Gratitude & Happiness - A Perfect Match!

Week of July 30th

The week's mindset is HAPPINESS

We want to hear from you and include your HAPPINESS LIST on our blog! What are some simple things you do to boost your mood and increase your happiness?? Send your list to info@mymindset.com.

One of the simplest ways to boost your happiness is to shift your focus to what you are grateful for...
Below, Coach Janette Valentino explores using a gratitude journal to capture pure joy and happiness in the present moment . This is an excerpt from Janette's Newsletter, Valentino Coaching. Click Here to read the complete newsletter.

Pure joy in the present moment is never far away. The more you focus on what you're grateful for, the more things you notice to be grateful for. I know that my gratitude journals helped me slow down a bit and see things I wouldn't ordinarily see. They helped me notice small things that happened that made me smile or that touched me or that brought me joy or pleasure in some way. Here are some examples:

• April 19th, 2001: I'm grateful for the little bird I saw this morning with a leaf in its mouth.
• September 4th, 2002: For the nice man with the cat that pumped my bicycle tire
• January 2nd, 2006: For going outside without a coat and not having to change shoes! (This was when I was living in snowy, cold Sweden and was in California for my Christmas visit.)

When I look at entries like these (and there are lots of them), I realize how small things make such a difference. It helps me remember that me smiling at a stranger can make their day as well. My friendliness or my concern can make a huge difference. It also helps me pay attention. I noticed things in nature, the light, the air so much more when I started writing down these things (now it's automatic). And lastly, it reminds me that the beautiful, small things are at my fingertips constantly, every day.  

So now it's your turn. Think about your day so far or your day yesterday, and what were some very small things that made a difference - something you did or saw or felt or something that someone else did or said. Come up with one or two things and sit with them a moment. What can you do today to be present, to appreciate, to make a difference (to yourself or to someone else)?

Janette Valentino is a Certified Professional Life Coach who works with clients around the world. With her MA in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), she spent 11 years working at the university level and in the corporate world with students and executives -- supporting them in their personal growth related to language development. With the shift to coaching, the focus changed a bit while the qualities of support, fun, creativity, encouragement and inspiration that Janette brings to work with clients became even stronger. Coaching is like going on a journey and having lived in Europe in four different periods for a total of 18 years, Janette knows a lot about journeys. She loves to be a traveling companion to her clients on their personal journeys of exploration and discovery -- whatever the destination. Janette has made and had many big changes in her life and is passionate about coaching people through changes (either ones that have happened or want to happen) and the transition process that follows. She can be reached at janette@valentinocoaching.com. http://www.valentinocoaching.com

Success...

Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.  Maya Angelou

What is success? What makes you successful? What prevents you from feeling even more successful? Are you allowing someone else to define success for you?

When I started thinking about success I realized that I often (read: always!) tie success to money. There is a deep part of me that as held the belief that if I wasn't bringing in money I wasn't successful. I am someone who coaches clients around finding their passions, living their dreams and pushing their limits and yet I had boxed myself in with a narrow definition of success. Without even realizing it.


Why didn't I realize it? Because I hadn't really taken the time to consider what success means to me, how I define it and how it defines me. I hadn't asked the questions about success that would help me access my beliefs - either positive or limiting.

The simple act of reading a question, reflecting on it and answering it authentically has opened my eyes and helped me go from Auto Pilot to Super Pilot!  I could have unconsciously stayed in that little box, had I not actively questioned what success means for me. Instead I am choosing to take the path of discovery and empowerment. The path of questioning, re-defining, and learning.

MyMindset's daily questions may seem like sweet little ways to encourage thought, but they are really power packed, life changing, reminders that we can live our lives according to a set of standards and beliefs we create or that someone else creates. We get to choose. What are you choosing?

Hannah Hollett is a life coach, mom, entrepreneur, educator and the COO of MyMindset.com

MyMindset News - Week of July 16th

Beginning Monday, July 23rd we will no longer offer an evening reflection question. Look for a new and improved version of this feature to return in the fall of 2012!

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Did you know that each of our MyMindset Coaches is available for individual coaching sessions?

Is there a particular coach that seems to just 'get' you? Are you ready to work on a specific area of your life even more intentionally? Check out each of our coaches, their specialties and what they offer. Then contact them to set up a complimentary coaching call and hear about their offerings and packages. Check out our coaches and their information below:

COACH JARLIN
Jarlin Sung is the founder of Self Love Coaching and a Martha Beck-trained life coach who helps successful men and women who are feeling stuck and unfulfilled find their unique purpose and live an authentic life of joy and happiness. She regularly provides advice on how to live a purpose-based and joyful life via her weekly Shine & Illuminate eZine. Are you ready to discover your life purpose? Sign up for your subscription at http://selflovecoaching.com and receive Jarlin’s 21-day Awaken Your Inner Guide self-study program FREE! If you are interested in private coaching with Jarlin, please contact her at 408.982.6110 or info@selflovecoaching.com to set up a 60min FREE "get-acquainted" call! http://selflovecoaching.com

COACH BETH

Beth Chen is a certified life coach who specializes in working with clients in career transition.  She has particular experience in helping people downshift from a demanding professional career to a more balanced life, and the financial and lifestyle changes that come with such a change.  Having downshifted from being a lawyer in large firms in New York City and Washington DC, she now helps her clients tune in to their own inner wisdom and handle objections from friends and family who may be scared about the client's new path.  For more about Beth, visit her website at www.bethchencom.  From her site, you can sign up for her newsletter and book a free 30 minute consultation to see if working with Beth is right for you.

COACH HEATHER

Heather Sobieralski is a Board Certified Coach and Counselor who supports women in creating more to life than their chosen roles.  She recognizes that when you take care of everyone and everything else you often completely neglect yourself.  As a result, you can lose passion, energy, direction and sanity! She challenges you to explore who you are in addition to "mom", "wife" or "employee."  Heather inspires you to eliminate existing believes about how you think you should be living and encourages you to define your core values so you can effectively set your priorities and goals.  She will guide you in exercises that focus on your identity and the necessity of self-care while effectively balancing your motherload of responsibilities.  When you get extremely clear about the life YOU want to live, you become immensely happier- and as a result, become more present and engaged in all areas of your life and roles.  You can learn more about Heather by visiting mymamamojo.com or by contacting her directing for a 30 minute complimentary session at heather@mymamamojo.com.

COACH JANETTE

Janette Valentino (Coach Janette) is a Certified Professional Life Coach who works with clients around the world. She specializes in supporting people through transitional phases in their lives, whether these result from internal or external changes. Whatever the transition, the focus is always on helping people find the 'more' that they are looking for. Janette knows from experience that life is too short to live it in a way that is 'just fine'! You can find out more about Janette and her coaching by visiting her website, www.valentinocoaching.com. There, you can sign up for her monthly newsletter, read her blog or book a free, 30 minute consultation. You can also reach her directly at janette@valentinocoaching.com.  

COACH HANNAH

Hannah trained and certified to become a Life Coach with Dr. Martha Beck, best selling author, O Magazine columnist, and pioneer Life Coach. Her background in Education, Conflict Resolution, Mediation and Parenting Instruction make Life Coaching a natural progression. Hannah's passion for helping others has always been at the forefront of each path she has taken. Hannah is the mother of two children who inspire her daily - to be more patient, to be more calm and to ask even better questions. She is also married to a Science Teacher who keeps her grounded in the present while still supporting her love of all things "woo-woo." She is also the very proud  COO of  MyMindset.com. Hannah assists people in navigating transitions and challenges while simultaneously helping them uncover their true path & passion in life. Hannah.hollett@MyMindset.com, www.sliceoflifecoaching.com 

COACH ANNA

Anna has over a decade experience in providing both individuals and families with guidance, resulting in an overall better quality of life. She also leads group seminars on public speaking, anxiety/stress-reduction and self-confidence and assertiveness trainings. Anna is trained and certified by Dr. Martha Beck; life coach and columnist for Oprah Winfrey’s O magazine. If you feel like life is one big compromise and you are struggling to find peace and joy, Anna is the coach for you. With gentle intuition and customized exercises she will help you move forward and enable you to live your true life. Anna is fluent in English, Dutch and German. You can reach anna at: info@annahazenberg.com
 or Phone: + 31 6 43548079 http://www.annahazenberg.com