The Art of Listening

I spent my evening today on the roof terrace of a beautiful building on Southbank, at a charity sponsorship event.

I met a friend at London Bridge and we walked over to the venue at around 6:30pm. Upon arrival we were inundated with cocktails, canapes and random strangers who were drawn to us.

The evening continued with a video presentation of what the charity does, followed by a business card lucky dip with a prize for the winner, and then an auction.

Holidays, ski equipment, and membership to various clubs were some of the items available at auction.

It always intrigues me about people, what they do, and how much they like to talk about themselves. I am also very finely tuned into listening to people and because of this, it really accentuates conversations where it is all very much one sided.

It is not my place to comment on it, but it just amazes me..

If people just listened more, the world would truly be a different place...

Clarification

You should by now, know why I have started this blog and you know a little about me too. I am looking for inspirational minds to connect with, I will publish on here, my thoughts, my observations, viewpoints on moral issues, and even comments on current affairs - albeit seldom!!

Sometimes I may publish on the go, which means, you will get the silly header that blackberry puts on the bottom of their emails... (well actually I set it up this way... but that's for a good reason!)

Who Am I?

So you know my name so far, I would like to give you a little more information about myself.
I was born in London in 1984 - there was a famous book written named after that year, that I still haven't read. It is on my list of books to read...

I have always lived in London, in the east end. I have three brothers and three sisters and my lovely mum, a strong powerful woman.

I have always been a little different to the rest of my siblings, all taking on very academic careers, like Accounting, Law, Teaching, Medical and IT. I however, despite holding a 2.1 degree in Multimedia, I have taken the route of self employment and Life Coaching. This came out of my interest for people and really connecting with how people interact.

One of the things that really opened my eyes to social interaction is whilst I travelled around the world. I always had that urge in me to do a fulfilling job where I can see the difference I have made to people's lives... (I know you probably think it sounds cheesy... but it isn't - I genuinely feel that!) and I am very happy with what I am doing now.

You will most definitely hear more about my travels in later posts, as my world experience has definitely shaped the person I am today!

I live a three bedroom apartment in Bethnal Green. My neighbours all get along with each other and we have a nice little community here, which is only going to get better... once the roof terrace is finished, and we can start socialising in the communal areas! (Newbuilds eh??)

On a weekend, you may find me socialising in the Shoreditch/Brick Lane area. If I fancy a nice meal, it would most probably be around Upper Street N1. Let me know if you need any restaurant recommendations...

So you have a brief insight into what constitutes me...and you will find out more as we go along...

Accountability

We as coaches hold a lot to accountability. I have created this blog for two reasons... first one is because it has always been a part of my plan to create an interesting blog with an insight into my world, my thoughts and feelings and general things that make me laugh (or cry) to myself in a virtual environment for all to see and pry on....

The second reason is because I am holding my agreement to creating this blog today, as I told someone in a coaching session last week (you know who you are) that I would make it today! I didn't quite plan on being against the clock to try and get the first post published before midnight, but there is some satisfaction as I tap away on the keyboard that I stuck to what I agreed, because we as coaches place an emphasis on accountability, and if you have someone who is going to check up on you, you are far more likely to do it.

The mind loves to play mysterious tricks on us, and this is one where you can actually trick yourself into doing anything you want... agree with someone you will do it, and let them know that you will update them on it, and voila! It happens...

So here it is - the first post.