon was a delightful diversion and now it's back to work with full-on concentration. There are a number of projects about to take off; as usual, I am fluctuating between excitement and panic, depending on what time of day it is and how recently I reviewed my 'to do' list.

It seems as though our 100 Great Ideas to Create Personal Impact has loads of interest and the final draft for publicity, venue confirmation and email blast are all almost ready. Now I have to write the 100 Great Ideas - just kidding, I wrote them ages ago. This is probably the biggest venture I have ever taken on and it has been a huge learning curve. My vibrant and clever  colleague, Hannah and I have had hilarious meetings and have decided we need a visual code for 'no more' because otherwise our heads will explode! We just seem to bounce ideas between us the whole time and now need to settle and organise what we've got.

 My wonderful regular clients have provided interesting and challenging work so I am off to Newcastle, Nottingham and Birmingham again - all in the next month or so to deliver training in a whole range of topics.

I really wanted to write about a lovely new client who has come for one-to-one coaching. She is a talented and intelligent young woman, struggling to get going with her career. Our sessions have made me think again about all the opportunities I have had, how many I didn't recognise at the time and what an adventure it all is. I wish her and everyone going through the same process the very best of luck because it isn't easy.

As a complete antidote to all this reflection and work activity, husband and I went to see the riotous Miachel Frayn farce - Noises Off last Friday. If I could order up a farce on the NHS for every overworked, stressed person to see every Friday, the world would be a better place and the NHS (which does, at times, operate like a farce anyway) would be so much the richer.

So that's it for now - take care and see you soon,

Angie

Maybe Baby

I have been to heaven and back. London's Regent Street has a shop called Mamas and Papas where they sell the most adorable baby stuff in the world. I want to buy everything in it.

The wonderful, beautiful and brilliant daughter and I met in St Christopher's Place, had lunch and then did the baby thing for the whole afternoon. She is starting to have a little bump, which she swears is mostly cake and is looking just fabulous. She is also nesting like crazy and high on hormones.

What happened to all this baby business in the last 30 years? Back then it was considered seriously daring to find a babygrow in any colour that wasn't white! Now, everything is stylish and available and, best of all, affordable. We oohed and aahed over delicious, cute outfits and then got on with the serious task of choosing pram and cot.

Now, this is where the internet comes into its own in a big way. She had already spent time on mumsnet and some other sites where people post their ratings on different manufacturers' equipment in terms of style, safety and so on. What a great thing! We had it all sewn up in an hour. So I got the train back to Brighton, lots poorer but so happy - can't think of a nicer way to spend an afternoon really.

See you soon,

Angie