Today I received a request to do an interview on BBC Three Counties radio to talk about happiness following a recent survey that states that people are happier as they get older with 45 being the turning point.
One of the points we discussed was whether or not it is possible for people to be happier earlier. I really believe that it is and that each day we should spend a little time flexing our happiness muscle. Why not spend a little time now thinking what makes you happy. Are there certain activities that make you happy or are you happy around certain people. It's worth having a list to hand somewhere to remind you if you get a little blue as it is often really easy to change your mood. It may be that you could put on one of your favourite tunes, watch a favourite tv program, ring your best friend for a good natter or spend time with someone you love.
You can see from this list of examples that it need not cost you a fortune and need not take lots of time, they can be really effective and quick easy options to use. Why not share what makes you happy on my facebook poll? I'd love to see what works for you!
What would be on your list? What is your golden option, guaranteed to put a smile back on your face and lighten your heart and put a spring in your step.
With regards to the question of whether or not you get happier as you get older...well the jury is out on that one. I certainly would say I've reached a different type of happiness and when I reach the golden 45 I'll let you know if it's any different!
In the meantime I'd like to share this clip from u-tube with you.
If you are ever tempted to think that your circumstances are such that you can't be happy then take a look and see if you feel the same after.
Clare Wildman Coaching Information
Giving things up for Lent
I've rather surprised myself today. Earlier I came across the question from Champneys on Twitter asking 'What are you giving up for Lent?'
Rather strangely despite having made pancakes last night I'd not given any thought to this at all but the first thing that came to my mind was 'guilt'. Perhaps this is particularly appropriate for a religious festival but I'm not wanting to get into a religious debate.
I do want to say that I've decided to go with my first instinct and if things don't go to plan, or I can't help out when I want to because of previous engagements I'm going to pop that little guilt feeling to one side and accept that it actually isn't my fault and that guilt is not an appropriate response.
In the meantime it did get me to thinking about the fact that we are giving something up, going without, making sacrifice (as it is normally interpreted). Wouldn't it be wonderful instead to have a time of year when we take up something new and make a commitment to something more positive. I wonder what would be a good time of year for that....May?
In the meantime then...what will you be giving up for Lent? Anything?
Rather strangely despite having made pancakes last night I'd not given any thought to this at all but the first thing that came to my mind was 'guilt'. Perhaps this is particularly appropriate for a religious festival but I'm not wanting to get into a religious debate.
I do want to say that I've decided to go with my first instinct and if things don't go to plan, or I can't help out when I want to because of previous engagements I'm going to pop that little guilt feeling to one side and accept that it actually isn't my fault and that guilt is not an appropriate response.
In the meantime it did get me to thinking about the fact that we are giving something up, going without, making sacrifice (as it is normally interpreted). Wouldn't it be wonderful instead to have a time of year when we take up something new and make a commitment to something more positive. I wonder what would be a good time of year for that....May?
In the meantime then...what will you be giving up for Lent? Anything?
Life Coaching the Slower Option...
I think this is what some people think of it as being and this causes a bit of a problem for us coaches.
After all we live in a society where immediate gratification is the in thing right now and that really isn't what coaching is about. I've noticed that a lot of people want to be told what to do, they want the easy option and they might get that from some coaches but they definitely won't get that from me.
You see coaching is about stopping to think and talk things through. About consolidating the knowledge and advice that we have gained over the years and working out what is right for YOU as an individual. You'll look at what has worked for you in the past, what didn't and why and in this way get to where you want to be quicker and more effectively.
Does it work if others tell you what to do? Well what have you found? How many self help books have you read and not put the learning into action? How many courses and webinars have you been on and not followed through? Don't get me wrong I'm not saying that these aren't worth doing but the key to making them really effective is to take action on what you have learnt. Your coach comes to your aid here by helping you work out which bits of learning to act on and which bits to test or ignore. You put together your own personal action plan and then your coach helps to hold you accountable to that and supports you in taking action.
So is coaching a slower route....maybe, maybe not.
Tell me what you think.
After all we live in a society where immediate gratification is the in thing right now and that really isn't what coaching is about. I've noticed that a lot of people want to be told what to do, they want the easy option and they might get that from some coaches but they definitely won't get that from me.
You see coaching is about stopping to think and talk things through. About consolidating the knowledge and advice that we have gained over the years and working out what is right for YOU as an individual. You'll look at what has worked for you in the past, what didn't and why and in this way get to where you want to be quicker and more effectively.
Does it work if others tell you what to do? Well what have you found? How many self help books have you read and not put the learning into action? How many courses and webinars have you been on and not followed through? Don't get me wrong I'm not saying that these aren't worth doing but the key to making them really effective is to take action on what you have learnt. Your coach comes to your aid here by helping you work out which bits of learning to act on and which bits to test or ignore. You put together your own personal action plan and then your coach helps to hold you accountable to that and supports you in taking action.
So is coaching a slower route....maybe, maybe not.
Tell me what you think.
The Race Into 2012
Is it just me or has everyone been very keen to leave 2011 behind?
It has felt as if this is the case and I've been surprised by just how many people have already taken their Christmas decorations down (or is that due to the more prosaic reason that the last weekend before twelfth night has passed?) Even the FTSE index seems to be relieved that the New Year has begun with a lovely rise of +127.63! (Well it was when I wrote the post on the 3rd!)
All joking aside I think it's a good thing that we seem to be more hopeful and optimistic about 2012 and lets face it in the UK we should be - we are hosting the Olympics after all! Now I'm just hoping that at least a little of this optimism spreads to the media. Yes the papers, tv etc have a lot to answer for in my book. When will they realise that if they keep telling us it's all going to be doom and gloom that that is exactly the situation that they are helping to create.
You see if you expect all to be miserable a little part of your brain looks for proof that that is the case. You can't help it, it just rushes off all of it's own accord. If, however, you look for signs of optimism, good cheer and hopefulness then that is exactly what that little bit of your brain will go looking for. It's covered in much greater depth and far more scientifically in the study of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) but for me, I like a simple story.
So as you race into the first month of the year just what signs are you looking for? It appears that I'm looking for people who are ready to enjoy a brighter future in 2012!
It has felt as if this is the case and I've been surprised by just how many people have already taken their Christmas decorations down (or is that due to the more prosaic reason that the last weekend before twelfth night has passed?) Even the FTSE index seems to be relieved that the New Year has begun with a lovely rise of +127.63! (Well it was when I wrote the post on the 3rd!)
All joking aside I think it's a good thing that we seem to be more hopeful and optimistic about 2012 and lets face it in the UK we should be - we are hosting the Olympics after all! Now I'm just hoping that at least a little of this optimism spreads to the media. Yes the papers, tv etc have a lot to answer for in my book. When will they realise that if they keep telling us it's all going to be doom and gloom that that is exactly the situation that they are helping to create.
You see if you expect all to be miserable a little part of your brain looks for proof that that is the case. You can't help it, it just rushes off all of it's own accord. If, however, you look for signs of optimism, good cheer and hopefulness then that is exactly what that little bit of your brain will go looking for. It's covered in much greater depth and far more scientifically in the study of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) but for me, I like a simple story.
So as you race into the first month of the year just what signs are you looking for? It appears that I'm looking for people who are ready to enjoy a brighter future in 2012!
Happy 4th Anniversary!
Links to this post
Labels:
FREE/Offers
Yes today Clare Wildman Coaching celebrates it's 4th Anniversary. My how the time has flown!
As the company consists of little old me I'd like to share my celebrations by offering a discount of 50% to the first 4 people to book coaching or a workshop (not to be used in conjunction with any other offer as they say)
So gsend me an email if you'd like to celebrate with me. Offer ends at midnight.
As the company consists of little old me I'd like to share my celebrations by offering a discount of 50% to the first 4 people to book coaching or a workshop (not to be used in conjunction with any other offer as they say)
So gsend me an email if you'd like to celebrate with me. Offer ends at midnight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)