Buying gifts for friends and family at Christmas time can be challenging for many people. Thinking of inventive presents can be time consuming and expensive, especially if planning for presents has been left for the last minute. It doesn’t have to be that way because there is an alternative, which is to buy people some personal development gifts. These gifts can range from inspirational books, DVDs or even coaching sessions with a respectable coach or a subscription for improving public speaking.
Does buying a personal development gift for a loved one suggest that the individual, for whom the personal development gift was purchased actually needs some form of help? Not at all, because selecting the right gift will imply time and effort had gone into thinking about the present. Personal development gifts can make very thoughtful presents, plus the recipient will gain long lasting benefits by receiving and utilising the gift.
Giving personal development related gifts can be done cost effectively either through purchasing of vouchers or actual gifts in the form of merchandise. Purchasing personal development gifts is nothing new and has been capitalised by companies who frequently offer great deals and promotions. One just needs to look at Amazon to see the plethora of books, DVDs and other merchandise for sale.
However, taking the concept of purchasing seminar places or coaching session is on the increase. People are turning to personal and professional self help tools suggesting that people are concerned about personal and professional betterment. Coaching gift vouchers make excellent presents especially if the gift recipient has experienced personal challenges and has been unable to gain greater clarity.
Self Help
Self help can take place in many forms encompassing both personal and professional development. It can be through seminars, coaching vouchers or books and self help tapes, and DVDs. The gifts can also range from services including life coaching, NLP or motivational speaking. The gift buyer can purchase a course of coaching sessions from a reputable coach or membership for motivational speaking from a leading public speaking institute such as Toastmasters or Dale Carnegie College.
Life Coaching
Coaching is no longer the preserve of the elite or A list celebrities and more and more people can benefit from working with a coach over a period of time to maximise his/her potential. Coaching session enable the client to maximise his/her true potential in a confidential setting. Coaching sessions are not social conversations; instead they are strategic and focussed upon getting the client to actualise his/her goals and ambitions.
Neuro Linguistic Programming
Some coaches are NLP Practionner and will utilise NLP practices within their coaching sessions. Here change of behaviour can be achieved by changing the behaviours through neurological processes. It is worth discussing the processes in detail with the coaching company to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the services and expected benefits. NLP coaching may suit some people and not others.
Motivational Speaking
Public speaking conjures up more lots of fear and considered to be second to bereavement. If the gift recipient has expresses anxiety to public speaking, then purchasing a membership to a local Toastmasters chapter or Dale Carnegie College, could be the answer. At these organised sessions, people get the opportunity to overcome his/her fear of speaking in public in a safe and comfortable environment.
However, the gift purchaser will need to make the judgement call whether the recipient will commit to a series of sessions, otherwise, this will be a wasted gift. A solution to this potential challenge is to arrange for the recipient to get a “taster” session. Here, the individual will experience the session and then make the decision to commit. The same can be applied to coaching sessions, where an exploratory session can be arranged with a coach and potential client.
Where to Find More Information?
The following sources provide and invaluable resource and act as a starting point for exploring personal development as a potential Christmas gift.
- International Coaching Federation to obtain details on local coaches
- Toastmasters for local chapters
- Dale Carnegie College
- Amazon has an array of books and DVD’s on personal development
Many people are opening up to the idea to give personal development related gifts, because they make excellent Christmas gifts. However, the person buying the gift will need to ensure that the gifts purchased for the recipient suit the individual’s life. Buying coaching vouchers for someone who may not want any coaching could turn out to be a gift wasted.
Gifts which enhance an individual’s personal or professional development requirements will leave a longer and lasting impression as well as longer term benefits. Gifts can range from the traditional books and DVDs to less conventional presents such as coaching vouchers and subscriptions. Additionally, coaching vouchers and other personal development tools can help the recipient create and action their dreams and aspirations.
Pervin Shaikh - We all have the necessary inner tools in our tool box to make a huge impact on our personal and professional lives.
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