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Life Skills Training

Iris Barrow is a New Zealand author of 12 books, a relaxation CD and 8 tapes. Iris is also a human resources consultant and has a client base ranging from corporate groups to private individuals. She has extensive experience in psychological counselling, coaching, mentoring, life-skills training, staff training and presenting seminars. She is the author of The Personality Manager –a valuable tool for businesses, the individual and the Family.

Small Groups of 2-8 People - or One-to-One

"The more skills we have the better we function and the higher our level of confidence. The acquiring of life skills (practical tools to work with) enhances every aspect of our business and personal life." Iris Barrow

While this programme is taylor-made to 'fit the need' of the person or small group, the following topics are often included:

·         Personality Management. Understanding your own and other peoples’. A valuable tool-kit for the Individual, business or the family.

·         Important keys to personal development and confidence building.

·         The four dimensions which constitute the whole person. The need to feed and extend on these four levels to become the most fully alive - fully functioning (whole) person possible.

·         The four different personality types. Which type are you? How each type communicates, transmits and receives information and learning, and handles stress. Learn to recognise your areas of strength and weakness.

·         How to make your mind work FOR you. How to tap into your deeper consciousness (you have a powerhouse within which will work for you if you learn the keys to access it).

·         A problem-solving formula and ways to overcome worrying.

·         Attitude and mental imprinting - quite simply taking control, so that you work FOR and not against yourself.

·         How to come to terms with and cope with change.

·         Recognise and identify your own "early-warning" stress symptoms.

·         How to stay in the good-stress phase and make stress work for you.

·         How to reduce tension on-the-spot as it begins to build.

·         The effects of daily relaxation.

·         The importance of vision.

·         How to define you goals and set them.

·         How to release enthusiasm, drive and energy to reach your goals.

·         The 15 important steps towards motivating yourself to achieve goals.

·         Learn about the two c's to keep you on track.

·         How to use your most powerful tool - your imagination - to motivate yourself and attain your goals.

·         Pacing oneself; a method of conserving and sustaining energy.

·         One minute tension breakers to keep up concentration.

·         The vital first five minutes of your day.

·         Take action - rather than get anxious.

·         PAC - A model to help you understand yourself better, take control of your behaviour and understand/interact with other people in a better way.

·         How to think more creatively.

·         If you want to get - give!

·         Coming to terms with the unchangeable and achieving peace of mind.

·         The skill of compartmentalising. Absolutely essential to reduce anxiety and worry in today's demanding, high pressure environment. Compartmentalisation reduces stress, helps free up energy, and increases concentration.

·         Feelings: learning to accept, handle and express them in safe and constructive ways.

·         The course explores why all true confidence must be built on self-esteem; it is the basis for all. Anything else is merely a front. A good self-esteem enables us to function in a confident and positive way.

·         Learn how confidence conditions us to succeed and paves the way for us to do so.

·         How to program your "inner computer" to work FOR you.

·         Steps to achieving confidence more quickly by acting as you wish to become.

·         Distinguish between passive, aggressive, manipulative and assertive.

·         Learn why people act in these ways - and how to handle passive, manipulative and aggressive people.

·         Set your limits when appropriate.

·         Say "no" without feeling guilty and/or giving offense.

·         Handle your anger and negative feelings and express them (when appropriate) in non-destructive ways.

·         The art of effective listening.

·         How to create a safe and positive climate in which good communication can take place.

·         The keys to overcoming shyness and feelings of inadequacy.

·         How to speak up in a group.

·         What makes successful people successful.

·         How to deal with people whom you find frustrating i.e.; negative, people-pleasers (yes people), indecisive people, moaners, "yes-but" eg., those who are dependent, sarcastic etc.

·         How to delegate, and why you will never make progress unless you learn to do so.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

This workshop explores the role of Emotional Intelligence in the workplace and its direct relevance in fostering the right attitude and reactions essential for successful businesses. Beginning with a self assessment to determine their current level of awareness, participants complete a variety of experiential exercises and design a tailored individualised plan to increase their EI skills. With understanding and knowledge of how to employ EI, participants are more self motivated, relating and working more effectively with others, and are better able to handle difficult situations successfully. They leave the workshop with greater trust, loyalty and commitment to the working environment.

MOTIVATION

The motivation workshop upskills individuals so they may be more effective and successful in their workplace endeavours. Participants benefit from a dual focus on both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and how to make it work best for them. Beginning with an examination of what the participant really wants from the workplace – through the use of goalsetting – attention is then given to building the vision. In addition to improving both the level of motivation, and awareness of how their own thinking can sabotage their performance at work, they also learn to maximize their own personal style, while being passionate about what they really contribute to the workplace.

CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS

This workshop is designed to give participants the tools to provide exceptional customer service. Through a variety of self assessment practical exercises, participants will examine their understanding of the key elements of customer service and will follow on from this to learn best practice techniques for delivering outstanding customer service. Designed to cover all types of customer services roles, the workshop culminates in the development of individual action plans to apply immediately in order to    re-inforce new skills and understandings gained. Participants return to work with a stronger customer focus.

Because of its full coverage of what people need to know to function at the best possible level, this program usually gives more in-depth (and lasting) results.

Personal Involvement

This is a proactive program, with 'active learning keys' used throughout. The opportunity is provided for involvement and personal interaction to the extent that participants feel comfortable with, and desire.

Method

Iris uses a pro-active and interactive approach. She is heavily supportive while encouraging clients to extend both their thinking and functioning. At each session there is feedback from the client(s), re: the practical strategies they have put into practise.

Structure

One-to-One: A one to one and a half hour session once a week, or a one and a half to two hour session fortnightly.

Small Groups: Two to two and a half hour sessions weekly or fortnightly.

Time Length

Flexible, but 6-16 sessions recommended.

Support

Phone and e-mail contact (as necessary) is offered between sessions to facilitate further growth.

Back-up Resource Material

Back-up resource material is available in the form of notes, Iris' 12 books, 8 tapes, a relaxation CD, Plus ‘The Personality Manager’ tool-kit.

Fees

Contact Iris for groups and one-to-one fees.

Follow-up Contact and Assessment

As arranged between parties concerned.

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email: iris@irisbarrow.co.nz
Iris Barrow Counselling Ltd