Way back on January 1st I chose to do things slightly different this year.

I chose a theme for 2010.

By picking a positive theme rather than a negative New Year’s resolution (usually you’ll stop, break or change), I get much better results.

The theme for 2010 I chose is: “Be the Champion Shelley”
Being Shelley - down to earth, relatable & comfortable in my own skin; Doing Shelley - walking the talk presenting, training and coaching!

Why? Because I wanted to get back on track and focused on what Shelley Taylor-Smith & Champion Mindset Consulting - the brand represents- before my big move back to my hometown in Perth, Western Australia (after 17yrs in Sydney on the Northern Beaches in Manly) in December 2008 & pre-GFC.

So I say an indebted thanks to each of the 50 or so Champion Motivations subscribers who sent emails and/or facebook responses to my Christmas message back in December ‘09.

2000 Sydney Olympic Volleyball Gold Medallist, Kerri Pottharst summed up beautifully the response from most readers - “Shells thanks for telling it like it “really is”…from your heart and down to earth. I admire your honesty. Keep it coming!!!”

and another…. “I’ve never replied to any of your e-mails you have sent over the years, but I want to assure you of the great impression you make on me. I am always happy to read your kind words and I have with no plan collected all your motivational snippets, they were just so good and unique that I re-read occasionally, they are of great benefit … thank you for your steadfastness to those of us who luckily receive your e-mails, the lesson alone on perseverance and support you show is personally amazing to me. It has been a privilege to receive your kindnesses over such a long time. Thank you!”

Ok I shed tears and even though I did receive a few not so positive (even advice that I should change careers) I became more determined to persevere. (no does not sound like Shelley at all!!!)

So for December, January & February 2010 I put pen to paper investigating 3 important questions:

1. What are the benefits for Shelley Taylor-Smith when she is down to earth, relatable and comfortable in her own skin?
2. What is the Champion Brand - Champion Mindset Consulting that brings people knocking at our door?
3. What do we do that makes for happy customers?

And guess what business has never been better!

I have reformulated my business vision using our Champion Passion Pyramid tool. Funny when you get rid of the clutter and gain clarity, the answers are right there in front of you!

And I want to teach you exactly how you can get back on track too.

Join me at the Personal Branding - Create Your Champion Brand: YOU! workshop next month to develop your 2010 vision and learn:

* What purpose has to do with achieving success,
* How to identify your own career and business vision,
* Define the habits required that you need to stick at,
* How to eliminate the fears that drain your power - Champion Brand: You!,
* How to effortlessly embrace your strengths, anytime you need to
* Simple steps to immediately replace your limiting beliefs with empowering beliefs
* How your attitude can enhance relationships so much you get what you want
* How Champions handle mistakes differently than others
* Create your one year Champion brand plan

I would love for you to come on this journey with me and share your changes, challenges and celebrations - your Champion Gold Medal moments!

So What Did Shelley Achieve in January and February 2010???

I launched myself into the new decade as Head Coach of the Rottnest Channel 20km Swim coaching 30 solos and 10 duos. A 4 month project that began on November 2nd and completed on 20 February 2010 with a 20km marathon swim Cottesloe to Rottnest Island, Western Australia. Results: Team Shelley 98% - achieving 1st place in 4hrs 41mins 30secs through to final place overall in 11hrs 30mins.

**Someone kindly reminded me that the only swimmer who did not finish (he retired at 12km) because he had been bedside at hospital with his son and had not slept for 48hrs prior to the race; this does qualify as a DID NOT FINISH. That was a commonsense decision to get out and not a failure.
Thanks Warren “WOW” Jones.

Here’s to seeing you real soon at a Personal Branding - Create Your Champion Brand YOU workshop soon. And if you’re not already a Champion Motivations subscriber then register now

Until next time…What basics do you need to get back to, to find your way back on track?

“Remember: If you don’t quit…you will make it!”

Cheers Shelley Taylor-Smith

PS: register now for Perth 9th June - Personal Branding Workshop

PPS - Sydney 18th May & Melbourne 20th May - register your interest - email champion@championmindset.com.au “Shelley, I want to register my interest for Sydney on 18th May” or “Shelley, I want to register my interest for Melbourne on 20th May”

Forget dropping kilos or manically working out to get in tip top shape. All you have to do is change your mind. This week focus on feeling amazing. Treat yourself with kindness, shift your focus and watch how you can feel happier and healthier in just seven days!

You may want to stay in shape, but your mindset is focused on getting in shape. This makes you more susceptible to the fad diets and latest exercise gimmick on the market. You’re so focused on getting in shape that you’ll try almost anything regardless of how silly or difficult to follow it might seem, because you’re entirely focused on the short term goal.

4 questions to ask yourself before launching into your “Stay in Shape & Sizzle this Summer and Beyond 2010!”

Do you ever say “I’m going to eat more healthily … starting from Monday” every week? Do you ever say “Today is the start of the new healthier me!” If yes, then you may want to lose weight and get in shape for all the wrong reasons.

Don’t waste any more time biting off more than you can chew (and no, we don’t mean that piece of double-choc mud cake). Here are the four questions you should ask yourself before trying to losing weight, join the local community bootcamp or heck yeah; compete in the 20th Anniversary of the Rottnest Channel 20km Marathon Swim either as a solo/duo/relay….

1. Why do I want to lose weight? Why do I want to get in shape? Why do I want to swim to Rotto (and no the answer is not to get blotto)?
Ask it so… you’re completely honest with yourself.
People often talk about “wanting to lose a few” or “dropping five by bikini season”, but these reasons for losing weight are too vague. By asking why you want to lose weight, get fit and achieve the goal; you’re forcing yourself to get to the heart of your reason. Do you want to be healthy? Set a good example for your kids? Or something else? Only you know!

2. Are my goals realistic and achievable?
Ask it so… you’re not putting pressure on yourself.
Goals are an important part of getting in shape but make sure they’re reasonable. There’s no point aiming to lose 3kg week after week - it’s not possible or healthy. Just as much there’s no point training 10 workouts in the first week back at the gym or swim squad - it’s not good for you long term …despite your best intentions. If you’re unsure, run your goals past your Coach, partner or friend to see if you’re expecting too much of yourself. Remember, if you set out-of-this-world targets and don’t meet them, you’ll probably lose motivation and give up anyway. Keep them realistic and you’ll be well on your way to tackling your weight-loss/get-in-shape/Rotto Channel plan head-on.

3. What’s stopped me from achieving my goal before?
Ask it so… you learn from your mistakes.
By asking this question, you’ll definitely improve your chances of success the second (or third, fourth or fifth) time around. Your barriers could be anything from being time-poor, to feeling afraid of hitting the kitchen pantry, having one too many beers on a Friday night (knowing you have the 2hr killer session on Saturday morning); to turning to the wrong foods when you’re emotional or lacking a support network. Jot down a list of all your reasons so they never weigh you down (pun intended!) again.

4. How can I overcome the obstacles?
Ask it so… you can start achieving your goals.
Once you’ve identified your barriers, you can work out steps to overcome them. For example, if buying fast food lunches is holding you back, change this by doing a big cook-up on the weekend and eat leftovers for lunch instead. Or if you’re an emotional eater, try to work out what’s triggering your cravings or have a chat with a counsellor. Now if you get all fired up and then your passion fizzles out and you start hitting the snooze button resulting in missed gym/swim squad sessions, then it’s time to seriously consider why you’re failing to stay committed to what you said you would do. Look back and see if there is a behavioural pattern that you can identify. Don’t think of the barriers as setbacks – once you’ve identified them, you can turn your life around by overcoming them.

Wouldn’t you agree that life long health and fitness is what’s most important?

Of course creating an environment in your body and your mind is essential to achieving your goal. A person who is in shape in their 50s and 60s is a lot more impressive to me than someone who is lean and fit in their 20s and 30s. That’s because the dedication to maintaining the proper exercise plan and a sensible nutrition strategy for the rest of your life is rare to find. It’s a rare mindset.

Cheers to a happier and healthier you!
Shelley Taylor-Smith

P. S. If you want to achieve your goals with less overwhelm and greater energy levels, you might want to read what I have to say. It may help you with issues you are now facing. Click here to review past blog posts and read the articles now…

PPS: Want to Pick Shelley’s Brain? Email Shelley directly at champion@championmindset.com.au with subject header: “I want to Pick Shelley’s Brain” and send your enquiry/questions.