by Suzy Reading | Jun 11, 2013 | article, blog
Why do people engage a coach? In a nutshell, it’s because everyone deserves to be nurtured and empowered to nurture themselves. Who uses a coach? ANYONE with the one or more of the following…
- a dream, a vision or a goal,
- a feeling of unrealised potential, a desire for a fuller life
- a project, a task or a problem,
- a decision or cross roads to be faced,
- a situation you can’t change but which must be managed
- change, transition or stress to deal with. (more…)
by Suzy Reading | Jun 3, 2013 | article, blog
This week I came across an interesting conceptualisation of the “stages of change” which might be particularly useful if you or someone you care about is in the midst of transition. Perhaps it might shed some light on readiness for change, the kind of support you yourself might need, or could consider offering to your loved one.
According to Prochaska, Norcross and Di Climente*, leading experts and researchers in the process of self-change, there are 6 stages of change, all of which need to be experienced if you want to create lasting, positive change. Research suggests that rushing through or skipping any one of these stages may result in a lower rate of goal success. (more…)
by Suzy Reading | May 6, 2013 | article, blog
Last week we took a look at the research findings on the characteristics shared by happy individuals. These are: optimism, self-confidence, extraversion and self-efficacy.
For suggestions on how to build optimism check out my article on dealing with setbacks. For a proven and very simple technique to develop your self-confidence, please read my article about self-talk. To boost extraversion and the enjoyment you gain from your relationships I recommend you read my article on building positive relationships.
Let’s now turn our attention to self-efficacy: a definition and tools to cultivate it. (more…)
by Suzy Reading | May 1, 2013 | article, blog
Another interesting snippet of research this week examining the personality traits common to happy individuals. The best news is that these are attributes that we can train and cultivate – more on that next week. According to Caroline Adams Miller, a leading positive psychologist, these are the Big 4: (more…)
by Suzy Reading | Feb 15, 2013 | article, blog
Self-care can broadly be defined as personal health maintenance undertaken with the intention of improving or restoring health, or treating or preventing disease. I’d like to add the purpose of ‘flourishing’ to this definition and to promote the notion of thinking broader than just nourishing physical health.
When we think about practices to sustain good health and wellbeing, the most common themes are good nutrition, exercise, relaxation, sleep, hygiene, minimizing health hazards like caffeine, alcohol, and all of these are valuable, helpful elements to consider. Less often considered are those things that directly enhance psychological functioning – the things that alter how we perceive the world, our place in it and the quality of our interactions with other people.
In addition to caring for your body and nourishing your insides, I’d like to take an introductory look at some of the self-care tools that make you happier by nurturing your mental, emotional, social and spiritual bodies!
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