What's happening
Metaphorics are heavily involved delivering high performance consultancy work in the sport, education, health and corporate arenas. We are at the cutting edge of new research practice and we believe our work provides our clients with a fresh innovative way to view their performance. Listed below are the current projects we are carrying out. These include clients we are working with and new projects getting under way.
GB finish the Games strongly
Our Short Track Speed Skating team finished the Vancouver Olympics strongly with two spirited performances from Jon Eley and the men's relay team. Jon battled through a number of setbacks to finish in 6th position overall having reached the B final (click here to read Jon's final blog). The men's relay team produced a fantastic performance in their B final to also claim 6th position. Whilst the team were unable to bring home a medal, there was a significant improvement in performance since the previous Games held in Turin. This was the largest team we had ever taken to the games. In addition, this was the first time in a number of years we had qualified a men's relay team. Overall, the sport is moving forward which is a positive sign. The next step is to review what we need to do over the next 4 years to achieve a medal winning performance in 2014.
Looking through the looking glass - where does belief come from?
Bouncing Forward
Nick Matthew talks to to the Telegraph after cantering to a third British title. Nick has worked with Mark to develop a clinical aggression when in a position of advantage. Click here to be directed to the article.
Mark's Olympic Photos
Click here to view Mark's photos from the Games so far
Feeling the fear and do it anyway
Experience versus Naivety: which mindset work's best at the games?
Meta Futures, Meta Sport and Meta Inspiration now online
Are you looking for a motivational speaker for a conference? Are you a high level professional person who has recently lost their job through the recession? Or, are you in charge of an elite sport organisation looking at where you can gain a winning edge? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, then please check out the new sections on our website as we continually look to provide a comprehensive service to the people we work with.
Messages of Support
Send us your messages of support for the GB team and we will get them sent out to Vancouver. Fingers crossed this will be a succssful Olympics for team GB! Email them to mike@metaphorics.co.uk
Battling the demon of expectation
Join the team at Twitter
Get behind the team!
Next Saturday sees the start of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. We have been heavily involved in the preparation of the GB Short Track Speed Skating team and four years of hard work finally comes to the test. We would urge all Metaphorics fans to turn on the TV and get behind team GB as we begin our quest to turn in some great performances.Stay tuned in to the special feature we are running on the Winter Olympics as we keep you at the forefront of the latest news, views and interviews.
Mark starts his epic trip!
Dr Mark Bawden starts what will be a hectic 7 weeks of travelling tomorrow. For the next 3 weeks, Mark will be in Vancouver for the Winter Olympics where he will be working with the GB Short Track Speed Skating team in their final preparations. Mark then travels back to the UK for a couple of days before flying out to Bangladesh for the England Cricket team's final test series of the winter.
Nick Matthew is now the World Number 2 Squash Player
England’s Nick Matthew holds on to his No.2 position in the February World Rankings according to the new February Dunlop PSA Men's World Squash Rankings published by the Professional Squash Association.
Visit www.nickmatthew.com for more information.
GB Short Track win 5 medals at the Europeans
The GB Short Track team had a successful European Championships. Elise Christie picked up two silver medals in the 1500m and the 3000m and finished 3rd in the overall standings. Jon Eley was robbed of the gold medal in the 500m as he his line was cut through by another skater on the final bend to leave him with the silver medal. Finally, the relay team picked up the bronze medal in the 5000m. All in all, a successful championships
England Cricket draw the Test Series 1 - 1
England's staying power was finally put to the sword in the final Test match in South Africa as the proteus levelled the series 1 -1. England showed some fantastic character throughout the series and will take confidence from their performances as the build up to the Ashes next November gets under way.
Jack Whelbourne wins bronze in the Junior World Championships
After being selected for the 2010 GB Olympic Team, Jack made it two great days in a row by picking up a bronze medal in the 1500m at the Junior World Championships in Chinese Taipei today. This sees Jack follow in the steps of Jon Eley who was the last boy to pick up a Junior World Championship medal back in 2004. If Jack can continue with these excellent performances then
England Cricket win the one day series in South Africa 2 -1
The England Cricket team wrapped up the one day series 2 -1 as the final game was washed out with rain.
Metaphorics help GB Speed Skating to reach the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games
After the two Olympic Qualifying Events in Montreal (CAN) Nov 5-8th and Marquette (USA) Nov 12-15th the Great Britain Short Track Speed Skaters have succeeded in qualifying* a Men’s Relay team for the Vancouver Games along with 10 places overall in the Men’s and Ladies 500m, 1000m and 1500m individual distances. Great Britain have not been able to send a Relay team to the Olympics since 1998 with only the top 8 ranked countries qualifying for the Games. After finishing in 6th place in the Relay at the first of the qualifying events hopes were high that the British men could finish in the top 8 again this weekend and gain a place at the Games in Vancouver. The team reached the Semi finals (top 8) on Friday but the Italians, who had finished 4th in the first event were placed 9th this time so Great Britain needed to finish no lower than 7th to stay in the hunt for qualification.
*All results are provisional pending the full announcement by the ISU and BOA.
Whitegate Children's Centre need your help...
On Monday 23rd November Whitegate Children's Centre are taking part in the Lottery Peoples Millions. They are hoping to win £50,000 to build a much needed sensory room for the children, families and the community of Padiham. This project will make a massive difference to many of the babies, children and families we support. They need as many people as possible to vote for them. Their project will be on Granada News at 6pm on Monday 23rd. The number will be released on the day. It will also be published in the Mirror newspaper, www.peoplesmillions.org.uk and shown on Granada News. BT landlines only cost 10p but mobiles will cost more. If you are struggling to find the number please call us at the Centre on 01282 772283.
6th place for the GB Short Track team
After just missing out on the final, the Great Britain men’s relay team had to settle for a place in the B Final. In a very close race that went all the way to the last lap, the team took a well earned 2nd behind Italy and a head of Russia and Germany giving the guys a season best finish of 6th place. “It’s a great result for the boys and now it’s in our hands for Olympic qualification” Paul Stanley speaking after his impressive performance in the relay.
Metaphorics keep their fingers crossed for our GB Short Track team
Four years of hard work is going to be put to the ultimate test over the next couple of weeks as our Great Britain Speed Skating Squad have headed out to the US for their Olympic Qualifiers. You will be able to keep up to date with the short track news news as and when it happens through Jon Eley's website (www.joneley.net). The team arrive back from Korea with 6 weeks till they race in Montreal, Canada for a place at the 2010 Olympic Games. The next 6 weeks will be key for the team as they look to put right their disappointing and frustrating first two World Cups.
Nick Matthew becomes the British Champion
Nick Matthew recently claimed the British National crown (squash) for a second time. The success propelled Matthew to a career-equalling-high No5 in the world rankings in March.
Metaphorics go abseiling!
Metaphorics spent two days last week working with Derbyshire County Cricket Club in the Peak District as part of their pressure training programme. The programme included day and night time navigation through the peaks, abseiling (see the middle picture) and pot holing (far right). The idea was to assess player's mental abilities in extreme situations and the coping skills they exhibited.
Metaphorics go International!
Metaphorics have recently launched a new coaching programme at the International School of Toulouse in France. The programme is in its early stages as yet so stay here for news and updates as this progresses.
Great Britain Short Track Speed Skating
As the countdown to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics begins, we are heavily involved in the psychological preparation of the Great Britain short track speed skating squad. With the Olympic qualifiers due to take place in November, we are working hard to ensure our athletes give themselves the best possible chance of performing when it matters. There are a number of challenges to be overcome, however we are confident that given the right approach, and right mindset is created we can have a successful winter Olympics.
Lancashire Education Authority
Metaphorics have been working in Lancashire for the last five years during which time our work has grown dramatically. We are now delivering training at a number of different levels within the advisory service. Our work includes delivering courses, inset days, one to one leadership coaching, and delivering conference presentations.
The National Health Service
Metaphorics are currently working in conjunction with Stoke Primary Care Trust as part of a pilot study to look at ways in which nurses and doctors can deliver individualised health care to patients. It has long been an issue where patients have felt that their needs and wants have not been met. It is anticipated that this project could run nationwide if the results are as successful as we anticipate.
One to One Leadership Coaching
Metaphorics are currently helping a number of school leaders whose schools are either in special measures or are categorised as a National Challenge school. The aim of the coaching is to provide a confidential outlet whereby leaders can offload their issues so they can get focused back on the task at hand. Leadership is an extremely lonely place to be and the support mechanism we provide has been important for those leaders working in the circumstances they face.
New Courses for 2009/2010: Managing Difficult People
This course has been specifically designed as on nearly every course we have run, someone has asked the question, 'how can I get this difficult person on board with my team'? Managing Difficult People has five basic premises that the course is built around:
1. There is no such thing as a difficult person. However, there are difficult behaviours, situations and relationships
2. You demonstrate difficult behaviours to someone
3. We do not see the world not as it is, we see it as we are
4. The ultimate way to get the best out of someone is to value them for what they want to be valued for
5. Treating people equally is not necessarily treating them fairly
Based on the feedback we have had so far, delegates have come away feeling not only challenged but also empowered as they have developed new skills to get their these people on board. Not only that, but they can see the world differently and these people are not necessarily seen as challenging any more.
Advanced Coaching
1. What is it that you want this person to achieve and what factors are getting in the way of them achieving that
2. Who is it that you are coaching?
3. How do you need to structure your TGROW conversation based on 'what' it is you want them to do and 'who' it is that you are coaching?
The feedback that we have received from this course suggests that delegates feel more empowered to pro-actively coach, rather than waiting for issues to arise and then coaching based on what has arisen. This has enabled delegates to manage the high performance environment more effectively.
