Life is too short to be unhappy. Time is precious. If you want to be HAPPY, start with HOPE.
If you have ever faced adversity, a crisis, or a loss, you know that HOPE is what helped you through. It makes you want to get up every day and keep trying, even when life is tough and when it feels like the world is against you.
Research has shown that when we feel optimistic, our nervous system shifts from fight-or-flight to calm and poised to act. One study demonstrated that when individuals are coached in a way that sparks positive feelings they develop an inspiring vision of the future. As a result, you will think more rationally and will be able to better manage your emotions. You will be ready to plan for your future.
It seems a simple recipe doesn’t it? What are you waiting for? What have you put in place to spark those positive feelings and have an inspiring vision of your future?
Here are other questions for you to think about. Book an appointment with yourself and plan your own happiness NOW. Too many people wrongly believe that if they are successful, they will be happy. The author and psychologist Shawn Achor says that ‘happiness comes before success’. Happy people perform better than their unhappy peers.
An executive client asked me to work with him because he wanted to be happier. He was successful and yet he was unhappy. As an Executive Coach, I use the GROW model:
- GOAL SETTING: what is the aim of this discussion?
- REALITY: what is happening now? (what, where, when, who, how much, how often). Be precise if possible.
- OPTIONS: what could you do to change the situation?
- WILL: what option or options do you choose?
I always break down my questioning into two parts. First, it is about asking the?right coaching questions and second it is about asking coaching questions in the right order:
I ask: What is the aim of our discussion today? (Goal setting)
You say: I would like to focus on?
I ask: What are your core values? (Reality)
You say: My core values are?
I ask: What are your beliefs? (Reality)
You say: My beliefs are?
I ask: What are your life purposes? (Reality)
You say: My life purposes are?
I ask: What are your key strengths? (Reality)
You say: My key strengths are?
I ask: What are your desires? (Options)
You say: My desires are?
I ask: What are your dreams? (Options)
You say: My dreams are?
I ask: What actions are you taking to be happier (Will)
You say: I choose to?
I ask: What do you need to let go of? (Will)
You say: I need to let go of?
How are you embracing positivity in your life?
List 3 things that make you feel happy
1.
2.
3.
What are you grateful for everyday?
List 3 things that make you feel grateful
1.
2.
3.
There is no right or wrong with those questions. I can guarantee that if you have the right responses for you, then there will be very happy days ahead.