Rasheed Ogunlaru's Blog, page 29

Discover your self at EvolvedHeart.com

A year or so ago I developed a new website to support my coaching work called EvolvedHeart.com - packed with scores of videos I’d recorded and articles that I had written as a resource to help people – like yourself- on their journey through life.  Now a year on there’s well over a hundred articles – plus videos on life, career and self. Once a month we also host a live talk – often with a special guest. What’s more almost everything on the site is free of charge.

Developed by and with online media specialist and personal development enthusiast Tum (TJ) Kazunga  the site it’s something I’m very proud of. It’s really a free self development, spiritual development, professional development resource that includes items on career development, self realisation through to business growth. 

I see it as part of my contribution to share and to give back in a small way. I’m mindful that not everyone wants, need or can afford one to one coaching – or to come along to one of my talks – or indeed geography, mobility, circumstances  and location may prevent that. 

So if you haven’t visited Evolved Heart yet then do pop along, visit, book mark the site and enjoy it. There’s a free talk/podcast that you can download and there’s a page of top videos that will help you with self and career development matters. Feel free to post any comments under the articles too. The Live Chats which are huge value and are like free seminars – and have lots of very valuable content.  I hope you enjoy the site.

If you’re a keen Facebook enthusiast you can also check out the Evolved Heart Facebook page right here www.facebook.com/EvolvedHeart

 

Love & Money

Did you by chance miss last night’s ‘Money & Energy’ talk on Evolved Heart? If not you missed a real special event in which we explored, money, resistance, acceptance, fear,  flow, love, lack, prosperity, charity, business, creativity, healing, therapy, service, greed, generosity – and developing a richer relationship with money. If so the good news is that you can watch it here below.

Our guest was ‘soul-preneur’ Rachel Elnaugh. Rachel was the founder of Red Letter Days, a star of BBC2 Dragons Den (series 1&2), and more recently co-founder of  Source TV. It was a topic I was very keen to cover far more deeply than it is often spoken about. Our beliefs and values about money – and self worth are often set up very earlier in life. And then one or two challenging experiences – or enriching experiences  - can tip our relationship with money into a space that often can be very negative, limiting and debilitating. I see it a lot in my coaching work.  On a collective level it’s also fascinating how we view banks, those in the public eye, ‘fat cats’. It’s interesting also how we view charities, those without money and the flow of how greed and debt shape much of our modern world.

Overall the talk was – as with all Evolved Heart talks and articles – aimed at raising our consciousness on this issue and enabling people to develop a far more healthy to relationship to money. There’s lots more  I could say here in this blog, but why not put your feet up and enjoy the video below. 

Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading life coach, motivational speaker, business coach and author of Soul Trader – Putting the Heart Back into Your Business.  He is co-founder of the self development resource Evolved Heart.com, the life/business coach partner of the British Library Business & IP Centre and a regular contributor on TV and Radio.

Guest blog: 7 tips to get the cash flowing for entrepreneurs

By Johnny Martin. Johnny Martin is Finance Director turned numbers coach to entrepreneurs.
 
Here are some tips to get the cash flowing!

While everyone tends to focus on the business budget, I believe it’s really important to have a handle on your personal budget.  So take a morning and work out what your personal burn rate is – and take a long hard look at your expenses as if you were your business.  Maybe there is stuff you can live without!
 
Have you been distracted with too many new business ideas?  Have you lost focus?  I heard Nick Roberston founder of ASOS say recently:  “no one goes bust through being too focused” So be very clear exactly what it is you do – it helps customers understand your proposition e.g. “ah Johnny – he explains numbers to entrepreneurs”. 
 
Know the score – It’s a cliché but it’s still valid – you need to measure it to manage it.  If you are still running your business on an excel spreadsheet and word template, then now is just the time to look at online accounting system like QuickBooks.  Much easier to use than you might imagine and it will save you time – and time is money.  Plus easier if you get a tax inspection – all the data or audit trail as its called is on one place.
 
Documentation – More cash is lost through lack of documentation or poor documentation than any other reason.  If there are important agreements that aren’t in writing – get them in writing!
 
Sales forecasts – most business plan unravel because the sales target is unrealistic – usually not in the level of sales but how quickly it is assumed the business will ramp up.  Take a moment to look at your forecast – how realistic is it.  (and I am assuming you have a business plan?! And a cash flow forecast?)
 
IP – virtually every business is now dependent on its IP for competitive advantage – make sure you understand how this area works. If in doubt there are some great resources at the British Library.
 
Managing Working Capital – working capital is money owed to you by customers, plus money tied up in stock less what is owed to suppliers.  You can have a fast growing profitable business that comes unstuck because it runs out of working capital.  To avoid this have a cash flow forecast, manage your debtors but also your profitability.  Todays profit is tomorrow’s cash!    

For more info – including details of his money / numbers workshops at the British Library Business & IP Centre  visit www.johnnymartin.co.uk  Johnny is also conducting a survey into financial knowledge click here for details 

BBC, Beards & Appearance

Last week I appeared on BBC Breakfast talking about new research into beards, their history and how attractive or otherwise the bearded, clean shaven and stubble look are perceived to me. The study was written by Rob Brooks (find more here).

As a life coach I’m always curious about our perceptions of ourselves, others and the world around us. I’m also especially interested in how culture, society and various pressures, customs and norms impact on us.

It’s one area where men’s vanity (or lack of) becomes more heightened, as perhaps, when it comes to appearance there are arguably far more pressures on women on how they should look (hair and make-up in many societies just to start with are factors). 

One of the things that strikes me about stubble, beards etc is that it is a quick way in which one can try and induce a change. I certainly know that in my past that sometimes when I’ve felt like a fresh outlook I might shave stubble or a goatee beard off – and when I’ve perhaps wanted to cultivate a differing perspective then I have started to let them grow. This is just one dimension though. 

When I was asked to speak on the topic of the report at first I was  a little surprised and unsure and then as I thought about it (as with when I’ve been asked to speak on tattoos) that I realised, it’s like everything else, that links to our sense of self and identity.It’s only been a few hundred years in which men will have shaved so it’s interesting to think that we tend to see being clean shaven as the norm. it’s interesting that the beard may be perceived as making someone look wise, distinguished, cool, mature, mysterious, frightening, quaint, quirky, odd, fun etc depending on the style, shape, colouring, length, grooming and a whole host of other societal factors.

 It’s very interesting that as we grow and ‘develop’ our appearance becomes (consciously and unconsciously) more and more of our identity. And interestingly when we seek a new perspective or other deeper changes, we often turn to changing our appearance (hair, clothes, style etc)to kick start that change. Sometimes it ends there and sometimes it’s the start. 

Anything that invites us to look from these externals, more deeply into the questions of who we are, what’s important to life, how we connect and appreciate each other is an opportunity for evolution. Especially when we recognise that often it’s our desire to express our differences that points to something in our sameness.  Perhaps sometimes the want to change something about our selves might actually be an opportunity to accept ourselves or to discover if our perception of ourself is just that.

Anyway I hope you enjoy the clip above. 

 

 

Money & Energy: Special Online Event 7.30-8.30pm Thur 1 May 2014

Join me and special guest; entrepreneur turned SoulPreneur, Rachel Elnaugh – on Thurs 1 May 7.30pm UK time (2.30pm EST) for an Evolved Heart Live Chat special as we explore, money, energy, flow and as we how to create a healthy, rich relationship with money that serves yourself, others and our wider society.

As we step into a new financial year, see major pensions  and following years of economic uncertainty, we’re focusing money - a cornerstone of our modern material world, lives and work.

Do you view money – and our relationship to it – as force for good that makes the world go round and that makes us create, innovate and improve our lives? Or is our connection to it the route of all evil that makes people overly greedy, needy, dependent and exploit others? 

During this special live chat we’ll be exploring all aspects of money from what it represents, how we relate to it, why it can often cause so much greed, fear and division, how to be more sensible with it, why so many people have a block and negative relationship to it. We’ll also be looking to consider what approaches and mindsets really to help to achieve more success, prosperity, stability, mindfulness and contribution when it comes to money.

Our guest:

 

Rachel Elnaugh: Rachel is a entrepreneur, the founder of Red Letter Days and of the original entrepreneurs on BBC Dragons Den (seasons 1&2). Rachel first sprang to acclaim as the founder of Red Letter Days,  the special ‘experience’ gift business and found fame on the hit BBC series. Having built a multi-million pound business her book Business Nightmares charts how she lost her money and much more. Far from detouring her from business, Rachel went on a journey to combine a more energetic, spiritual relationship with money.

Today Rachel is known as a ‘SoulPreneur’ and Co-Founder of Source TV. Source TV is as a curated content marketing portal designed to help thought leaders, transformational teachers, healers and therapists and coaches to get their messages of empowerment to a global audience.  We’ll be inviting  Rachel to share her story and her insights into the importance of having a more grateful, energetic, loving relationship with money – and the importance of money being linked to providing good service.

Our resident coach:

Rasheed Ogunlaru: Is a leading life coach, motivational and business / corporate coach. He is Co-Founder of Evolved Heart  and passionate about helping find more peace, fulfilment and meaningful success in all aspects of their lives, careers and relationships  - from within.  Rasheed is author of Soul Trader – Putting the Heart Back into Your Business  and a range of books, coach yourself videos and talks. His clients that include entertainers, entrepreneurs, organisations and the public. He is also the life & business coach partner to the British Library’s Business & IP Centre.

Our host

Tum Kazunga: Tum is Co-Founder of Evolved Heart, a marketing and online expert – and business development specialist. Over the years he has helped many businesses, charities, sole traders and organisations to grow their businesses and raise their profile and achieve greater success, raised profits and wider awareness .Tum is of course our Host for the Live Chats and will on the technical controls – and taking your questions to put to Rachel and Rasheed.

 

To watch / take part:

1. Book mark this page on Evolved Heart 

2.  Tune in at 7pm UK time (2pm EST) on Thurs 27 March 2014

3. Email any advance questions or points to admin @ evolved heart.com marked ‘Money & Energy Live Chat question’.

keen to get a taster of what’s in store? 

Last week I caught up with Rachel and interviewed her story and her take on money (see video below). Join us on May 1 and you can get involved, engaged, add your questions and comments.

Evolved Heart is a free online self development resource founded by leading life coach / motivational speaker, Rasheed Ogunlaru and online specialist Tum Kazunga. 

Soul Trader Coach Yourself Video

I’m delighted to announce that my new Soul Trader the Coach Yourself Video is now available from my shop here at rasaru.com. It’s an inspiring and practical video companion, hosted by myself, that you use to progress – step by step –  along your business journey. It’s purpose it to help you boost clarity, confidence, customers, profit, motivation, creativity and life balance. It’s ideal for self-starters, it helps you coach yourself and win more business.

“Essential insight, information and guidance that will benefit you for the rest of your life.” – Stephen Fear, multiple business owner and Entrepreneur in Residence, British Library

Starting or growing a business can be challenging, lonely and uncertain. This empowering video – based on the internationally acclaimed book – will help you cut the financial and emotional costs of being your own boss. It will help you find and use your unique passion, purpose, mission and values to build your business through rich relationships. Step by step your host, leading life / business coach, Rasheed Ogunlaru author of Soul Trader… helps you coach yourself to get inspired, organized, strategize and take action and build a business you love whatever its stage using the Soul Trader principles of Clarity, Customers, Courage, Co-operation, Conversations, Creativity, Compassion and Change.

Menu

1. Introduction: Get ready; how to use video to help you grow.
2. Clarity: Set your vision, mission & goals, find your unique path.
3. Customers: Know who they are & learn how to win their hearts
4. Courage: Grow confident using your inspiration / inner strength
5. Co-operation: Build rich relationships to help your business grow
6. Conversations: The art of converting contacts into business.
7. Creativity: Tap into the energy, framework and flow to flourish
8. Compassion: Taking care of yourself, others and business.
9. Change: How to face it, embrace it and shape it.

Approx. running time 1hour 50mins  

Price: £99.97

Get your copy today.

Rasheed’s new shop opens – books, videos & audio talks

I am delighted to announce that my new, improved online store here on www.rasaru.com is now open and ready for business. It’s packed full of inspiring and practical coach yourself books, videos and audio talks to help you find more fulfilment in your life, career business and relationships. The products include personal development, professional  development and business development products. You can order your products in a couple of clicks and there’s a new shopping cart feature that makes it easy too. 

When I was on my own personal, professional and spiritual growth journey I read and listened to lots of nourish books, talks, meditations and so on. They were hugely valuable to me. They helped me to go on my own journey at my own pace. they helped me to connect to myself. In many ways they helped me to coach myself. And so I know the power that reading, listening to and watching the right thing at the right time can have on you.

The shop is full of the products that I have created over the last 10 years. These are all very special products that I have created with love, heart and passion. Many of them like the ‘Become who you are’ semi meditative audio and The Gift of Inner Success  are one complete stream of consciousness. If you’re looking for something to help you start on your journey then I would highly recommend these to start and make great audio listening that you can enjoy again and again.

 Some of the most recent products include two very special ‘coach yourself videos’: Soul Trader Coach Yourself Video and the Become Who You Are Coach Yourself Video.These products are very dear to me as I wanted to create products that help you to coach yourself to greater success, fulfilment and progress. I’ve had times where I may not have not wanted, needed or been able to afford the one to one support – and so I created these products especially to help you if that is your scenario – these will work brilliantly for you especially if you are a self starter.  I’ve produced these products as the kind of tools that would have helped me earlier in my journey.  I really hope that you enjoy the products in the shop and that they help you on your life journey.

Spring Clean Your Life – FREE online event 7.30pm 27 Mar 2014

As winter melts into spring, flowers blossom and we se see longer daylight hours join me over on Evolved Heart for “Spring Clean Your Life’ a  FREE Live Chat special at 7.30pm UK Time (2.30pm EST) on Thurs 27 March  to help you let go of the physical, mental and emotional clutter that’s holding your back and make simple steps to enhance your life.

This special session will help you to:

* Simplify your life and de-clutter your mind

* Create space at home / work and let go of things that are holding you back

* Improve your relationships – and make steps to move forward in life.

So whether it’s the case you feel that you want to de-clutter at home or office, be more effective at work, make changes in your life, career and relationships – or simply just de-stress and relax your mind, this special free online talk/seminar  that you can watch with us via our Evolved Heart Google Hangout and YouTube page is for you.

Your coach

Rasheed Ogunlaru: Is a leading life coach, motivational and business / corporate coach. He is Co-Founder of Evolved Heart  and passionate about helping find more peace, fulfilment and meaningful success in all aspects of their lives  - from within.   Rasheed is author of The Gift of Inner Success, Soul Trader – Putting the Heart Back into Your Business with clients that include entertainers, entrepreneurs, organisations and the public. During the Live Chat Rasheed will be sharing his insights about making space, simplifying your life and making changes to enhance your home life, relationships and career.

 

Your host

Tum Kazunga: 

Tum is Co-Founder of Evolved Heart, personal development enthusiast and a marketing and online expert. Over the years he has helped many businesses, charities, sole traders and organisations to grow their businesses and raise their profile and achieve greater success. Tum is of course our Host for the Live Chats and will on the technical controls, will quiz Rasheed and will ensure the smooth running of the session and taking your questions. 

 

 

To watch / take part:

1. Book mark this page – and you can also post comments and questions on this page on or for the day

2.  Tune in here at 7pm UK time (2pm EST) on Thurs 27 March 2014

3. Email any advance questions or points to admin @ evolved heart.com mark your questions ‘Spring Clean Your Life’.

Can’t make it?

Don’t worry the video will be here live from when broadcast and will remain archived here so just bookmark and when you’re free.

39 Steps…

Earlier this on my way back from visiting someone in hospital I began to notice that my eyes were feeling a little sore. I was reminded in that moment how much we can take any  level of health and wellbeing for granted. I began to wonder how I might cope in the event that I were to lose my sight. This in itself was quite a levelling thought.

Perhaps the combination of my sore eyes, the mild evening and this wondering led me to try to close my eyes and see how many steps I could make without opening them. So I closed my eyes and did just that.

A number of factors came to my mind: how far I believed I could walk with my eyes closed; what the risks and dangers might be of walking down a main road with my eyes closed from others who might walk around corner or out of a door or cross the road; the different physical factors of different parts of the road – how wide and narrow, lampposts side roads, curbs etc. I decided to play it quite safe and try this experiment only for stretches of the road where there were no side roads, no visible people and no blocks to my path. And I will say at this point that I do not recommend this experiment at all unless you take due care, precautions, self responsibilities and are aware of your age, abilities, abilities, circumstances etc. I am simply reporting on my experience.

And so I closed my eyes and started walking. At first I managed around 8 steps before opening my eyes. Then I managed about 10, then 12, getting beyond 12 steps was a bit of a challenge. By now I had walked a fair distance back from the hospital toward home. I tried a few different approaches including becoming more aware of my breathing, walking slower, being more aware of my body as I walked. Eventually I managed to walk 39 Steps. An interesting number – the same as the famous film which interestingly I’ve not watched.

I carried on walking, by now I was on the last long road toward home. This was quite a wide road but interestingly i found that sometimes I’d really veer off to one side or another, sometimes just into the road itself (just as  well this was a very quiet road) and again I was mindful at each stage of the people, the environment, the clear space I had to walk and the traffic. It was also a stretch and walk I know very, very well. For the last 8-10 minutes I didn’t improve on the 39 steps or even get closed. At one point I had hoped to manage 100 steps, which on refection would probably not be wise to attempt for a novice or in that kind of environment perhaps on a open grass stretch that was quiet and flat – perhaps. 

Finally as I walked through the door of my destination I realised that I had walked for most of that 15 minute journey with my eyes closed. That in itself was very interesting indeed.  

What was the 39 steps about? You decide: appreciation, trust, self belief, risk, uncertainty, certainty, testing, exploration, knowing oneself, connecting, awareness, safer, ability, visibility, flexibility, risk-aversion, familiarity, unfamiliarity.  What was interesting for me was that there was a point where I felt (based on how I was doing) that I did not think I’d get beyond 20 steps. But I did. I then felt that having got to 39 steps I could better that, but I did not despite trying several times. Whatever it is that we are doing it is perhaps the appreciation of what we can do and take the learning from where w are at and what we experience each time we try to move beyond where we are at physically, emotionally, intellectually or spiritually, it is the depth of learning and utilising that which is certainly important. 

*******

Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading life coach, motivational speaker and business / corporate coach. 

 

 

 

 

Beyond belief

What resides before, between and beyond what you currently believe about yourself and life itself?

When, 12 or so years ago I asked myself these questions, and let go of what I though I knew it changed my life as I opened my eyes.

Film directed by Rene Coffey