BECOME your own life coach and you'll be well on your way to achieving goals and leading a calmer, happier existence.

That's the view of Paul McGee, an interational trainer, coach, author and professional speaker. His latest book "59 Minutes to a Calmer Life" shows people how to de-stress themselves and make whatever changes they want to make to improve their lifestyles.

Paul is married with two children and lives in Appleton.

He believes that in spite of new technologies, more choice and greater expectations, many people are struggling to cope because they need to reduce stress in their personal and professional lives.

His book provides well laid out strategies for sorting out life's problems, and shows people how to handle the obstacles that threaten to get in the way of achieving goals.

Paul does a lot of motivational speaking and coaching, with companies and individuals. He is aware that many people find change difficult."The trick is wanting to change. Usually the motivation is that people will experience either more pleasure or less pain as a result. People are not very self aware. They will spend more time planning next year's holiday than planning the rest of their lives. Having a life plan is a good thing.

"Success leave clues. I have interviewed a lot of successful people. They all take responsibility for their lives. They all get out there and make things happen. Action is the key." Paul puts forward a four point plan:

Decide on your aims, relate them to your abilities and be realistic.

Find inspiration by setting exciting goals and thinking about how you will feel when you have achieved them. Be inspired by other people through networking.

Develop the right mentality. Work at the goals and if problems arise, be inspired enough to move on.

Have a strategy. Work out what you will do, who will help, what the options are and how you will overcome the obstacles, and put your framework in place for your plan of action.

"People need vision. They need to be emotionally stirred up and excited, then they will be motivated. If you have vision, you can make decisions based on that," he said.

Paul himself is proof that his theories work. Ten years ago, he lost his job through ME. He started to work from home, writing books and reading everything he could that would help his own personal development. He is where he is today through sheer tenacity plus a structured approach to achieving what he wants.

But he doesn't sit back on his laurels. Not surprisingly, he has his own vision for the future, which he hopes will include TV work. He wants to be as enthusiastic and passionate about his work in the future as he is now and he is convinced that "the best is yet to come."

Paul's book went into the shops this week and it has been endorsed by several well known people including Sir John Harvey-Jones, Kriss Akabusi, Rosemary Conley and Paul Merson. More information is available on Paul's website : www.paulmcgee.com