“Feedback is the breakfast of Champions!”

My Top 10 Feedback Tips

#1 GIVING & RECEIVING FEEDBACK

We all need feedback and as you know, it can be challenging for some people to receive it (when they are very sensitive, passionate about what they do and are trying really hard etc) and also challenging to give it (e.g. to your boss!).

#2 WE ALL NEED FEEDBACK

Without feedback we can only rely on our own self awareness and observations when others around us might be able to assist in speeding our personal and professional growth by providing us with their view on how we can improve.

#3 WHERE GOOD FEEDBACK COMES FROM

Good feedback must always come from a place of helping the person never blaming, criticising or complaining about them. This builds positive workplace culture and family relationships too!

#4 LISTENING TO FEEDBACK

We must always listen to feedback, even if we disagree with it, or feel it is hard to take or if it’s delivered in a harsh way. Also regardless of whom it comes from, not only our boss but from our peers and direct reports too. Everyone has a different perception and could all be a teacher for us. Being closed or thinking you’re always right is a sure way to miss out on valuable feedback.

We need to rise above feedback being perceived as a negative thing and look hard at ways to take aspects of it to improve our personal and professional development.

Other people always have different perspectives and views compared to our own, right or wrong, so it’s important to be open and listen to others and also share your own views so they can hear your perspective on the same issue.

Sometimes you will be able to see and agree with the person giving you feedback, other times you may not. If someone is giving you feedback and you really want to follow their guidance but don’t know how, ask them to give you a specific example on what you can change which would show them you have successfully implemented their feedback.

#5 ACCURATE FEEDBACK

It’s important to give as accurate feedback as possible. Before jumping to conclusions, it’s great if you can get some specific measures that support your feedback. E.g. 

“Well done, you are improving the growth of the business because you successfully signed up 5 new clients this month in comparison to 2 per month for the previous 3 months.”

Remember, not everyone will always provide accurate or the right feedback all the time either – even your manager or if you’re the manager giving feedback to your team! There can be many reasons for this, stress, not being close enough to the work to see accurately or not having looked at figures to back up statements.

Sometimes others may think you’re doing well when you don’t think you are! This is a mis-match to simply be discussed.

#6 HOW TO COMMUNICATE FEEDBACK

Use the CRC Technique (commend / recommend / commend). Ref: Toastmasters International

Keep things simple with your communication by listening and discussing feedback, with a common goal of getting the best out of everyone in the team.

Be careful of never giving feedback when you’re in a place of frustration or upset yourself. First get yourself under control, think clearly and professionally and deliver your feedback in a helpful and uplifting way for the other person to receive.

Try to aim for your feedback to be inspiring for the person to achieve more rather than putting them down and leaving them feeling flat and unmotivated.

#7 REPEATING FEEDBACK

Sometimes people need to hear the feedback a few times or from a few different people to really understand it’s a problem for them and something to be fixed for their best interests. Other times people are trying but haven’t yet worked out a way to overcome the challenge of making the desired change.

A person may not implement a piece of feedback because they don’t actually believe it will help them or provide them with better results. When this happens it’s important to address the belief, not just tell them they must do it.

Be patient with people, ask how they think they are going with previously delivered feedback first, perhaps they have made some changes you’re not aware of and then support and encourage them through what else they can do.

Of course if you’re trying to provide someone with valuable feedback that you know will help them and they continue to ignore it, first check in with the accuracy or if the person actually sees that as something important for them to change. They might not be trying to change because they don’t see the value in making it a priority.

Sometimes direct and assertive feedback is required. Show the person how you think implementing the feedback will directly help them and what you see will or could happen if they don’t. It’s important for you when giving feedback to select the most appropriate way of delivering it to get the desired outcome.

#8 YOUR RESULTS

You can quickly identify if your feedback is working by asking the person if they found it helpful and observing if people are following your advice or not.

#9 BE OPEN

Being open to another person’s feedback when perhaps you don’t agree with it is very important too. This can build confidence, you might not think you’re improving when they say you really are can be very helpful! You might not see it yourself.

Each person must stop and really think about what the person is saying before they dismiss it as incorrect or remaining stuck in their own ways.

#10 FREQUENCY

Frequency of feedback helps when it’s common practice in an organisation. For if and when it comes ‘out of the blue’, especially from the top, people can be shocked or perceive it as though it is a bigger deal than it actually is.

It’s best to work through things when they are small and manageable rather than not communicating feedback and allowing small issues to build into a big problem.

#BONUS TIP – FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT! 

It’s not fair if a person doesn’t get the feedback they need as it doesn’t give them the chance to improve before something may be taken away from them etc.

Check in with how you are giving and receiving feedback and take note of any actions you think you could improve upon in your organisation.

I hope you enjoyed today’s article and if you need any help with feedback, either your own or in your organsiation please contact me today! 

Live Your Best Life

Jacqueline Pigdon, The LOVE MONDAYS Expert is an Australian rowing champion, a spiritual life & career coach, author and award winning entrepreneur! Beginning her career in corporate IT and as an elite sports person she knows firsthand how to achieve goals and make a successful and fulfilling career transition. Jacqueline has dedicated her life to helping other women all around the world do the same and create a career and life they love!

T: +61447728677
E: jacqueline@jinalife.com
www.lovemondaysnow.com

To get a copy of Jacqueline’s BOOK ‘Love Mondays Now – 5 Steps to a career & life you love CLICK HERE!

‘Blowing their Top’?

People who get mad a lot, particularly over little things, are really telling us they feel out of control in some aspect of their life. Generally the small things they appear to be getting mad at, aren’t the real reasons they are mad.

Firstly, always check in and listen to what the person is saying in case there is a very valid point about you, that you can address and change to help the situation.

However, here we’re talking about common occurrences of yelling and/or getting upset or frustrated at the little things. You have probably experienced someone like this in either your personal or professional life.

So these tips can be applied both at work or home – to anyone who dares to yell at you! 

6 TOP TIPS!

1. Stay calm

Your heart rate might start to race when someone is yelling at you, but it’s important to stay calm on the inside and BREATH. 

Work on calming down your inner self and remain looking calm on the outside. 

Keep your face and body relaxed. 

Chances are they are letting loose i.e. raving on and on about something – which actually gives you TIME to work on being calm before you need to respond! :-) 

2. Don’t be or show that you’re afraid!

If you can see a “mad manager” walking around your office or they are directly yelling at you – don’t be afraid. (Unless you fear physical violence then best step away fast!) Certainly don’t coward down to a person who is yelling. They are only emotions and they OWN their emotions, don’t allow them to put their emotions onto you.

3. Ask intelligent questions.

For example in a confident and caring way, ask with a concerned look on your face that also says – I know you’re really upset but I know I’m not the deep cause of your anger and I’m not going to ‘buy into’ this behaviour of yours or think for a second it’s all my fault.

“Is everything is ok?”

This can show, if done correctly, that you can see the real reason why they are getting mad, is NOT what they’re blowing up about. This is your chance to show your emotional intelligence and insight.

4. Never get mad back.

People might push your buttons and if you do get mad, well that is for another topic of discussion (i.e. Finding your own deeper causes of what is upsetting YOU! Contact me today if you need help with this.) 

So never get mad back, because this just turns into a fight and you have raised your voice, volume and emotions to match theirs. Instead as tip #1 stay calm and strong so they have to come down and match your calm state. 

If a person is lashing out, what they really need in that moment is love, understanding and care. For that person is upset and feeling out of control…. and that’s not nice. 

* It doesn’t mean we allow them to take it out on us, but that we know it’s not a nice place for anyone to be in, and we wouldn’t ever wish it on others. 

5. Don’t criticise them or put them down.

We are not here to judge others, but we do teach others how to communicate with us.

You could ask (and this is my personal example I used with someone, many years ago, who used to yell at me, but not anymore!) in a calm voice:

“Why are you yelling?”

The person responded yelling at the top of their voice:

“I’M NOT YELLING!!!”

* Quickly realising yelling that statement was a bit silly and calmed right down instantly :-) 

With this question, the person will think about the real reason why they are so mad or frustrated, and not actually be able to answer this question and often they walk away or calm down. The reason for this is because, more often than not it’s either: 

1. Nothing to do with what they are yelling about or, 

2. It’s too private or difficult for them to share. 

So often in the workplace, the underlying cause won’t generally have a lot to do with you. It’s something personal or other work issues within them. Or if it does have something to do with you, it goes much, much deeper…. and they can’t seem to speak to you about it in a way that they think will gain a successful resolution. It’s best to help them try, by creating an open and safe environment to communicate with you in.

6. Be assertive

Here is a great example of a way you can respond any time anyone is yelling at you, at work or at home – whatever the topic or situation:

“I would really like to talk to you about this issue, but not when you’re yelling at me, so perhaps you can calm down now and we can discuss it in a professional and/or nice way, or let me know if and when you’re ready to talk to me calmly in the future.”

Here you are open and willing to talk, just not in that way. 

Taking this approach using the 6 tips above, helps communicate to the person yelling, that you’re not someone to be yelled at or someone they can take their frustrations out on. 

Remember only 7% of our communication comes from the words we use, so embrace the message you want to deliver with your entire body language and inner thoughts and intentions of a positive outcome.

All the best in teaching others that you are not someone to be yelled at! 

Try it out for yourself if and when you need to, and let me know how you get on! I would love to hear from you. 

Thanks for reading and until next time… 

Live Your Best Life!

Jacqueline Pigdon, The LOVE MONDAYS Expert is an Australian rowing champion, a spiritual life & career coach, author and award winning entrepreneur! Beginning her career in corporate IT and as an elite sports person she knows firsthand how to achieve goals and make a successful and fulfilling career transition. Jacqueline has dedicated her life to helping other women all around the world do the same and create a career and life they love!

T: +61447728677
E: jacqueline@jinalife.com
www.lovemondaysnow.com

To get a copy of Jacqueline’s BOOK ‘Love Mondays Now – 5 Steps to a career & life you love CLICK HERE!

If you’re bored and can’t be bothered at work then you need to get interested fast.

You might be completely ‘over’ what you’re doing (or not doing) and you’re waiting for your boss, colleagues, clients or the universe to give you something exciting to work on… 

But if you wait for that you could be waiting forever.

It’s up to you so here is what you can do: 

1. Decide right now that you will no longer be bored at work. 

2. Open your eyes to something you can do that is fun and exciting.

You might be thinking there is nothing fun or exciting where I work right now.

But I challenge you to find ‘something’.

First of all you need to know what excites you in the first place and this is the key.

What do you like doing that eliminates all boredom? This is all about self awareness and an entire personal development topic you can find in my book ‘Love Mondays Now’.

However in the meantime here is what I find helps people eliminate boredom:

• Define the meaning around a work task or project
• Connect to the purpose of the work task or project
• See ahead the difference doing it will make in your life and those of others when you complete the tasks and projects you are responsible for.
• Tackle your tasks and projects with the above in mind and find new ones that will excite you.

If you’re bored, life will get bored with you. So start getting excited, find purpose and link it to something greater than yourself, then move forth with action and enthusiasm.

TIP: The No.1 activity to release boredom from your life and work – Do SOMETHING and do it NOW! Get moving! Momentum is a marvelous thing.

Live Your Best Life

Jacqueline Pigdon, The LOVE MONDAYS Expert is an Australian rowing champion, a spiritual life & career coach, author and award winning entrepreneur! Beginning her career in corporate IT and as an elite sports person she knows firsthand how to achieve goals and make a successful and fulfilling career transition. Jacqueline has dedicated her life to helping other women all around the world do the same and create a career and life they love!

T: +61447728677
E: jacqueline@jinalife.com
www.lovemondaysnow.com

To get a copy of Jacqueline’s BOOK ‘Love Mondays Now – 5 Steps to a career & life you love CLICK HERE!

BOOK YOUR FREE CAREER OR BUSINESS STRATEGY SESSION CLICK HERE!

Watch my video from the beautiful ski fields at Falls Creek Australia.

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU’VE REALLY HAD ENOUGH

Perhaps you have been playing a sport for many years and seem to have lost the fun or drive you once had for it.

Or you think you’ve had enough of your current job, career or business but are not 100% sure you’re ready to let it go.

Maybe you’re thinking this same thing about your relationship…

Now there are definitely times in our lives when we have really had enough and it’s time to ‘hang up the boots’ but if we once had such love, drive and fun doing something and it’s suddenly or even slowly diminished chances are there’s simply something missing.

Here are 2 key factors for you to consider:

1. You’re no longer growing, either you’ve achieved everything you want to in a sport or your business, or you just don’t have any new and inspiring goals to strive for. Perhaps your relationship is stagnant because you’re not moving forward together towards something important or meaningful.

2. It’s time to get some outside help either from an expert or coach to help you re-ignite the love, energy and drive you once had.

What I experienced while skiing at Falls Creek Victoria, Australia was the feeling that I’d had enough. I have always had a great love for skiing and my first day back on this trip was after a long break so I spent it ‘finding my feet’. The following day I ventured onto a more difficult run and again I did this on the third day.

But after that I’d had enough and I felt like I could really just hang up my boots. I knew there was more to it and luckily enough my fellow skiing buddies convinced me I should have a lesson.

Now at first I was reluctant, as all the ski instructors I’d had in Australia, New Zealand and Europe simply took me way out of my comfort zone and skiing down double black runs and off the edges of scary mountain cliffs. At this stage in my life I really didn’t want to risk get injured or do it simply to say I’ve conquered the mountain.

However I decided to go along and ended up having an entirely different experience. This skiing instructor took us on a green beginner slope AND TAUGHT US expert technique. How to roll my ankles and knees properly, and how to more effectively distribute my weight.

After this one little lesson I was on fire! I skied all day long and you couldn’t get me off the slopes I was having THE BEST time!

WHY?

Because I was growing, I had something to work on to improve myself. If we’re not growing, learning or helping others, days can quickly and easily become mundane and boring (even at a luxurious ski resort!) and we can feel like quitting.

Have you ever had this type experience? Are you wondering right now in your life if you’ve really had enough of something you used to love? Please leave a comment below I would love to hear from you!

If you liked this video please share it with your friends.

Stay tuned until next time where I share ’3 Tips on how to make things happen!’

Live Your Best Life!

Jacqueline Pigdon ~ Spiritual Life, Career & Business Coach

To get a copy of my book Love Mondays Now – 5 Steps to a career and life you love CLICK HERE!

Watch today’s video from the beautiful location of Port Douglas, Australia and read below to find out how.

Throughout my career I’ve noticed that every time I ‘get on the move‘ good things happen. I can pretty much guarantee that as soon as I book a trip people come running to me for help. Even before I tell them I won’t be around in person for a while they just seem to know from universal forces and don’t want to miss out.

All sorts of other great things happen when I’m on the move too. For example:

1. EXERCISE: There is nothing better than getting on the move exercising to spice up your life by gaining abundance of energy to take action!
2. TAKING A BREAK: Just like athletic training, taking a break away from your usual work and life routine is extremely important. I always find my best ideas when I move away from my home or workplace to rest and do some deep thinking.
3. CONNECTION: When on the move, perhaps it’s just getting out of the house or office to see friends or clients, going on holiday, travelling to new places, attending parties, networking events etc. It’s here where you can develop some of your deepest relationships and it’s your chance to really connect fully with others in person.

So they are my top three tips on how to spice up your life by getting on the move.

What changes do you think you can make in your life today to spice it up? Leave a comment below I would love to hear from you!

Stay tuned for my next video ’3 Tips for when you don’t love your current job’

Live Your Best Life

Jacqueline Pigdon – Spiritual Life, Career & Business Coach

To get a copy of my book ‘Love Mondays Now – 5 Steps to a career and life you love! CLICK HERE

Or perhaps you have been on the receiving end of a negative comment delivered in a really nasty way from a colleague or your boss? 

Or you’ve received negative feedback when you least expected it…

Watch my video and read my tips below on how to successfully deal with negative feedback at work.

Receiving negative feedback at work or in your personal life doesn’t have to kill your confidence. I challenge you to view it as a gift.

Yes – this feedback and be precious!

When working on your personal and professional development getting any type of feedback is valuable. It means you have something specific to work on to improve yourself. The last thing you want, is to not know about something that is letting you down that could be changed, worked on or avoided. 

Remember that we don’t have the same thoughts or perspective about ourselves at others do. Other people around us, nice or nasty can provide us with extremely beneficial information, advice or feedback that can help us improve and become the best version of ourselves. 

So next time you receive any type of negative feedback, even if it’s not delivered in the nicest of ways thank the person for their feedback.

Most people when receiving negative feedback are quick to defend themselves and therefore don’t take the time to listen or analyse the value in the feedback.

Even if you disagree 100% with the feedback understanding other peoples views and perceptions can be interesting and helpful.

FOR EXAMPLE: Perhaps you continue to fail getting an interview from your CV. You think your CV is outstanding and don’t want to change it by deleting any of your experience or expertise, but recruiters feedback is that it’s terribly long. Do you leave it as is and risk getting further unsuccessful applications, or do you try something different? Perhaps they are right and your potential employees like short and to the point CV applications.

Welcoming or even directly asking for feedback takes confidence. So always ensure your confidence levels are at their best, then receiving negative feedback is easy.   

Have you received any negative feedback that left you in tears or down right angry and defensive? Can you change your perception about it to gain insight from the experience? Leave a comment below so we can have a chat about it.  

I hope you enjoyed my video tips filmed on my travels in Dubai!

Stay tuned for my next video filmed in another fantastic location…

Live Your Best Life!

Jacqueline Pigdon ~ Spiritual Life, Career & Business Coach

To get a copy of my book ‘Love Mondays Now – 5 Steps to a career and life you love! CLICK HERE!

Watch today’s video below to find out how:

As we are sleeping our bodies don’t only work hard to repair our cells from our day and rejuvenate and prepare us for the next but our brains are still at work too! 

So what can you do about this to benefit at work while you’re sleeping?

You can start to focus on what you are thinking about or putting into your brain right before you go to sleep.

I tested this theory when I first started attending Toastmasters International (a public speaking and leadership club) where I worked out that I could literally write a speech on Sunday, practice it in my head right before I went to sleep and deliver the speech the next evening with no notes! – A criteria all Toastmasters strive to achieve. 

Many of my fellow Toastmasters were amazed at how fast I could prepare, remember and deliver my speeches. Sleeping on the job was my secret to success! Allowing my mind to absorb and store the information while I was sleeping.

I followed through using this technique with great success when learning to speak new languages and preparing for important client meetings. 

It’s also absolutely fantastic for coming up with answers to your most pressing questions. Perhaps you’re wondering how on earth you will reach a huge target at work, or how you can solve one of your biggest problems in your personal life. Ask the question before you fall asleep with confidence that when you wake up or throughout your day tomorrow you will find your answer. 

You will be amazed how often your answer appears when you do this. 

So not only do you need to think about all the things you are thankful for in your life at the end of your day and think positive thoughts for the next, but you can now utilise your sleeping time, to help you retain information in your brain – while you are sleeping!

Have you tried this technique? What information would you like to retain better and faster in your life? What are your most pressing questions you would love answered? Write below I would love you to leave a comment!

Stay tuned for my next video where I share a career and lifestyle tip with a view from the tallest building in the world!

Live Your Best Life!

Jacqueline Pigdon

Spiritual Life, Career & Business Coach

www.LoveMondaysNow.com

To get a copy of my book LOVE MONDAYS NOW – 5 Steps to a career and life you love! CLICK HERE

Watch my book video trailer below which reveals all!

Thanks so much for your support! Remember a percentage of all book sales are going towards WMI helping women in Africa start their own businesses!

What others are saying on Amazon reviews

Life-changer read!

By Ms. T. Stuart on December 16, 2013

“From the moment you open this novel about a career girl, you won’t put it down. Victoria is an ambitious young lawyer, keen to advance fast in her career. Will she make the right choices? The story unfolds brilliantly, with many exciting twists. But more than her story, it’s your own personal and professional journey that you reflect on as you read. I found myself laying it down and thinking how to apply the lessons in my own life. Go on, treat yourself (or your best mate too)!”

The book to get you thinking and doing!

By Belinda Lockerby on December 17, 2013

“If you are looking for a book to help you, but don’t want to read a self help book, then this is the one for you. Get ready for some realisations that come at you in a very gentle yet assertive way as you relate to Victoria Rose in a very real way that moves you to action.

A great, easy read, I was unable to put it down, and then once finished, found myself putting some steps into action (and I still am!)”

Fantastic book!

By Nathalie on December 18, 2013

“Inspirational, fun and easy to read. This contemporary fable demonstrates that sometimes when things don’t go the way we want, there is always a solution and that we shouldn’t be afraid to ask and receive help. You can use the steps demonstrated in The SHINE Technique to help you in your career, to become empowered and to embrace life! We can all become a successful Victoria Rose.”

Thanks again and I hope you have a fantastic day!

www.lovemondaysnow.com

P.S. Please share this link with your friends too! NEW BOOK – Love Mondays Now by Jacqueline Pigdon