This month we start a new way of focusing our blog posts. We’re going to consider one topic each month and cover it across all our sites. For September we’re looking at stress. Or – more particularly for the sake of our positive mental health – how to Un.stress. After all, who never gets stressed? Hope you’ll join us. Sharon …
How to make good decisions
Decision making can be stressful. After all, good decisions can make your life so much happier, whilst poor ones can bring disaster. As I look back over my life, I can see I made some good decisions and some less so ones. It was a good decision to relocate our family to Brisbane all those years ago. Despite the challenges …
Do you have digital dumbness?
I’d like to ask you a rather personal question. How reliant are you on your devices? I don’t just mean do you pull out your phone whenever you’re standing in a line somewhere to check your social media accounts. It’s more about how much you need it to help you function in other ways. Can you still do basic maths, …
Why you need a positive attitude
The last time I wrote about attitudes I’d just been to an international tennis tournament. Two low ranking players had taken on two champions. Their mindset, or attitudes grabbed my attention. I loved their determination to win if they could, and how they struggled until they refocused whenever they were beaten. I admired how they didn’t give up. They utilized the …
The how and why of a good night’s sleep
Most of us have positive associations with sleep. We tell one another, “Good night,” and “Sweet dreams” as we stumble off for our beauty sleep. We say we “slept like a baby,” when we wake refreshed and we hate ‘nightmares’ because they ruin things. Yet many kids fight sleep like crazy, and some of us grownups are no better! ‘Burning …
Staying sane in a crazy busy time
Most of us live in a context where our life’s always full. It’s rare to find ourselves relaxed and calm with nothing on our plates. But sometimes the stress hits overload and life becomes crazy busy. Unexpected or unplanned events such a sickness or death in the family – or a house move or work project – can push tension …
The art of microconnection
Earlier this week I was walking in a place I’m not familiar with when a tall and alternatively dressed male came sauntering round the bend in the opposite direction. Gulping, I suddenly realised I was in a potentially vulnerable situation. However, as he walked past he tipped his cap, grinned and said, “Good morning!” I smiled back and responded in …
Your mid-year goal check in
Last week we passed the half way point of 2018. It’s the middle of the year already, and I keep seeing ads for Christmas in July! I’ve also noted more than one site revving people up about their New Year Resolutions. I thought a mid-year ‘how’re you going?’ goal check a worthy option too. Do you set goals – and …
Where’s your focus?
View PostWhat should we do with labels?
A little while back I found myself in conversation with a Mum I don’t ordinarily chat with. The context meant we had a bit of time, and she ended up mentioning her son had just been diagnosed with ADHD. This was on top of her daughter already having labels of her own. Despite claiming she’d really always known the truth, she …
How to remove mud
Sometimes you need to know how to remove mud. Peter and Kate were quietly helping out their kid’s footy team with the canteen each week when a committee member came and asked them for feedback over a problem they’d found. In good faith they gave it, only to find themselves in the middle of a power struggle where their good …
Five reasons to smile!
I had an encounter with Mr Grumpy this week. I met him at a checkout, where he was supposed to be serving me. Whilst I tried to help by being prepared, saying hello and having my payment ready to go, he avoided eye contact, threw my groceries round and didn’t even bother to speak. As we walked away, my friend …
Don’t give me negative feedback!
Why focusing on the black almost never works… My netball girls were driving me crazy last Saturday. They played so poorly and with such little passion for most of the game that I wanted to yell at them. Especially as they kept fumbling basics like catching and passing! It was all quite disheartening. Of course, it was raining (a little), …
Learn anything you want… fast!
Would you like to be able to learn anything you want quickly? I’ve been interested in learning for a very long time – how to do it, what motivates us – and what works. In my training and coaching I’ve tried to find the best research and methods to help people get ideas and skills on board fast. A popular …
Volunteer to improve lives
I’ve just spent the past week as a volunteer in Alice Springs and the Northern Territory. I went because I was invited to, but also because I’m committed to improving other people’s lives whenever given the chance. Do you volunteer your help in any way? If so, we want to celebrate you. May 21-27 is National Volunteers week in Australia – …