Motivation to Success!

According to the results of recent surveys in the UK, US and Ireland more than 50% of the workforce is unhappy with their career or job.

Most of these people are unhappy with the actual tasks they are doing in their job. The only way they will be happier is if they do something totally different – i.e., take a different career direction. The same goes for a lot of people who are made redundant.

These people have a choice, stay with the career they are or were in, or change it. The biggest thing preventing you from getting a career you love… believe it or not… is YOU!

Many people are simply not prepared to put in the effort needed, preferring to take the easy way out and accept second best… or maybe even whatever seemed like a good idea at the time. They do what they had the points for in their leaving cert or what their parents did/told them to do. Or they come up with excuses such as financial restraints.

It’s important to realise that choosing a career (or changing careers) is right up there with getting married, having kids, and buying a house. It is one of the most important decisions you will ever make in your life! For a few decades you will spend 60 odd hours out of 168 each week working and travelling to and from work.

And what happens at work, whether it’s good or bad, affects ALL the other aspects of your life – your health, family, finances, relationships, self-esteem and so on.

Choosing a career is NOT something that can be done in less than five minutes, but unfortunately, that’s how much thought some people put into it. Then 5 years later they are still on the factory floor, or answering phones at a call centre, selling door to door or in the same office doing the same every day.

Choosing a career involves much more:

1. Looking closely at yourself
2. Researching jobs which might be suitable
3. Being able to make a decision, and
4. Acting on, and being happy with, that decision.

The first of these steps in finding a career you love is “self-discovery”. It looks at such things as:

* The things you like and dislike doing
* The things you are good and bad at doing
* The skills you have or need to get
* Your achievements to date, and what you want to achieve in the future
* Your attitudes, values and personal style.

A thorough, honest and realistic self-assessment is vital if you are to gather the necessary information to make a good career decision… if you are to find a career you might love to do! If you want to find a job that is not work anymore!

That’s where my I come in with my career coaching package. While people can just opt for a new CV or interview technique sessions, I encourage a broader view on how to choose a career or change to the career you always wanted.

First the client and myself look at what makes them tick, what their core values are, what needs to be in place for them to be happy. This can range from family to faith to competitiveness to control to joy. We then use these values as a benchmark for career identification.

Then we look at the clients existing skills, strengths and character traits. They might be skilled at talking or problem solving, their strength might be a natural sense of humour and their character may be Loyal and Supportive.

We then explore the client’s interests, hobbies and favourite things. What is their favourite pastime? What do you read books on? How do you like spending a Sunday afternoon, if you won the Lottery how would you spend it etc…

When we have the results of all the exercises and work done, we match all of these with the ideal role in the ideal industry for the client.

Once this work is completed we start the actual practical work of skills gap analysis, CV and cover letter writing, interview preparation and job searching. Another USP is that I always personally follow through until the client secured a job or is satisfied with the progress made. This is done on a 1 to 1, confidential basis with the client’s agenda as the only one in town.

So ask yourselves and those around you the question if they want to get what they really want from the rest of their career or if they want to settle for second best? If you or them want to stop dreading Mondays, please get me their number so I can call them for a no charge consultation.

Patrick Mercie, 4ward 2 Success, your career coached 1 VIP at a time.

Hi all,

Every week I professionally help prepare people for interviews so I thought I would share some basic tips on how to prepare for them with you. For a sevenfold increase of chance of success I would still recommend going to a professional career coach like myself. In the mean time enjoy the article below.

Interview preparation

Understand the employer – This is the key to interview preparation. You need to know the employer and what they want. Only then can you focus your interview preparation. Also who is going to interview you? It is OK to ask or find out.

Identify how you meet the job requirements and how to use your exprience as an example– Listen this what the employer will want to know from the interview. You should also prepare examples and achievement to back this up. Your answer is example – benefit based.

Know your CV – What if the first question you are asked is when did you do your Leaving Cert and you fumble to get an answer. This is just to prove a point. If you do not know yourself how do you expect the employer to know you.

Research the company – Expect to be asked the question – “what do you know about us?” Research the company shows you are prepared BUT also interested.

Interview questions – There are a number of questions that you can be certain that you will be asked. Having said this if you get the above points right you will be fine.

How to get information on a potential employer.

Internet – This is the obvious port of call. Most organisations have a website which will provide most of what you need.

Employees – do you know anyone working in the company? This can be a great resource. If you don’t know anyone directly can your network of friends, work colleagues or family help you?

Marketing Material – The company may have brochures or other marketing material that you can request. To be honest this has been replaced by the internet but still can add value.

Competitors – What information can you get from the competition about the employer or as importantly about the competitor as this again can help you differentiate from other interviewees.

Patrick Mercie – 4ward 2 Success – 12th of June 2010

00 353 83 3008963 – patrickmercie66@hotmail.com

- Taking responsibility for your Life –

4ward 2 Success are delighted to announce Patrick Mercie’s seminar, to be held in the wonderful Absolute Hotel on Sir Harry’s Mall in Limerick. www.absolutehotel.com

Saturday 15/05 1000-1300 Seminar. ‘It’s your move next.’ Here Patrick will deliver a 3 hour high energy interactive talk about the how to and benefits of taking full responsibility for all your actions, thoughts and feelings. You will hear how you can take a level of control of every situation you face and empower yourself to deal with them YOUR way. Patrick uses examples from his own journey of self development to enhance the experience.

Your investment in this seminar is €25.

Testimonials for Patrick’s recent workshops:

‘I recently had the pleasure of attending Patrick Mercie’s Goal Setting workshop. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, the content was exactly what was required to get me started implementing specific goals and it was delivered with energy and enthusiasm’ – Laura Scanlon, Impressive Impact E-Brochures, Sixmilebridge – laura@noelscanlon.com

‘It was the first occasion I have ever written down my goals and I found the exercise very interesting. Patrick made the event fun and a very comfortable forum for all. I look forward to implementing my action plan.’ – Eugene Ryan – Qualified Financial Adviser, Limerick City eugeneryanqfa@gmail.com

Profile: Patrick graduated and qualified as a Personal & Business Coach with the Irish Lifecoach Institute (ILI) in 2007 and has this Diploma accredited by the Life & Business Coaching Association of Ireland (LBCAI). Patrick has been successfully coaching people from all walks of life towards taking responsibility for their future by acting on it today. Patrick’s style of working is interactive, motivational, energetic and above all positive minded. Patrick has been described by his clients as ‘infectious’ in positive thinking and attitude.

 Book NOW by contacting Patrick @ 083-3008963 or patrickmercie66@hotmail.com

Your Life Coached 1 VIP at a time!!

Patrick Mercie, 4ward 2 Success, 083-3008963.

In light of our upcoming ‘Goal Setting’ Workshop which is on this Thursday the 8th of April from 1900 to 2100 in the Absolute Hotel in Limerick (still places available), Patrick thought he would warm you up with 12 tips for enhanced success in achieving the Goals you set for your self. Enjoy!

1. ’Desire is the starting point of all achievement’ (Napoleon Hill). What is the reason for the goal? What is the desire? Develop that desire.

2. Believe you can achieve it! Really believe you will do it!

3. WRITE it down in detail. Make it tangible by putting it on paper!

4. Make a list of all the ways YOU will benefit from achieving it.

5. Take the time to analyse where you are right now in relation to the Goal and accept your starting point without blame or worries attached.

6. Set a deadline for the goal, a fixed date. This helps as a motivator.

7. Make a list of all the obstacles that might occur on your path towards achievement. Then list what you can do about them if or when they happen. This ensures you know what to do at that moment.

8. Identify all information you need to get, where to get it from and when you will get it.

9. Make a list of all the people you need to assist you. Also think of what you can do for them.

10. Prepare a detailed action plan with all steps, time frames, people, information etc…

11. Visualise the achievement. Either see yourself achieving it in your mind or use pictures of it and hang them around your house or workplace.

12. Make the decision to NEVER give up! You are probably nearer to achieving it then you think.

‘Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage but simply because they have never organized their energies around a goal.’ Elbert Hubbard

4ward 2 Success are delighted to announce that Patrick Mercie is delivering a rerun of his ‘Goal Setting’ workshop designed specifically with enhancing your quality of life in mind! Patrick mentions that the idea behind this workshop “is for people to stop the blame game and start taking responsibility for their own future”.

This ‘Goal Setting’ workshop will take place on Thursday the 8th of April, from 1900 to 2100 PM, in the Absolute Hotel in Limerick. For directions check http://www.absolutehotel.com/directions

What is unique about this workshop is that it is interactive and will yield individual results for ALL the participants. It will also give them concrete goals to work towards for themselves afterwards.

The workshop consists of four integral parts:

1. Goal identification through value based exercises
2. Reality check using the SMART checking system
3. Golden tips for enhanced success on goal achievement
4. Design of your own action plan.

Testimonials for this workshop:

‘ I recently had the pleasure of attending Patrick Mercie’s Goal Setting workshop. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, the content was exactly what was required to get me started implementing specific goals and it was delivered with energy and enthusiasm’ – Laura Scanlon, Impressive Impact E-Brochures, Sixmilebridge – laura@noelscanlon.com

‘It was the first occasion I have ever wrote down my goals and I found the exercise very interesting. Patrick made the event fun and a very comfortable forum for all. I look forward to implementing my action plan.’ – Eugene Ryan – Qualified Financial Adviser, Limerick City eugeneryanqfa@gmail.com

Profile: Patrick graduated and qualified as a Personal & Business Coach with the Irish Lifecoach Institute (ILI) in 2007 and has this Diploma accredited by the Life & Business Coaching Association of Ireland (LBCAI). Patrick has been successfully coaching people from all walks of life towards taking responsibility of their future by acting on it today. Patrick’s style of working is interactive, motivational, energetic and above all positive minded. Patrick has been described by his clients as ‘infectious’ in positive thinking and attitude.

To book one of the limited places on this workshop fill in the form below and send with cheque or bank draft for €35 to 4ward 2 Success, 35 Meadowbrook, Mill Road, Corbally, Limerick.

For more info on the workshop or 4ward 2 Success programs email Patrick on patrickmercie66@hotmail.com or call him on 083-3008963.

Book a Place on the ‘Goal Setting’ Workshop in Limerick on 08/04 from 1900 to 2100 for me please:

Name: …………………………………………………………………………………….

Address: …………………………………………………………………………………

Mobile: …………………………………………………………………………………..

Email: …………………………………………………………………………………….

Please enclose cheque or bank draft for €35 and send to:

4ward 2 Success, 35 Meadowbrook, Mill Road, Corbally, Limerick. You will be contacted with confirmation of your place at this workshop.

4ward 2 Success are delighted to announce Patrick Mercie’s April and May workshop and seminar schedule, all to be held in the wonderful Absolute Hotel on Sir Harry’s Mall in Limerick. www.absolutehotel.com

These workshops and seminars are all flying under the same banner of ‘Taking responsibility for your own life!’.

More details as well as booking opportunities will be coming your way very soon but here are the dates and topics to wet your appetite:

Thursday 08/04 1900-2100 Rerun on demand of the popular ‘Goal Setting Workshop’. All participants will walk away with goals set and action plans made.

Saturday 17/04 1000-1300 Career Coaching Workshop. Through practical exercises and golden tips all participants will be taken through the do’s and don’ts of career identification, CV preparation and interview techniques. A great morning for all the unemployed and redundant people of the area or the people who want to change career.

Thursday 06/05 1900-2100 ‘Effective Communications’ workshop. You will become more efficient and successful in your relationships at home and in the workplace if you learn how to communicate effectively. This workshop is highly interactive to promote intense learning.

Saturday 15/05 1000-1300 Seminar. ‘It’s your move next.’ Here Patrick will deliver a 3 hour high energy talk about the how to and benefits of taking full responsibility for all your actions, thoughts and feelings. You will hear how you can take control of every situation you face and empower yourself to deal with them YOUR way. Patrick uses examples of his own journey of self development to enhance the experience.

I hope you agree this varied schedule should have something for all to look forward to. More details to follow in the coming days!! Have a fantastic Day.

Patrick Mercie, 4ward 2 Success, 083-3008963.

A lot of us every New Year after 2 cans of Lager to many make New Year resolutions of all kinds. We are going to climb Kilimanjaro barefoot, give up smoking after we finished the 400 packs we got in Lanzarote, walk the dog 8 days a week, never get angry anymore at politicians, get fit watching Davina McCall fitness DVD’s, support our local sports team instead of watching reruns of Leinster’s Heineken Cup win on Sky Sports 7 and so on.

Inevitably by the 5th of January you have blisters from walking the kitchen floor barefoot, got another 100 packs for New Year of your neighbour who came back from Gran Canaria, realise there is only 5 days in the week you want to walk that dog, get hit by another 5% levy and spit at the politician on your telly, eat 10 packs of crisps and drink 2 more cans of lager watching Davina do it for you and order in ESPN cause they have the Premiership rights for the 5pm matches on Saturday.

How does this happen? What can you do for this not to happen? Here’s my 10 tips for sticking to that New Year resolution and becoming the envy of begrudgers everywhere!  

1- Write it down in detail. This makes it real and gets it registered into your subconscious. Put it in your diary on page 1, write it on a notepad and stick it on the fridge. Make sure it is somewhere you go very regularly so you constantly remind yourself of it. This helps you staying motivated.

2- Believe you can do it. If your goal is realistic and you can visualise yourself achieving it, then you can do it. Make a clear mental picture of you achieving it. Seeing yourself succeed puts you in the right frame of mind.

3- Make a list of all the ways you will benefit from sticking to your New Year resolution. The more ways you can find, the more motivation you will receive from them.

4- Set a timeframe and write it beside the goal. The date by which you will have achieved what you set out to do. Again you are making it real both visibly and in your subconscious.

5- Think about all the difficulties you may encounter on your way to achieving your New Year resolution. These difficulties may come from inside you (such as willpower, lack of a certain skill etc…) or may come from external influences (such as uncooperative family members, time spent at work etc…). By identifying them you can already start looking at a way around these before they occur.

6- Check what information you lack right now to be able to start your journey to success and take steps to get this information ASAP.

7- Make a list of people you need help from; whether they are friends, relatives or professionals. By asking for their help, you validate them. Ask yourself what you can do for them so they will gladly help you.

8- Use all of the above information and make a detailed plan. Be precise, thorough and specific. Write down step by step how you will succeed. Brake down the resolution into manageable steps and plan them 1 by 1.

9- Celebrate every completion of one of the steps. Pat yourself on the back, give yourself a treat. Congratulate yourself. It keeps the motivation meter at 120%!!!

10- Never give up! You are always closer to achieving than you think you are. So NEVER give up. While change is always good, nobody said the transition period is a bed of roses. There will be thorns, admire them for what they are and move on!

I want to congratulate all of you in advance on bucking the trend and making 2010 the year where you turn those New Years resolutions into real achievements!! WELL DONE!!!

P.S.: remember there is always a friendly Life Coach nearby to help, motivate and support you. He/She is only a phone call or email away.

If you or anyone you know is deciding on taking part in THE running event of 2009, the Lifestyle Sports – Adidas Dublin marathon, then NOW with 6 months to go is the time to start training. The marathon promises to have a record entry for its 30^th anniversary. The organisers expect up to 15.000 participants.

NOW is the time to consider starting your training. There are a lot of great training programs to be found on various websites, yet they are general programs not specifically written for you. Or you could pay a trainer to write a 6 month training program for you. This fails to allow for increases or decreases in performance and is rather inflexible.

If you want a personalised training program written specifically for you on a WEEKLY basis then 4ward 2 Success is the place to be. We will contact you individually every week to check on progress and availability and send you the program for the following week based upon your actual performance rather than on a prediction months in advance. There is also the possibility of going for runs with the coach, breaking the boredom of training solo. And you will get all information necessary regards gear, medical attention, injury prevention, nutrition advice etc…

As a qualified and accredited Motivational Coach, based in Limerick, Patrick is also ideally equipped to deal with the mental side of training and running so you get the best preparation possible for your race.

For information on our very competitive packages and a FREE assessment meeting contact Patrick at 4ward 2 Success in Limerick on

061-340156

083-3008963 or

patrickmercie66@hotmail.com

P.S.: Please pass this on to anyone you want to help succeed; they’ll thank you for it!!!!

Nearly everywhere I go most people I meet are a bit downtrodden about the current state of the economy and the effects it is having on them. And I must admit it is hard to look past it right now. We are definitely living in challenging, problematic times. We are now faced with the challenge to let those problems defeat us or to use them as stepping stones to further personal development.

It is what we do and how we react that will determine the outcome of the problems we face. If we get angry and look for other people or organisations to blame, we relinquish control of the problem to them. How do you think that will advance us?

If we decide to look at the challenges from a smaller base, in other words individualise them more, then it will look a lot more manageable then we first thought it was. Life is a learning process. Many times we learned something from the problem we faced or the mistake we made. Therefore it is very important for us to have the right view about the challenge.

Problems can be used to find a new direction and can be used as the encouragement and motivation to take that step we feared to make before. Problems are therefore the perfect launch pad for a new way forward with your life.

At 4 ward 2 Success we support you 1 to 1 with stepping on that launch pad and assist you all the way to the achievements you desire!

Use these hard times as your new start! Give us a call now or email me!

Ireland 083-3008963

patrickmercie66@hotmail.com

“In running, it doesn’t matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.”
-Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

“Whether you believe you can or believe you can’t, you’re probably right.”
-Henry Ford