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Jo Thompson

@fly.like.a.wisebird

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followers

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Art-lover.
Life Coach and NLP Practitioner helping people thrive in their lives.
Rooting for young people @wisebirdwings

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Wisebirds know their why...

So here I am posting my sketch of Nicola Coughlan - some 3 months after she sat for Sky Portrait Artist of the Week!

I had stopped drawing the sitters, as I was finding it difficult to get them finished on time for the Friday deadline. And then I realised something: although it gave me a warm feeling to get the piece done on time, and maybe get a like from a judge (!), what's really important to me is the process, the act of producing something and honing it until I feel have found at least a small likeness.

Once I saw that the deadline was not an incentive, I was able to do the drawing whenever I wanted, and enjoy it when the time was right for me.

This is something for us to remember when we get stuck and are unable to motivate ourselves. If what we are doing isn't really important to us - doesn't have a purpose - then it's difficult to get excited about it. If we can know what drives us, get in tune with our values, then we will easily take action in line with them.

So next time you are procrastinating about something, ask yourself: 'what's important to me about this?'. Knowing why it matters will fuel your enthusiasm; and knowing that it doesn't, will help you focus your energies elsewhere!

There's a saying that motivation is an inside job - remember this and notice the difference it makes.

#mypaotw
#wisebird_coaching
#motivation by @fly.like.a.wisebird

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5 years ago

Wisebirds choose how they respond...the shape of this incredible Japanese blossom tree in the Cambridge Botanic Gardens has always given me joy. There's something quite magical in the way its wide branches hover above the ground.

What do you see in it? To me, it's like a spaceship suspended over the grass, ready to take off. But when I asked my family I had a whole range of responses, from a cloud to a hat to a delicious pile of soft nougat!

It's a timely reminder that we all see things in a different way. And that understanding the perspectives of others continues to be really important in our extraordinary global situation.

People are in a very different place right now. There's not a single person who hasn't been affected by the pandemic in some way. Even the most optimistic and resourceful among us are showing signs of it taking its toll.

And although there are countries which are beginning to ease restrictions, being so close and yet so far from “normality” can make it all seem harder somehow.

So next time the tension bubbles to the surface -someone is rude to you or starts a row; someone is messy; someone doesn't complete their work - take a moment to put yourself in their shoes. Try taking a step back from anger, frustration or annoyance.

Consider how that person may be:
sad because of loss;
exhausted from trying to carry on at home without a change of scene and people;
finding it hard to let go mentally of what they've missed out on over this past year;
worried about socialising again;
fretting about what the future holds for their employment or education.

And consider how you becoming upset with them, or wanting to win the argument, impacts on both of you - and also those around you. Ask yourself if that emotion is what you really want right now, and if it's helpful at this time.

Or do you choose to change it? Because although it may not always be easy, we do always have a choice.

In these challenging times, we're all doing our best. See if you can acknowledge this by choosing kindness, understanding, harmony, acceptance.

Remember the magic blossom tree, and notice the difference it makes!

#cubotanicgarden
#japanesecherry by @fly.like.a.wisebird

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6 years ago

Wisebirds harness the power of their body talk!

As the news gets brighter and we sense better energy on the horizon, here’s a handy tip to help you make the most of it!

Your body language accounts for over 50% of your communication - not only to others, but to yourself. This means that if you can hold your body in a way that presupposes excellence, your thinking and actions are likely to follow the same route.

So if you want to feel empowered to start your day, to get on with your work, get on with people - or do anything you’re finding a little challenging - then changing your body posture can have a big impact on your confidence and success.

So, as you start on something today, try...

Sitting taller in your chair;
Lifting your head;
Pulling your shoulders back;
Standing up straight, maybe with your hands on your hips, or flexing your muscles - like the movie stars and idols from your youth!

It's OK for it to be funny!

And in fact, it's really important to...SMILE!!

Especially to ourselves!

It might feel awkward, but smiling produces serotonin, a neurotransmitter that automatically creates feelings of happiness and wellbeing. It's such a simple trick that we so rarely use.

Start noticing how you are allowing your body to talk to you.
Make a change and see what it makes possible!

#wisebirdcoaching
#getyourselfmotivated
#getwhatyouwant
#makeachange
#staycalm by @fly.like.a.wisebird

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6 years ago

Wisebirds create space for themselves...

I recently took on a new client who wants to create more time for them within their busy household routine during lockdown.

This is of course a common and growing theme of the pandemic, and it made me reflect on my own situation, and in particular, my art.

It has been quite a few months since I sketched a face! This depiction of our warm and spirited Sky Arts judge @kathleen.soriano is from way back in the Autumn.

I so enjoy drawing, and have been promising myself I would make time to sketch something, but haven't done so.

Life in one place can become surprisingly busy and mundane if we allow it. We may be stuck in our homes, but we don't have to be stuck in a rut.

Stop for a minute. What would you really like to create space for? What would it be like if you could? And what's the first step you can take to make it happen?

Imagine what is possible! And notice the difference it makes.

If you're wondering how to get started, send me a DM for a kick start chat 😎

#mypaotw
#wisebirdcoaching
#makespaceforyourself
#lighterdays by @fly.like.a.wisebird

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6 years ago

Wisebirds name the date...it’s a new year, a traditional time for resolutions and promises to ourselves about what we will achieve in the months to come.

As long as we focus on what we can control, we can still make plans in these challenging and uncertain times.

And looking forward to the things we want is a great way to take ourselves out of present worries and into the brighter future that is coming.

There may be something you want to do as early as next week; or you may have a longer term project to plan; or a dream you want to make a reality this year.

Perhaps a priority for you is a finding a strategy to stay calm and manage your state through the coming months.

Whatever it is that you want, think about the resolutions you have made in the past...how often have you never actually carried them out?!

You are not alone. And one of the main reasons we let ourselves down is that we don’t put a date on it.

If for example you are saying to yourself “ in 2021, I’m going to start yoga" (or insert whatever you want to happen here), then ask yourself the question:

“WHEN?”

There are 365 days in 2021. If you allow yourself 365 days, you may well take it – and never start.

Pin yourself down. Commit to the day you will begin your yoga...the day you will set up your website...the first time you will call that friend you haven't been speaking to.

Make a plan. Commit to a timeframe. And notice the difference it makes.

Happy New Year!

#wisebirdcoaching
#getwhatyouwantinlife by @fly.like.a.wisebird

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6 years ago

Wisebirds believe in themselves...

In the Sky Arts paintalong the other week, It took me a while to feel I had any likeness of Samira Ahmed, and at one point I wondered if I might not get there.

But I kept trying because through this process I have learnt that if I persevere, I will always eventually find at least some "essence" of the person. And knowing that I have done it before helps me to carry on.

And this is something worth remembering in any aspect of our lives: if we've done something before- we can do it again.

When we stand in front of a blank canvas, or prepare for an exam or an important meeting, if we can bring to mind the best painting/exam/meeting we've ever had, we believe in ourselves, and give ourselves the confidence to go for it.

This belief is so important at the moment, where uncertainty and hard times continue,and it is easy to get disheartened, We are still the people we were before all this started.

So, when you want to do something,take yourself back to your best times rather than your worst - and notice the difference it makes.

#mypaotw
#wisebirdcoaching
#youvedoneitbefore
#confidentyou by @fly.like.a.wisebird

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6 years ago

Wisebirds pay considered attention...

Last year I went for a walk with a gardener to get some ideas for what to grow at home. I find it difficult to know what to plant where, with all the different soils, shades and seasons.

Apart from being a lovely breath of fresh air, the walk really opened my eyes to the number of bushes and trees that I was ignoring as "boring" on a daily basis.

In fact, any mass of green that we take for granted around us - be it on motorways, streets, or in parks and fields - is made up of things which, when we observe them properly, are beautiful in their own right.

The experience had a big impact on me, and now, whether I am walking, cycling, in the car - or just looking out of my window - I get so much more pleasure from appreciating what's growing around me.

Nature is putting on a particularly impressive show for us at the moment with its Autumn colours.

See if you can set an intention to noice a new tree or shrub on your next outing and really observe it.

Notice how this distracts you from your worries, and the happiness and gratefulness it brings - so important at this time.

Try smiling at nature and notice the difference it makes.

#wisebirdcoaching
#treesandnnature
#smileatnature by @fly.like.a.wisebird

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6 years ago

Wisebirds celebrate in times of adversity...

Its wonderful to be drawing along with everyone again for the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Week (albeit a little behind, having just attempted Annie Mac!).

One of the things I love about it is that I have learnt how I like to draw - in short bursts, over several days, allowing myself to see what does and doesn't work with fresh eyes. This brings out the best in me.

In the face of a new lockdown, I can sense that being able to bring out the best in ourselves is going to impact on our ability to get through it a second time. That whilst the summer was difficult, we were all in it together and it was lovely weather and we got on with it.

Now things are a little confused, not equal, and the prospect of this winter lockdown is daunting.

What can you celebrate to lift your spirits? What positives about yourself can you focus on to take your mind away from the uncertainty and the things you can't control?

It might be small, but it could make a big difference. Maybe it's a new skill you have learnt from lockdown, like me. Maybe it's something you did a while ago that gives you strength. Or something you did just this week.

If we can take a moment to celebrate, we can shift our energy and recharge ourselves for the new challenges.

Celebrate your wisebird wings and notice the difference it makes.

#mypaotw
#wisebirdcoaching
#whatareyougoodat
#celebrateyourstrengths by @fly.like.a.wisebird

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6 years ago

Wisebirds do just one thing...

There's a lot on our minds right now, a lot of negativity which can be very distracting.

Is it getting in the way of you moving forward with your life? Your work, your studies, your creativity, your friendships? Do you find yourself procrastinating?

Here's a tip to get you started.

Each night, pick 3 things you will do tomorrow. Maybe you already make a list like this - but you don't get the stuff done!

Here's the difference 👇

Choose one of those things and make it the FIRST thing you do tomorrow morning.

It might be before your shower, your breakfast, your lecture, your dog walk...

It doesn't matter exactly when. Just commit to doing it.

Make it achievable and realistic, so you know it can happen.

And when you've done it 👍notice the difference it makes. Because the act of achieving something gives us a feel good factor that lasts. It makes us want more of the same and sets us up for a day where we do things.

It also removes that waste of mental energy debating whether we should or shouldn't do it, and whether it will be hard or easy - and if we shatter the latter illusion, other stuff might seem easier too.

Notice how good it feels to achieve that one task - and what else it makes possible.

#wisebirdcoach
#beatprocrastination by @fly.like.a.wisebird

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6 years ago

Wisebirds listen to their young...

One of my lasting impressions from painting along with Sky Arts during the summer was the young talent that emerged from it. The judges too (like Tai pictured here) were bowled over by it, and it became a weekly feature to showcase the top 3 youth entries!

But the current lack of social interaction and interruption to their studies is hitting our younger generations hard. It has been my absolute privilege to work with many of them during the pandemic to help them find their own answers to addressing their particular situations, whether this be: adapting to working remotely from their school / university; dealing with isolation; staying motivated and on track; keeping calm; or believing in themselves and their plans for the future.

Their resilience is an example for us all to follow, and on this, World Mental Health Day, I want to highlight how the way we respond to their requests for guidance can make a difference.

Think for a moment about what you do when those around you are stuck. How often do you really listen? And how often do you give advice instead?

It's a natural reaction, and I'm still working on it with my own children and other people in general.

Because what we want to do - with the best intentions - is share our experiences and let them know what's worked for us. But what we forget is that other people are not us. That we all see the world through different lenses.
So what works for one person, may not work for another.

If instead we can show our young people that we are listening- reflect back what they have said to let them hear it again- it allows them space to process their thoughts, encourages them to open up more and helps them move forward.

It's not easy, but the rewards for them and indeed for your relationship with them can be transformational.

And this can bring results in any relationship - at home or at work - where we want to get along better.

So, next time you feel yourself about to tell someone what you think they should do, try showing them you are listening instead - and notice the difference it makes.

#mypaotw
#lifecoachingforyoungpeople
#worldmentalhealthday202 by @fly.like.a.wisebird

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6 years ago

Wisebirds focus on their own journeys...

In the warm up for my first my first ever yoga class, the lady next to me rolled out her mat and promptly did a perfect headstand - for what seemed like half an hour.

I was just about managing to lay on the floor and hug my knees to my chest. Maybe this wasn’t the right exercise for me...

Fortunately, thanks to the non judgemental ideals which underpin yoga, and the encouragement of a wonderful teacher @nightingaleyoga, I learnt only to ask of my body what it could manage, and to focus on my own journey towards flexibility and strength - rather than everyone else's.

And this is an important approach to remember in all aspects of our lives. It can be good to have role models, but when we make comparisons to others, it can sometimes make us unhappy, dissatisfied and forgetful of the good qualities and things we have ourselves. This can lead to self doubt and impact our self esteem, as we worry about who’s the prettiest, fittest, wealthiest - who’s been sitting at home furloughed while we still work hard.

Now more than ever we need to be our best selves so that we can find answers to surviving the new norm. So rather than wishing you could be someone else, try saving your precious energy to focus on who you are, what you stand for, what your journey is and how far you have come. And notice the difference it makes.

@nicolacourtacupuncture @chrisieastham
Challenge finally accepted
#womensupportingwomen

#comparisonsdontmatter
#getwhatyouwant
#wisebirdcoaching by @fly.like.a.wisebird

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6 years ago

Wisebirds reap the rewards of kindness...

During the Sky Arts lockdown paintalong, the infectiously enthusiastic @katebryan_art liked my portraits several times, and one of them was even placed on the artist wall during the weekly programmes. Those of you who have had this kind of encouragement from people who you respect and admire will know the feelings of joy and inspiration that those little likes gave to me.

What was also clear during the paintalong experience was the pleasure and happiness the judges themselves were getting, not only from the overwhelming level of global participation, but also the chance it gave them to encourage and nurture artists who otherwise could never hope to have that level of contact with such hugely popular and entertaining experts.

Acts of kindness have been clinically proven to be very good for our mental wellbeing, because the by-product of helping others is that we feel wonderful ourselves. This is because it activates the same kind of responses in the brain that chemicals can create, and which we commonly call a "high". It also makes us focus outwardly rather than inwards, which can be really positive for any downward- spiralling moods and conditions.

I get a constant high from my line of work (!), even more so on the occasions when I am able to offer it pro bono to those who wouldn't normally be able to benefit, but I can catch an equal thrill from stopping to give someone directions when they are lost. Many people have talked about the renewed sense of community inspired by lockdown, and you yourself may have felt that zing of "feel good" as you lent an item to a neighbour that you'd never spoken to before, or hosted a zoom chat to help people feel connected.

Let's keep that spirit going - it's good for us!! And next time you get the opportunity to be kind, whether it's phoning someone who you know will appreciate it, or letting a person step in front of you in the supermarket queue, tune in to how you are responding, and notice the difference it makes.

#mypaotw
#wisebirdcoaching
#kindisgood
#howtofeelhappy
#getwhatyouwant by @fly.like.a.wisebird

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