This month...

In this months' issue we have a great article by Paddy Spruce which I think you'll find quite thought provoking - are you doing what you enjoy or are you just biding time? I'm sure he would love to hear your thoughts at his blog which is linked after the article. By the way - I've been updating my distribution list from my database - if you're on this list and do not wish to remain, the link to unsubscribe is at the bottom of this page, however I hope you choose to remain - we have some great articles. You can click on the link to the left to read previous issues.

• Latest happenings!
• Just a Job? by Paddy Spruce
• Affiliate Program
• Thought for the Day

Latest Happenings!

This past month, since my last newsletter, has passed in a whirlwind to say the least!

I returned home from a holiday in Japan with my husband and then moved straight into preparations for the launch of my new book "Worth More Than Rubies: The Value of a Work At Home Mum". This took place at Dymocks, Collins Street, Melbourne and was well attended. A local paper published a story the week of the launch. I've since been interviewed on Melbourne radio LightFM, and I've also been on a WebTV program (when you click on this link, scroll down for the above picture and click on it). As well as an interview I participated in a panel discussion on Home Based Business and you can view that by clicking on the group image in that same set of photos on the WebTV site. I have also participated in a Podcast interview on social networking and was just this week asked to be in a TV program which will be recorded in November.

The book is now available online both in the US and here in Australia and feedback from those who have already read or reviewed it has been excellent.

I am particularly keen on speaking to women's groups, mother's groups, or church groups around Australia about women working at home and being present for their families - which is the topic of the book and is a subject very close to my heart. If you know of such an organisation or group seeking a speaker on this particular topic, please do let me know, or forward my details to them. My speaker's website is KathieThomas.com.

The end of the year is drawing near and it's often a time people begin to reflect on what they are doing in their work, their home life and what they plan to do in the new year. Paddy's article might give you some food for thought.

Just a Job? By Paddy Spruce

Do you have a job? Just a job, I mean, you do it for the money? If you won enough money, you would quit on the spot?

Or do you have a career? If you work hard and get your qualifications you will move up a rung on the ladder. Maybe you will become a team leader or a manager. Who knows, one day you may even become the CEO.

Jobs and careers are mainly to benefit you, not the people that you serve. The focus is inward. The benefits are external – money, promotion, status. Often the expectations of a career are not met and retirement starts to look attractive. Imagine looking forward to the end of something that you have been doing for most of your life. You do feel relieved when a loud noise stops… for a short time. The people that I have met who are retired don't seem as contented as they had planned to be.

What's the alternative? How about a calling? A ‘calling' or vocation is something that you believe that you are called to do. You are good at it and enjoy doing it and it helps others. You truly believe that this is THE job and that you were meant to be doing it. The money is not critical but the contribution you make IS. The person who is meant to directly benefit from your ‘calling' is the person you are assisting. I have known taxi drivers, receptionists, sales assistants and guides at theme parks who seem to have a ‘calling'. It is easy to tell from their attitude that this is so much more than a job or a career. They want to help and obviously enjoy what they are doing. They are also good at what they do and get added enjoyment by displaying their skills.

What is your calling? What are you good at? Are you doing what you are good at as part of your working life? If a voice from the clouds told you what to do with your talents and working life, what would it say? Would it say ‘Stay in the Bank until you retire!' or “Hang on for another ten years”?

Maybe this is the only life we get and is not a rehearsal for something else. It may seem risky to leave a perfectly secure job for a faint calling. Imagine the desperation of coming to the end and thinking ‘Why didn't I do what I really wanted to do when I had the time?'

So get started on identifying what it is that you enjoy doing that will benefit you and others and has a sense of vocation. Of course we all need money to exist but you would do this ‘calling' even if you were not paid because you enjoy doing it so much. Maybe the money will come if you truly identify what you are best at and do it for life.

I once sat with a man who was dying as he told me what he had not done with his life. Following your heart is not for a privileged few. Maybe it is for the courageous few.

About the Author:
Paddy has been in the business of assisting people and organisations to become the best they can for over twenty years. He is a professional speaker, facilitator and corporate training consultant who specialises in helping organisations and individuals develop skills and programs in the areas of time management, influencing with integrity, corridor negotiations, managing change, creating high performing teams and self motivation, change management, team development, leadership, presentation, motivation, influencing and negotiation.

You can read more of Paddy's insights at his blog.

And if you think life coaching might assist, click here for something that could be just what you need! Brought to you by SlowDownFast.com.

New Affiliate Program

I have recently set up an Affiliate Program for the various products I have available: from web hosting to mousepads, from books to coaching. In fact, with Christmas just around the corner, there are things here that you could promote to your clients and colleages, and get something out of it for yourself!

Have a great month everyone!

Kathie M. Thomas

Thought for the day:

There is no man living who isn't capable of doing more than he thinks he can do.
Henry Ford

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