I’m happy and somewhat relieved to say that along with 100 other cyclists, I cycled 600km on a charity event for the Irish Hospice Foundation between Dublin and Paris. The event which took place between the 19th and 23rd of July 2009 raised €350,000 for the Hospice movement in Ireland.http://www.hospice-foundation.ie/ Well done to all involved.

If you and your team feel you have a mountain to climb to “Make it Happen” you should read the story of Mark Pollock for the inspiration you might need to overcome adversity. Mark gives inspiring and effective motivational presentations based on his unique life experiences. In 1998, Mark was a student and international rower with a fantastic job offer in London when he suddenly lost his sight. He had been on the crest of a wave as he prepared for his final exams in Trinity College Dublin, but came crashing back to earth with the news that he would never see again.

Since then Mark has rebuilt his life and exceeded his previous achievements. Within six months he was working again and two years later he had completed his Masters in Business Studies. He has won medals while rowing for Northern Ireland in the 2002 Commonwealth games, completed six marathons in one week in the Gobi Desert in China, raced in the worlds most extreme marathon in the north pole, developed an international speaking business and written a book.

Mark works with thousands of people throughout Europe, Asia and North America delivering keynote presentations and his high-performance master class. He concentrates on what we are in a position to control: taking personal responsibility for our actions, facing facts, focusing on making it happen, making committed decisions and communicating with the formal and informal team.

On 10 th April 2004, six years to the day that Mark went blind, he completed the world’s most extreme marathon at the North Pole. The story is incredible and what he has learned on the journey reminds us that there is a power that resides within us all to take control of our lives.

Embarking on a coaching programme is an important investment in terms of both time and money. Make sure you are maximising your investment, through some clear planning before you work with a coach. Here are some guidelines to help you make the most out of your coaching arrangement.

What is Coaching?
• Coaching provides you with an opportunity to work with an expert on a one to one basis.
• It is a confidential working arrangement which will allow you to test your thinking and also review your activities and progress, in a safe and confidential environment.

Where to start
• Clarify your objectives. What do you want to get from this intervention?
• Is it a short term intervention (under 3 months) or are you looking for something longer term (up to 12 months).
• Ensure you have a close off date for the arrangement. Best not to have it drift on. The most effective coaching assignments are those that have clear objectives and a start and end date.

Selecting a Coach
• Look for someone with experience in your field and also at the level at which you operate.
• Create your own selection criteria against which you can assess suitability.
• Arrange a no commitment exploratory meeting during which you can assess the suitability of the coach with whom you are working.
• Look for reference points. A good coach should readily arrange for you to speak with existing clients. Ensure that the referees are appropriate in terms of their experience and level of expertise.

Some extra Tips
• The arrangement is intense and you should ensure that there is a rapport between you and your selected coach. Meet a number of coaches before you make up your mind, review each against your selection criteria and then chose the most appropriate person.
• Review the fee structure, good coaches don’t come cheap! So, carefully review the fee structure, remember you should view the intervention as an investment in your development.

Once you have engaged a coach make sure you make the time, keep the activity as a priority and keep your appointments. Find somewhere to hold your meetings where you won’t be interrupted. This is time for you!