Have you ever wondered how happy people can always seem to be happy? I'll be the first to admit that I'm not happy all the time. I'd like to be, but I'm just not. How can we be happy when things around us just aren't going well? As it turns out, we do have control over our own happiness! That's great news, isn't it?
Over the next couple of days, we'll take a look at the 8 habits of happy people. These are relatively simple things that you can do to take control of your own happiness and begin to live an intentional life. Let's look at the first four:
1. Act happy. This is probably one of the most difficult ones to master but it can have a profound effect on you and the people around you. Acting happy includes laughing, smiling, being friendly, and maintaining a positive attitude. Pick one and try it out!
2. Live in the moment. Don't waste your time worrying about the past or the future - the past can't be changed and the future hasn't happened yet. You have today, so make the most of it!
3. Exercise. Studies have shown that daily exercise helps people feel better. I can't give you all the scientific reasoning behind it but I do know that endorphins are released when you exercise and these endorphins can elevate your mood. Even a few minutes of physical activity each day can help make you happy. Try something fun like a hula hoop or a scooter!
4. Get enough rest. This one can't be emphasized enough. Have you ever met someone who has only had a few hours of sleep? Likely not the happiest person you've ever met. Long term sleep deprivation can lead to more serious issues beyond a bad mood. Getting 7-9 hours of rest a night is ideal to maintaining a healthy, happy attitude. Make sure to get to bed at a reasonable hour and wake up refreshed and happy!
Pick one of these habits and get started on becoming a happier person! Check back tomorrow for the next four habits of happy people.
Wishing you much happiness,
Coach April
www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
Friday, May 30, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Have you made a difference today?
It’s no secret that we live in a “what’s in it for me” society. In our overloaded and busy lives, many of us seldom take the time to do something that doesn’t directly benefit us. We defend our actions by saying that we just don’t have the time. We’re busy, we’re stressed, and we have other things on our mind. But how can we change this? In all honesty, it’s quite easy to change this and begin making the world a better place. And it doesn’t have to be a big action. In fact, little actions can compound and make a big difference. Here are a couple of simple things that you can do today to make a difference:
• Smile. This is perhaps one of the easiest things you can do. It doesn’t cost anything and tends to be contagious. Smiling at someone might be just what they needed to feel better. Because they feel better, they may pass the smile on and create an epidemic of smiling. It wouldn’t hurt for the world to be a happier place, would it?
• Do something nice for someone else. Look around and see what you can do for your fellow man. Perhaps you can allow the person in line behind you with only 2 items to check out before you. This will only cost you a couple of minutes and your kindness will brighten someone’s day. Perhaps you could call or send a card or email to a friend telling how much you value them. It just takes a couple of minutes and will really make someone feel great. The possibilities are virtually endless!
• Make a donation to a cause you are passionate about. Many of us have very busy schedules and find it difficult to volunteer our time. How about making a cash donation? When you sit down to pay your bills, send a check or online payment to the charity of your choice. Many of these organizations are able to do wonderful things with your money. If you are able, spend a couple of hours helping a charitable cause. You don’t have to make a huge commitment to make a big difference.
These are only three simple ways that you can make a difference in the world. The good news is that doing something for someone else makes YOU feel good. So go out and start making the world a better place!
Sincerely,
Coach April
www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
Bringing Inspiration to Life!
• Smile. This is perhaps one of the easiest things you can do. It doesn’t cost anything and tends to be contagious. Smiling at someone might be just what they needed to feel better. Because they feel better, they may pass the smile on and create an epidemic of smiling. It wouldn’t hurt for the world to be a happier place, would it?
• Do something nice for someone else. Look around and see what you can do for your fellow man. Perhaps you can allow the person in line behind you with only 2 items to check out before you. This will only cost you a couple of minutes and your kindness will brighten someone’s day. Perhaps you could call or send a card or email to a friend telling how much you value them. It just takes a couple of minutes and will really make someone feel great. The possibilities are virtually endless!
• Make a donation to a cause you are passionate about. Many of us have very busy schedules and find it difficult to volunteer our time. How about making a cash donation? When you sit down to pay your bills, send a check or online payment to the charity of your choice. Many of these organizations are able to do wonderful things with your money. If you are able, spend a couple of hours helping a charitable cause. You don’t have to make a huge commitment to make a big difference.
These are only three simple ways that you can make a difference in the world. The good news is that doing something for someone else makes YOU feel good. So go out and start making the world a better place!
Sincerely,
Coach April
www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
Bringing Inspiration to Life!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
It's your choice!
I often hear people saying that they don't have a choice...about their job, their financial situation, their coworkers, their life, or whatever else. What a defeatist attitude! We always have a choice! From the most minute details of our lives to the major decisions, we have many choices - even if it is just our attitude. Granted, we don't get to choose certain things that happen in life, but we do get to choose how we deal with those things. In those choices, we determine whether we move forward and soar or allow ourselves to be held back, feeling sorry for ourselves. What do you choose?
The next time you find yourself saying that you don't have a choice, look closely at the situation and remember that you do have a choice. Ask yourself what the one decision is that will move you forward. Then take action on it. It's not always easy or quick, but you can learn and grow even from difficult experiences. You can create your ideal life with the decisions you make and the actions you take. IT'S YOUR CHOICE!
Wishing you success and happiness,
Coach April
http://www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
The next time you find yourself saying that you don't have a choice, look closely at the situation and remember that you do have a choice. Ask yourself what the one decision is that will move you forward. Then take action on it. It's not always easy or quick, but you can learn and grow even from difficult experiences. You can create your ideal life with the decisions you make and the actions you take. IT'S YOUR CHOICE!
Wishing you success and happiness,
Coach April
http://www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
Friday, May 2, 2008
Why use a coach?
Throughout the course of a day, I find myself meeting many new people at networking meetings, association meetings, or various other meetings. When I tell them what I do for a living, most of them have never heard of a career coach, or, if they have, don't have a good understanding of what a coach really does. Because everyone understands why athletes use coaches (to improve their performance), I often use this as an analogy for what I do. My clients are already successful people - they just want to fine tune their skills to achieve more. By successful I don't mean only financially. Success is measured differently by everyone. My clients come to me with a specific challenge they are facing whether that is increasing their productivity, moving up the corporate ladder or starting a new career. A large part of the time, that challenge may be balancing work and life, getting unstuck, or overcoming other obstacles or challenges. I provide them with the perspective and support they need to move forward. It really is a magical process with truly amazing results! Clients are able to move forward and soar to new heights.
So what could coaching mean to you?
* More time
* More money
* More direction
* More success
* More of whatever you want
If you're not convinced of the benefits yet, contact a coach and try it out. Many coaches will offer a complementary sample session to let you experience coaching for yourself with no commitment. Call today and start getting MORE!
If you'd like to schedule a complementary session with one of our coaches, call our office at 972-625-5900 or visit our website at http://www.nexuscoachingpartners.com. We can help you get MORE!
So what could coaching mean to you?
* More time
* More money
* More direction
* More success
* More of whatever you want
If you're not convinced of the benefits yet, contact a coach and try it out. Many coaches will offer a complementary sample session to let you experience coaching for yourself with no commitment. Call today and start getting MORE!
If you'd like to schedule a complementary session with one of our coaches, call our office at 972-625-5900 or visit our website at http://www.nexuscoachingpartners.com. We can help you get MORE!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Take charge of your career
With the changing environment of the workplace, it has become more and more challenging to move up the corporate ladder than in the past. Gone are the days when the boss could walk by your desk and see how diligently you were working. As more employees are telecommuting or reporting to bosses in different geographical locations, being a visible employee and advancing your career takes careful planning and focus. It is now necessary to take responsibility for your own career advancement.
Here are several ways that you can take charge of your own career:
1. Talk to your boss. Have a direct conversation with your boss about your future with the company and your career goals. Stress to him that you are interested in being a valuable asset to the company. This shows both confidence in yourself and interest in the success of the company.
2. Ask for more. Let your boss know that you are willing to take on new projects or assignments that will further develop your skills and help the company. Taking on more responsibility will make you more valuable to the company.
3. Sharpen your professional and people skills. Continual learning is important to sharpening your professional skills. Because the marketplace is continually changing and evolving, keeping up to date on these changes will further increase your value to the company. Being professional, friendly, outgoing and helpful to coworkers, other departments and customers will help you develop relationships that could provide opportunities for you in the future.
4. Find a mentor or coach. A mentor can help you develop the skills you need as you move up the corporate ladder. Whether you have a mentor inside or outside of the company, a mentor can provide valuable career guidance to you as well as useful information. A coach can help you develop strategies and provide you with valuable perspective as you face the challenges of moving forward in your career.
5. Sell yourself and build your reputation. Careful self-promotion is a good way to create visibility within your department or company. Make sure that influential people are aware of your major accomplishments and the benefit to the company. Building your reputation as an innovative, dependable, professional, and valuable employee will further help you sell yourself.
To learn more about developing your career, check out Get Smart! About Modern Career Development by Dr. Michelle Casto or call Nexus Coaching Partners for a complementary consultation to get your career moving forward. During the month of April, we are also offering 20% off our career assessments. Call us today and see if we can help get you moving forward!
Warmly,
Coach April
www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
"Bringing Inspiration to Life"
Here are several ways that you can take charge of your own career:
1. Talk to your boss. Have a direct conversation with your boss about your future with the company and your career goals. Stress to him that you are interested in being a valuable asset to the company. This shows both confidence in yourself and interest in the success of the company.
2. Ask for more. Let your boss know that you are willing to take on new projects or assignments that will further develop your skills and help the company. Taking on more responsibility will make you more valuable to the company.
3. Sharpen your professional and people skills. Continual learning is important to sharpening your professional skills. Because the marketplace is continually changing and evolving, keeping up to date on these changes will further increase your value to the company. Being professional, friendly, outgoing and helpful to coworkers, other departments and customers will help you develop relationships that could provide opportunities for you in the future.
4. Find a mentor or coach. A mentor can help you develop the skills you need as you move up the corporate ladder. Whether you have a mentor inside or outside of the company, a mentor can provide valuable career guidance to you as well as useful information. A coach can help you develop strategies and provide you with valuable perspective as you face the challenges of moving forward in your career.
5. Sell yourself and build your reputation. Careful self-promotion is a good way to create visibility within your department or company. Make sure that influential people are aware of your major accomplishments and the benefit to the company. Building your reputation as an innovative, dependable, professional, and valuable employee will further help you sell yourself.
To learn more about developing your career, check out Get Smart! About Modern Career Development by Dr. Michelle Casto or call Nexus Coaching Partners for a complementary consultation to get your career moving forward. During the month of April, we are also offering 20% off our career assessments. Call us today and see if we can help get you moving forward!
Warmly,
Coach April
www.nexuscoachingpartners.com
"Bringing Inspiration to Life"
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Creating your life vision
Do you know where you want to go in life?
Do you know who you want to be?
Carl Jung, one of the founding fathers of depth psychology, once said, “Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens.” Those words are so true. By looking inside ourselves, we can turn our dreams into reality.
To get started figuring out where you want to go in life, think about these questions:
Where do you want to be in 2, 5, or 10 years? What do you want to be doing?
Imagine your future life…are you single, in a relationship, with children, empty nesting, retired? What job are you doing? What activities are you involved in? What are your hobbies? What quality of life do you wish to enjoy? Are you in a position to contribute to a cause or interest? So…How are you going to make it happen? Another one of my favorite quotes is from an unknown author and says, “Seeing yourself as you want to be is the key to personal growth”. Careful soul-searching on these questions will help you grow as a person.
Next, visualize what you want. Try envisioning the life you would like to live, your ideal life. Would you like a new career? Go back to school? Have children? Travel around the world? When do you want to retire? What do you want to have done by then?
Ask yourself “What does my life look like…”
In 12 months time?
In 2, 5, 10, 20 years time?
I know it seems a little weird to think about what you want to do in 20 years but it is important to know where you are headed so that you know how to get there. Much like a car trip, you probably wouldn’t want to set out with just the idea to head north. If you know that you are headed to a particular destination, you will take the roads that lead you there. If for some reason you get off course, you can look at your map and know you need to make adjustments and get back on course or to redefine your course altogether. Speaking of redefining your course, this can happen too, and is perfectly normal as you grow and change throughout your life. This is where a periodic review of your plan comes in handy.
After you’ve given some thought to your ideal life and envisioned what it will look like, you’ll want to write out your goals. Try writing goals in the following areas: relationships, career, family, health, financial.
Then commit to your vision and goals and take action. Joel Barker, an independent scholar who has done considerable work in the area of corporate leadership says that “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” This is a very powerful statement that shows the connection between our vision and our actions. And while you may not be out to change the world, these words are very applicable to our lives.
Even more simply stated, your goals will remain daydreams without action. So in this step, we are going to write down our commitments so you know what you need to do.
Ask yourself these questions:
· What do I need to do?
· What needs to happen to achieve my goal?
· What is something I can do today to move me a little closer to my goal?
· Who do I need to help, support, or hold me accountable for the completion of my goal?
It’s very important to be very specific in detailing your commitments. The more specific you are, the better your chances for success.
These three steps can transform your life from a vision in your head to a reality! You first begin by visualizing what you want from your life. Then use that vision to set your goals. Once you’ve set your goals, commit to them and take action. Robert Collier, one of the first success authors, once said “Visualize this thing you want. See it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blueprint and begin.” It doesn’t matter how big your first step is. The point is that you took the first step!
These are the basic steps to get you started. I want to emphasize that your goals and action steps be written down on paper, not just stored in your head, and reviewed periodically.
I challenge you to get started on creating your life vision and see what happens! Start living your ideal life beginning now!
Do you know who you want to be?
Carl Jung, one of the founding fathers of depth psychology, once said, “Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens.” Those words are so true. By looking inside ourselves, we can turn our dreams into reality.
To get started figuring out where you want to go in life, think about these questions:
Where do you want to be in 2, 5, or 10 years? What do you want to be doing?
Imagine your future life…are you single, in a relationship, with children, empty nesting, retired? What job are you doing? What activities are you involved in? What are your hobbies? What quality of life do you wish to enjoy? Are you in a position to contribute to a cause or interest? So…How are you going to make it happen? Another one of my favorite quotes is from an unknown author and says, “Seeing yourself as you want to be is the key to personal growth”. Careful soul-searching on these questions will help you grow as a person.
Next, visualize what you want. Try envisioning the life you would like to live, your ideal life. Would you like a new career? Go back to school? Have children? Travel around the world? When do you want to retire? What do you want to have done by then?
Ask yourself “What does my life look like…”
In 12 months time?
In 2, 5, 10, 20 years time?
I know it seems a little weird to think about what you want to do in 20 years but it is important to know where you are headed so that you know how to get there. Much like a car trip, you probably wouldn’t want to set out with just the idea to head north. If you know that you are headed to a particular destination, you will take the roads that lead you there. If for some reason you get off course, you can look at your map and know you need to make adjustments and get back on course or to redefine your course altogether. Speaking of redefining your course, this can happen too, and is perfectly normal as you grow and change throughout your life. This is where a periodic review of your plan comes in handy.
After you’ve given some thought to your ideal life and envisioned what it will look like, you’ll want to write out your goals. Try writing goals in the following areas: relationships, career, family, health, financial.
Then commit to your vision and goals and take action. Joel Barker, an independent scholar who has done considerable work in the area of corporate leadership says that “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” This is a very powerful statement that shows the connection between our vision and our actions. And while you may not be out to change the world, these words are very applicable to our lives.
Even more simply stated, your goals will remain daydreams without action. So in this step, we are going to write down our commitments so you know what you need to do.
Ask yourself these questions:
· What do I need to do?
· What needs to happen to achieve my goal?
· What is something I can do today to move me a little closer to my goal?
· Who do I need to help, support, or hold me accountable for the completion of my goal?
It’s very important to be very specific in detailing your commitments. The more specific you are, the better your chances for success.
These three steps can transform your life from a vision in your head to a reality! You first begin by visualizing what you want from your life. Then use that vision to set your goals. Once you’ve set your goals, commit to them and take action. Robert Collier, one of the first success authors, once said “Visualize this thing you want. See it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blueprint and begin.” It doesn’t matter how big your first step is. The point is that you took the first step!
These are the basic steps to get you started. I want to emphasize that your goals and action steps be written down on paper, not just stored in your head, and reviewed periodically.
I challenge you to get started on creating your life vision and see what happens! Start living your ideal life beginning now!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Overcoming obstacles, challenges, and disappointments
I was recently faced with a major disappointment that really made me question my abilities. I felt like giving up. Looking back on it, it wasn't that big of a deal. I accepted it for what it was, learned from it, and moved on. The truth is that we are all faced with disappointments and challenges in our lives. The way we handle these situations affects the ultimate outcome. If you look at some of history's most successful people, you will find that many of them endured significant obstacles and disappointments and overcame them. How did they do this? The main way is with perseverance and determined focus. They never gave up. Thomas Edison said, "I have not failed 700 times. I have not failed once. I have proven 700 ways that won't work." Wow! That's some kind of attitude. Considering that he is one of the greatest inventors around and we use many of his inventions every day, I think we're all pretty lucky that he didn't give up. Where would we be if he accepted failure? Perhaps we would never have had the phonograph or a lightbulb.
What can we learn from people like Thomas Edison? We can learn to never give up and to learn from what didn't work. The learning part is so valuable. Like Edison said, he never failed. What if we looked at our failures and chose to not consider them failures? What if we chalked up the experience as successfully learning what didn't work? The situation is the same - only our reactions are different.
My challenge to you this week is to approach your obstacles, challenges, and disappointments differently. See if you can turn a potentially negative situation into a positive one by learning from it and persevering. I would love to hear what impact this has for you!
Wishing you much success,
Coach April
What can we learn from people like Thomas Edison? We can learn to never give up and to learn from what didn't work. The learning part is so valuable. Like Edison said, he never failed. What if we looked at our failures and chose to not consider them failures? What if we chalked up the experience as successfully learning what didn't work? The situation is the same - only our reactions are different.
My challenge to you this week is to approach your obstacles, challenges, and disappointments differently. See if you can turn a potentially negative situation into a positive one by learning from it and persevering. I would love to hear what impact this has for you!
Wishing you much success,
Coach April
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