LifeClubs

Will you join my team?

I think it must be every entrepreneur’s dream to export their products.

It was always one of my dreams to export my products. Fantastically LifeClubs has worked with several great North American organisations - one of them for over 10 years.

I’ve always had great experiences in the States and Canada. In the late ‘70’s, when I was living in LA, I worked in the art departments of Asylum Records, CBS, and also freelance on the ‘inner sleeve’ of th Eagles 'Hotel California' album.

And when my book, The Royal Shopping Guide, was published, Merv Griffin, creator and host of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, asked me on his own CNBC talk show which was an amazing experience.

Why am I writing all this?

Because this week my ‘Picture This’ book is being published in North America and I’m hoping you’ll tell everyone you know who lives or works there.

I haven’t written a book in at least fifteen years so I’m a little rusty on marketing tricks over two continents, which is why I’m asking you to join my team.

We’re holding monthly Zoom meetings to help you solve your problems using the ‘Picture This’ book, and we’d love you to come along with (or without) your friends from around the world. You don’t need your own copy of the book and you don’t even need a problem - it will introduce you to what we’re doing, the power of visual metaphor and working in a team.

Our next call is next Tuesday, 14th March at 6pm UK time… email [email protected] for the Zoom link and please do join us.

So looking forward to having you with us,
Nina x

To be honest I don’t usually hold hands with former clients…

… but I couldn’t find a photo of myself with a client, so this is a photo of me and my husband walking through the Dorset fields on a very dark weather day.

What I wanted to share was not a family walk, but that a former client just got in touch with me and to let you know what a lovely, affirming thing that is to have happened.

I adore the people I work with - each of them brings something different and special to LifeClubs - a new challenge, new thinking, new solutions - and when our time together ends I feel a bit sad.

So just know how good it feels when you get in touch no matter how long it’s been, it’s always nice to hear from you!

Looking forward to our next chat,

Nina x

Boost your confidence with one simple trick

As those of you who know me will know, I had very little confidence most of my life.

For example, even though I knew I could cook, I always felt nervous cooking for others and, even though I studied design, I was totally unsure as to how I wanted to dress or decorate my home.

Then the internet arrived and I suddenly got masses of emails from people I didn’t know saying how my book had changed their life or even how they liked my smile in a photo.

There was something about being written to by people who didn’t have to take the trouble to do so that made me feel good and proud about who I am and what I’m doing. From then on I started noticing everything nice that was coming my way.

Nothing was too small and it all went into a book of lovely compliments or into an email folder called ‘Praise for Nina’, depending on what it was.

My latest confidence boosting praise was for our last *monthly webinar:

"Thanks so much for the webinar. Illuminating and fun! Such a great idea!!"

"What an amazing bunch of inspirational people"

And… as it was half-term we had a super bright 9-year old with us who wanted to solve the problem of her best friends constantly fighting. Her mum wrote:
"My daughter has now got lots more ideas what to do next time her friends argue."

How nice is that? I might even get a big head.

You may feel you never get enough compliments to bother writing them down, but I bet you'd be surprised. You may simply not notice them. The trick is to listen out for them.

Thanks for all the compliments you send me, do keep them coming.
I always look forward to hearing from you,
Nina
X

*Don’t forget about our March webinar coming up on the 14th and bring a problem to solve if you wish. Here's the link to join:

14th March - 1.00pm EST; 6.00pm GMT

https://lnkd.in/eekVz4N2
Meeting ID: 841 6024 0419
Passcode: 457229

Surely being sick can’t be anyone’s best thing? It probably isn’t, but I once learnt a brilliant lesson from my doctor. She told me I should always wear a badge when I am ill, to remind everyone around me (including myself) that I’m not feeling my best.

Rest is sadly not valued as much as it should be, which leaves many of us powering through our work days feeling sick and overly tired.

My current flu has got me lying in bed, reading and writing and I came across this recent study which has cheered me up no end.

The study's results (linked below) indicated that working four days a week rather than five (for the same pay), led to a 65% decrease in sick days and huge improvements in staff commitment. Almost all the companies that took part in the study (from banks to fish and chip shops) want to continue with the 4-day work week.

Campaign for your four-day week and find your sick badge just in case!

With love and well wishes,

Nina and Natalie
x

Study: https://www.bigissue.com/news/employment/what-is-the-4-day-working-week-and-why-are-uk-campaigners-calling-for-it/

Badge from koolbadges.co.uk

Is Tuesday the new Monday?

Many of us would agree that Monday is our least favourite day of the week and the one associated with the most negative moods. I think we have all felt that disappointment when seeing the sun go down on Sunday, realising the weekend is coming to an end.

Interestingly enough, in the UK, studies show that Tuesday, rather than Monday, is now associated with the most negative emotions. An analysis of British Tweets by the Kyoto Institute of Technology determined that we feel the most anger and least joy on this day, which impacts our mental health and ability to do work.

A possible reason for this is because our positive feelings from the weekend haven’t quite worn off on Monday, so when Tuesday comes around, the past weekend is now well behind us and the next weekend is far from reach.

Our Picture This Zoom calls have sparked a lot of joy, so that’s why we plan to host all future calls on Tuesdays! From joining last week’s call myself, I experienced the positive effects that sorting out my problems with a supportive group could have on my mood.

If it is true that we feel the most anger on Tuesdays, one of the healthiest ways to release it can be by talking it out with people we trust. By using the images from our Picture This book and the support of everyone on the call, we can more slowly and mindfully sort through our negative feelings and what might be causing them.

If you want to join a unique and inspiring group coaching experience and help fight off some of those Tuesday blues, mark your calendar for our next calls, Tuesdays 14th March and 18th April at 6:00-7:00 pm UK time. We are excited to meet at a time that can include our friends from North America as well, so spread the word to everyone you know on both sides of the Atlantic!

Just email [email protected] to reserve your spot and receive the link to join the Zoom call.

We look forward to giving you a good feeling about Tuesdays.

Take care,
Natalie, LifeClubs intern from the States
x

My best thing this week happened as I was out running errands, feeling down with a case of homesickness. I stopped in one of my favourite spots, Daunt Books, to purchase some unique wooden postcards to send to my family back in the States.

I had been eyeing one of the tote bags that are on display behind the counter for a couple of weeks, but after asking the cashier the price, I decided to postpone buying it for another day.

I made my small postcard purchase and was heading toward the door, when the cashier handed me the tote bag with a wink and friendly smile.

I was taken aback by the gesture itself but felt most impacted by the genuine kindness and smile that went along with it. The emotions that had been weighing on me evaporated, and I carried on the rest of my day in much higher spirits.

I realised I’d needed a reminder of the impact even the tiniest of gestures and words can make.

What was your best thing this week?

With love,
Natalie, intern at LifeClubs
x

Hi all,

First, some help for you

We really enjoyed seeing you figure your own (and others) problems out in our 2022 Picture This group calls, so we thought we’d bring them back, again for free!

Our first webinar is Monday 13th February at 1:00-2.00pm (UK time) on Zoom.

As before, you can share + solve a problem about anything, but, as it’s Valentine’s Day the next day, if you’d like specifically to think about your relationships (any and all of them - including with yourself), please do.

And it could also be a good time to focus on your 2023 goals.

Anyone can attend, regardless of whether or not you have joined before and, of course, it’s completely FREE!

All you have to do is email [email protected] to reserve your spot.

*********

And now some help from you...

Another piece of exciting news…Picture This is launching in North America in early March!

Going forward, we would love to make our group calls accessible to those in both the UK as well as North America. Please let us know your preferred time for meeting to accommodate both regions by filling out this one-question survey below. Thank you!

https://lnkd.in/ehrYr-Uv

Can’t wait to see you,
Annie and Nina 
X
 


Photo by Karla Hernandez

Following the great success of the previous Picture This group calls, join us on the 13th of February, at 1:00 UK time for the first of our 2023 free monthly webinars.

 “Creative, informative and helpful”

Solve your problems with a supportive group of individuals, using images from the wonderful Picture This book.

To reserve your spot please email [email protected]

Hi all,

Last week was my first week as a LifeClubs intern, having arrived from the States to continue my psychology studies abroad. I got to work straight away, assisting Nina with creating LifeClub’s newest workshop for the successful Connect series. As we explored topics and stats related to the goals of Connect – improving mental wellness, engagement, and productivity to name a few – I was taken aback to see how significant of a toll the last few years has had on us mentally.

In comparing NHS survey results from 2018 to 2021, the numbers of employees that indicated they have felt unwell because of work-related stress grew from 34% to 47%. Moreover, in 2021, in the UK about 150 million days of work were lost to illness-related absence, with 13% of those days due to mental health issues. The question remains, how do we work towards improving mental wellness when external factors in the world seem so uncertain and uncontrollable?

One key solution is connection

Anyone can benefit from LifeClubs Connect. As well as in organisations, the programme can be implemented in community settings such as schools, workplaces, and religious centres. No matter the crowd, there are sure to be lasting impacts by creating more productive individuals and supportive environments.

What are you waiting for? Strengthen yourself and your community today with LifeClubs Connect. Just drop us a line [email protected] and we'll let you know how to get started on this inspirational programme.

With love from
Natalie and all at LifeClubs
x

The photo shows Mishka and I deciding where to go on her afternoon walk ☺️ As you can see, she leaves the decision to me really, but our Picture This book is always very helpful.

We wanted to give you a quick heads up as the final Picture This 2022 workshop is on 7th December from 1-2 PM (UK time) and we only have space for 15 more people.

Please email [email protected] if you’d like to join us. It’s completely free of charge and brilliantly useful and fun.

These are some of the lovely things you all said after the November session:

“This is incredible”

“Thanks everyone - you can learn so much just by listening. It’s an insightful process”

“Powerful and profound”

As you can see, you’ll learn even if you don’t say a word.

Picture This is about to reprint. Thanks so much to all of you who have bought one or more copies. We hope you agree we must be doing something right.

With love and looking forward to seeing those of you who can make it on the 7th December.

Nina and Annie
X

Wonderful Charlotte, great you’re finding it useful

Yesterday there was a wonderful article about my new book, Picture This, in metro magazine.

Suzy Walker, the author has been brilliantly kind and helpful about Picture This so do give it a read.

Enjoy!
Nina x