Rachel Leigh

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse! The Princess sat, pondered and decided to share some thoughts……..

 As December draws to the end I have been reflecting on what the past 12 months. Throughout the year I looked at my vision board everyday…… however now I find myself looking at it and seeing what I have attracted into my life this year! I have travelled more than ever, visiting Cyprus, New York, Miami, Texas, Portugal, Romania and one of my favourites……. Dorset! My vision and dreams are clearer everyday! My business opportunities grow and grow! I love the Princess!

Whilst reflecting over the past 12 months, I realised that it is also the end of the first decade within our New Millennium and so I began to think about how my life has developed and the journey I have taken during this time. One of the most special parts of this journey is the people that have joined the ride over the past 10 years. I laugh out loud as I think …….. I can’t remember what life was like before these people entered my life. However I’m very lucky that I have an amazing family and life long friends who have been with me along the journey for over 20 years……. For which I am grateful everyday.

Lol…..oh, the University days….. I met Shell, Becks n Caz (& Elaine)! The Uni days we shared and all the magical moments we have shared since leaving University! The late night giggles living together, the sunbed, the spider on Shell’s back, Sunday Roasts for a dozen people, creating the picture wall, Bar-Non and then since….. Take That concerts……Take That dance at every opportunity, SPICE Girls reunion and this year sharing the very special moment of celebrating the love of Shell & Alex’s wedding in Portugal. We each uniquely have our own qualities and special individual bonds, bring us together and we’re like all the colours of the rainbow……. Bring us together and you find the pot of gold….. Magic!

This decade also saw the commencement of my Personal Development journey……. Positive, Positive, Positive! Towards the end of 2004 I was exposed to Marcus Child and You Can If You Think You Can (thank you Marriott)! At the end of this course I was also given a copy of Stephen Covey, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, it has taken until 2009 for me to read it (journeys don’t always follow the straight path, that’s what makes it more interesting!) It was also at this time I met my first mentor, George Adamides, who gave me my first PD book, Michael Heppell, How to Be Brilliant! George and his famous Sister Efrosyni have been amazing mentors and friends in both my personal and business paths! I know we have an amazing awesome adventure in 2010 and beyond! You both rock!

Wow….. the more I think the more people there are to write about……. if you’re reading this then you’re already very special to me!  Love you!

One last thought……….Dream Big for 2010

Zig Ziglar puts it perfectly – There is only one thing worse than being blind, to be able to see but have no vision in life!

The gift I give to you to take with you into 2010 is dream bigger, laugh louder, smile wider, stand taller and be true to yourself!

Love, Magic & Adventure

Rachel 

Last week our InterContinental Hotel Group North & Central Sales team raised an AWESOME £2,260 for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Let me hear a big Whoop Whoop for the team…..!! 

Our team met bright and early for a fun-filled fab…tastic day of activities! There were activities set up at both the hotel and around the local area. We had one team cycling from our hotel in Birmingham over to Brierley Hill, to be greeted by our Regional Sales Team. Back at the hotel we had a team outside the reception of the hotel, washing cars all day by hand…… well done…… in got chilly in the afternoon! After popping for a quick cup of team in the afternoon to come out and find a line of 4 more cars……. Quick state management change and remember why we are doing this….. the cup of tea had to wait!! 

Inside the hotel we had a running machine and bike set up on the lobby, adjacent to a very entertaining tombola! Guests couldn’t get into the hotel without purchasing tickets, sponsoring or leaving there keys with the team! The atmosphere was electric…… a really vibrant buzz around the whole hotel!

 I LOVE contribution and it is something I think of most days….. mmmmm…… what can I do today for contribution?  I also re-learnt how much fun contribution often is! When often buzzing around in our everyday busy ‘Corporate Sales World’ we find ourselves not always being present to the task or conversation we are undertaking at that moment. Instead we’re thinking about the last negotiation or the drive to the next appointment……. I often ask myself if there is any point in being there if we’re not present (anyway that’s another blog). By spending the day together the team and our relationships benefited. Whilst doing each of these activities the team had the chance to get to know one another ‘what are you doing for Christmas?’, laughing at how red I went whilst running, pulling together when energy levels dropped cleaning cars in the cold!

 We don’t know specifically where the £2,260 will go to however all I know is that it could buy……..

• £25 could buy a toy specially designed for a child with special needs
• £60 could purchase a machine to measure growth in babies
• £71 could buy a pain relief machine
• £125 could house a parent with their child for one week
• £1,650 could buy an oximeter to monitor oxygen levels in the blood 

For anyone who would still like to donate or sponsor our team please see the link

 http://www.gosh.org/ihg-north–ireland-fundraising-day/

Thank you to all the people who donated, sponsored and support our event!

Love, Magic & Adventure

Rachel 

So you’ve just bought a new laptop (or you can even be typing away on your old one), let me ask you this! Would you pour a can of coke over it…….. ‘eeerrrr NO Rachel, what kind of a stupid questions is that!’ 

The output of our mind (leading to our thoughts, feelings and emotions) is a direct correlation of the input into our mind, so why aren’t we as careful with what we input into our mind! Why is it that we are happy to pour junk into our mind!

By knowing this, I am always conscious of what messages and infromation I am entering into my mind and recently I came across this passage which I am so grateful to be able to share with you! How many of these do you hold to be true? How many times have we used these words today….. enjoy!!

10 Words to Delete from your Vocabulary

1. Can’t
The use of this word is primarily responsible for countless hopes and dreams lying dormant on the “drawing boards” of our lives. Completely eliminate your use of this word and you will see a significant positive change in your life.

2. But
When used as a conjunction, “but” negates whatever statement that precedes it.” I want to study law, but it will take a lot of hard work.” Your mind does not focus on your desire to become a lawyer or judge; it only sees the hard work you will need to perform. Replace “but” with “and.”

3. Should
Any statement that uses the word “should” generally elicits guilt. “I should go to the gym,” makes you feel guilty for not going. Replace this word with “choose,” as in, “I choose to go to the gym, or I choose not to go to the gym today.”

4. Maybe
This word indicates indecision, doubt, or uncertainty as to a course of action. For example, “Maybe I’d better wait to…”

For those of us interested in personal development, “maybe” should be used very sparingly. Use “I will” or “I will not” instead of maybe. The mere sound of the more positive words emits feelings of confidence and resolve which are so important to our personal well-being.

5. Soon or Later
Both are indefinite references to time. They are also non-committal. They should be replaced with a definite time and date. When someone tells you he or she is going to do something “soon” or “later,” there is no way to determine when whatever it is will get done. Imagine what could happen to deadlines and your integrity when these words are used frequently.

6. Someday
Someday, like soon or later, is much too indefinite, and when it is used, it shows the same lack of commitment. Replace “someday” with a specific date and time.

7. Never
This word is absolute, and there are only limited situations when “never” is absolutely true. The use of this word, in my opinion, suggests a closed mind, which seriously hinders our self-growth efforts. The word “never” should be replaced with a non-absolute term.

8. Won’t
The word “won’t” implies an unwillingness, reluctance, or closed mindedness, and like the absolute term “never,” it is quite harmful because it closes the door on many of the actions we need to take to reach our goals.

9. If
This is a small word that carries large doubts and uncertainties, and when used often, it gnaws away at our confidence and intended actions, two qualities necessary for any type of success.

10. Try or (I’ll Try)
I don’t know about you, but each time someone has said these words to me, or the few times that I have used them in conversations with others, whatever the subject of “I’ll try” was, rarely, if ever, got done. Replace “I’ll try” with “I will.”

Thank you to Bobby Gill who originally shared this with me. (www.bobbygill.co.uk)

Love, Magic & Adventure

Rachel Â

 

Nearly two years ago my Grandfather passed away! For those who have heard me speak of him, you will already know how much I adored him, learnt from him and continue to be inspired by him. Throughout my days I have never met someone I deem as ‘strong’ as him. His inner strength shown through the love of his family is something I will carry forever. When my Granny was very poorly he continued to look after her in everyway, changing her sheets sometimes 5 times a night, even at the age of 85 himself.

My Great-Grandfather read Romans (8:28-39) to my Grandfather (then aged 20) on the eve of the Second World War for strength and inspiration to his family. Some 69 years later it was passage I had the honour of reading at the service for my Grandfather’s Funeral. Whilst an emotional day, I found the strength (taken from the strength of my Grandfather) to read the passage. Today and on many occasions during the past two years I have thought of the words in this passage and it always gives me strength and now I am honoured to be able to share it with you too:

 Romans – More Than Conquerors

 ‘For the sake we face death all day long, we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’

 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.