blog

Remember that September feeling of excitement prior to starting University as a young person? Having associated this time of year with the beginning of a learning phase, we are naturally inclined to feel that yearning to learn anew. Ok, not necessarily a formal course of study or an extended journey into academia. But how about learning something that opens career options, or provides a new sense of purpose, or even just for the sheer enjoyment of developing a new hobby or sport? Why not make of September, a yearly learning campaign? Whether it’s a software program you have been wanting to integrate in your skill sets, better leadership skills or learning the art of Feng Shui to improve your living environment, the possibilities, online or in person, are endless....

I was recently among a group of peers who are coaches and therapists when the focus of conversation shifted towards money. As we talked about the beliefs we grew up with regarding this essential resource, diversity characterized our mindsets and views. Several in the group admitted to still having difficulty undoing the limitations that their minds absorbed during their childhood, about money. In my family of origin, the attitude was one of determinism; that we were either born into wealth or not and attempts to change that would be futile. But this has not been my experience. Striving consistently to reclaim ownership of my income potential, taking actions accordingly with persistent work and effort has enabled me to access more earning capacity than I thought...

Regrets – many of us have them, especially in the second half of life. They can be painful; such as the story I shared in my book Living Forward, Giving Back, about an older woman who experienced regrets as intolerable agony while nearing the end of her life. In a recent a recent article entitled “The Ideal Road not Taken” research psychologists at Cornel University wrote about new insights on what can lead to regrets, after conducting several studies with hundreds of participants. As part of their synthesis of results, they concluded that our sense of Self comprises of 3 elements or parts. The first is called “actual” self; what you actually have, do and are, including your qualities, strengths and weaknesses. The second dimension is the “ideal” self which...

As millions watched recent athletic performances from around the world at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, we were amazed by the incredible efforts, persistence and dedication embodied by these athletes. From a collective standpoint, it seems as we sit to watch, we experience triumphs vicariously especially through winning athletes representing our country. But, as we see them on podiums beaming with pride while receiving their medals, we must guard against putting them on athletic pedestals while thinking we are not, nor could ever be “athletic”. What if, instead, we draw inspiration from them and begin something new, to further develop our own physical strengths and stamina? What if we were to challenge ourselves out of our comfort zone where the next level of...

As we greet this brand-new year, it’s wise to carve out time to reflect on what 2017 brought you, and what you have given of yourself into it? What progress have you made towards specific goals and dreams? And do your aspirations now need to be reviewed or re-imagined? What does your best future look and feel like? Reflecting on these questions, take time to acknowledge, preferably in writing, all that was positive about 2017; try a list of at least 10 things or events. Concerning what might have been difficult, stressful or adverse, identify the “silver lining” or elements of learning you have hopefully integrated into your mind and life. By naming these you become better able to leave any adversity of that year behind and met 2018 with positive anticipation and...

Having recently returned from the International Positive Psychology (IPPA) conference in Montreal, I am filled with fresh research information and inspiration from new and practical findings in this exciting field.  At the start of this conference, Dr. Martin Seligman inspired the 1,300 people in attendance with the idea that every few centuries, an idea comes about that sweeps every aspect of humanity and that idea now is that we have the capacity to bring about the flourishing of human beings.   One of the highlights of this conference was the session from Dr. Kim Cameron on positive energy as applied to positive leadership.  Having brought the concept of relational energy in the corporate world as a consultant, Cameron was able to demonstrate that when a...