MJPhillips

08/01/2024

Most of us don't like to think of ourselves as average, yet we are.
We all took around 1-2 years to walk, 2-5 years to talk, and 6-7 years to read and write at a competent level.

We continually develop these skills through life. They are average abilities that the majority of us take for granted and use every day.

However, there is something key about these skills. They are all developed with support, guidance, encouragement, repetition, copying, consistency and perseverance. We are coached, tutored and mentored, and copy others to learn them

This also happens learning a creative skill. Be it, in person, or watching videos, reading books etc. Learning guitar for example, you may read an article, watch a video or ask a friend about a specific technique.

All creatives follow this same pattern regardless of if they are an artist, musician, blacksmith, web designer, poet or basket weaver. They all spend years and even decades honing their skill set.

It sounds horrible but this is average. You all spend years and even decades honing your skill sets, in every sector, and industry. Finance, construction, engineering, medicine and every other industry takes years of learning and development. We all start like that child first learning to walk and communicate, then slowly over time build competence, proficiency then expertise. It is an average process that millions of people undertake every day.

It all comes back to copying others, and being coached, tutored and mentored. This average process flows through our lives, learning to cook, clean and take care of daily needs is the same process.

So, why do so many people, who understand that it takes years of following this process to become proficient in a skillset, think they can create a successful business overnight? They choose to go against the averages, and with little to no support try to create a successful business.

Find yourself a coach or mentor to help you on your journey.
Drop me a message and if I can't personally help you, I'll help you find a coach or mentor who can.

03/01/2024

Start the year as you mean to go on!

Following on from my interview with Authority Magazine last year, I had the honour to be invited back to film/record an extended piece.

The video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRQg0t1bzMU

For podcast fans:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cynthia0867/episodes/How-Childhood-Experiences-Impact-How-I-Lead-Today-A-Discussion-with-Mark-Phillips-e2dtkrk/a-aaq3hpd

Cynthia Corsetti invites Mark Philips, a coach, mentor, and facilitator, for an enlightening discussion about the intersection of creativity and business. Ma...

02/01/2024

It's that time of year again.

Hopes, dreams, resolutions, goal setting and aspirations for the shiny new year ahead.

We all know those resolutions we want to set, have a high probability of failure. There is a whole industry of health and wellness counting on that failure.

As a species we love taking the path of least resistance. If you eat the full packet of chocolate biscuits instead of just two, you then don't have to resist the urge for just one more as they are all gone.

Most New Year resolutions broadly fit into the categories of health or wealth.

I created very simple framework called MAP to help you with resolutions, goal setting or creating new habits (they are all fundamentally the same).

I love three letter acronyms, they are nice and simple to remember. Even better if I can relate them to journeys or the outdoors, as that is part of who I am and how I see myself. MAP works perfectly as it is helping you to map out your path to achieving your aims.

So in simple terms.

Mindset:
Whatever you are trying to achieve, you have to have the right mindset. There has to be a passion, or deep seated reason behind your goal. You have to be committed to the outcome, you can't 'half-ass' it. However like SMART targets, it has to be achievable, and you have to know in your mind its is achievable.

Action:
You can't achieve anything without it. You have to commit to 'doing the thing' and actually 'DO IT'. Again you can't 'half-ass' things. You want a better job, work out the actions you need to take then take them. Small steps are better than huge over the top actions, as they are easier to be consistent with, which leads to the final point.

Perseverance:
Change isn't easy, you will slip up now and again. As soon as you slip up, you have to jump back on it. A general consensus suggests not allowing yourself more than two slip ups in a row. Don't beat yourself up about it, don't spiral into guilt, just get back on track. Being consistent and persevering, is the best way you develop change.

So what are you waiting for? Get your head in the game, take regular small steps towards your goal, and stick with it.

If you want a coaching session on any of the steps or as a whole, drop me a message.

18/12/2023

West Midlands Employers delivered an amazing conference. The whole team on the day were brilliant.

I’m proud to have had the opportunity to be part of such a thought provoking collection of speakers, and work with some great delegates during my creative thinking workshop.

I’m looking forward to being involved in future events.

170 people gathered to 'Imagine the Future' and where coaching and mentoring can make a difference. The event developed the skills of coaches and mentors to…

10/07/2023

Really looking forward to facilitating a session at the 16th Annual
West Midlands Coaching & Mentoring Pool Conference on the
20th November. https://wmcmp.org.uk/
More information soon!

The conference is aimed at anyone responsible for coaching and mentoring in their organisation, by supporting staff through coaching or mentoring

13/01/2023

The Future of Coaching... Through the eyes of AI (ChatGPT)

"One trend that is likely to continue in the future of coaching is the use of technology to make coaching more accessible and convenient. Virtual coaching sessions, which can be conducted via video conferencing or messaging platforms, allow coaches to work with clients from anywhere in the world. This can be particularly beneficial for clients who live in remote areas or have difficulty traveling to in-person sessions. Additionally, online resources such as quizzes, assessments, and worksheets can be used to supplement coaching sessions and help clients continue to make progress between sessions.

Another trend that is likely to shape the future of coaching is an increased focus on evidence-based practices. This means that coaches will be expected to use methods that have been scientifically tested and shown to be effective. This can include techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and positive psychology, as well as methods for measuring progress and evaluating the outcomes of coaching. By using evidence-based practices, coaches can be more confident that they are helping clients achieve their goals in a meaningful and sustainable way.

As the demand for coaching continues to grow, there may also be an increased focus on specialised coaching services. For example, executive coaching has become increasingly popular as businesses recognize the value of investing in the development of their leaders. Similarly, life coaching has become more popular as more people seek help with achieving their personal goals, such as finding more balance and meaning in their lives. As these areas of coaching continue to develop, coaches will need to be trained in specialized techniques and be able to work with specific populations.

Finally, the future of coaching will likely see the continued growth of the coaching industry as a whole. The International Coach Federation estimates that the coaching industry will be worth $2 billion by 2022, and this number is expected to continue to grow. This is due to the increasing awareness of the benefits of coaching, as well as the growing demand for coaching services. As a result, the future of coaching looks bright, with many opportunities for coaches to help clients achieve their goals and improve their lives."

How long before it becomes self-aware and changes its name to Skynet...Judgment day is coming...(cue Terminator theme) 🤣🤣🤖

06/01/2023

Do you ever feel like you spend too much time in your own head?

Coaching and mentoring is very thought intensive, as is digital marketing and small business start up. Life coaching also involves a good chunk of time in your own mind, and personal development does not escape with hours spent wandering through your own grey matter.

One of the problems with all this thinking is that it can be self defeating, and quite often demoralising.

I'm 48, and quite often say I feel old (and get told off just as often by my wife for saying it). That is my brain trying to self-sabotage an idea. A more positive view would be I have 48 years of experience and skill development.

I'm building this coaching business in my late 40's, which includes taking a Level 7 (Masters) in Executive Coaching and Mentoring. Some people think a Level 7 course at 48 is crazy. Some think it is great. Some do not care one way or another. There are people older and younger than me on the course.

I think its crazier not to give it a try.

I received an email from another coach today. They had no clue I had been thinking through this idea, of overthinking and age.

The seventh line in the email was "I'm too old."
The email was a discussion on the concept of the 'New Year, New Me' dream and the self defeating false belief of thinking you are too old.

The email then went on to list a range of people and the ages they started something:

Stan Lee, the creator of Marvel, created his first hit comic at 39.

Donald Fisher, at aged 40, opened his first ever retail store in 1969. It was called “Gap”.

Vera Wang, at the age of 40, decided to start a fashion line.

Harland Sanders decided to start a chicken restaurant aged 62.
It became K.F.C.

Ray Croc saw the opportunity with a burger stall aged 52.
He called it “McDonalds”.

Martha Stewart started a catering company that became a cooking empire, in her 40s.

Julia Child didn’t start acting until her 50s.

Harry Bernstein wanted to write a book all his life.
He finally did, aged 93, and it became a bestseller when it was published at 96.

Gladdys Burrill ran her first marathon at 86.
Then won awards when she ran a marathon in Honolulu at 92.

Peter Roget was 69 when he started to create a catalogue of words categorised by their meaning.
“Rogets Thesaurus Of English Words And Phrases” was published when he was 73.

Kathryn Joosten started working as a street performer aged 53.
At aged 60 she was starring in the show The West Wing and won an Emmy.

What does this mean?
It means you are not too old to dream. You are also not too old to give it a try and to achieve it.
People are doing it every day. That means you can do it as well...

What is really stopping you, because this all proves it is not your age?

(Terrible picture of me at one of the three graduation ceremonies I had in my early 40's that included an HND, First Class Degree with Honours, and my Postgraduate Certificate of Education in Post Compulsory Education and Training)
(Credit for the list and the email: David Key)

01/01/2023

Happy New Year!
Remember, smaller attainable goals will get you closer to where you want to be.
Setting a large goal you don’t achieve, will cause negative associations with the goal and ultimately make it harder to reach.
Break everything down into small easy to achieve goals and create long term forward momentum.

20/12/2022

Helping YOU make mindset shifts is one of the most common ways a coach can help support YOU in achieving your goals. Flaherty (2005) offers a valuable insight into this.

“It is [American]utilitarianism that, in my view, keeps people [in the United States] concluding that the reason for failure is usually the lack of will. How often have we said to people, "If you want it bad enough it will happen"?

We may have come to this conclusion from watching too many interviews with the winner of the Olympic marathon who says that he won because he really wanted it. We don't interview the person who comes in at 112th place and ask if he really wanted it as well.

The tautological argument that the person who wins wanted it the most gets us nowhere because we can only know at the end that people "really" wanted it, and this is too late for coaching.

Instead of freeing people to take action, this way of explaining things often leads them into the insoluble dilemma of trying to figure out how to want something more, or into berating themselves for not wanting it enough.

It’s like telling people whose cars lack transmissions to keep revving their engines if they really want to get somewhere.”

Flaherty, J,. 2005. Coaching
Evoking Excellence in Others. 2nd edition. Oxford. Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann.