before i forget if you havent read the book The Secret - put it on your christmas list infact treat yourself you know you are worth it. you can purchase a new or used copy on the link below
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/1847370292?tag=smartcoaching-21&linkCode=sb1&camp=2378&creative=8434
well i have delivered 2 training sessions for a firm of accountants on providing an amazing service experience for their callers. I am so excited as i have also been asked to deliver the same course to a hotel in the northwest and will be working with the same hotel next year on a suite of training on customer services. the latter news came only 24hrs after reading the secret !!
my business partner recently appeared on a local radio station and has been asked back in January and we may end up with a regular slot for the image consultancy business.
a coaching client that i have is getting divorced and she is bringing her ex to be to see me about his mortgage requirements and wants help with her own mortgage - so chuffed that the 3 very different businesses are cross fertilising.
a local lady is launching a new range of clothes with a celeb in jan called Flaunt it - clothes for ladies who are rather large up top shall we say and we have been asked to provide the jewellery for the photo shoots.
we have been approached by another training company who run courses for women - they too are keen to add in our image consultancy service.
we have been approached by 3 ladies who want to work with us in the image business !! and we only said about 2 months ago that in the new year we would start to look for ideal people and they have come to us - someone somewhere is really looking after me.
my life hasnt been the same since dublin !! my dream of providing coaching services to solicitors as opposed to just their clients is looking more real as a firm i tendered work with over 2 years ago have said if i can get the course accredited with the law society they will book my services - i am delighted to say that Beverley kindly provided me with the information i needed from the law society and i am meeting with her in the very near future to discuss this project - as i cant think of anyone better to help me map out the marketing and sort out the accreditation process !!
andy my fella has had confirmation that he can leave the army in march 09 on full pension and he will be only 42 ! its nice for him to have this option he has given himself a 4 year plan to start a part time job now that he can pick up when he leaves Her Majestys Services - its given him a real boost and something to focus on - he has even started reading my personal development books .
my biggest advise to you all is believe in what you want to do - and when you really start to feel it within your gut and your heart - the world is ready to help you. there are so many people out there just waiting to support you - as you too support them. if they dont know what your plans are how can they help you- make it your task to tell as many people as you can - what it is you want to achieve in the next 3 to 6 months - be ready to be amazed!!
from a young age i have always believed i was a lucky person as my father said after my birth which was 2 months premature he got promotion after promotion - i say its because he had 3 kids to feed but does it really matter what ever it was it helped him and its helped me. sadly for my dad when my mum went into labour he was told that only one of us my mum or me would survive as she had fallen down stairs ! well we are still both here and i have said since i knew this story and that i was my fathers lucky charm that i was put on this earth to make people happy - well doing what i do really makes me happy too. at 7 i learnt to swim and entered a swimming competition having only just learnt to swim - max lengths was 20 for sponsorship - my father told everyone she has only just learnt it will be unlikely that she will do more than 4 - you guessed it i swam 20 and got an award from my school for raising the most money
when ever i went on holiday with my parents i woudl come back from hols with more money than i took ! the penny arcades - i always saved my winnings in my left pocket and when the money in my right pocket ran out i stopped ! my brother to this day still complains about it.
i applied for my first managerial job at the co-operative bank in 1997, after i joined them i found out the following statistics, 2000 + people had applied, 150 were called to first interview and only 50 to second interview and one of these people was me , another my now business partner !!
call it luck call it whatever you like - the world is a wonderful place if you want it to be. i have made a conscious effort to let go of some demons that have been hounding me for years, i feel like a great big weight has been lifted - what is the point of wasting time and effort on the past and on things that were out of your control - there is no point !!
i hope i have inspired you to do what ever you want to do - come on folks we are coaches surely we have to lead by example - dont we ??
did i ever tell you one of my ambitions was to be able to spend all my time writing !!
take care and speak to you all again soon
debs xxxx
Thursday, 6 December 2007
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Everything is Waiting for You - A Poem by David White
Your great mistake is to act the drama
as if you are alone. As if life
were a progressive and cunning crime
with no witness to the tiny hidden
transgressions. To feel abandoned is to deny
the intimacy of your surrondings. Surely,
even you, at times, have felt the grand array;
the swelling presence, and the chorus, crowding
out your solo voice. You must note
the way the soap dish enables you,
or the window latch grants you freedom.
Alertness is the hidden discipline of familiarity.
the stairs are your mentor of things
to come, the doors have always been there
to frighten you and invite you,
and the tiny speaker in the phone
is your dream-ladder to divinity.
Put the weight of your aloneness and ease into
the conversation. The kettle is singing
even as it pours you a drink, the cooking pots
have left their arrogant aloofness and
seen the good in you at last. All the birds
and creatures of the world are unutterably
themselves. Everything is waiting for you.
as if you are alone. As if life
were a progressive and cunning crime
with no witness to the tiny hidden
transgressions. To feel abandoned is to deny
the intimacy of your surrondings. Surely,
even you, at times, have felt the grand array;
the swelling presence, and the chorus, crowding
out your solo voice. You must note
the way the soap dish enables you,
or the window latch grants you freedom.
Alertness is the hidden discipline of familiarity.
the stairs are your mentor of things
to come, the doors have always been there
to frighten you and invite you,
and the tiny speaker in the phone
is your dream-ladder to divinity.
Put the weight of your aloneness and ease into
the conversation. The kettle is singing
even as it pours you a drink, the cooking pots
have left their arrogant aloofness and
seen the good in you at last. All the birds
and creatures of the world are unutterably
themselves. Everything is waiting for you.
Monday, 19 November 2007
Sunday, 11 November 2007
Positive Psychology
Hi to all of you,
Due to a small technical hitch I have previously not been able to post, thanks to Adrian this is now corrected.
I hope you are all continuing to thrive and have fun. I am off to Turkey tomorrow for a week of holiday - not even going to take my laptop! I shal be doing my best to just be, and to spend some time with Colin.
The wound on my leg has now healed and apart from an angry purple scar, all is fine. The dematologist at the specialist cancer hospotal in Manchester has confirmed that no further treatment is required apart from bi-annual check ups.
Anyway, I recently attended a short talk on positive psychology and learned about a great website which you may want to check out. It's called http://www.authentichappiness.org/ and is the site for Martin Seligman who is the guru on this area of psychology. There are a number of tests which you can take for free provided you register with the site. These include a happiness inventory, a values in action strengths test, worklife balance, test, etc. You may want to do them yourselves or get clients to do them as part of their coaching programme. Let me know what you think?
You are all in my thoughts.
Beverley x
Due to a small technical hitch I have previously not been able to post, thanks to Adrian this is now corrected.
I hope you are all continuing to thrive and have fun. I am off to Turkey tomorrow for a week of holiday - not even going to take my laptop! I shal be doing my best to just be, and to spend some time with Colin.
The wound on my leg has now healed and apart from an angry purple scar, all is fine. The dematologist at the specialist cancer hospotal in Manchester has confirmed that no further treatment is required apart from bi-annual check ups.
Anyway, I recently attended a short talk on positive psychology and learned about a great website which you may want to check out. It's called http://www.authentichappiness.org/ and is the site for Martin Seligman who is the guru on this area of psychology. There are a number of tests which you can take for free provided you register with the site. These include a happiness inventory, a values in action strengths test, worklife balance, test, etc. You may want to do them yourselves or get clients to do them as part of their coaching programme. Let me know what you think?
You are all in my thoughts.
Beverley x
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
rainy days
evening all - how are you all. has everyone applied for their accreditation via CoachU ? hows the hours clocking up for everyone ! if only they would include coaching on mortgages as a category i would soon have a few hundred hours. its nice to know that i can use my skills across lots of different industries.
today i took time out to attend a Princes Trust Conference - i have been a business mentor for 3 years now and have to say i wear my coaching hat more than anything in these sessions.
it made me realise how lucky i have been in life - listening to the stories that these young people tell of how and why they end up on the Princes trust programme brought a tear or two to my eyes.
coaching has opened so many doors for me - i truly hope it does the same for you all.
thats all for now !
hugs and kisses
Debs
today i took time out to attend a Princes Trust Conference - i have been a business mentor for 3 years now and have to say i wear my coaching hat more than anything in these sessions.
it made me realise how lucky i have been in life - listening to the stories that these young people tell of how and why they end up on the Princes trust programme brought a tear or two to my eyes.
coaching has opened so many doors for me - i truly hope it does the same for you all.
thats all for now !
hugs and kisses
Debs
Sunday, 28 October 2007
Wednesday, 24 October 2007
Advice please!
Folks , I would really welcome some advice about a particular client...
By his own admission he is very belligerent- I really want to help him, and he his very open to being helped. BUT I have had two sessions with him and during both I felt like we were going round in circles.
He says that he wants me to give him the tools, the words, the scenarios to help with his issues. He wants to control alot of things that are external to him, but doesn't accept that he can control his thoughts/reactions and so is only prepared to take on the "right" words without internalising the changes. So it is this basic issue that we keep coming back to.
Is this a coachability issue? What powerful questions can I ask? Is there another resource that would help?
By his own admission he is very belligerent- I really want to help him, and he his very open to being helped. BUT I have had two sessions with him and during both I felt like we were going round in circles.
He says that he wants me to give him the tools, the words, the scenarios to help with his issues. He wants to control alot of things that are external to him, but doesn't accept that he can control his thoughts/reactions and so is only prepared to take on the "right" words without internalising the changes. So it is this basic issue that we keep coming back to.
Is this a coachability issue? What powerful questions can I ask? Is there another resource that would help?
Sunday, 14 October 2007
The E Myth - Michael Gerber
hi to you all - i hope you are all happy and well
Just wanted to share a great resource with you. I have been very fortunate to have been gifted the most amazing self development programmes from a good friend. There are over 15 sets of personal development tape sets. - yes tapes - my daughter bless her laughed when she saw them.
For some reason I picked The E Myth first by Michael Gerber and boy am I glad I started here. This resource is fantastic for anyone who is serious about making their business a success !!
I cant begin to tell you how much it has helped julie - my business partner and
I write the vision for our image consultancy business - but also define the strategy to achieve our plans . we now have 6 very clear goals for the business for 2008, the main shift is us both working on the business rather than in it !! the only way i can explain how i feel is - well here goes - its like someone has give me permission to dream big, to make changes that are practica and to have so much fun along the way, we have completely changed the strategy - some would say what a waste of 18mths work - not us we have learnt how not to run a business !!!
and my best ever trade this week has enabled me to swop coaching hrs for a personal fitness trainer who will visit me at home.
I feel like I have my own guardian angel - who is just out there opening door after door !!
My business partner has been a gem - taking on loads of work - i dislike strategy work as i just want to be out there making things happe. the combination of self belief working with julie & listening to these tapes has been awesome.
next week i will achieve another first a talk to teachers about the benefits of coaching !!
wow this year just keeps on getting better. dare to dream - because its amazing just what ideas you come up with. Its a great strategy known as the Disney Technique and boy does it work - i urge you all to dream at least once a week
take care and have fun
big hugs to you all.
Just wanted to share a great resource with you. I have been very fortunate to have been gifted the most amazing self development programmes from a good friend. There are over 15 sets of personal development tape sets. - yes tapes - my daughter bless her laughed when she saw them.
For some reason I picked The E Myth first by Michael Gerber and boy am I glad I started here. This resource is fantastic for anyone who is serious about making their business a success !!
I cant begin to tell you how much it has helped julie - my business partner and
I write the vision for our image consultancy business - but also define the strategy to achieve our plans . we now have 6 very clear goals for the business for 2008, the main shift is us both working on the business rather than in it !! the only way i can explain how i feel is - well here goes - its like someone has give me permission to dream big, to make changes that are practica and to have so much fun along the way, we have completely changed the strategy - some would say what a waste of 18mths work - not us we have learnt how not to run a business !!!
and my best ever trade this week has enabled me to swop coaching hrs for a personal fitness trainer who will visit me at home.
I feel like I have my own guardian angel - who is just out there opening door after door !!
My business partner has been a gem - taking on loads of work - i dislike strategy work as i just want to be out there making things happe. the combination of self belief working with julie & listening to these tapes has been awesome.
next week i will achieve another first a talk to teachers about the benefits of coaching !!
wow this year just keeps on getting better. dare to dream - because its amazing just what ideas you come up with. Its a great strategy known as the Disney Technique and boy does it work - i urge you all to dream at least once a week
take care and have fun
big hugs to you all.
Sharing
Dear Friends,
As promised a couple of weeks ago, I would like to continue sharing with you. Yesterday, I had a very difficult day, one of the most challenging emotionally that I have faced in a long long time. I realized as I was trying to get my head around this situation, what a continued source of support you are all for me. I feel privileged for that. Taking a leap of faith is not something I used to do so readily before magical Dublin.
I derived an enormous sense of strength and energy from all of you yesterday and I wanted to let you know this. Thank you. I thought of and pictured you all.
Adrian and his lovely poem which is a constant reminder of all I can be and all I want to be.
Beverley for the inspiration you have brought to me, a reminder of all you can accomplish even in moments of great self doubt.
Debbie for the promise I made to you to constantly remind myself of all I have accomplished.
Jim for reminding me to always look at life with my heart.
Kaan for his ongoing support and wonderful ability to dream and do ("Some dream, some do, some do both.").
Katerina for being Katerina all the time, and the reminder that my heart and soul are so sacred.
Noshaba for my promise to get out of my own way and for the knowledge that Barcelona is a moveable feast.
Ruth reminding me that what matters is how you react to a given situation.
Marie for always believing in me.
Martin for the lovely, permanent pink energy that is constantly hovering over my head like a little cloud.
Una reminding me to reach out to others and ask for help, living in the here and now.
I have also been very supported by my coach who has taught me the importance of self-coaching and the ability to learn lessons from everything I do.
Today, I feel very strong again.. Yes, I am smiling as I write this...because of your support; because I have done something about the situation just a few minutes ago (and realized that it is never too late); because I reminded myself to be patient with myself and that I did the best I could; but also because of the most important promise of all: the promise I have made to myself to continue moving along my journey. Nothing will distract me from that. This is what I want for myself.
I would also like to let you know that today, I contracted my first paying client ☺ !!!!!
Take good care and keep smiling,
C
As promised a couple of weeks ago, I would like to continue sharing with you. Yesterday, I had a very difficult day, one of the most challenging emotionally that I have faced in a long long time. I realized as I was trying to get my head around this situation, what a continued source of support you are all for me. I feel privileged for that. Taking a leap of faith is not something I used to do so readily before magical Dublin.
I derived an enormous sense of strength and energy from all of you yesterday and I wanted to let you know this. Thank you. I thought of and pictured you all.
Adrian and his lovely poem which is a constant reminder of all I can be and all I want to be.
Beverley for the inspiration you have brought to me, a reminder of all you can accomplish even in moments of great self doubt.
Debbie for the promise I made to you to constantly remind myself of all I have accomplished.
Jim for reminding me to always look at life with my heart.
Kaan for his ongoing support and wonderful ability to dream and do ("Some dream, some do, some do both.").
Katerina for being Katerina all the time, and the reminder that my heart and soul are so sacred.
Noshaba for my promise to get out of my own way and for the knowledge that Barcelona is a moveable feast.
Ruth reminding me that what matters is how you react to a given situation.
Marie for always believing in me.
Martin for the lovely, permanent pink energy that is constantly hovering over my head like a little cloud.
Una reminding me to reach out to others and ask for help, living in the here and now.
I have also been very supported by my coach who has taught me the importance of self-coaching and the ability to learn lessons from everything I do.
Today, I feel very strong again.. Yes, I am smiling as I write this...because of your support; because I have done something about the situation just a few minutes ago (and realized that it is never too late); because I reminded myself to be patient with myself and that I did the best I could; but also because of the most important promise of all: the promise I have made to myself to continue moving along my journey. Nothing will distract me from that. This is what I want for myself.
I would also like to let you know that today, I contracted my first paying client ☺ !!!!!
Take good care and keep smiling,
C
Tuesday, 9 October 2007
Monday, 8 October 2007
Learning every day
Dear Friends,
I would like to acknowledge Una for her post. It is so fundamental to focus on the Here and Now. Something that I need to be reminded of all the time ... Thank you.
I wanted to share one of my own learnings. First of all, I must say that I am learning so much from my coachees. (I love coaching!) During a session a few days ago, I recognized myself in my coachee's behavior: a perfectionist... always wanting and demanding more more more of oneself.
So, as a reformed perfectionist, I would like to leave you with this learning, which believe it or not, I am working on:
I am learning to appreciate that I am merely doing the best I can do and that that, in and of itself, is perfection.
I wonder how you are all doing and I think of you often.
I miss you all very much.
Celine
I would like to acknowledge Una for her post. It is so fundamental to focus on the Here and Now. Something that I need to be reminded of all the time ... Thank you.
I wanted to share one of my own learnings. First of all, I must say that I am learning so much from my coachees. (I love coaching!) During a session a few days ago, I recognized myself in my coachee's behavior: a perfectionist... always wanting and demanding more more more of oneself.
So, as a reformed perfectionist, I would like to leave you with this learning, which believe it or not, I am working on:
I am learning to appreciate that I am merely doing the best I can do and that that, in and of itself, is perfection.
I wonder how you are all doing and I think of you often.
I miss you all very much.
Celine
Friday, 5 October 2007
Present Perfect
Hello everyone this is my first venture into the blogging world and very exciting it is too. I shared something I had written for myself with Celine the other day and she asked that I post it.
And so to Byron Katie and the wisdom of living in the moment. No allowing our thinking to keep us in the past or push us to the future. Just being now. Present in the moment. Not pushing, not fearing what might come. Allowing myself to be in the here and now. Chris (my Coach) and her newsletter called the PRESENT PERFECT - I guess that is exactly what it is. To analyse and think about every word, every conversation to try to relive or to prepare - takes from the moment we are in.
Today - playing the guitar and really listening to the music
listening to Cat Stevens while eating lunch and watching the bees in the garden
Running a race with Dylan on the wet dewy grass in the soft early sunshine
feeling love in my heart
Being in each moment. The joy this brings, the peace. After playing the guitar I felt energized and on Noshaba's recommendation listened to Bryon Katie clips instead of having a nap. I have been looking for a way to stop the voices and talk that dissect everything and take the joy from what is happening in my life now. I think I may have found something here. Really being in each moment.
I do not have answers. I do not know what tomorrow brings but I can be happy in the here and now. It is a choice. It is a liberating feeling.
I wish you all a good weekend. I hope you enjoy the soft autumn sunshine as I have been these last few days in London. My favourite time of years and favourite colours. A beautiful and slightly melancoly time as winter approaches. The vibrancy of the reds and golds before they fade. God bless you all Unax
And so to Byron Katie and the wisdom of living in the moment. No allowing our thinking to keep us in the past or push us to the future. Just being now. Present in the moment. Not pushing, not fearing what might come. Allowing myself to be in the here and now. Chris (my Coach) and her newsletter called the PRESENT PERFECT - I guess that is exactly what it is. To analyse and think about every word, every conversation to try to relive or to prepare - takes from the moment we are in.
Today - playing the guitar and really listening to the music
listening to Cat Stevens while eating lunch and watching the bees in the garden
Running a race with Dylan on the wet dewy grass in the soft early sunshine
feeling love in my heart
Being in each moment. The joy this brings, the peace. After playing the guitar I felt energized and on Noshaba's recommendation listened to Bryon Katie clips instead of having a nap. I have been looking for a way to stop the voices and talk that dissect everything and take the joy from what is happening in my life now. I think I may have found something here. Really being in each moment.
I do not have answers. I do not know what tomorrow brings but I can be happy in the here and now. It is a choice. It is a liberating feeling.
I wish you all a good weekend. I hope you enjoy the soft autumn sunshine as I have been these last few days in London. My favourite time of years and favourite colours. A beautiful and slightly melancoly time as winter approaches. The vibrancy of the reds and golds before they fade. God bless you all Unax
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
Positive Influence
hi gang
Just about come back down to earth after my fantastic week in Turkey last week with Beverley! - Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you. Whilst we were there we started to collate a list of songs that have positive words, messages. if you would like to add to this list please send me an email with a list and I will ask our wonderful blog controller - adrian to add another list of resources to our rapidily growing blog.
One of our attendees suggested that our theme tune for the event should be Take That - Shine.
Some of the music just made us feel good - we had a couple of attendees Twisting by the pool on sunday night!
The trip was also a great way for me to review some of my own tolerations - feeling full of energy yesterday Andy and I pruned our hedge at the front of the house, shaped a bush that was about to take over the path, put up a mirror in Laurens room and painted the radiator in her room! Just goes to show the benefit of recharging your own batteries.
Lots of Hugs
Debs
Just about come back down to earth after my fantastic week in Turkey last week with Beverley! - Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you. Whilst we were there we started to collate a list of songs that have positive words, messages. if you would like to add to this list please send me an email with a list and I will ask our wonderful blog controller - adrian to add another list of resources to our rapidily growing blog.
One of our attendees suggested that our theme tune for the event should be Take That - Shine.
Some of the music just made us feel good - we had a couple of attendees Twisting by the pool on sunday night!
The trip was also a great way for me to review some of my own tolerations - feeling full of energy yesterday Andy and I pruned our hedge at the front of the house, shaped a bush that was about to take over the path, put up a mirror in Laurens room and painted the radiator in her room! Just goes to show the benefit of recharging your own batteries.
Lots of Hugs
Debs
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
The Joys of Podcasting
Hello Folks,
I wanted to share with you a couple of podcasting resources I have found useful. These are short audio files which can be searched and then downloaded for free from iTunes if you have it installed or can be found on the internet too. I would recommend iTunes rather than the websites as you don't have to pay!
1. My Thought Coach - has some really calming and positive affirmations on various topics. Pop it on your iPod and listen on the way to work. www.mythoughtcoach.com/library.asp
2. Coaching the Life Coach- on various topics, all around setting up your own coaching practice. Some are less useful than others but may be interesting. www.personallifemedia.com/podcasts/life-coaching/life-coaching-show.html
Nx
ps. Am loving the pink.
I wanted to share with you a couple of podcasting resources I have found useful. These are short audio files which can be searched and then downloaded for free from iTunes if you have it installed or can be found on the internet too. I would recommend iTunes rather than the websites as you don't have to pay!
1. My Thought Coach - has some really calming and positive affirmations on various topics. Pop it on your iPod and listen on the way to work. www.mythoughtcoach.com/library.asp
2. Coaching the Life Coach- on various topics, all around setting up your own coaching practice. Some are less useful than others but may be interesting. www.personallifemedia.com/podcasts/life-coaching/life-coaching-show.html
Nx
ps. Am loving the pink.
Monday, 1 October 2007
Beverley and Debbie! Congratulations on your outstanding success in Turkey
Extract from Beverley and Debbie's email
'Debs and I are just taking a moment to relax at the end of the last full day of our personal development holiday. It has been a HUGE SUCCESS!!!!!! We’ve had maximum scores for meeting expectations, overall enjoyment, the venue, food, etc and the four participants all agreed they would recommend the holiday to people they know. '
'Debs and I are just taking a moment to relax at the end of the last full day of our personal development holiday. It has been a HUGE SUCCESS!!!!!! We’ve had maximum scores for meeting expectations, overall enjoyment, the venue, food, etc and the four participants all agreed they would recommend the holiday to people they know. '
Friday, 28 September 2007
Adrian
Hi Adrian,
Just wanted to say that you are a star for putting this blog together. Thank you.
Here is to my first time blogging...
I am attaching a little souvenir from our lovely Parisian lunch!
Take care,
Céline
Thursday, 27 September 2007
Welcome!
Encouragement, acknowledgement, fun and helpful information is the aim of this blog.
I acknowledge all the group for their considerable preparedness to make everyone feel special
and I believe that Martin's post below encapsulates the way we all feel.
Keep smiling and celebrating your successes.
Adrian
I acknowledge all the group for their considerable preparedness to make everyone feel special
and I believe that Martin's post below encapsulates the way we all feel.
Keep smiling and celebrating your successes.
Adrian
Thursday, 20 September 2007
Thank You
Cheryl, Duncan and Laura - for your insights, and confidence instilling guidance, and setting us on the right path.
To all my new friends.... for your experiences, expertise and sharing your own vulnerabilities and your hearts which have allowed us all to grow.
The Navigators will bring some more opportunities to maintain this great network.
Thanks seems such an inadequate word at times - lots of hugs and pink power to you all !!
Martin
To all my new friends.... for your experiences, expertise and sharing your own vulnerabilities and your hearts which have allowed us all to grow.
The Navigators will bring some more opportunities to maintain this great network.
Thanks seems such an inadequate word at times - lots of hugs and pink power to you all !!
Martin
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