Is Excitement Happiness?

Is excitement the same thing as happiness? Excitement is a positive emotion that makes us feel alive, but excitement doesn’t always last, it tends to wear off. Enjoy the happiness that comes from excitement, but understand that true happiness is not the same thing as excitement.

Happiness is constant and ever-lasting; it doesn't come from a stimulation or a thrill. Happiness is more than a positive emotion; it's a state of being.

Team Together

When we're working in a team, it's easy to put all the responsibility on the team leader. But we're all responsible!

If we all take responsibility for not just the task, but also for working better together and creating a positive team environment, we'd have greater success.

Cool Anger

When there’s a fire, the most urgent thing to do is to try to put the flames out, not worry about how the fire started. In the same way, when someone’s angry, instead of adding fuel to the fire and making things worse or heating up and getting angry yourself – put out the fire. Become cool and create ‘cooling thoughts.’ ‘Cool’ the other person down by sending them good vibrations and good feelings.

How to Use Your Ears?

An ant is tiny. An elephant is huge. But if an ant enters the ear of an elephant, the tiny ant makes the elephant go crazy. In the same way, if we allow negativity to enter our ears, our behavior is affected. Be very, very selective in what you allow to enter your ears. Don’t forget, you have 2 ears, so listen with one ear and let negativity out of the other.

Tip for Disruptive Thoughts

When disruptive thoughts disturb you or interfere with your focus, try this simple tip: interrupt.

Interrupt your disruptive thoughts. Interrupt with calm, constructive thoughts. Interrupt to create smarter better results.

Making Your Own Decisions

Do you make your own decisions? Think again, because you may be surprised just how much we look to others to make our decisions.

Of course it’s useful to look to others for advice, perspective, insight… but look to yourself to make the final decision. At the end of the day it’s your life and only you know the most about you and your situation. So trust yourself to make your own decisions.

Life’s Musical Chairs

Life often feels like a game of musical chairs.

Just when you get comfortable with where you live, work or the people in your life, things change.

You know the rules, when the music starts, you have to get off your chair and move. No point lingering in front of a chair! No point worrying about what happens next. You may as well, keep moving till you hear the music stop, and enjoy the anticipation and the excitement of finding the next chair.

Peace Takeaway

Sometimes it seems as if someone or something can so easily take away our peace. But actually no one and nothing can take away our peace, because peace is our natural state of being.

So when it feels like someone or something has taken away your peace, understand that you just got pulled away from your peace. Then pull your attention away from everything else and return back to your natural state of peace.

36 Hour Weekend

Between 6pm Friday and 6am Monday there’s 60 hours. Let’s say you sleep for 24 of those hours, even then you have 36 hours. What do you do in those 36 hours? How will you make the most of your 36 hours?

Here are a few suggestions: Do something relaxing to recover from the week. Do something fun and different to rejuvenate yourself. Make time for people who matter. Make time for solitude and introspection. And most importantly, avoid doing too many chores over the weekend; maybe get some chores done on one or two weekday evenings.

The Present Moment

When the mind continuously dwells on the past, we miss out on the opportunities of the present. So, if you’re still thinking about something you don’t need to be thinking about – stop! Remind yourself: time is too precious to waste on time-wasting thoughts. Become present and take the opportunity to use the present moment well.

Respectful Assertiveness

When a conversation becomes heated, can you respond warmly? When giving your opinion, can you express yourself without anxiety? Assertiveness is our ability to convey thoughts and feelings in ways that can be clearly heard; whilst maintaining our personal integrity, as well as respect for others.

Like the Autumn Leaves

Autumn is the season of letting go. As the wind begins to blow, the leaves on the trees begin to turn, twist, fall and float to the ground.

Like the autumn leaves, we too need to let go of all that is no longer relevant.

This autumn, what will you let go of?

The Problem behind the Problem

When a problem arises, it’s essential to fix the immediate problem, but, as soon as you can, solve the problem behind the problem. If we don’t, we’re likely to end up with the same or a similar problem, again and again.

Make the time to look for the underlying issues that led to the problem. Then work out how you can fix the problem behind the problem.

Face on Auto-Response

Are your facial expressions on auto response?

When surprised, do you automatically raise your eyebrows; when worried, does your forehead crunch up; when upset, do your lips fall into a frown? Maybe your auto response is on smile or on neutral – no facial expression at all?

Not only do your facial expressions inform others of what you are feeling but they also impact people’s perception of you. So recognize your automatic facial responses and choose what you express and inform.

Small Achievements

Big achievements get all the attention; it’s the small ones that go unnoticed.

Honor other people’s achievements, no matter how small. This adds fuel to their motivation and also communicates that they, and what they do matters.

Put a congratulations note on the fridge door, acknowledge the achievement in a meeting, or celebrate the small success with chocolates, ice cream, cakes…. How will you honor the small accomplishments of those around you?