Confidence Produces Positive Energy!

Personal brand is all about the energy that we put across, physically, and on our social media posts.

Wouldn't it be great to have some sure fire, practical ways to boost our confidence that are proven to work, time and time again - what works is different for everyone but...

There are various aspects of confidence to remember...

1. You are not born with confidence - it comes from successes.
Learning to:

• Walk
• Talk
• Read
• Write
• Ride a bike

Look back at the things you have done that you are now confident in and use it to realise that you can master what it is your trying to!

2. Confidence comes with practicing 'Your Thing' for me, that is public speaking and teaching groups.

• Sunday school teacher
• Nurse teacher of doctors and students
• Public speaking at events about styling, an after lunch speaker for various charity events and a regular speaker at WI's
• More recently for a year running my free zoom session around Personal Brand, weekly

Did you know it takes 10,000 hours to master something?

Before that you will get it wrong then you just keep learning and learning until...
You realise...

That the road to success is just a succession of failures!

3. To gain confidence visualise everything you want to succeed at - your subconscious brain doesn't know the difference, so in effect just visualizing it is just like practise, you can use some affirmations too.

Here are some good ones...

• I am strong
• I am powerful
• I am loving
• I am harmonious
• I am smart
• I am worthy
• I am enough
• I am important
• I am successful

Have you ever watched the film or read the book 'the Help'? in it a lovely nanny teaches her ward some affirmations to get her though her childhood when both her parents are quite neglectful.

• This is a magnificent universe.
• It brings me all good thing.
• It conspires for me in always.
• It is supporting me in all I do.
• It is meeting my needs.
• I will do Acts of Random Kindness.
• I will be conscious of where money goes.
• I will improve my communication.

I will be brave.

4. Fail more often. Lots more often.

Challenges happen all the time (shit happens) We can look at those challenges and ask yourself...
Is this happening to me OR for me!

When you realise that your fails, mistakes, are all there to teach you how to get to the next level, like a computer game, then all failures, mistakes and catastrophes are eventually positive ways for you to grow. whether in business or life

5. Say yes more.

Especially to things that you have never done before, things that will rewire your brain.

• Say yes to jumping out of the plane for charity (even though it scares you shitless!)
• Say yes to doing that TEDx talk.
• Say yes to taking that cold shower EVERY morning.

When you do these things then it means you can conquer anything you put your mind to.

6. Get out of your comfort zone and do things that make you feel uncomfortable, and this enables you realise that uncomfortable things don't kill you.
Try going into a coffee shop and lying on the floor for 10 seconds!

Try asking for 20% discount in any shop you go into - you’re not going to lose anything!
Even small things like brushing your teeth with your opposite hand (believe me It’s really hard and annoying)

Developing and clarifying your personal brand really does give you confidence in YOU
 
Love Sally x

Have you ever felt like you’re punching above your weight? Or out of your depth? Or faking it until you make it? If so, it’s possible you have experienced imposter syndrome? In this blog, I explore how it can arise and, more importantly, what you can do about it.

Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon, typically characterised by feelings of inadequacy and fear of being found out. It often occurs in the workplace, particularly if someone has moved into a job role that they don’t feel qualified to do, and it is more likely to affect higher achievers who find it difficult to acknowledge their own accomplishments. However, it can also occur in an unsupportive workplace culture where biases, exclusionism, marginalisation and microaggressive behaviours are allowed to thrive.

How do you know if you’re experiencing imposter syndrome?

It’s perfectly normal to have elements of self-doubt or to lack confidence, but when those feelings are extensive and persistent, then it could be imposter syndrome. Other indications include:

• Feeling you don’t deserve your success or that it’s down to pure luck rather than skills and abilities.
• Genuine fear that you will be found out and exposed as a fraud.
• Perfectionist tendencies that lead you to set overly high goals and then feel shame and disappointment when you can’t reach them.
• Avoiding opportunities so that you can’t fail.
• Going to extreme lengths to correct relatively minor mistakes.
• Downplaying or shrugging off your successes.
• Constantly overworking yourself in an effort to prove your worth.
• Pervasive self-doubt that transcends specific situations.

Imposter syndrome can arise due to personality traits or family background, or in situations where support is low and identifiable role models are lacking. People who are easily upset or prone to anxiety are more likely to develop imposter syndrome, as is anyone driven by perfectionism or who has low self-esteem. When it comes to upbringing, parents who are controlling or overprotective are more likely to raise children who will be at risk of imposter syndrome as they get older. Placing too much emphasis on achievement, or being inconsistent with either praise or criticism presents similar risks. If you feel different from your peers or you don’t see anyone “like you” being successful, then this can also lead to feelings of imposterism. (I think I might have made that word up but you know what I mean!)

What can you do about it?

So with all that in mind, what can you do? Firstly, there’s no “one size fits all” approach. A lot will depend on the cause of your imposter syndrome and the way it’s showing up in your life. But here are some strategies that may help.

1. Question negative thoughts. Ask yourself if the thought is helpful or true. Thoughts are not facts and you are not your thoughts. Develop a non-judgemental awareness of your thoughts through the practice of mindfulness techniques.

    

2. Upgrade your beliefs. Replace your limiting beliefs with more empowering ones: you are good enough, you do deserve it, mistakes are not the end of the world, failure is just another word for feedback, nothing ventured nothing gained.

    

3. Celebrate your successes. Make a habit of noticing and embracing your achievements rather than dismissing them as flukes. Record all your successes, qualifications, skills and accomplishments in a little notebook and re-read it…often. If you think an achievement is down to external factors, identify the actions you took that led to the successful outcome, as it’s highly unlikely that it just came out of the blue.

    

4. Share your concerns. Don’t gloss over your feelings with an air of pretence. Instead, talk to someone you trust who can be objective and who can help you challenge your negative thinking.

    

5. Get comfortable with uncertainty. No-one can be expected to know everything. Learn to say you don’t know but you’ll find out. Make some decisions without having all the facts. Have the courage to ask for help.

    

6. Journal your experiences. In situations where you felt a strong sense of imposter syndrome, explore what happened and your thoughts and feelings at the time, then apply a more rational interpretation of the event.

    

7. Know your strengths and your transferable skills and recognise how these can be applied across other areas of your life.

    

8. Develop a stronger internal locus of control. Know that it’s your actions, choices and decisions that produce your outcomes, including your successes. You are in the driving seat of your life, no-one else.

    

9. Practise being imperfect. Learn to settle for “good enough” and allow yourself (and others) off the hook a little.

    

10. Keep learning. Whether it’s an unfamiliar task, a different way of doing something or a new hobby, learning reminds us that we don’t need to be perfect, that it’s OK to fail, and that we all have room for growth.

     

11. Accept the compliment. Instead of brushing off praise, simply say “thank you”.

     

12. Check your comparisons. Are you comparing like with like? We often over-inflate the achievements of others, or only compare ourselves to those we think are better than us. Be realistic in your comparisons or, better still, stop comparing yourself to others and focus on your own growth and improvement.

Conclusion

Imposter syndrome can be a significant barrier to success and happiness, but with the right strategies and support, it is possible to overcome it. Therapists, counsellors and coaches are all trained to deal with imposter syndrome in its various guises.

My approach involves encouraging you to explore your feelings, recognise your worth, embrace your accomplishments and challenge unhelpful thinking. Using NLP, I help you to build greater resilience and reprogram your beliefs. If you would like to break free from the grip of imposter syndrome and thrive in both your personal and your professional life, please book a free call.

Photo credit: Canva 2024

As a Personal Excellence Coach, I believe everyone has the power to achieve greatness, and every business has the right to employ great people!

Every day is a chance to grow, to learn and to be better than yesterday.

I am passionate about health and nutrition.

Recently I suffered with iron deficiency anaemia with pain and very heavy periods, diagnosed with endometriosis hyperplasia plus a cyst on my right ovary. I found that switching my diet from plant based to more meat, salad, fruit and full fat foods has changed my life completely.

I also started using the supplement Ashwagandha and Shilajit to help with hormone balancing as I am 43 and peri menopausal.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha contains chemicals that might help calm the brain, reduce swelling, lower blood pressure, and alter the immune system. Since Ashwagandha is traditionally used as an adaptogen, it is used for many conditions related to stress.

Adaptogens

Adaptogens are believed to help the body resist physical and mental stress. Shilajit, also called mineral pitch, contains fulvic acid and many other minerals. There are numerous possible benefits of Shilajit. Taking it as a powder or supplement may help boost brain function, slow the aging process, increase fertility, and more.

At the same time I started also using bio identical creams to boost my hormones; the progesterone cream is from Wiieey infused with MSM, Vitex, Dong Quai, aloe, coconut oil and shea butter and the estrogen cream is from Eelhoe infused with ginseng, green tea, black cohosh and red clover. Through a psychic medium we established my hormone levels were playing a major part in my menopausal symptoms and now I live a pain free life with less suffering and more living once again. I am studying a nutrition degree and feel more women need to know these things to help them along the way.

The doctors are great at their jobs but there is little nutritional training so women can find an alternative more natural way of living a fuller life or use hormone replacement with more awareness about the amounts and origins of ingredients. Before I had children I used agnus castus frequently as a hormone balancer and I found it very useful so that is another herb worth investigating along with wild yam that helps your body produce more natural progesterone in our bodies.

I hope that even if my story helps one woman out there then I have done my job!

Much love, Kate x

Getting to grips with funding your business can be in itself, well, a tricky business! There’s so much advice and content out there for you to wade through, isn’t there? Sometimes though, you just need straightforward information to save time. You’re already busy, so I thought I would write a quick and handy guide to Director’s Loan.

First of all, what is a Director’s Loan?

Well - A Director’s Loan is when you (or other close family members) get money from your company that isn’t a salary, dividend or expense repayment. It’s really important that you remember to keep a record of anything you borrow from, or pay into the business, and those records are known as the “Director’s Loan Account”.

How does a Director’s Loan impact your accounting?

At the end of the financial year, you’ll need to provide a “balance sheet” in the annual accounts summary. This will include any money that you owe the company or that the company owes you.

Here’s something to bear in mind - you may have to pay tax on a director’s loan. Your company may also have to pay tax if you’re a shareholder (sometimes called a ‘participator’) as well as a director. It’s important to double check with your bookkeeper or accountant.

Will this impact your personal and company tax responsibilities?

In short, the answer is yes. But there is, of course, a lot more to it than that. Sorry!

First, you need to have an understanding of the status on your Director’s Loan account. This will then have a big impact on those responsibilities. If the account is overdrawn, you owe the company. If the account is in credit, the company owes you.

If the former is the case, you or your company may have to pay tax if you take a Director’s Loan. Depending on how the loan is settled, you might need to check the extra tax responsibilities associated if:

• the loan was more than £10,000 (£5,000 in 2013 to 14)
• you paid your company interest on the loan below the official rate

 You repay the loan within 9 months of the end of your Corporation Tax accounting period

Where do you need to start?

When preparing your Company Tax Return, you should use form CT600A, showing the amount owed at the end of the accounting period. In order to complete the form properly, it’s worth having these things in mind;

• If the loan was more than £5,000 (and you took another loan of £5,000 or more up to 30 days before or after you repaid it) pay Corporation Tax at 33.75% of the original loan, or 32.5% if the loan was made before 6 April 2022. After you permanently repay the original loan, you can reclaim the Corporation Tax - but not interest
• If the loan was more than £15,000 (and you arranged another loan when you repaid it) pay Corporation Tax at 33.75% of the original loan, or 32.5% if the loan was made before 6 April 2022. After you permanently repay the original loan, you can reclaim the Corporation Tax - but not interest
• Corporation Tax is paid at 33.75% of the outstanding amount, or 32.5% if the loan was made before 6 April 2022
• Interest on this Corporation Tax will be added until the Corporation Tax is paid or the loan is repaid
• You can reclaim the Corporation Tax - but not interest

When you receive a Director’s Loan, there are no personal responsibilities associated with its repayment. That is to say that if the company should go into liquidation at any point whilst the loan is outstanding, the loan is “written off” or “released” and not “repaid”. However, be mindful that income tax is payable on the loan you receive through your Self Assessment Tax Return.

Just before I go…

I know there’s been a lot to take in, but I couldn’t leave these last few points out.

If the Director’s Loan was more than £10,000 (£5,000 in 2013-14)

If you’re a shareholder and director and you owe your company more than £10,000 (£5,000 in 2013 to 2014) at any time in the year, your company must:

• treat the loan as a ‘benefit in kind’
• deduct Class 1 National Insurance

You must report the loan on a personal Self Assessment tax return, meaning that you may have to pay tax on the loan at the official rate of interest.

If you paid interest below the official rate

As a shareholder and director, your company must:

• record interest you pay below the official rate as company income
• treat the discounted interest as a ‘benefit in kind’
• You must report the interest on a personal Self Assessment tax return. You may have to pay tax on the difference between the official rate and the rate you paid.

Can you reclaim Corporation Tax on the loan?

Your company can reclaim the Corporation Tax it pays on a director’s loan that’s been repaid, written off or released, but you cannot reclaim any interest paid on the Corporation Tax.

A claim could be made after the relief is due - this is around 9 months and 1 day after the end of the Corporation Tax accounting period when the loan was repaid, written off or released. You will not be repaid before this.

You must claim within 4 years (or 6 years if the loan was repaid on or before 31 March 2010).

 Reclaiming within 2 years

If you’re reclaiming within 2 years of the end of the accounting period when the loan was taken out, you should use form CT600A to make a claim when you prepare a Company Tax Return for that accounting period (or amend it online).

Use form L2P with your Company Tax Return instead if either:

•  your tax return is for a different accounting period than the one when the loan was taken out
• you’re amending your tax return in writing

It’s really important that you tell HMRC how you want the repayment in your Company Tax Return.

If you were to consider reclaiming after 2 years…

You’ll need to fill in form L2P and either include it with your latest Company Tax Return or post it separately.

 HMRC will repay your company by either:

• using the details you gave in your latest Company Tax Return
• sending a cheque to your company’s registered office address

I promise we’re almost there!

Here’s a few quick fire points to remember:

If you lend your company money

Your company does not pay Corporation Tax on money you lend it.

 If you charge interest

Interest you charge your company on a loan counts as both:

• a business expense for your company
• personal income for you
• You must report the income on a personal Self Assessment tax return.

Your company must:

• pay you the interest less Income Tax at the basic rate of 20%
• report and pay the Income Tax every quarter using form CT61

What if you need more information regarding the interest?

You can request form CT61 online or call HM Revenue and Customs.

HMRC Shipley Accounts Office 0300 051 8371
 Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4.30pm
 Friday 9am to 4pm

Looking for more helpful and handy tips to make your money go further?

Take a look at our previous newsletters, or get in touch for personalised advice on keeping royal control over your business finances.

Feel free to get in touch.

Website https://www.queenaccountancy.com

Phone  01539 482007

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