The Freak Factor | Amplify Your Weaknesses!

Speaker, Ironman and all round tall person, David Rendall has got the Freak Factor and he’s proud of it. In direct contravention of orders from his parents and teachers to quash his weaknesses by sitting down and being quiet, David is now in global demand for doing the exact opposite. People actually pay him to stand up, put on a show and talk as much as he possibly can! So, how did he achieve this and embrace his calling in life? He realised that you discover uniqueness by flaunting weakness.

 

Meeting David Rendall - Strengths, Weakness, Coaching, UAE
Managing Director of UAE Coaching, Adam Zargar meets David Rendall. Pink trousers – now that’s unique and Dave knows it!

 

Throw Away Your Cookie Cutter

David captivated the imaginations of the entire University of Dubai auditorium when he spoke in the UAE last week. You could hear the collective sigh of relief and physically feel the inner children of hundreds of people tentatively peaking out from their lifelong prison. He gave them permission to step away from the cookie cutters that society is constantly chasing them with.  In fact, instead of continuously trying to minimize their weaknesses, he encouraged the audience to amplify them, crank up the volume and let them loose on the world!

The Freak Factor

The Freak Factor, David’s latest book makes you wonder how you’ve got it so wrong for so many years. But then you remember that societal conditioning begins from the day that you are born. The hopes, dreams and experiences of previous generations dictate what is acceptable, what is normal. Our parents, siblings, teachers, law enforcement, media, they all emphatically stress the importance of being normal. Normal however, is found in your comfort zone, giving you permission to cruise and pass under the radar unnoticed. Normal people will never be excellent, and it’s not because they can’t be excellent, it’s because they chose not to be. Be aware, society vehemently fights against excellence.

What Makes Us Weird Also Makes Us Wonderful
What Makes Us Weak Also Makes Us Strong

What Are Your Characteristics?

Which characteristics do you attribute to yourself? What would you say your strengths are? Does being thoughtful, realistic, enthusiastic, creative or organised resonate with you? And what about your weaknesses? Have you ever been called shy, critical, quick-tempered, disorganized or inflexible? Have you ever considered that no single characteristic is all positive and no negative? Superhero’s are the perfect example. They split opinion about whether they are saving a city, or terrorising it. Consider Ghandi and Charles Manson; very similar personality traits but utilised in vastly different ways.  One was a prolific civil rights activist, the other a prolific serial killer.

The Best Characteristics

There are no characteristics that are all upside and no downside. The strengths and weaknesses listed above are in fact the same characteristics on opposite ends of a sliding scale. Thoughtfulness in excess can trigger analysis paralysis, needless introspection and shyness. Realistic people can quickly become critical, enthusiastic becomes quick-tempered, creative become disorganised and organised becomes rigid or inflexible.

So Why Do Our Emotions Become Exaggerated?

In our formative years, as we conform to the immense pressure and lofty standards of others, we attempt to squash our innate characteristics that are perceived as weaknesses. However, the human spirit is incredibly resilient and proud of your uniqueness. It refuses to be moulded as rudimentarily as you think possible. Psychologists call them leaky characteristics. The more you try to stuff them down, the more they will leak out and show up at the most inopportune times, normally in stressful situations. Instead, recognise these characteristics, nurture them and help them to flow. Surround yourself with people that draw out these unique traits and love you for them. Be that person for them too.

If you can’t find the right fit, create the right fit

If you are a librarian and you’re re-discovering your love for talking, this is an example of a wrong fit. Similarly, if you are pilot and you’re exploring your impulsiveness behind the
controls, wrong fit. Turn up the volume on your weaknesses, but be sure to also align yourself with things, people and situations that put a spotlight on what you have, not on what you don’t have.

Focus on changing where you are rather than who you are. Michael Phelps, the American Olympic swimmer is a prolific athlete but was in fact recognised as having ADHD at a young age. His mother had two options to quench his hyperactive nature. Either to quieten it with a lifetime of medication, or to position him in an environment that rewards his hyperactivity. The rest is history.

Live Authentically

Shedding a life time of conditioning is a daunting prospect but an incredibly uplifting, liberating and nourishing one. Reflect back to when you were a kid, before you were taught the ‘rules of the world’.  You believed your only limitation was your imagination. Your day was not defined by the right shoes, perfect networking at the sand pit or an organised toy collection. You had no inhibitions. Sit quietly for an hour and let your mind wander. If money was no object, how would you be living your life, what would be important to you?

Follow your inner passion and don’t be afraid to manifest it, the only person who has permission to judge you, is you.

Dave Rendall is the author of four books, The Four Factors of Effective Leadership, The Freak Factor and The Freak Factor for Kids. You can find more information about all of his upcoming events at www.drendall.com. If you would like our team of expert coaches to help you discover your strengths and weakness then please email info@uaecoaching.com for a free strategy session.

Life coaching can help you find your happiness

“ Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their player and motivate”
– Vince Lombardi, considered one of the greatest coaches in American football history (1913 – 1970)


Our lives abound with infinite possibilities and we have chosen every element of the life that we live today. How many of us know that we are free to shape our destiny and deserve a meaningful existence of supreme happiness?

“ Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their player and motivate”
– Vince Lombardi, considered one of the greatest coaches in American football history (1913 – 1970)

Our lives abound with infinite possibilities and we have chosen every element of the life that we live today. How many of us know that we are free to shape our destiny and deserve a meaningful existence of supreme happiness? This thought, which should seemingly liberate us often ultimately, scares us into paralysis.

Freewill can be a daunting vortex; what if we make the wrong decision, what will people think? Negativity thwarts our dreams almost as quickly as they begin to form. We are blinded by our own conditioning instilled since childhood and protection mechanisms that we have created in response to life experiences. It is almost impossible for us to see past our own negative self-talk and perceive a true path to freedom. A life coach is a helping hand, your guide to take you through the looking glass. They are independent facilitators that have nothing to gain except your growth.

I wholeheartedly believe that everybody should have a life coach at some point in their life. A successful life coaching relationship should be a short lived one. They are not your crutch to get you through life or to make your decisions for you. In fact a coach should never make any decisions for you. As Vince Lombardi said, “..it is not so much outlining plays on a blackboard that aids us in achieving greatness..”. This information can be found in any self-help book anywhere in the world. It is the ability of the life coach to guide us to a safe place where anything is possible.

I found the UAE Coaching website late one night and I am eternally grateful that I did. It was a decision that changed my life. I actually thought I was perfectly happy in the life I was leading, but felt there was that little sparkle missing. The cherry was missing off my cake and I wasn’t sure where to find it!

Adam contacted me within 12 hours of submitting my enquiry and put me right at ease with his humor. A key to getting the most out of a coach is to remember that they are not perfect, judgmental superhuman beings that do no wrong. They are on the exact voyage of discovery that you are, so they are nothing to be scared of! What makes them special is that they understand the process behind realising your true motivations in life.

It is the disciplined process of sitting down and putting pen to paper. The act of creating a clear action plan and devising the tools you need to achieve each goal in incremental steps so that you don’t become overwhelmed. Then they hold you accountable for each action.

Adam and I meet for one hour every two weeks, which is the perfect amount of time for me to implement each action point that we have agreed upon in a session. It also gives me ample time to adjust to my new level of thinking. In my second session Adam made me realise that I must always think bigger than my business currently is. I thought I understood this point at the time, but it was not until my fifth session that the magnitude of this statement truly hit home. It was a game changer, opening a universe of possibilities that I am now implementing.

Life coaching is perceived as an expensive service only used by highflying CEO’s, however we are all CEOs of our own lives. If I can truthfully tell you that after only three sessions with Adam I was now living the life I always wanted to live, then you would have to agree this is the most valuable experience you can ever have. Adam boosts this value on a daily basis with unlimited access to his extensive contacts,resources and support.

I now have my own company, brilliant clients, my first employee; and best of all the freedom to travel and live each day exactly as I choose. Why waste time bashing through the tall grass struggling to find your way when you can soar on the jet stream. I know which one I chose.

If you are interested in a free strategy session with Adam or one of his team of coaches please click here

Should you get a life coach?

Life coaches give you an advantage

Coaching is one of the fastest growing professional fields and more and more individuals; companies are using life coaches to develop them further and to give them the edge.

Is it necessary to have one? If you want to grow, and to grow quicker than you could by yourself then the answer is a definite yes. People in sports and fitness use coaches all the time to enhance their performance level. They could do it themselves but they know that to get to peak performance and to grow consistently having a coach will give them that extra boost. Holding yourself accountable is a lot more difficult than an expert or mentor doing it for you. Take some of the pressure off yourself and let our team of expert NLP coaches help support you.

Some people use a NLP life coach for their personal life and some for their professional life and even to help develop their family life or help their child gain positive life habits and tools. Some people use a NLP life coach permanently, whilst others are going through a period of complication or transformation and so will have a coach for one coaching journey, typically 10 sessions over 5 months. At UAE Coaching we have a wide range of personal and professional clients. Coaching is not about issues; it is about utilising your strengths to develop further.

Do you feel in a rut that is taking your confidence?

When we look at why our clients have come to us there are common trends with people wanting to work on boosting their confidence or feeling stuck in their present personal or professional life rut. You might be reading this and feel a bit indecisive about what step to take next. Maybe a change in career is a possibility, or perhaps you’re thinking about getting married or having a divorce, going for a promotion or having a career change. But what is the right choice for you?
Our expert life coaches can help. They’ll talk things through with you, ask questions and try to uncover what you really want deep down. You’ll be amazed at the things you will learn about yourself, and the confidence that you will have to follow through with a decision that will, potentially, change your life. One of our current clients Kathryn Horsley has made a massive jump in only a couple of sessions leaving her job in the financial sector to pursue her passion and has opened up a copywriting business called CHAI that has started brilliantly. We have others who have left their jobs to open up cafes, bakeries and home delivery services as well as someone who wanted to be a writer and has now self written a children’s’ book. The point being is when you get coached your hidden passion or passions come out and you build momentum and gain confidence to make the changes you have wanted.

Do you want to get out of your comfort zone?

The comfort zone is the worst place you can be in. One of the 6 human basic needs is growth. Without challenge your life will feel boring and unfulfilled. A life coach will help you set challenges and work out 1,3, 5 and 10 year goals to keep you motivated and growing personally and professionally. Imagine getting up again excited by what challenges await you, re learning something or striving for something that until now has seemed a dream out of reach.

Do you have no one impartial to speak and seek support from?

Sometimes speaking to friends, a spouse or a colleague is not the right thing for you. These people think they know you and what is best for you so they give you advise from their perspectives. A trained life coach will be non judgmental, remain impartial and question you until you get the clarity, answers and actions you want. They will then hold you accountable and further motivate you to improve your way of living and thinking. Our clients often quote the fact they get a massive motivational booster attending regular coaching sessions with our coaches and that they have steps that they can action in between sessions. A big advantage of our coaching is we offer support (texts, calls, emails, books) to assist you between sessions

Does it sound like a life coach could be good for you? Check out our personal, professional or family coaching services and get in contact now for a free strategy session with one of our friendly, expert coaches. We love to create an environment where others like you can succeed.

Team building to transform organisations in UAE

Imagine coming into your organisation after a few days off and everything was running smoothly. The employees you had left to lead has followed the process well and the framework and structure that had been carefully laid down had worked well. You come in and feel the positive energy, you hear the sounds of laughter and enjoyment. Is that your team presently?

Teamwork and the ability to build good relationships are essential for the success of any company. A team will only succeed when people have the right foundation, structure and trust to do their job creatively.

Professional teams need to build relationships with one another that centre on more than shared responsibilities. During the hectic day to day work cycle and particularly with ever expanding teams this can be hard to create organically.It is essential to use regular team building days to build  trust, respect, communication, fun and for everyone to have a release.

We have experience working with brand new teams and well-established ones. Each has their particular strengths and challenges. We personalise team building activities and experiences to the unique needs of your given group and to a particular purpose. Our events have themes but not limited to the following:

  • The Apprentice Experience
  • The Roman Day
  • Pirates and Treasure

Our teambuilding events help employees to communicate, peer and self evaluate, share responsibilities and most importantly engage and laugh together. It is always our aim for an organisation to be revitalised and empowered after our event.

Let’s look at an example team building event:

Mr Lee runs a series of tutoring schools in Dubai called and employs 25 people who have responsibility for various tasks across six schools.

Some deal with the actual teaching, others’ manage his business and its premises in roles like admin and management and of course there is Mr Lee himself who is having trouble letting go of some of his responsibilities and under great stress due to the short term expansion.

Collectively, those people make it possible for Mr Lee to provide a good service to his clients and the majority of the parents are happy, but on a general day-to-day basis, the skilled individuals in each of his departments sometimes seem demotivated, not as hard working as Mr Lee expects and as a result there is a high turnover of staff. He fears that this is hampering the development of his business and holding some of his employees back from showing their true worth.

Team building activities have a wonderful habit of changing the status quo.  In the above example, Mr Lee’s employees could all benefit from getting away from their day to day responsibilities and pressure in order to participate in some fun, challenging and competitive team building activities.  Being in a different environment forces everyone to focus on the challenge being set out before them, without becoming distracted or frustrated about the everyday work environment and pressures.

Furthermore, the team building challenges and setup are always designed to take everyone out of their comfort zone and disrupt the normal cliques. This is a fantastic way to throw any pre conceived notion of who is and isn’t approachable, who is and isn’t in charge and what each individual is and isn’t capable of, to break down some of those barriers and stereotypes and open new channels of communication. For Mr Lee it is also a good way for him to see the leadership styles his employees have.

A likely outcome in this scenario is that Mr Lee employees will converse, laugh and problem solve with people they may never before have worked alongside and also highlight to all staff where they are on the PSIU leadership scale (Producer, Stabiliser, innovator or Unifier***see leadership style blog).

When they return to the office it will be with renewed energy, a better understanding of how and where they fit within the organisation and more confidence to communicate with colleagues.  This will immediately improve the working environment for all of Mr Lee’s personnel and, with strategic guidance, equip them all with the tools they need to build the professional relationships necessary to drive his growing organisation forward.

Read below for a recent testimonial:

‘The UAE team building team did an excellent job at leading the activities and engaging our team members for our teambuilding day, and keeping things flowing smoothly.

It was interesting to watch our team members interact with each other in an unfamiliar setting, teamwork with those they don’t normally work with on a daily basis, and have fun together. It certainly brought out the dynamics of our team and showcased the different personalities, characters, and talent we have and was a good bonding experience.

Thanks for doing a great job and a hugely enjoyable day. We look forward to working with you again in the future.’

Marianne (HR Industry, USA National)

ENQUIRE HERE

5 Ways to Discover Your Passion and Choose To Live Life

“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses…The gift is yours—it is an amazing journey—and you alone are responsible for the quality of it.” ~Bob Moawad

In this blog find 5 simple ways to take ownership of your life and your unique journey. Through reading this we can help support you in finding a career you are truly passionate about and that reflects your unique values and experiences.

1. Relax with “ME time”:

When we take the time to relax we are able to rediscover the best version of ourselves, which is most often when we find the answers we’ve been searching for. This might mean practicing yoga, going for daily walks, setting aside time each day to meditate and think through things or even write our thoughts and ideas in a journal. Taking time out to have your “ME time” allows you to quiet the outside voices and listen to yourself. When was the last time you took some time out and some of the above? Is anything more important than you?

2. Rewrite your story:

Every day we are telling ourselves stories about who we are, what we’re capable of, and what we deserve. If we can identify our self-limiting stories (I’m not good enough; I don’t deserve to be happy, etc.), then we can begin rewriting new stories that are grounded in confidence and courage, and map out actions that move us from one to the other.Would you want to read a negative ending in which you are the main character? No! Its time to go back to the happy ever after stories of our childhood and write one for yourself.

3. Own your uniqueness:

We are all here for a reason and we all have skills and qualities that when added together are unique to us. No one else has your unique blend of talents, strengths, skills, creativity and the past experiences that you have gone through and that have shaped you. We all have something great to offer, and learning to accept and own what makes you unique is crucial to sharing your gifts with the world. Would your swap the feelings of living one day doing what you most want compared to 10 years of something you hate!

4. Discover and understand your patterns:

It is so important to take time to reflect on the past experiences so that you can learn from them for the future. Were there recurring patterns in your career to date that triggers the emotions of unfulfilment and disillusionment you are feeling right now? What are you magnetized to again and again? What areas of life do you attract that seem to be full of discomfort and pain? What of your career in the past bought happiness?

5. Push past fear and see the journey ahead as fun:

Now is the right time. Time is finite and so it is important to make the most of each second. It is never to late to find your calling and be fulfilled in your personal life and career life. You must identify the excuses that you are and will make as decisions over career or relationships become closer as masks for our fear. Some excuses are listed below:

Excuses About Time
1. I’m too busy to do what I love.
2. I don’t have time to discover what I’m passionate about.
3. I’ve already put a lot of time into a different path.
4. I’ll do it—someday.
5. It’s too late for me now.
Excuses About Money
6. I don’t have the money to get started.
7. I need to continue earning exactly what I earn now.
8. I can’t make any changes until I pay off my debt.
9. I need a bigger safety net before I take a risk.
10. What if I can’t make any money at it?
Excuses About Knowledge
11. I don’t know where to start.
12. I don’t know enough to start.
13. I’m not smart enough to succeed.
14. I don’t know if I can make it.
15. I’m not an expert.
Excuses About Other People
16. My friends and family don’t think I can do this.
17. My friends and family don’t think I should do this.
18. I need to focus on the people who need me.
19. I don’t have anyone to do this with.
20. It’s all about who you know—and I don’t know the right people.
Excuses About Probability
21. Things likely wouldn’t pan out.
22. Many people have tried to do this and failed.
23. I’ll probably be scared and uncomfortable if I try.
24. I’m not sure if this is the “right” decision.
25. There aren’t any guarantees.

As leading coaches we will share with you the amazing OAR v BED tool that will blow these excuses out of your vocabulary.
It’s only when we get clear on our fears and recognise how they are preventing us from moving to a better life and to being a better person that we can truly feel alive again. When we help you discover a career doing something you are passionate about you will never feel like you are working again.

Recommended Book:

The monk who sold his Ferrari by Robin Sharma.

Question:

Is NOW the best time for you to get the career and personal life that you deserve?
Click here to find out more about our personal life and development coaching services or email info@localhost to book a  FREE consultation.

8 top tips to settle back into UAE life after a summer vacation

Worry about your children adjusting back to UAE life after a summer overseas? Here are our top tips to help you and your child settle back into UAE life quickly…

1. Booking flights
It is never easy to say goodbye to the summer and settle back into UAE life, but alas, all good things must come to an end. When travelling back home, give you and your family a week to settle back into a routine. Spend a few days unpacking and relaxing, but quickly reestablish bedtimes and mealtimes. Remind children the joys of being back home by arranging play-dates or spending quality time with them.
If it is a long journey, it is easier to take a night flight. If you have a long day flight, carefully plan your child’s nap so it falls in the middle of the journey. This will break the journey up for both parent and child. If possible, plan to arrive back into Dubai in the daytime. This makes it easier to get over the jetlag.

2. Saying Goodbye
It is harder for adults to say goodbye than children. For children, they have a whole new adventure of the plane ride and arriving home to occupy their thoughts. Keep goodbyes cheerful. Acknowledge their feelings of sadness and together decide on actions to make the goodbye easier. Make or buy something little as a keepsake of the trip. Take pictures of happy moments and relive those memories on the plane. Talk to your child about going home excitedly. Having something to look forward to makes saying goodbye easier for both parent and adult. This will help you all settle back into UAE life.

3. The Flight.
The flight is the hardest part. Pack little activities to entertain them through the flight. After take off, spend some time recounting the trip. Initiate conversations with these questions – What did you enjoy the most? What could we have done to make it better? Did any part of the journey make you feel unhappy? How do you plan on staying in touch? Pack pencils and paper to recount the trip in pictures or words. Other essentials of a long flight home can include snack, travel games, stickers, iPad with their favorite games and iPad chargers. Introduce one activity at a time. Pack all medicines needed, bottles, and pacifiers and if possible take an extra pair of clothing.

4. Getting Unpacked
Being home has the advantage of unused, clean clothes waiting to be worn, and toys idly waiting for their keepers. Children will happily occupy themselves with these. Keep essentials like pajamas, pacifiers, bottles, or towels in one suitcase to be opened quickly upon arrival.

5. Getting over jetlag quickly
The good thing is that children bounce back quicker from jetlag than adults. If time permits, let the body clock be a rough guide for the first few days back. Spend as much time outdoors as possible and keep afternoon siestas short. Once you have unpacked and have had a day or two of rest, begin to follow your daily routine. Put children to sleep earlier, and everyday move bedtime earlier until you get to the correct bedtime. Consistency is key.

6. Settling back into UAE life
The fastest way to settle back into UAE is to simply start living. It is advisable to have all essentials of school ready before your trip so you don’t have to begin scrambling for those after a fun holiday. Unpack quickly and dive in. Iron uniforms, shop for stationary for school, and arrange a play date or two. Most importantly, talk excitedly about the new school year and how much fun is to be had. Try not to focus on the early starts and snack boxes. It is harder for adults than it is for children. Use this time to recall fun memories of the summer, keep in touch with newly met relatives and enjoy the last bits of summer before the alarm sets off the school year.

7. Remembering the summer
Sadness is reality of life and it is important to embrace the melancholy a child might feel after a trip. Listen actively to how your child is feeling, without correcting their sadness into happiness. Paraphrase their thoughts – “You feel sad because you can no longer play with your cousins”. “You wish you were not in Dubai because you are feeling hot”. Once you affirm their emotions, ask your child how they would like to move forward. “Is there anything in Dubai that brings you happiness?”, “Is there anything we can do to remember these times fondly?”, “How can you ensure you keep in touch with the friends and family you met in the summer?” Staying in touch via email or Skype, making a memory book of photos and souvenirs and fondly reminiscing about the summer makes theses memories special.

8. Looking after ourselves
As mentioned previously, saying goodbye, the flight home and settling into UAE life and routines are much harder on the parent than it is for the child. As adults we completely comprehend who and what we are leaving behind. Use similar strategies for yourself as you do for your child. Plan coffee dates with friends, talk about your trip, indulge in private grumbles about early wake ups and school runs. Most importantly, positively be open with your children about your travel blues and together you will muddle through it.

If your child is still struggling to settle back into UAE life there may be an underlying issue. Please click here if you would like a FREE child development coaching consultation.

3 ways to get peak confidence in Dubai

People who are confident have more friends, create better job opportunities and have more fun.
Think back to a time when you were in the peak of confidence. You woke up feeling great, you loved the sight of your reflection in the window as you were making the way to the gym and were energised from the healthy food choices you were making. It was almost as if the heavens opened and showered you with gifts and opportunities at every corner. Look closely and you will see that it was not by luck or chance. The consistent right choices were feeding your success and boosting you confidence. In this blog post you will learn three simple strategies to boost your confidence.
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Two simple strategies you can do to nurture a successful, happier family!

Think back to many of your successes, whether it be in exams, in your fitness goals, or in interviews and ask yourself did they happen by magic or by leaving things to chance? I will take a guess that it was when you took the time to plan ahead and prepare and when you consistently followed a routine and structure. Preparation, structure and daily routines are the key for your family academically and emotionally and it is the decisions that your make today that will decide the successes your child and family have in the future.
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Five rituals that will bring you an energy explosion!

I never thought I would be one of the converts to the cult that is the 5am club but the explosive energy and drive I have got from it has improved all the areas of my life.Reading and then following the simple personal coaching rituals in this post will allow you to also have high levels of energy and get you waking early, enjoying life, help you get through adversity and stay positive.
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Two Professional Coaching strategies that will bring you greater productivity at work

Reading and then following the simple professional coaching action steps in this post will make you more productive, earn greater rewards and leave you feeling more fulfilled at work. The beauty of this is you get all this reward for FREE! It is time to simplify your life and put a little structure in place to give you the best chance of success.
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