Archive for category: Life Coaching Articles

Smiling Create Motivation

Scientists have proven that flexing the 26 muscles that it takes to smile, generates positive chemicals in our bodies. The resulting positive feelings may help you create greater success.   Happy moods lead people to be more venturesome and more open to others.  Happy people are also more highly motivated and more willing to tackle tough projects.

If you’re trying to get yourself to tackle the task that you keep putting at the bottom of your list, smiling may give you the push you need.

 

Smiles Motivate Others

Smiles are a free social currency.  As Author Les Giblin has said,   “If you’re not using your smile, you’re like a man with a million dollars in the bank and no chequebook.”

Smiling shows people that we are friendly and approachable – thus making us more desirable to do business with or work with.  Smiling people are judged to be more sincere, sociable, competent, and attractive and a genuine smile shows self confidence.

Smiles also motivate others. Louise Armstrong knew that smiles are contagious:  “When you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you.”

 

Smiles Increase Productivity

 

If you’re a manager trying to jumpstart productivity, a salesperson working to close a sale, a teacher trying to engage your students, or a parent coaxing your kid to finish their homework, a smile can inspire the behavior you are looking for.

To others your smile is a gift of encouragement, inspiration, acknowledgement, and caring.  And to you, your smile may be the gift of success.  So in this new decade, don’t forget to: Smile Your Way to Success.

Americans tend to live the opposite of a Zen lifestyle. We rush, multi-task, complicate, continuously move, crowd, and accumulate. We’re driven by calendars and to do lists. But even if we cannot fully embrace a Zen lifestyle, we can benefit from devoting regular time to live more like a monk. It could be a day, a week, an hour a day, a week a year, but any time you devote to the following these Zen Principles will bring you more peace and less stress.

1. 1. Devote time to sitting. In the life of a Zen monk, sitting meditation (zazen) is one of the most important parts of his day. Meditation is practice for learning to be present. Sit silently for at least 10 minutes a day.

 

1. 1. Live simply and have only what is necessary. There is little in a Zen monk’s life that isn’t necessary. He doesn’t have a closet full of shoes or the latest in trendy clothes. He doesn’t have the latest gadgets, cars, televisions, or iPhone.O.K., well actually he does have an iPhone, as we discovered on our trip to Buhtan. But that’s all he has, I swear! He’s wearing worn leather sandals and a piece of red cloth for goodness sakes!!!!  Let’s get back to the point: less is more. Give away the extra kitchen gadgets and sports equipment. They are cluttering your house and your mind.

 

1. Do one thing at a time. When you’re eating, just eat. When you’re gardening, just garden
2. Do it slowly, deliberately, and completely. Rushing takes the Zen out of the moment. Take your time. Move slowly and deliberately. Focus your mind. First cut the peppers, then cut the onions. Don’t move on to the next task until you are finished with the first one.
3. Do less. If you fill your day with tasks, you will rush from one to the other. The truth is, almost every project can wait and if you did less, the world wouldn’t end.
4. Put space between things. Don’t schedule appointments and tasks close together — leave room to finish and breathe in between.You’re wearing out the tread on your tires by never letting them cool down. Small changes make a big difference. So whenever you can, “Live Like a Buddhist Monk”.

 

Want to live more like a Buddhist Monk?  My team and I can support you with Life Coaching that will help you incorporate these principles into your life.  Contact me today for a Coaching Consultation.

 

 
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but those who focus on others, instead of themselves, tend to be happier and more positive.
 
Recently, neuroscientists discovered that when you are compassionate, your nervous system and the emotion control center of your brain, are positively affected, resulting in happiness. In addition, compassion releases oxytocin in your body, which calms stress and boosts immunity. So helping others and showing empathy will make you happier and healthier.
 

 
And helping others doesn’t have to be an overwhelming proposition.
 
Recently I was having a bad day. It isn’t surprising that I would have a bad day considering I am recovering from extensive surgery on my foot, ankle, and calf.
 
Feeling frustrated and helpless, I was stunned at the impact of one simple question my husband asked: “What can I do to make your day tomorrow a little easier?”
 
Just the utterance of the words touched my soul. And the little things I asked him to do made the next day so much better: “Can you put a trashcan next to my Coaching chair and can you move my lunch to the second shelf in the Fridge so I can reach it better?” It took him just a few minutes to respond to my requests.
 
A little compassion. A little effort. And not only did I feel better, but my husband’s frontal lobe lit up, while calming chemicals bathed his body and reduced his stress.
 
Imagine how much happier you could be and what a better place the world would be if we all asked that simple question more often:
 
What can I do to make your day a little easier?
 
 

 

 
New studies on Happiness have yielded these strategies to improve your mood and build happiness, no matter how tough the times:
 

1. Buy experiences not things.  Purchasing objects is not show to appreciably increase happiness.  Buying experiences will invigorate you, mentally stimulate you, and bring joy into your life.  Try indulging in concerts, plays, sporting events, museums, and dinners with friends instead of a new pair of jeans.

 

2. Spend time with cheerful people.  We all know that negativity is contagious, but studies show that happiness is also contagious.  Life is too short, stop spending time with turkeys!

 

3. Keep a Dream Journal.  Just 10 minutes a week spent writing about your dreams and the steps you will take to achieve them will:

• Improve your outlook
• Help you be more resilient in the face of adversity
• Train your brain to think positively.

 

4. Sweat.  Burning just 350 calories a week through exercise is show to be about as effective as antidepressants in reducing depression.

 

5. Help others.  People who help others are more calm and less likely to be depressed.  And helping others doesn’t have to be a big burder.  The next time you see someone struggling with packages or with opening a door, help them!

 
It’s that simple to feel good in tough times!
 
 

 

 
When I was young, my father led us in a family activity that helped me create a healthier relationship with money.  It was called: Austerity Month.
 
Austerity is an act of self denial as an economic measure.  For Austerity Month we spent as little money as possible.  We bought inexpensive groceries, we didn’t go out to eat, we used the spare change in the couch to go to the movies, and we didn’t purchase anything except the bare necessities.
 
My husband and I have continued this family tradition.  In January we pick two months during the year to be Austerity Months.
 
In our young lean years we ate home-made refried beans, tuna casserole, and macaroni and cheese.  I have to admit that over the years we’ve been a little easier on ourselves.  During our Austerity Months now, we still go out to eat once a week, but we go to an inexpensive restaurant.
 
We get creative about doing things that are free or inexpensive.  We go on picnics, walk on the beach, go to the museum on the free days, have friends over for simple food, watch the sunset, or go to the Arboretum.  We enjoy what we already have:  a nice yard, a comfy sofa, an eclectic collection of CDs, and good company in each other.
 
Through the Austerity Month process, we’ve learned that when you wait a month for a purchase, you often don’t want it the next month.
 
Austerity Month helps us spend less money overall for the year.  But the most important thing is does is re-calibrate our relationship with money.  We get in the habit of spending less all year.
 
We become more aware of the extravagances that creep into daily life:  the lattes, the pre-cut cantaloupe, the extra magazines, sushi takeout, the salad before the entrée, the chic purse, the fancy sunglasses, the ninth lipstick.  We learn that we don’t need things to be happy.
 
We remember what’s really important: good friends, connecting with family, and just being together.
 

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