happynurses

Habits

How to change your life: Know what you want, get some help and start to change your habits. A lot of what we do in life are things we do without really thinking too much about them. We get into a rut in all sorts of areas of life.

I have now been diagnosed with coeliac disease which was not in my plans, but having my personal trainer has kept me motivated to train even when I have been feeling under par. I cut down what I did until I felt I could cope and have upped the amount I do again now.

I looked at what had worked before and put it into my plans. I am better exercising early or I talk myself out of it. I need some goals and motivation - so Carl comes over every week, and weighs and measures me to keep me on track.

I need variety so he does a different workout each time. I need some fun so he 'rabbits on' endlessly while I am working out(!)

What would help you to get fitter and more energetic? What has worked before for you? What sort of activities do you love - tennis, dancing, cycling, walks?

Do what you like in a way that suits you and don't try to follow anyone else's plans - what is right for others may not be right for you. Start a healthy habit and keep it going for 3 months. Then you will see real results!

Do something fun and active cos summer's here, happynurses!

Being a patient 3

Here I am, fresh back from my endoscopy - and I was really brave and had it without sedation (round of applause please!)

The procedure was horrible, but I was prepared for that by all the staff I saw - the specialist nurses and the lovely Registrar who was very understanding and kind. To dispel any common fears about hospitals, the departments were clean, efficient and friendly and I had no complaints at all. I also took a book to read to keep me occupied and my flatmate was there to get me home.

Thanks to all at CGH endoscopy unit!

Be proud to be a nurse, happynurses!

Being a patient2

So this week I have the experience again of being a patient in the NHS system. I have already experienced many of the frustrations, lack of communication and understanding between departments and the generally good care that is given at point of contact.

From studying businesses it is clear that the systems need an overhaul. Not another new initiative, but a really good study of what the patient experience is and how the staff and patients can work in a system that is efficient and effective (as I was taught in my NHS management course).

I went to a great seminar as part of the RCN congress which was about an innovative productivity study on some wards and departments, which has saved nurses time that they can then spend with patients instead of papers, equipment and order books.

Have a look at it here: www.institute.nhs.uk/quality_and_value/productivity_series/productive_ward.html

Like all businesses and lives if you are too busy working 'in' them, you can't work 'on' them. You need to do this to look at what is actually happening to you, your patients, family, partner etc and then find new solutions.

Look at what you do in and out of work, happynurses.

Being a 'patient'

I have been officially diagnosed with coeliac now, via the gastro registrar and have to wait for a biopsy to stop eating wheat etc.

So, despite the fact that we know what it is, it's making me feel unwell, and the tests will just give a view, and a sample of my intestinal lining, but won't change the treatment, I still have to wait in the queue for another investigation.

Hey ho -life as a patient!

How can you make your patients' experiences a bit happier' happynurses?

shocks this week

The last week or so has been one of emotional ups and downs - some unexpected news in happynurse land!

After several trips to and from the GP and lots of tests, and me realising that having to lie on the sofa every afternoon was not a good thing, I seem to have been diagnosed with coeliac disease!

This is a serious intestinal disorder that is only treatable by removing all wheat, rye and barley and their associated by-products from my diet. So no more bread, pasta, or ordinary breakfast cereals, processed foods or anything I don't know the ingredients of. Hmmmm....

Thank goodness for the Internet though, as I feel like a specialist in coeliac now as I have spent several hours looking at various medical and public sites for the condition and learning as much as I can. I am seeing the specialist at the hospital tomorrow to plan further diagnostic tests or referrals. Perhaps I can give out some happynurses business cards while I am there!

So I went for a restful weekend with my sister, Sarah, and her family. It turns out that she may be made redundant in 4 weeks or so. She is a highly skilled lawyer so it was a bit of a shock. We got paper and coloured pens out, and we had a few brainstorm and 'creative solution' sessions. It made me glad for my coaching experience so I could look on the brighter side. Instead of redundancy - she has a choice of a job or freedom!!  Woo, that sounds great...!!

How do you deal with sudden shocks? All challenges are opportunities to learn and create something new.

Look for the positive, happynurses!

Action days!

Hello and welcome to the action-packed happynurses blog update.

I have felt rather frustrated this week, as due to technical glitches the website is still not ready for release and I am getting really fed up with waiting. I have also had some tests for some health issues and feel I am just waiting for others to help me/ tell me what is happening/ get things working.

One of the best ways I find for me to deal with this is to allow myself to feel miserable for a bit (one day max). No alcohol or any artificial ways to 'cope'. Feel those grumpy feelings! Then I need a PLAN. There are things I can't do anything about, and things I can, so those are what I am focussing on.

I had an evening of watching a movie with one of my fave actors - Gael Garcia Bernal - and making notes of all the odd jobs and tasks I could get done today to move my life and business forward so today is an ACTION DAY!!

I got up early, and sorted out my bedroom as I have redecorated and am now only putting the things back that I really want, none of the clutter. I have moved the furniture around and it is like having a new room - it looks much more spacious and is more colourful, light and creative. I painted it in 'natural calico' and purple with neutral, white and pink accessories. It looks lush! '

I am now looking at all my business and marketing plans so that I have a clear plan of action once the site is ready to go.

The e-book is all done and has been submitted to the Nursing Standard for book review, with a request from one of the editors for an article to go with it. I have asked a US nurses' website if they want to offer it to their 230,000 members for an affiliate payment on each book sold, and am looking at getting a publishing deal via a friend for a hard-copy workbook.

I still have a huge list of things to do today, and will let you know how I got on!

What would you put on a list for your 'Action day', happynurses?

Goals and success

  Here is some evidence of my fitness and a great testimonial for my trainer, Carl. I have now been working with him for a few weeks, and even with Christmas I have really improved a lot. Concentrate especially on the chest and waist regions......

How does it work?

In the same way as any type of coaching: get an expert who knows more than you do. Be accountable to them. Find someone you like and want to spend time with.

Set some goals and measure your success so you know how you are doing. If things aren't going to plan, look at why that is, and alter your actions/ course/ focus/ attention accordingly.

	10.12.07	24.01.08
Fat depth measurements:
Biceps	7mm	6mm
Triceps	18mm	16mm
Scapula	14mm	12mm
Iliac Crest	25mm	23mm
Abdominals	25mm	23mm
Total Body Fat (Ideal range 16 – 30%)	32.7%	31%
Circumferences:
Arm	27cm	26.5cm
Chest	95.5cm	93cm
Waist	80.5cm	78.5cm
Hips	97.5cm	97cm
Thigh	52.5cm	51cm
Total	353	346
Total loss		1.7% body fat and 7cm loss overall

Ok so you may not want to see all these stats but they make me accountable to you as well! I will be posting all my results on here, so how much of a motivator do you think that is?

Who can you be accountable to for your success, happynurses?

Contact me claire@happynurses.co.uk for details of how I can coach you and keep you on track to your life goals. If you don't have any, we can set some up and then really get your 2008 going.......

walking the talk

I have decided to get a personal trainer to help me to be fitter, healthier and slimmer for the happynurses launch! I had my first assessment today and got the top marks for diet for anyone this year, because I like to eat pulses - not that I am competitive!

However, I need to do more activity, toning and stretching, and change how I eat, and how much, rather than what I eat. I have taken a 'before' photo which will go on the site in 5 weeks when I have had 5 weeks of torture/ training/ TLC from Carl! Watch me shrink - even over Xmas - now there's a challenge!

Since I have done the Money Gym I have been looking at the whole ROI (Return on Investment) and have been thinking of ways to get my investment in Carl back.

1. Do cross-referrals. I send him people for personal training and he sends me coaching clients
2. He knows some nurses so is passing my cards to them, increasing my subscribers
3. We could look at doing overall health programmes for nurses with coaching and training together
4. He may want me to coach him, so doing a skills-swap

I only need 1.5 clients to get the money back, so I will keep talking to him (if I can talk after he has finished with me!)

Where do you spend or invest your money and how can you get your investments back, happynurses?

energy and chakras

Bear with me - this will be an instinctive posting!

I have just returned from an amazing retreat with Damien Senn, Steve Nobel and Davide De Angelis. I spent 3 days in Cumbria, with 20 others examining ways to experience more flow in our lives. I also used it as a way to push 'project L' further on.

I had an amazing time. The seminar leaders were great - and David Hill did some incredible energy healing work with us as a group, and individuals. I know a bit about the energy chakras but have never experienced anything like I did this week. I had my heart opened, literally, and it was burning away for a whole night - not in a 'heart burn' way but as sheer 'deep energy' around my heart area. It took me an hour to sleep and woke me up at 03.15. I can still feel it now, and I cannot explain it.

We did an amazing exercise where I met myself in 2 years. She looked great and gave me a key - the key to my heart! I also know I am on the right path with happynurses, and got lots of affirmation as a business woman, inspiring person and powerful female presence. The group was a wonderful place to spend some time, and I can't wait until I am taking nurses on a similar journey.

I will post more later when I can access my photos......

I also have some 'project L' homework to do this weekend, with 2 buddies/ mentors checking up on me and helping me - one a man, and one a woman!

What can you do this weekend to move your life forward, happynurses?

Fun

This week has been wonderful!

I have started my power walks again in the lovely autumn sunshine, and have added a smidgen of running to keep the challenge up.

I am really delighted with my now lodger who is clean, tidies the flat for me, and is considerate and fun ('Dirty Dancing' movie night tonight!!)

I am having so much fun creating my happynurses vision. Why?

• It is the thrill of having somewhere for all my ideas to go,
• spending time talking to, and listening to, people
• telling people about my ideas, and having them suggest solutions or people that can help
• being surrounded by positive vibes, and knowing I can help others to do the same
• seeing my plans coming to life after talking about them for so long
• I have seen the 'Happynurses Limited' official stamp and that was cool
• My e-book is nearly ready to be reviewed and then unleashed
• I found an amazing place for the launch and the possibility if sharing with the business's re-launch
• feeling really confident and competent as a coach due to my clients' successes and increased confidence in themselves
• knowing I am doing something great
• playing 'cashflow' yesterday, and knowing it was my actual life, not just a game
• building up assets in the 'cashflow' game and beginning to understand a 'great deal' when they came up
• meeting lots of lovely people
• being by the sea in Clevedon, watching the sunset while talking to some interesting folks
• collecting business cards and email addresses of individuals who I am inspiring already

That's about it!

What are you excited about, happynurses?