Landscaping Your Life with Alison Smith

In this episode, Alison explores metaphorical solutions if you're wanting a seat at the table - as her professional colleagues in procurement often do with senior management – solutions your mind can than translate back into the real life situation to help uncover more options than you thought you had about what to do.

Alison also invites you to think about the language you're using to describe the other party you say you're wanting to collaborate with and yet your words perhaps don't support that intention.

Alison's 'if you only have a few minutes to listen to the podcast topic' is about remembering that even if the other party is to "blame" for the current situation that taking back responsibility will enable you to understand what you can do to get it back on track. After all you could be waiting a long time if you wait for the other party!

Remember all these suggestions are only helpful if there's a gap between where you are and where you want to be. If what you're doing currently is working then you don't need to change anything.

To open the door you may need to push not pull it - https://youtu.be/MaktukJjGJQ

Alison's post on maverick spend provides a little more detail on the impact some words might have on our mindset about the other party https://www.alisonsmith.co/be-careful-what-you-wish-for-with-maverick-spend/

There's more detail about how to get a seat at the table in Alison's post https://www.alisonsmith.co/how-to-get-a-seat-at-the-table/

Language and Word is one element of the LANDSCAPE coaching and problem solving toolkit helping you to see situations from different perspectives. You'll find out more about the toolkit here https://www.alisonsmith.co/the-landscape-toolkit/

You'll also find out more about her book Can't see the wood for the trees available from all online stockists along with many other of the idioms used in this podcast.

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Alison's 'if you only have a few minutes to listen to the podcast topic' is an invitation that next time you judge another to think about how that judgement might be more about you than the other person – ie a behaviour they demonstrate that you don't like is actually something you also do or perhaps even something you need to do more of.

The tool from the LANDSCAPE toolkit shared in this episode includes drawing and metaphor – that is using imaginary landscapes to represent the current situation and making changes to the landscape in order to shift perspective about the situation.

Alison also explores the unconventional solutions to getting back on track when you're like you're treading water.

Remember all these suggestions are only helpful if there's a gap between where you are and where you want to be. If what you're doing currently is working then you don't need to change anything.

You'll find the 'I reclaim all my parts' poem Alison mentions in episode 7 of this podcast.

Here's the post sharing how to use a photograph and make changes to it, much like a collage, to shift perspective about the situation the photograph represents https://www.alisonsmith.co/getting-a-different-perspective-using-images/

Here's a vlog Alison did when she was treading water in the sea near her home in fife https://youtu.be/Oty3G67vNZw

There's also a chapter exploring more solutions when you're treading water in Can't see the wood for the trees – landscaping your life to get back on track - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cant-See-Wood-Trees-Landscaping/dp/1844097498

There's more detail about the LANDSCAPE coaching and problem solving toolkit here https://www.alisonsmith.co/the-landscape-toolkit/

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Alison's 'if you only have a few minutes to listen to the podcast topic' is about knowing those places or activities when you're most being your unique and authentic self, and then going there when you need insight on a situation you're grappling with.

Alison shares a poem she's written entitled 'Grounded to me' which reminds you to see ungroundedness as a sign you've simply forgotten who you are.

Alison also explores the unconventional solutions to getting back on track when you're feeling like you're out on a limb.

You'll find a copy of the 'Grounded to me' poem here https://www.alisonsmith.co/grounded-to-me/

There's more detail about the LANDSCAPE coaching and problem solving toolkit here https://www.alisonsmith.co/the-landscape-toolkit/

There's also a chapter exploring more solutions when you're out on a limb in Can't see the wood for the trees – landscaping your life to get back on track - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cant-See-Wood-Trees-Landscaping/dp/1844097498

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Alison's 'if you only have a few minutes to listen to the podcast topic' is about "doing nothing" and how often you can forget that doing nothing is something you can decide or even intuit to do and yet too often think you have to do something even if you have no idea what!

Alison shares more about how the language and words you're using can be negatively impacting the outcome you're getting. Bringing the impact words are having into your conscious awareness allows you more choice about what words to use going forward.

Alison also explores the use of 'deadline' and invites you to think whether it's helpful or not in inspiring your action to getting things done.

Here's more about the Transformation Game https://www.alisonsmith.co/are-you-ready-for-personal-transformation/

You'll find the recording of The missing link in negotiations lunch & learn about confidence here: https://youtu.be/x-IPdDMptAk

There's more on detail about the LANDSCAPE coaching and problem solving toolkit here https://www.alisonsmith.co/the-landscape-toolkit/

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Alison's 'if you only have a few minutes to listen to the podcast topic' is about remembering that there are always more solutions than you think. That is you're never as stuck as you think you are – you just need to open the doors in your mind to see those other options.

Alison explores metaphorical solutions if you're backed into a corner – solutions your mind can then translate back into the real-life situation to help uncover more options than you thought you had about what to do.

Alison goes back to the origins of her creative thinking toolkit and invites you to consider what sort of garden your current situation would be like, and then what changes you might want to make to ensure the garden and situation flourishes.

Remember all these suggestions are only helpful if there's a gap between where you are and where you want to be. If what you're doing currently is working then you don't need to change anything.

Episode 6 of this podcast shares more about using drawing as a means of getting more insight into a problem.

This post explores the need to not rely on one area of your life to meet all your needs https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alisonsmitheu_which-of-these-would-you-replace-or-change-activity-6818411336347746304-9rKU

This webinar shares how to apply having a flourishing garden to how to have a flourishing team https://youtu.be/SuoPUruHh5o

Recording of the missing link in negotiations lunch & learn about confidence https://youtu.be/x-IPdDMptAk

This blog summarises what to do when you're backed into a corner https://www.alisonsmith.co/how-do-you-get-out-of-the-corner-when-youre-backed-into-it/

Absurdity & Laughter is one element of the LANDSCAPE coaching and problem solving toolkit and you'll find out more about the toolkit here https://www.alisonsmith.co/the-landscape-toolkit/

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In this episode, Alison explores metaphorical solutions if you're beating yourself up, and also (because we're exploring 2 idioms this week) if you feel like a fish out of water – solutions your mind can than translate back into the real life situation to help uncover more options than you thought you had about what to do.

Alison also uses her poem I reclaim all my parts as a wonderful means of getting more perspective about accepting yourself.

Alison's 'if you only have a few minutes to listen to the podcast topic' is about remembering they're NOT you when engaging with others.

Remember all these suggestions are only helpful if there's a gap between where you are and where you want to be. If what you're doing currently is working then you don't need to change anything.

A blog to remind you that they're not you: https://www.alisonsmith.co/are-your-assumptions-correct/

The I reclaim all my parts poem: https://www.alisonsmith.co/i-reclaim-all-my-parts/

A vlog demonstrating putting the stick down: https://youtu.be/86-HWUfc61E

Stories & Poems is one element of the LANDSCAPE coaching and problem solving toolkit and you'll find out more about the toolkit here https://www.alisonsmith.co/the-landscape-toolkit/

You'll also find out more about feeling like a fish out of water in my book Can't see the wood for the trees available from all online stockists along with many other of the idioms used in this podcast.

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In this episode, Alison explores metaphorical solutions if you feel like you're up a creek without a paddle – solutions your mind can then translate back into the real life situation to help uncover more options than you thought you had about what to do.

Alison also demonstrates drawing as a wonderful means of getting more perspective about a problem you're facing.

Alison's 'if you only have a few minutes to listen to the podcast topic' is about adapting your behaviour to suit the other and a reminder that doing that is NOT about giving up on who you are a person nor your identity.

There's a wonderful vlog of me shouting at a door and blaming it for not opening https://youtu.be/MaktukJjGJQ

Here's a blog sharing more about using drawing as a means of finding hidden solutions https://www.alisonsmith.co/i-just-dont-have-enough-time/

Drawing & Collage is one element of the LANDSCAPE coaching and problem solving toolkit and you'll find out more about the toolkit here https://www.alisonsmith.co/the-landscape-toolkit/

You'll also find out more about how to get out of the creek in my book Can't see the wood for the trees available from all online stockists along with many other of the idioms used in this podcast.

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In this episode, Alison explores metaphorical solutions for when life is feeling like an uphill struggle – solutions your mind can then translate back into the real-life situation to help uncover more options than you thought you had about what to do.

Alison also explores a poem she wrote entitled Chasing the tide, and her 'if you only have a few minutes to listen to the podcast topic' is values – and specifically how your judgement of others is impacted by your values.

What are your values blog - https://www.alisonsmith.co/what-are-you-values/

Chasing the tide poem - https://www.alisonsmith.co/chasing-the-tide/

Uphill struggle blog - https://www.alisonsmith.co/is-life-an-uphill-struggle/

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In this episode, Alison shares a wonderful, if unconventional, tool to give you more insight when you're struggling to know what to do in your dealings with another person by stepping into their shoes.

Alison also explores some solutions to help you when you feel like you're juggling too many balls or spinning too many plates in a situation in your life.

There are 3 versions of any situation blog: https://www.alisonsmith.co/there-are-three-versions-of-any-story/

Standing in their shoes blog and instructions: https://www.alisonsmith.co/when-did-you-last-stand-in-their-shoes/

Are you juggling too many balls blog: https://www.alisonsmith.co/juggling-too-many-balls/

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In this episode, Alison shares Paths & Destinations, a poem she has written and explores common themes about getting back or staying on track and even whether the track is of importance!

Alison also explores some unconventional solutions to help you when you need to turn a corner in your life.

A copy of the Paths & Destinations poem - https://www.alisonsmith.co/paths-and-destinations/

Alison's blog on 'what are your values?': https://www.alisonsmith.co/what-are-you-values/

Alison's vlog on turning a corner demonstrating what's possible: https://youtu.be/LJuIREwG2NY

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