Welcome to July’s Updates
Hello Everyone!!
How am I sharing July’s Updates on the 11th of August!?
July was an incredible month! Loads going on, lots in the pipeline. I also took the time to pause for a week. No work AT ALL! And coming back has taken some adjustment. So rather than hammer it and wear myself out, I’ve gone with the FLOW and that has meant this update has taken a bit longer for me to get round to….
It’s weird because this would never have happened whilst I was in Social Work. I could curse myself for being a lazy sod! When in reality, it’s a good sign that I am putting myself first and got things in PERSPECTIVE. What I’m doing or not doing isn’t a matter of life and death. A little waiting time is fine!
Anyhow I am back, with Ollie the collie by my side, now more than ever (just look at him!). Think he enjoyed having me available on tap! He even managed to REST beside me. My gorgeous girl also got a Pass with Merit confirmed. Such a great achievement on her part and I am SOOOOOOO proud!
Moving into August, I’m EXCITED to reflect, relish what’s happening and look forward to what’s coming!
FORTE STRENGTHS LTD IS 2!!
Forte Strengths Ltd was 2 years old on the 3rd of July! THANK YOU for all your ongoing support. I had a celebratory brew! It has been heart warming and indescribably tough at the same time. I miss my mum on milestones and losing her only 4 weeks after I launched was a MASSIVE body blow. My mum used to be a huge ‘bragger’ about her kids… honestly it was embarrassing. This 2 year mark has felt like a great SHIFT for all the right reasons and she would be shamelessly bragging away!
A week after my business anniversary I did something that had been part of my vision from DAY ONE! I facilitated a session at BAE Warton during their Health and Wellbeing Day. Only photo I got was this with Russ Magnall, as security was so tight we weren’t able to take any! Delivering on the stage to this audience felt AMAZING!
The ‘amazingness’ isn’t about the status of the work, it’s about being able to implement my Business Model around SOCIAL VALUE. For every large organisational commission, I donate a COMPLIMENTARY Workshop to the Third Sector. I can’t wait to deliver on this to Galloways in September at their Team Development Day. Galloways is a Charity close to my heart as I remember my nanna accessed their services and how they helped her live more INDEPENDENTLY as a blind person
Should you be part of a Third Sector Organisation or know one, that might BENEFIT from one of my Workshops, feel free to complete the sign up form below and I’ll add you to the list!
CHALLENGING OUR BELIEFS!
I wrote an article for Connectiverse’s July/August Edition and it was all about CHALLENGING our beliefs….
Our beliefs shape how we experience the world, for the great and also the not so great. Often our beliefs are rooted in the MESSAGES we receive from others… Knowing ourselves well, can help us to be confidently curious about those messages…
This is why I place so much value on Strengths Coaching. It allows us to explore what gives us ENERGY and how we can make best use of the fire that is in our belly!
Feedback is important, although it is only part of the story and it’s KEY for us to have the confidence in pushing back, if it does not understand us or help us shine!
This was so well articulated by someone at the recent BAE Workshop. One of the delegates approached me and explained that listening to me has meant he will not dull his daughter’s sparkle. There has been some NARRATIVE around how she has boundless energy and would need to dampen this before starting school. He no longer accepts this and has made the decision to help his daughter CHANNEL her energy instead. Exciting to think of how this might impact her future development. Imagine how DIFFERENT her life might be if she was getting messages to quieten down?
I’d invite you to REFLECT on some of the messages that you have heard about yourself, that you take as ‘Gospel’… That your skills don’t lie in x, y or z. You’re not the gym type. You aren’t very creative. Are they really accurate? Give yourself some SPACE to really think about this. I’d love it if you let me know how you get on!
You can read the full article in Connectiverse.
Oh and did I mention it’s Connectiverse’s 1st birthday? It’s such a PRIVILEGE to be a columnist for this fab magazine!
MND Awareness Fundraiser
If we’re connected on the Socials, and unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that I am doing a Fundraiser for the MND (Motor Neurone Disease) Association, taking 15000 Steps a Day throughout August. For some this might not sound a lot. For me, it is as I spend A LOT of my day sat down…
So me and Ollie the collie have been getting OUT AND ABOUT to make sure we get the steps in!
MND affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time. There is a 1 in 300 risk of getting MND across a lifetime. It can affect adults of ANY age, but is more likely to affect people over 50 (MND Association Website, 2025). For a condition that many of us might well think is RARE, this doesn’t seem very rare to me!
My MOTIVATION to do this challenge is two fold:
I’ve been following the journey of one my school friends Zoe Nixon who was diagnosed with MND in 2022. She has set up MND Over Matter (on Instagram) to highlight awareness of the REALITY and impact of MND. She is an incredible woman!
Someone in my extended family has also been diagnosed in May last year. At 71 years old, he has lost the power of speech. Absolutely HEARTBREAKING to see…
Please put Friday the 26th of September in your diary as I’m putting on a Fundraiser to CELEBRATE completing the challenge (I’m going to have to now aren’t it?). Tickets will be £10 and I I would love to invite you to join me at the Ancient Oak, Cottam, Preston from 7pm!
There will be music, sausage and chip butties, a raffle and anything else that I can pull out of the bag… I will share MORE as it starts to take shape! If you are able to donate your time to support, for example, face painting for the wee ones, or any raffle prizes, please do get in touch
To donate to my MND Fundraising Page please click below. Oh and of course, feel free to share with your CLOSEST 282976 friends to get me and Ollie to the £1000 target!
The second link below is to the MND Association website, where you can find out more about the reality of MND and ways that you can offer your SUPPORT
PROUD PRESTONIAN!!
The final segment of my last Update was titled PROUD PRESTONIAN, maybe this should be a regular feature!?
This time I’m talking about July’s inaugural Preston Growth Business Hub! I’d got a bit DISHEARTENED that this sort of space, where you can connect with other businesses in Preston, at no cost, didn’t exist. So when asked to set one up, I JUMPED at the chance. Now it’s launched!
33 of us showcasing what we’ve got on offer in Preston. Small, large, one person, family, Third Sector, all doing BUSINESS in the PR postcode!
The format is relaxed. Mingling on arrival. Introduction and welcome. A 5 minute chat with someone you don’t already know well. 60 second pitching of the ‘someone’ you’ve just met. Comfort Break. 2 brief member presentations. Close followed by more mingling!
It was a great event and I’d LOVE you to come to the next on Wednesday 27th August, 10-12 noon at the Ancient Oak, Cottam, Preston!
If you’d like to attend, just pop me a message or join the Facebook group. You just turn up! Bring yourself, some dosh for a brew/drink, any business cards/leaflets you want to share and the HEART and MINDSET to do business in Preston!
THAT’S IT FROM ME!!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this month’s round up!
Is it just me, or is it more packed each time!?
As always I welcome you keeping this conversation going with me – we can connect on LINKEDIN, FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM, using the buttons below or:
Text or call me on 07771970488
Email me at helen@fortestrengths.co.uk
Visit my website www.fortestrengths.co.uk
#FireInYourBelly #Strengthscope #StrengthsCoaching #NLP #ForteStrengthsLtd
Speak soon, Helen xxx
