Tag Archives: Personal

Things That Suck About Being Pregnant

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pregnancy, things that suck about pregnancy, pregnant, baby, hatePregnancy is supposed to be an amazing time but it doesn’t always work out that way. My mother always talked about her wonderful pregnancies and, in truth, I don’t think I ever heard a negative pregnancy story from a family member or friend. Sure there were some truly awful stories in the media and, although I found them horrifying, I cast them out of my mind. Which is why I am pretty annoyed now. Pregnancy is not this magical thing people told me about. It is not a magical time at all. Okay, creating our child is wonderful and I would not have it any other way but wonderful or any other such word does not encapsulate it. In fairness, my pregnancy has been termed ‘unlucky’ by my doctor. It is a bit of an understatement due to the horrendous acute morning sickness but, never mind. Here are my pregnancy rants. Feel free to add your own because ranting is good for the soul.

Bump Molestation

Seriously, what is up with this? Today I actually had a stranger molest me from barely underneath my breasts all the way down. I may have been in a sitting position but it was not appropriate and if it had not been an elderly woman she would have at the very least been slapped. It is not okay to touch a pregnant women’s bump without asking her. And even then, keep your hands to yourself unless you are a very close friend or family member. How would you like to be felt up? Especially when you are creating a life and feeling very protective of your bump? This brings me on to my next rant….

A Women’s Body Does Not Become Public Property When She becomes Pregnant

Not only does this mean NO TOUCHING but it also means you don’t get to tell her what to eat or drink, how to exercise or how much weight to put on. You don’t get to make comments on how she looks or what she does so mind your business.

The Unsolicited Advice

Your pregnancy choices were good choices for you. Only share them with other pregnant women if they ask. If you are a man, keep quiet unless you are a doctor and a question is asked. Also annoying is pregnancy advice from women who have never been pregnant. I mean, really?

The Constant Personal Questions

When people find out you are pregnant they ask you everything from what you are going to call your baby, what the sex is and how much weight you have put on. It really is too much. People seem to forget their manners when they are in the presence of a pregnant woman. If you feel uncomfortable just smile and avoid the question or say you are not sharing that information publicly yet.

Morning Sickness

As Miranda says in Sex & The City, ‘I don’t know why they call it morning sickness when it lasts all fucking day.’ Exactly Miranda, exactly. Some woman get barely any morning sickness and some, like Kate Middleton, get acute morning sickness which is otherwise known as hyperemesis gravidarum. Morning sickness is not fun. Think of your worst hangover ever and then think about suffering through it everyday for about three months, sometimes longer. There you go: morning sickness.

Not being Able To Tell Anyone Why You Are So ill

The chances of miscarriage are high in the first 12 weeks so you are recommended to keep your pregnancy to yourself. Suffering in silence is not= fun and colleagues will probably notice something is up. Just know you will get to the end of it.

Having To Do All of the Stuff You Did Before

There is a popular quote that Ginger Rogers had to do everything Fred Astaire did but backwards and in heels. Well, pregnant women have to do everything everyone else does but whilst dealing with morning sickness, being kicked internally, headaches, muscle pain, nausea, random pains, tiredness…the list is endless. The pressure for pregnant women to not let anyone down and act like some kind of superwoman is tremendous. The reality is: pregnant women should be given some slack. If you don’t like that, just remember that the little baby they are creating will be paying for public services in your retirement.

The Fact That EVERYTHING Hurts

I mean everything. From your head to your legs to your vagina. A lucky day is when it doesn’t hurt all at once.

The Constant Worrying

I stopped reading the pregnancy literature before 12 weeks. I could not take it. Even now the stuff overwhelms me. Sure, things can go wrong in pregnancy but do you really need to know about every single thing that could go wrong? No, you don’t. So relax and read a magazine or a good book instead. Ignorance is not bliss, but somedays it is easier.

The Glee of Awful Things To Come

Too many people take such glee in the fact that, apparently, you will never sleep again, nor have a life. People can seem pretty happy because they think that having a child will ruin your life or career. Ignore these people. They are jerks.

What are your pregnancy rants?

 

 

 

Sexism And Sexual Harassment: The Rise of Everyday Sexism

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This is an article I never wanted to write. But something compelled me. A sense of injustice, perhaps. I wanted to write about my own experience of everyday sexism. More importantly, I wanted to write about what happened to me a couple of weeks ago.

 

everyday sexism a personal experienceTwo weeks ago I was walking home from a party in East London when a car kept beeping. I ignored it. I usually do when I am in a part of London where I don’t know people. I finally turned around and a man gestured with his hand for me to come over to his car which had stopped at a red light. I obviously ignored it because I am not an idiot. Do they really think that a women being summoned by a stranger in a car is going to make her go over there? Insane. He was in a car with three friends. He didn’t like being ignored. In fact, he turned his car around so he and his friends could go past me and yell obscenities that I would never write down, never mind say out loud. To say I was terrified was an understatement. It doesn’t take a lot of courage to yell at a women who is 5.5 and a half inches tall and 130 pounds. If they wanted to get out of the car to hurt me, kill me, rape me, I would have stood no chance. I am an emotionally strong person, I even think that after martial arts training that I can generally look after myself, but, sadly, when it comes to physical strength: men and women are not born equal. I was badly shaken. My fiancé was off at a business conference. I didn’t leave the house the next. Nor the day after that.

 

I wish I could say this was a one-off. Sadly it wasn’t.  About a week later I was coming back from the post office near where I live and I was about to step onto the road and then I pulled back as a car was approaching very fast. I could have crossed and made it, but I decided to be extra safe. The car beeped at me aggressively. I waved the aggression away with my hand in an almost subconscious gesture. Turns out it was a man driving. He slammed on the brakes and got out of the car. A muscular man of average height and too-high testosterone. I had crossed behind him at this point. ‘What?, What?” He yelled at me with aggressive body language and an incredibly angry tone. I pretended he wasn’t there and walked in the opposite direction. Thankfully, he didn’t follow.

 

In fact the intimidate-a-women-in-your-car thing isn’t rare at all. It has happened to me four times now and many friends have had the same experience. But I doubt their mothers are proud of them. it doesn’t take a lot of courage to abuse a women who is alone, whilst sitting in a hunk of metal, surrounded by your friends. When I was growing up I wasn’t allowed in certain areas and places unless one of my brothers was with me. I always hated this, thought it was sexist and unfair, but, actually, my parents were smart and knew far more about the brutality and unfairness of the world than I did.

 

This doesn’t mean that all men are lovely and polite when not in cars. I have been asked ‘How much?’ whilst walking through Leicester Square. I have been followed a number of times, had my bottom groped, had men leer at me, been called everything from a slut, to a whore to a c**t (no, I can’t even write it down properly) I have walked down the street in a knee-length skirt and been treated like I was walking down the street topless. My crime? Just walking down the street, minding my own business. Oh, and having breasts and a vagina. Apparently that means it is open season. I never reply, I just ignore it. Usually I can brush it off but not always. Women should not have to put up with this level of abuse. It is time we took a stand. It is time that women and men unite and say no to everyday sexism.

 

There is a wonderful project called the Every Day Sexism Project (and I hope they don’t mind me using their name) you can add your experiences of Every Day Sexism.  They can also be tweeted at @EverydaySexism.

 

Please also comment and add your own experiences below. The more we expose sexism and show how common harassment is, the more we can do to stop it and raise awareness. My one hope is that some of these men don’t realise how their actions affect the women they treat so badly and that when they do, maybe they will think twice.

 

Two-Thirds Of Brits Relying On Dream Cash Windfall To Clear Personal Debt

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the compass of nowTwo-thirds of Britons are relying on a “dream” cash windfall to clear personal debt, new research shows.

One-in-three people believe they will land a major pay rise, win the lottery, make a fortune at the bookies, or inherit enough money to wipe the financial slate clean at some point in the future.

The majority freely admit that the likelihood of actually netting a large amount of cash unexpectedly is “improbable”.

But most continue to borrow or live beyond their means on the assumption that “the biggie”, when it comes in, will pay-off all outstanding loans, overdraft and credit card debt in one fell swoop.

Less than half of those in debt have sought professional advice about debt consolidation schemes or other repayment options, with the majority relying on non-qualified friends and family for guidance.

The poll of nearly 1,000 adults was conducted by the personal debt expert DDnard (corr), as part of an ongoing international study into borrowing behaviour.

DDnard, a Thai author whose self-help books on the subject have sold over 1.4million copies worldwide, describes those dreaming of a windfall as ‘flying ostriches’.

“It is clear that some borrowers either have their heads in the sand, or their heads in the clouds. Many do both,” she said.

“They either shy away from reality in the hope that it goes away, or they daydream about extraordinary ways in which it will be paid on their behalf.

“The sad fact is that, for most people at least, cash windfalls never materialise and those in debt must face the music and tackle the issue head-on. This is the only way to reduce personal debt and have a guaranteed debt-free future.”

Of the 921 adults questioned, 68 per cent said they were relying on an unexpected windfall. Of those, 19 per cent were hoping for a “major pay rise”, 13 per cent were counting on winning the lottery (13 per cent), and five percent were praying for a good streak at the races.

The majority were hoping for an inheritance (56 per cent), while seven per cent were reliant on the sale of their house of other valuable asset).

Less than a quarter (21 per cent) genuinely believed a windfall was probable, with 28 per cent and 51 per cent admitting it was either “possible” or “improbable” respectively.

Some 13 per cent said had not obtained professional advice because they were “unsure who to ask”, while the majority (48 per cent) seek financial advice from friends or family.

Only 39 per cent of those who were “struggling” with unsecured debt had sought professional advice from a bank or third party expert.

Food, school clothing, utility bills and other basic necessities accounted for 38 per cent of respondents’ debt.

But the remainder went into the red by purchasing “non-essentials” like expensive presents and home improvements, and by buying “extravagances” such as new cars and family holidays.

In total, 59 per cent admitted they could improve the way they handle money to avoid debt in the future. Almost the same number (41 per cent) said the cost of living is so high that personal debt is “all but unavoidable from time to time”.

The straw poll found that the overwhelming majority (56 per cent) of respondents blamed the ease at which they could obtain additional credit cards, transfer money to pay their balances, overdrafts and loans had contributed to the problem.

Others blamed the pressure of living in a “must-have” consumerist environment (16 per cent), the “buy now, worry later” mentality of peers or family (19 per cent), the desire to “live like a celebrity” (six per cent), and even the belief that buying things “made me happy” (three per cent).

Author and personal finance expert DDNard clawed her way back from a £2million debt following the unexpected death of her husband, a diamond magnate.

The self-help guru, whose new book The Compass of Now has just been released in the UK, said overcoming a mountain of debt isn’t easy, but that can be achieved by taking “one small step at a time”.

“This generally begins by accepting that you have a problem, or that one looks set to arise,” she said. “Once you are able to fully acknowledge a potentially problematic situation, you are better prepared to go about reversing it.

“The golden rule with debt, however small or large it might be, is not to bury your head in the sand and rely on a miracle – or a million-pound cash windfall. Seek expert advice and take matters into your own capable hands.”

The Compass of Now by DDnard (Life Compass Co., Ltd.) is available now.

Erin O’Connor Unveils Personal Shopping at Heathrow

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We went along to see Erin O’Connor unveil personal shopping at Heathrow International airport. I had a chat with some of the personal shoppers, who let me know that animal prints, silks and print are going to be huge trends into 2014.

In an international airport first, customers can now enjoy Personal Shopping at Heathrow with an accredited stylist, free of charge and individually tailored, ensuring passengers can make the most of the precious moments before take-off.

 

The ground breaking Personal Shopping service at Heathrow brings together over 300 outlets at the airport with a bespoke consultation that can be booked ahead of time or accessed on arrival at the airport.  Supermodel sensation, Erin O’Connor, who co-hosted an event at Somerset House to launch Heathrow’s new service, shared her experiences of how helpful the expertise from personal shoppers is to her;

 

‘Travel has been and still is a huge part of my life.  The Personal Shoppers at Heathrow have incredible fashion and beauty insight which means they can pull a selection for me before I even arrive at the airport.  I can make the most of my time before I board my flight and know that I will have everything I want for my trip.’

 

Whether it’s an extraordinary dress for an evening event, a new season update or even advice on the latest beauty trends, the airport’s Personal Shoppers are available from the first to last flight.  Fluent in Russian, Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, Heathrow’s multilingual team are qualified to assist passengers from right across the globe.

Erin O'Connor unveils Heathrow's new personal shopping services at London's Somerset House Erin O'Connor unveils Heathrow's new personal shopping services at London's Somerset House Erin O'Connor unveils Heathrow's new personal shopping services at London's Somerset House Erin O'Connor unveils Heathrow's new personal shopping services at London's Somerset House Erin O'Connor unveils Heathrow's new personal shopping services at London's Somerset House Erin O'Connor unveils Heathrow's new personal shopping services at London's Somerset House Erin O'Connor unveils Heathrow's new personal shopping services at London's Somerset House

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Personal Shopping is just the latest of a range of unique services designed to help Heathrow passengers make the most of their time including:

  • Home delivery
  • Online product reservation
  • Free beauty treatments
  • Shop and Collect

Some of the available brands and treatments are below.

Brand Treatment
Estee Lauder The Estee Lauder 5-step face Look more even toned instantlyFatigue FighterInstant Line Smoother

Make Makeup Last

Beautiful Eyes Made Easy

Simple Smokey Eyes

Advanced Night Repair Skincare Advice
Crème De La Mer Where Miracles BeginAgeing InterruptedBright Future

Eye Focus

Deep Calm

Hand And Arm Indulgence
Chanel Specialist consultations in:SkincareMakeup

Fragrance
Lancome AurasMini MakeoversSkincare consultations
Clinique 3-step consultationFoundation fittingCreating a smile

Tape test

Brighter eyes
Christian Dior Complimentary makeovers
Yves Saint Laurant Skincare and makeup
Clarins Skincare consultationsAnti-ageing
M.A.C Complimentary makeovers
Jo Malone Complimentary hand and arm massages
Bobbi Brown Instant prettySecret to perfect skinCheeks and Lips

Smokey eyes

Teenage Beauty

Bridal makeup party

Pretty powerful
CLARINS Skincare consultationsAnti-ageing
Sisley Paris Make oversRefresh & Fly mini facialsHand massages
Guerlain Instant Skin Bronzing
Benefit Fake itFix itMaking the best of your brows
Elizabeth Arden Skin Scanner DiagnosticPersonal regime demonstrationsFace finishing- powder or bronze
Biotherm Flight planning for your skinSkin hydration checking and personal routine planning
Tom Ford Colour demonstrationFull Tom Ford LookLip Demonstration

Eye demonstration

Private blend fragrance mixing lesson
Kiehls Skin ConsultationFacial for me or womenHand massage
Elemis Hand and Arm Massage Mini FacialsEye treatment
Dr Sebagh Mini Facial
Dermalogica Face Map Skin AnalysisPre Flight prep treatment

Be Safe, Be Seen: Personal and Professional Safety Clothing

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With increasing numbers of people out on the roads, and industries becoming increasingly hazardous thanks to the insatiable demand for work to be done as quickly as possible, it’s more important than ever that we all have adequate protection when we’re somewhere that accidents can occur.

Whether this is in the workplace or just out for a Untitledbike ride with the family, we all need to make sure that we are visible to others in the vicinity to reduce the risk of accidents occurring because we weren’t seen. The best way of doing this is to wear high visibility clothing wherever possible to reflect light and stand out in dark areas.

Motorcyclists are just one group of people who are particularly at risk out on the roads. Due to being a significantly smaller vehicle than cars and lorries, and only having one headlight, many drivers will pull out from side roads without really looking and seeing an oncoming motorcyclist resulting in a potentially fatal accident.

If the motorcyclist is wearing a form of high visibility clothing, particularly at night or in harsh weather, then they increase their chance of being seen and reduce the risk of accidents.

A lot of people choose to go running along the side of roads near their homes. People, obviously, don’t come with headlights or indicators, and busy passing traffic can obscure the runner from the vision of other road users. When the leading car moves around the runner, the following cars might not be able to see them, resulting in an accident. Wearing a high-viz t-shirt or lightweight jacket can help them to improve their visibility with headlights reflecting off the clothing.

Pedestrians out walking their dogs can also find high-visibility clothing for their beloved animal to help them to be seen when walking near roads, too.

It’s also vital that safety clothing is worn in a professional capacity. If you work in a yard filled with lorries that require assistance with their maneouvres, such as quarries or supermarket delivery bays, then wearing something that helps you to be seen is key.

In these two examples, visibility can be compromised by harsh or dark weather conditions, or by other obstacles in the environment such as quarry walls or recycling bins. By wearing high-viz clothing, a reversing vehicle should still be able to spot you and reduce the risk of being hit as you guide the driver backwards.

Injury Law Explained

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There are so many misunderstandings when it comes to injury law. Personal injury or tort law often makes people think of lawsuits, but many cases never even end up in the court room. Most cases are now settled out of court, as it may appear easier, friendlier and cheaper.

It is important to understand thimagesat personal injury is a type of tort or civil wrong, in which harm has been caused to an individual, due to another individual failing to use reasonable care. The law then recognizes this as grounds to sue the offender in order to recover losses of the afflicted.

Many people may be subject to negligence and suffer an accident as a consequence, but never do anything about it. It is for this reason, that you must know your rights.
The main goal of tort law is to recompense the injured party and to discourage others from committing the same offense.

The main issue under scrutiny in a personal injury claim is liability. This is determined by proving that the individual that caused the harm did so because of negligence. It must also be proven that it was foreseeable that this failure could result in the injury that occurred to the other party.

The most common injuries in which you can make a claim are: road traffic accidents, accidents at work, tripping accidents, assault claims, accidents at home, product defect accidents and holiday accidents.

In order to make a case you need to make note of the following:

• Date of the accident with full details
• Details of any witnesses
• Medical diagnosis and treatment
• Proof of loss of earnings and financial expenses as a result of your injury

There are a number of personal injury companies out there that offer no win no fee claims. It is important to check there are no hidden charges in the services they offer by making sure you use a firm of real lawyers that have the experience necessary.

If, after reading this, you think you have a case, get in touch with a solicitor as soon as possible and request further information and advice. You may be able to make a claim.

How To Find The Perfect Jeans. Mimi Noor Tells You How

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james_twiggy_blackclean_01Frost Magazine has called on Mimi Noor, the owner of Miminoor.com, to help you find the perfect pair of jeans. Mimi offers a personal outfit builder advice section on her website. With a focus on how to buy the perfect jeans and turn the chore of finding the right pair into a pleasurable experience.
Mimi Noor stocks a variety of designer brands including J Brand, Victoria Beckham, James Jeans, Wild Fox, Zoe Karssen and Des Petit Hauts.
What should a woman look for when buying jeans?  
One of the first recommendations I would make is to really narrow down what
occasions you want your denim for as it’s going to determine what to
look for in a new pair of jeans. There are so many fantastic denim brands
that are able to offer styles to suit every shape so women no longer have to
worry about a certain jean style for their body; it’s all about lifestyle.
Work out if you want an everyday pair or one for evenings/smart casual wear. What footwear are you likely to wear with it?  I’ve had so many customers who have admitted to buying several pairs of flares or bootcuts because they tried them on with killer heels, which looked great in the shop. However, if your lifestyle means that you can’t wear killer heels all day every day then you’re not going to get the right amount of wear and should reserve these styles for evenings out or special occasions.
What is the main problem women have when buying jeans?
Buying jeans on your own can be a scary experience because most stores don’t
offer the sort of assistance you need when finding that perfect pair of
jeans. Many brands run sizing differently so you never know what size
you are, It is not always obvious how the styles differ and often no one is
available or knowledgeable in denim to help you pull out the right size,
colour or shape once you’re in the changing room.
How do they fix this?
I would always recommend shopping with a friend or relative you trust if
you’re buying denim from the high street or in department stores. Take your
friend with you to help bring you alternative options or sizes once you’re
in the changing room and ask their honest opinion on whether the cut suits
you. Alternatively, shop with a specialist like us. We provide a
consultative service where we establish what you want your jeans for,
determine your general size, provide alternative options based on your
feedback and then do any further alterations you may require (such as hemming to
the correct length).
goldsign_misfit_ronny_01
I find it really hard to find a great pair of jeans, they always seem too big at the waist. What is your main tip for women to buy the perfect jeans?
The 3 main considerations to make when buying your perfect jeans are
1) What purpose do I want these jeans for
2) What footwear am I most likely to wear with them
3) What rise is most comfortable for me
So many pear shaped women struggle to find a pair of jeans that fit well on the legs and fit neatly into the curve of the back or waist as you’ve mentioned. This is where rise comes into play!
Depending on your figure your preferred rise will vary. So often we find that women who have that perfect pear shape will need a jean with a higher rise and greater fabric stretch so that the jean fits perfectly on the legs and nips into the back of your waist.
For ladies who are really long bodied the high rise is going to sit
like a mid rise so it’s really important to factor the rise that’s most
comfortable for you.
What are the best jeans for the following body shapes: Tall, short, petite
and curvy?
 
The denim market right now is full of amazing brands that are able to offer
a plethora of styles for every body shape out there so the traditional
combinations such as a pear shape with a bootcut don’t necessarily apply anymore. As a general rule I would suggest:
Tall: A mid to low rise jean in a straight or skinny style. My pick would be the Goldsign misfit, which is long in length with a 14″ leg opening that means it’s sleek but not ankle tight.
Short: Super skinny styles look great on smaller girls as they flatter a more petite
frame. My favourite would be the James Jean Twiggy style.
Curvy: Curvy girls look best in two shapes. Firstly, a high waisted skinny looks
fantastic on a pear shape when teamed with boots or heels. Equally a
babyboot looks great on this frame. Pick the J Brand Maria or 818
respectively.
What are your favourite jeans?
Picking a favourite is so hard but so far this season I have been living in
my Mih Bonn in minidot. It’s a cropped skinny with a high waist, which is
perfect on my frame and the fabric is super soft. I love how the polka dots are on trend but subtle enough for everyday wear.

Confidence Coach Vivienne Goldstein Tells All

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Tell us exactly what you do?

With a background of NLP as a Master Practitioner and qualified as a Personal Performance Coach, I support my clients to deal with a range of personal challenges. I specialise in improving the communication and impact my clients make in their work and home life.

My role is that of a thinking partner. I give a balance of support and challenge. I provide a safe and confidential environment without any outside distractions where my clients can concentrate on themselves without any interruptions. It’s important to be allowed time to think, time to reflect. By speaking out loud, it enables your thoughts to come into your consciousness and you lower some of the filters that have been stopping you seeing the options and opportunities that are there for you. You get your “juices flowing” so that one thought can easily lead to another … or not … and then we can find out what’s stopping the flow.

In the recent Olympics, all the Veteran Medal winners and the Coaches were saying how very important the mindset of an athlete is to their success. It’s the same for you and me in our everyday lives. We need to find out what motivates us, what our best qualities and skills are, understand how to hone them and how to get the negative thoughts under control and pushed to the side so that we can be our best.

To do my job well, I have to be completely in the moment. I listen carefully not only to the words that my clients speak but also the way in which they say them, the tone of voice, the intonation and their body language eg lots of fidgeting, screwing up their face, rolling their eyes, sitting very still, not showing emotion.

Everyone is an individual so my success lies in how quickly I can establish rapport and get my clients to feel comfortable to open up and dig deep into themselves.

The most difficult thing for me is when someone comes to me knowing they have a block and yet they keep hanging on to a belief that means this block is impenetrable. … they won’t let go of it to see what could happen if they did let go.

It takes time for new ideas to settle into the consciousness. Some people take longer than others. And it’s down to the individual themselves. I’m the catalyst. Ultimately, it’s their responsibility.

How did you get into coaching?

I was brought up in Brazil as a child and returned to London to finish my education.
I have many years’ experience in retail, photography, recruitment, teaching and charity work. And then someone suggested I’d make a great Coach. I’d never even heard of such a thing! I studied a lot and I love it! I combine my professional coaching expertise with life experience.

What kind of people do you coach?

My clients are mostly professionals who come to see me privately on a one-to-one basis. I sometimes run workshops which give a group of people a foundation in becoming more self-aware of the impact they make on those around them.

The typical client is the one who knows they have an issue they want to address. They’ve been thinking about it for a while and not getting any clearer on how to improve things. They then realise that working with me will get them to a better place quicker.

One lady came to me because her boss is a bully and she was struggling to cope with various situations at work.

A man came because he was anxious about his wedding day speech.

One lady was up for Partner in a very large law firm. She had to be interviewed by all 150 Partners. After 30 interviews she was given the feedback that she lacked gravitas. She came to me to understand how to change the message she was sending out.

Some people are struggling to come to terms with their situation which they know they can’t change but want to see it in a different light.

A mother came to see me because she wasn’t getting on very well with her teenage son.

Successful women in business who take maternity leave and on returning to work, they feel a sudden loss of confidence. It’s a whole different world once you’re a parent as well as a business person.

Are people born confident?

Of course. We are all born perfect. It’s what we experience that shapes our lives and the choices we make.

How do you fix a lack of confidence?

Firstly, you have to recognise when you are feeling a lack of confidence. Then work your way backwards in your life experiences as to when this feeling first started. Then understand how you are behaving when this feeling starts. Then change your behaviour. It’s starts with faking confidence and eventually you become confident.

Can someone who has no confidence be completely cured?

Nobody is 100% confident 100% of the time. We all experience moments on uncertainty – whatever anyone may tell you otherwise!

Top tips for confidence?

What is happening inside your head is reflected outside by your body language. So an easy tip is to make sure you wear clothes you are comfortable in, fit you well, make you feel good. Good grooming is always helpful.

If you’re unsure of something, do some research, find out as much as you can before doing whatever it is that is causing you to feel unconfident. The more prepared you are for something, the better and more comfortable you will feel going into the situation.

Be aware of your mindset. Don’t walk into a room in a bad mood. The results will not be satisfactory for you. As Abraham Lincoln said:

“Most folk are about as happy as they make up their minds to be”.

Who mostly has a lack of confidence: men or women?

I think that it’s pretty evenly distributed but the situations in which there is a lack of confidence may differ.

How do you relax?

I always feel better after an exercise workout. That gets rid of my toxins both physically and emotionally!

I love the cinema and theatre …. and laughing. Laughing is the best relaxation!