Mindfulness Reflections

Has this been a busy and productive time of the year for you too? I've noticed that whenever I'm actively and happily engaged in whatever I do, as I have been over the last couple of months, with the English training programme I created and run, together with the Inner MBA I'm taking, that there's a kind of momentum I become aware of, and even in the midst of all the hustle and bustle (a large amount of activity and work, usually in a noisy surrounding), I'm able to appreciate all the wonderful things that are going on. But if it were easy to create and run the business of an ongoing English training programme, while taking an MBA, working on my competence in Portuguese, as well as balancing all the other aspects of my life with a fair degree of humour and joy, then everyone would have their own programme and business! So when clients approach me and tell me about their feelings of insecurity, lack of confidence and inability to speak fluently in English, and how ch...

What a pleasure it was to meet up with Laura Atkinson , Manager of the Commercial Section at the British Chamber of Commerce Mexico, to talk about what the Chamber does, and how it helps businesses thrive and flourish through connecting and bringing people together. See you again in the next Chamber event, Laura! Many of my clients are involved in international business, and although they're highly skilled and competent professionals, they report feeling uncertain and worried about expressing themselves in English within business settings.   Here are some of the most common messages I hear: - "I don't know where to practise the English I need" - "I can introduce myself and say what I do, but after that, I find it intimidating and embarrassing to keep a conversation going" - "I get stuck whenever I speak in English, I can't find the words, and it makes me feel frustrated and ashamed" - "I want to feel free in English, I just want to be myse...

It's All Saints' Day today, 1st of November, and tomorrow is All Souls' Day around the world and Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, here in Mexico where I live. It was Halloween last night, on the 31st of October. This time of year is always so evocative and mystical, wouldn't you agree? It's the autumnal equinox, one of the two times of year when daytime and nighttime hours are of equal length. From now on, and through the winter months, days will be shorter, and nights longer. In this week's video, join me as we explore this wonderful time of the year: a time for introspection and reflection, a time of colour, stillness, and beauty. A time for connection with ancient traditions and with our ancestors. WATCH HERE: A Halloween and Day of the Dead Vocabulary Lesson P.S. Amazing how quickly time goes by. Are you ready to be productive and to put your time and resources to good use during this plentiful and bountiful time of year? Perhaps you've been postponi...