COACHING NOTES
JANUARY 27, 1999

Brought to you by Ann McAllister, Ph.D.

Welcome to COACHING NOTES, your biweekly coaching session in the form of an
email newsletter, for those who want to live balanced, fulfilling, successful
lives and are willing to take the steps to make that happen.


IS YOUR BUSINESS OR CAREER GOING THE WAY YOU REALLY WANT?

If the answer is no, maybe one solution is in the small things, the details.
With all the competing demands in our lives, details are easy to overlook, yet
so important.  Those details can have far reaching effects.  We may never
become aware of the specific effects, but we will see it in how well our
businesses or careers do over time.

The following are some important details that too often get overlooked.

1. Thank people whenever they do something for you or pay you a compliment.

Acknowledge that you know they have extended themselves and that you
appreciate it.  People who feel unappreciated are unlikely to extend
themselves again, send you referrals, become your customer or client, or go
the extra mile as an employee.  A simple email or voice mail message will
sometimes suffice.  Sometimes a card or letter or a face-to-face exchange is
better.  Saying thank you is important, even if what they did for you was not
helpful.  It is the intent that counts.  Thank everybody, not just the
"important" people.  You never know who may be helpful to your business or
career.

There is a bonus in cultivating the habit of gratitude: your life becomes much
richer.

2. Keep your commitments no matter how small.

This lets coworkers, bosses, customers, clients, employees know that they can
count on you.  This is incredibly attractive and will keep 'em coming back for
more.

It is easy to be over-committed and then not be able to do what you agreed to
do, but you will lose people that way.  Be realistic about what you can and
cannot do.  And when you do make a promise, under-promise but over-deliver.
That means committing to a deadline that is several days later than when you
know you can deliver, or promising a quantity or quality less than you can
produce.  Then you deliver your project before the deadline or in a higher
quantity or quality.  People love being pleasantly surprised and feel as if
they are getting added value.  Promising less than you can deliver also gives
you the leeway to accommodate emergencies or opportunities that pop up and
still deliver quality in a timely fashion.

3. If you can't deliver as promised, keep people updated regularly on
The situation and the progress you are making.

This is true whether  the problem is due to circumstances beyond your control
or due to your own mistakes and poor planning.  People do not like to be kept
hanging.  They will cut you a lot of slack if they know you are doing
everything you possibly can  to correct the situation.  And the only way they
can know that is to be kept in the loop.  This can save relationships.

For those who are perfectionists,  you can still deal with mistakes.  Accept
that they are going to happen and deal with them superbly.

4. Make it a point to let people know they are important to you.

Employee retention and customer retention are two of the biggest challenges
facing businesses today.  There are many inexpensive ways to let people know
you appreciate them.  For instance, remembering customers' or clients'
birthdays.  Send them a card and perhaps a small gift.  Call them to see if
they are pleased with your product or services and ask for suggestions about
how you might do better.  Recognize employees and reward them for a job well
done.  Give them a day off or a special parking space.  The same principle
applies to your relationships with co-workers, support staff, and your bosses.
Cards, token gifts, taking them to lunch are simple ways to express
appreciation.


Paying attention to the details is an investment of time and energy that will
pay handsome dividends.  Remember, God is in the details.


TO GIVE EQUAL TIME TO DOG LOVERS�

THINGS WE CAN LEARN FROM DOGS

*Never pass up the opportunity for a joy ride.

*Allow the experience of fresh air and wind in your          face to be pure
ecstacy.

*When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

*When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

*Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

*Take naps and stretch before rising.

*Run, romp, and play daily.

*Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

*Be loyal.

*Never pretend to be something you're not.

*If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

*When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them
gently.

*Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

*Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

*On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

*When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

*No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and
pout--run right back and make friends.

*Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.



GROWTH AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN IN THE METRO-ATLANTA AREA

1. Moving to the Next Level:  Real Strategies for
Achieving What You Really Want

Robinson-Humphrey Financial Planner Fran Levine and I will be leading this
free 2 hour seminar.
We'll cover:
-Determining what you really want
-Creating an exciting plan to get what you want
-Turning obstacles into creative challenges
      -Tackling financial issues
-Ensuring that you'll enjoy every task that moves
        you toward your goals

      Three sessions to choose from:
      -Thursday, February 4 , 6:30-8:30 pm
      -Saturday, February 6, 10:00 am-12:00 noon
                                             1:00 pm-3:00 pm
       Refreshments served at all sessions.

      For more information or to make reservations,
      Call  770-399-6619.

      All sessions will be held at the Atlanta Financial
      Center near Lenox Square.

2. Visionbuilding for Women

Is this you?

You have never really gotten off the ground�still need your first set of
wings.

You have a dream for a relationship, job business, or healthy lifestyle, but
don't quite know how to achieve it.

Your life is lopsided�you don't have a balance in how you live.

You have accomplished many things you have set out to do, BUT something is
still missing.

Then these workshops may be for you.  Built on the concepts of professional
coaching, this program will inspire and motivate�and help you to envision,
set, and maintain the goals that have seemed out of reach.

Eight weekly sessions begin:

7:00 pm Wednesdays, February 24 or
Lunchtime, Fridays, March 5.

Led by Vision Mavens Mary Pike, Psy.D. and moi.  For information, call
770-399-6619.


GIVE A GIFT TO A FRIEND

If you enjoy COACHING NOTES,  please forward it to family, friends, and
colleagues.



SHAMELESS MARKETING TIP

I am available for individual and group coaching.  For a complimentary
introductory session to see if coaching is for you, call me at 770-399-6619 or
email [email protected].  What do YOU want most out of life?

*************************************************

Please feel free to distribute this newsletter in its entirety (including
copyright) to anyone you think might enjoy it.  To subscribe, send an email to
[email protected] with "subscribe" in the body of the email.  To unsubscribe,
just type in "unsubscribe".

Copyright 1999 Ann McAllister, Ph.D. All rights reserved.