This document provides advice on dealing with potential life changes and challenges. It addresses scenarios such as pursuing a promotion at work, dealing with an unexpected pregnancy, deciding how to handle a toxic friendship, getting one's family to disconnect from phones during dinner, and coping with a death in the family. The document advocates preparing for life changes, communicating openly with others, taking time for oneself, and seeking outside support through counseling or coaching.

1. LIFE CHANGE: A promotion is going at work, but
you’re not confident enough to fight your own
corner and let your boss know just how much
you want it.
PLAN OF ACTION: You’re filled with excitement
and trepidation. Part of you wants to pursue a
promotion; the other is worried what your boss
may think. Here’s your strategy to success:
1What are your key strengths e.g. what do
people say you are good at?
2List the benefits you’ve brought to the
workplace. How much value do you offer?
3How would you feel if you didn’t put yourself
forward for the position? Would you be
happy watching someone else take on the role?
Confidence begins with you!
LIFE CHANGE:
You discover you’re
pregnant, but you’re
not necessarily where
you thought you’d be
in life for this event.
PLAN OF ACTION:
You feel happy and in
shock and disbelief
at the same time.
Pregnancy requires
a positive mind-set
and healthy lifestyle
changes. What do
you do?
1Be calm, many
women began
motherhood
unprepared.
2Talk to your
partner about
babies and your
future, but give each
other space to come to
terms with the news.
3Book an
appointment with
your local GP; they will
help you adjust with
good advice.
LIFE CHANGE: A
close ‘friend’ seems to
always upset you and
you’re starting to think
the relationship could
be toxic.
PLAN OF ACTION:
This friendship used
to be safe and fun, but
things seem to have
changed. You could:
1Ask yourself
what caused the
friendship to change?
Is this the type of
person to take into
your future?
2If you value this
relationship, speak
up and communicate
how you feel in a
calm manner and
with clarity.
3As you receive your
answers, you are
now in a position to
decide how to resolve
or walk. You can do it!
MUMMYTROUBLE
TAKINGCONTROL
It’sstillearlydaysfor2017,butareyou
preparedforanymajorlifechanges
comingyourwaythisyear?
STAYSTRONG
BEHEARD
MOVEONMATE
CHANGEITUP!
20 21www.pickmeupmagazine.co.uk
WordsGemmaDunnPhotosThinkstock
Meet the expert: Coach
Lyds is a business success
coach, motivational speaker
and mentor. Find out more
at www.coachlyds.com and
on Twitter @lydspr
LIFE CHANGE: The
kids are constantly
on their phones.
How can you get
the whole family
to have a proper
conversation over dinner?
PLAN OF ACTION: You realise it’s important
for you to spend quality time together with
your family; the kids seem preoccupied with
their phones, giving you one word answers.
You feel disconnected and uninformed as to
what’s happening in their lives. You could:
1Organise a family dinner, cook their
favourite meal. It’s a slight bargaining tool
to bring you all together. Set a date, time and
basic ground rules – no phones.
2Make it an enjoyable experience – listen
more and talk less.
3Kids’ behaviour can often mirror what
they see at home or outside, your loving
attention is the way to unite, be informed and
not divided.
LIFE CHANGE: A death
in the family has left you
struggling to keep your
head above water.
PLAN OF ACTION:
Bereavement is overwhelming;
you will be feeling emotionally raw, as though
you’re walking around with your heart in your
mouth. It’s important to recognise everyone’s
experience is different; how you deal with it, is
individual to you. Be gentle on yourself, allow
loved ones to help and let them know what you
need so they feel supportive. As for coping:
1Grief counselling is an option with the
benefit of a professionally trained and
objective person who will listen and help
your healing process.
2Journaling is good way of expressing
emotions and, with time, can help you
release feelings that can be associated with
loss such as anxiety, anger and resentment.
3Take each hour, day or week at a time.
Soothing begins with you!
LIFE CHANGE: You’re lacking confidence
and want to grow and make yourself heard.
PLAN OF ACTION: You are probably feeling
emotionally exhausted and realise that
something needs to change. How can you
move forward?
1Climbing out of your shadow is to make
a decision to become confident.
2Seek the tools to get you there. Start
listening to motivational CDs and enlist
the support of a coach or mentor.
3Set yourself a goal to build your inner
confidence. Be kind on yourself, enjoy
this new path. Welcome the confident you!
FAMILYFUN
Make time
for dinner
Don’t
struggle
alone