Empowerment Articles

What is Happiness? The dictionary gives us a definition with synonyms, almost too many of them but in a nutshell all the words represent a good feeling and feeling good is the natural quest in life. But how to arrive there or better still how to be in that state of feeling good, more or less continuously? Most of us need to change our habits!

You agreed to a situation or event, but it’s not going as you expected. In fact, it seems out of your control at times. Do you fight or surrender? A misconception exists about managing our lives, especially if we use spiritual tools. The misconception is that everything should go ...

Within our own culture we are provided with a code of behavior which we learn from infancy. This code covers basic values and beliefs including attitudes towards different behaviors. There is right and wrong, professional and unprofessional, respectful and disrespectful. Unfortunately there is no such thing as international etiquette which has led to many challenges for leaders working in the global marketplace. When someone begins to consider their behavior in an international context they instinctively look to their own norms as being the logical, acceptable ways of being.r

He's so irritating! She drives me crazy! I cringe when he walks in the room! I can't even listen to her talk! Does this sound like something you hear yourself saying at times? Is there someone in your life that just pushes your buttons? Is there a person in your family, workspace or circle of acquaintances that you find yourself avoiding because they simply drive you nuts? YOU are NOT alone! This is a very common theme that I hear from both my private clients and those in my workshops. I invite you to consider a perspective adjustment that may change the way you think.

The one thing that perplexed me in curing my shyness was that, I did not understand why it always felt as though this debilitating mantle was restricting to me. There was always something inside of me that looked at the way I would express myself to the world and compare to see others doing it naturally. If you have shyness you most likely have observed how some people express themselves freely and others do not. If you are one of those individuals who likes to challenge what

To our past ancestors, the animal held great spiritual power and symbolic meaning. In Native American culture, mythology and ancient civilizations, each animal is embodied with its own symbolic meaning and held its own unique spiritual power.nA particular animal crossing your path had deep significance to your life and indeed a strong message to impart. The presence of animal wisdom may appear to you in a dream, on the physical plane or intuitively.nnThe ButterflynnThe butter

Audacity is essential to entrepreneurs, artists, inventors, and other creators and innovators. This posting, written by my colleague and collaborator Julie van Amerongen, celebrates Audacity.nnJeffnnn “Success is the child of audacity.” ~Benjamin DisraelinnI hope that whoever writes my eulogy will include the word audacious. Audacious! It makes me want to throw my head back and laugh. However you want to define it, it’s juicy! Full of fearless daring, willing to take ri

It's no secret that what you wear says a lot about who you are, your self-esteem, and your professionalism. Additionally, your work clothes "brand" your image on the job. So if you want to be taken seriously and be successful in your career, you have to dress accordingly. But you don't have to wear stodgy stuff or be endlessly confined in panty hose. As Mark Twain said, "Clothes make the man." And they also make the woman!

The world has awaken with "the Secret" to a new level of consciousness. In fact with the ripple effect of the message about the law of attraction, more and more individuals have began shifting their consciousness from an auto-pilot mode to a manual mode. I call this process the step 1 to ...

Something Oprah Winfrey said in an interview I stumbled across recently really hit home with me: “What is the next right move?” She was talking about how to handle disappointments, even failures, and the point she was making is how useless it is for us to dwell on whatever-it-was, but rather to point ourselves in the direction of the next “right move.” I love that! A mantra that can be applied to the little annoyances in life, as well as the oh-my-gosh flops/falls. My latest

Think about the myriad of routines you engage in throughout your week or just one day. There are so many logistics that we are responsible for as women. If you are a working mom often it feels every moment of your day is accounted for. What would have been your down time is spent planning the next three tasks to play out over the next day or so. “But I have to do those things otherwise my life and the life of my family won’t work”, you say. And at any given moment you must know where your post is.

In June this year, an opportunity presented itself for me to do volunteer work in a remote Aboriginal community. It was located in northern Australia (East A hem Land). Most of us who live in big cities can only imagine what life is like in remote Aboriginal communities. Living there is an experience that cannot be fully defined in just words. One has to be there to fully immerse themself into the rich cultural and traditional understanding of such communities.

Dearest Darling Readers, It was a dream come true. I decided to go to Rishikesh for river water rafting. The glorious 26 km journey traverses one of the most beautiful and breathtaking landscapes in the Himalayas. I registered for two expeditions with a gap of three days between them. The first expedition was led by “Col Ranjeet”, an ex-army man with fantastic rafting experience. He had many stories to tell of testing times and stellar courage in his experiences covering 15

What are your priorities? Is it to survive the day? Is it to respond to whatever comes? Is it to do what others ask you to do? Bouncing from one item to another is exhausting and unfulfilling. Just doing what comes along leaves people feeling they accomplished little, if anything, at the end of the day. Do you want to accomplish something today and feel good about it, and yourself, at the end of the day? More is too much.

Many roads to success exist, and the choices can be overwhelming. And once you have decided upon a path, there is also the possibility of encountering a number of road blocks along the way. In fact, road blocks are fairly likely. Some people let these road blocks stop them from pursuing their goals. Heck, some people stop at the point of deciding which road to go down. But if you’ve got a goal … a goal you’re serious about reaching … you have to stay motivated. And if

There are times when forgiveness can be the furthest thing from our minds, particularly when the person we should forgive has done something we deem to be unforgivable. It took me years to understand that forgiveness is not for the sake of the other person, but for our own sakes. It takes very little effort to harbor anger, resentment, hurt and other negative feelings associated with the betrayal of another. The real effort and strength is in the forgiveness; in the ability to let go.

When I was a kid, every bedside locker in every hospital ward and in every sick room had a bottle of Lucozade sitting on it. I grew up - as did everyone of my generation - equating Lucozade with illness. In recent times, clever marketing people have turned this on its head and the product is now ...

Appreciating “Difficult” People Are there people in your life, on your team, and/or with whom you interact regularly that get on your nerves? Have you ever found yourself wanting to yell at the top of your lungs, “Knock it off, I can’t stand you?” If so, you are not alone…welcome to being human! ...

As each of us accelerates on the spiritual path, becoming one with our Higher Self, it is of paramount importance that we take a stand, and graciously speak out whenever we see injustice in any form.nnPersonally, I cannot stand politics and all of the games that go on within the political arena. However, when I read the CNN report that electronic voting machines were being counted Backwards I knew I had to speak out, and ask everyone I know to also rise with their integrity a

Are you prepared for achieving your desired success or are you waiting for success to get prepared? We seem to want guarantees in life. Even though most would admit there are no guarantees. Well maybe one, we will all die at some point. Anyway, how many times have you placed your progress on hold waiting for an exte al change or proof to show up before taking necessary action?

Regardless of how good or how tough things get in life, the one thing that is always in your control is your focus. Where your focus goes is entirely up to you. Let’s discuss how to adjust your focus when it comes to what you wish to achieve in your life. Where your focus goes will be critical in whether you make it or whether you break it. There are two types of people in the world: 1. Those who focus on the outcome. 2. Those who focus on the process.

Before you do another thing, are you clear about where you are going and why? We’ve become a society of frantic doers, not taking the time to reflect and get clear before taking massive action. And even when we do create a strategy, it is often in the old way of thinking, and so our plans have trouble taking root… the road map has changed, and we get so busy “doing” that we miss the signs along the way.

What if I gave you a magic wand and as you waved it in the air, poof! - the exact life you want appeared? Most likely you would call that an illusion, like magic of the world often is. It looks amazing, is really cool to watch and imagine as a truth, yet you know it’s simply an illusionary ...

Meditation and Mind-Wandering I've been meditating off and on since I was about 13, and I have read tons and practiced ALL SORTS of different kinds of meditations. My conclusion: there is no one right way or wrong way to meditate. It can be helpful to have different approaches to use at ...

It is not just at New Year that we can wipe the slate of the old year clean and chose to start again. Although we can chose to make this the star point for our new choices or the time to jettison some old ones, we know that there is nothing intrinsically magical about the New Year Bells. The world does not come to an abrupt halt at midnight of the outgoing year and the laws of time are not suspended to allow us to erase the past in order to give us a clean sheet for the futur

Your house is a zoo – literally. It’s not just the dog, the cat, the three hamsters and the goldfish, heck, they’re downright neat compared to the human animals inhabiting your humble abode – three kids and a mate. You come home at night and all you see is mess, mess, mess. Everywhere clothes ...

One of the most exciting ways to start an online business and begin to make money is to create and sell your own "information products". These are books or audios that contai "information" that you are offering in exchange for money or contact information so that you can contact them to sell them something later on.

There are times when we pay attention and are able to see moments string together like a jeweler stringing pearls. Alter even one moment, especially because of an assumption, and the potential outcome shifts. One reason the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, is a popular classic is because of the ...

Communication is everything in business and in all of our relationships. Honestly, how else would people communicate? In order to enjoy an agreeable business and personal discussion, the communication level has to be excellent. How does one communicate effectively? Simply put, say what you mean, say it clearly, and say it with respect. Step 1: Establish Trustr Some people naturally distrust other people, because they do not know what the other one is thinking. Therefore, the

We all are alone sometimes, but that does not mean feeling lonely; we can be alone and be perfectly happy, so what is it that makes us feel lonely and how can we make ourselves feel good? nnBut also why do we feel lonely? nnI have worked with many clients who have experienced abuse in one form or the other in their lives and there is a common factor, which is in fact the feeling of loneliness they experience. nnAnd I have worked with many expatriates who experience the same f

You should read more. You should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. You should spend more time with family and less time at work. You should have a college degree. You should take time out to smell the roses. You should be able to stand your ground with anyone. You should take multi-vitamins. You should vote. You should exercise 3 times a week for at least 45 minutes. You should have all the answers or care enough to find them. You shouldn't care what other people think.r

Being successful with affirmations is just like being successful with anything else...the more you practice, the better you get. So, what, and how, should you practice with affirmations in order to get the maximum benefit? First, practice getting the wording right. Right as in “right for you”. Regardless of what others may say is a hard and fast rule, using the present tense of the verb is not always the correct way to go. Some people, like cartoonist Scott Adams of Dilbe

Can anyone help me understand why we deny we are intuitive beings when the proof is all around us? Each and every single one of us is intuitive, no exceptions. It is your birthright and how you came into this world. Perhaps you are not sure that it is true for you. Indulge me and take a moment ...

Poor management dramatically reduces engagement but the nouveau “no management” philosophy, known as holacracy, destroys engagement. Zappos may have discovered that employees need managers after all, according to writers, J. Brandon Rigoni and Bailey Nelson at the Gallup Business journal, (February, 2016). The online shoe and clothing retailer's holacracy management system doesn't appear to be working. According to a recent New York Times article, (January, 2016), Zappos con

Influence Expert, Dr. Karen Keller, addresses conce s for women who want to excel in social or professional situations. According to Keller, “One of the most common things women tell me is how hard it is to get noticed . . . for the right reasons. Not for your feminine ‘assets’, but for who you really are and how you feel — your core being.” She adds, “To achieve this, you first have to accept you are the brightest, sassiest and most fun person in the room. Once your realiz

The Og Group’s 7Laws Coaching program will take you on a 14 week journey of self discovery and personal development unlike anything you have ever felt before. This journey begins with a mathematically based and scientifically validated assessment that measures your thoughts as accurately as a ...

No one is immune to negative or unhappy experiences in life. We all have been there, done that. A negative experience has the power to pull you back, make you unproductive, and take a toll on your emotional and mental well being. Some people are affected by it in an unproductive way, and some people learn from the experience, and turn it into something productive.

When we think of gifts, we usually associate them with tangible objects or a favour we do for someone else. There is another kind of gift; it is a precious gift indeed, the gift of self-care.rnEvery time you take good care of yourself, you are giving a gift to the people you love. Why is that so? Because taking good care of yourself, brings out your happiest self. Guess what - your happiness is the most precious gift you can give to your loved ones.rnFor some reason we tend t

The theme of my life has now developed into a more effortless shift into the flow of my life. I am very aware of my own unique energy and live every day in tune with my own body rhythms. I wasn’t always this way, it took a conscious effort for me to unlea the rules of life I had learned through my development and begin to honor the dynamic energies of my body. Now I have shifted to live from this place it is startling to me how many of us don’t (and how long it took me to change! lol)r

I was reminded of this brilliant and powerful truth this week as the Universe gave me the opportunity to practice it up close. I went out for lunch on my birthday and came home to find that my darling dog, Doc, had peed on my bed. In the very center of my bed, depositing enough, I might add, ...

Has anyone ever told you how to do something that you’ve already done, and they came across as very critical? Well, they might call it constructive criticism. Personally, I think that “constructive” and “criticism” is a bit of an oxymoron. They don’t go well together. The goal of giving feedback is to make sure that the receiver feels, encouraged, empowered, and excited. Negativity should be kept out of giving feedback. So, here are 7 keys to giving productive feedback:

What's important about a relationship? Everything! True success comes within the confines of authentic relationships. Anything less is superficial. You buy and sell based on relationships. You hire and fire based on relationships. You agree or disagree based on relationships. Relationships are necessary for every endeavor you attempt. Since you know the significance of a relationship, why do you (and me) mess them up so much of the time? When was the last time you took an inventory of your relationships? Or do you just think your relationship "health" will maintain itself?

June 2011 saw the successful launch of my very first book, WELCOME TO YOUR LIFE – simple insights for your inspiration & empowerment (www.WelcomeToYourLifeBook.com). Throughout the whole process (from writing the manuscript, to releasing the book), I learnt many valuable life lessons, which I am sharing with you! So, here they are:

Have you ever read those stories where someone goes up to the attic in their house and finds an old chest they never knew they had? Then, when they open that chest, they find something valuable – say a painting – that may be worth millions? Now, suppose for a minute, you somehow knew there was an old painting hidden somewhere in your house and you go tell your friend. “Oh, don’t be ridiculous. You don’t have any old painting in your house… unless you mean that pai

Which sounds better? 1) “All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy. 2) “Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.” (Liane Cordes) What do you think? Continuous effort or engaging in play? They both sound pretty good to me . . . do we need to compromise one to enjoy the other? It’s easy to say “No, I can have it both ways,” but then responsibility and pressure catch up with us; continuous effort becomes a heavy strain and

As we reach the end of June, we are coming upon the half-year mark.

Ugh. The P word. Perfectionism is the death of progress. There is a time for incubation and quiet creation. And then there is a time to put it out in the world and see if it flies. And in between the two is where the P word lurks. "I just want it to be perfect." How many times has that thought interrupted the birth of a project? How many times has that useless mantra prevented brilliant and inspired ideas from seeing the light of day? What does perfect even mean? You can't draw a picture of it. Or create an excel chart detailing it.

Lack of vulnerability is one reason why team relationships are so dysfunctional. The lack of trust leads to people putting on their “persona” (the root word in ‘personality’) masks. In our culture, vulnerability is confused with the concept of weakness.

Customer retention, relationship management, and how a business owner provides customer service is extremely important to the bottom line. Everyone knows it cost more money to find a new customer than to retain an existing one. So why not give it your all to satisfy your customer’s needs. Every customer wants something. It doesn’t matter what it is, they want it yesterday. If you could know ahead of time what they wanted, that’d make life so much easier. So, instead of the typical Top 5, let’s do a Top Ten piece. Here it is – just for you!