Happiness is a matter of choice.
And that’s a fact.
You see, things may not always go as planned and we might find ourselves disappointed in the process once in a while.
However, it doesn’t mean that we don’t have a choice to see beyond unfortunate situations.
A lot of times we have read time and again about tips on how to be happy.
However, what we tend to forget is that before we can even make happiness a habit, we must first consider where we associate it.
Let me tell you this now:
Stop associating happiness with things that have yet to come or happen.
Remove the context of attaching happiness to a goal, a person, a new relationship, an event which hasn’t arrived yet.
That’s the only way you can truly appreciate the now and come up with your own happy habits.
So once you’ve made that choice to be fully present in the moment, check out these happy habits you can create so that you always start and end your day with a smile.
It’s actually a continuation of the habits of genuinely happy people list I made before.
Why? because we can always have room for happy habits that make us smile and our hearts, overflow.
1.) Lend a helping hand
No one is too powerless to help others in need. A simple kind gesture can have a big impact on someone else’s life (and yours as well). Never underestimate your own ability to change someone’s life in an instant. Helping out does not always have to be grand always; even the smallest gestures count. What matters is the intention behind and how you can turn that to inspiration to create even bigger impact in the lives of others there after.
2.) Declutter your space
A beautiful space can be quite inspiring. Oftentimes, your space reflects your overall state so make sure that you do away with whatever no longer serves a purpose and keep those which continuously inspire you. Having a clean, well-kept space allows you to focus on what matters most: your well-being, happiness and your goals.
3.) Check in with yourself regularly
Allow yourself to acknowledge how you feel. Dn’t run away from your emotions. Instead, openly embrace them and then work around them there after. By recognizing them, you are able to keep yourself grounded and centered at all times, which helps make you genuinely happy and anxiety free, something that’s very timely amidst the pandemic.
4.) Let go of negative thoughts and grudges
Any form of negativity weighs you down and holds you back from becoming your own #bestmeever . So by consistently allowing yourself to let go of them, you create more space for more beautiful and inspiring things to come into your life as you become the person you’re meant to be.
5.) Amplify your strengths
It’s always such a pleasurable experience doing what you know you’re genuinely good at. Take time to practice every single day and allow yourself to confidently showcase your skills to the rest of the world. Sharing your gifts can help inspire others as well who are struggling with working on theirs.
I hope that these tips can help you build happy habits that work for you.
Looking forward to seeing you become happier in the days to come.
Life Changing.
Best way to describe the COVID19 Pandemic.
And to this day, I still think that’s an understatement.
While in general it is seen as something destructive and evil because of the results it delivered world wide — we tend to forget that underneath them all are silver linings waiting to be discovered.
I have always believed that things happen for a reason and this entire situation is meant to change the way we look at things and ourselves (even life) in general.
Yes, it taught me a whole lot of valuable life lessons which I now take to heart.
1.) Never take anything (or anyone) for granted
In an instant, lives are lost. Many became unemployed. We got locked down. Face masks and face shields became mandatory. With these sudden changes, I got to realize the things I was taking for granted: my freedom, my work, my health…among others. Such an eye opener. So best to show love and appreciation here and now. Make the most of today.
2.) Simple joys are real joys
Appreciate the small things. They bring you true happiness. Bonding with your loved ones. Being able to rest. Working from home. Having food on your table. How many times have we missed their true value? Larger than life if I may say. And priceless.
3.) We always have a choice
How we react or respond to the whole pandemic is a matter of choice. We can either see it as a dead end or as an opportunity to thrive. It’s a matter of allowing ourselves to accept the present scenario whole heartedly as we do away with resitance and grow with the flow instead. At the very least, you reading this now is a testament of your choices made: at the very least, to survive. And that will always be more than enough for now.
4.) Everyone can be a hero
Wherever you are, whatever you do, you can always make a difference during challenging times. No one is too big or too small to help and change lives. It’s all about being empowered within and building that sense of community so that no one gets left behind. And that’s such a beautiful space to be in: alongside people who chose to be the heroes that they truly are.
5.) Life goes on. And it can get better.
Life may not always seem perfect and things may not always happen as planned, but life goes on. And it can only get better when we allow ourselves to grow in harmony with it. It’s all about choosing to maximize each and every single day so that no matter what happens, we will have no regrets. These detours will lead us to beautiful destinations, one of which is towards our own #bestmeever .
There you go. So in your case, what has the whole COVID19 Pandemic taught you? Looking forward to hearing the lessons you’ve learned along the way.
There’s more to life than your work.
Like, seriously.
I want you to take this time to assess yourself: how many hours per day do you spend working?
How many hours do you have left to spend for yourself, your loved ones and things that matter to you in between?
If you’re having a hard time answering these comfortably, then it’s time for you to rethink your priorities, as you give yourself a much-needed break.
A break can mean anything from having a few minutes lounging around, getting a spa treatment, or finally going for that month long vacation in a place you’ve always wanted to visit.
1.) You are able to treat yourself with kindness
Self-care is key if you want to succeed in anything that you do. By listening to your mind and body and allowing yourself to relax and recalibrate, you keep yourself in tip-top shape holistically.
2.) Prevent unwanted burn out
Stress accumulates over time, most specially if you continuously immerse yourself in tiring situations. This leads you to hate whatever it is you’re doing and lose your drive over time. Yes, that’s a sign that you’re getting burned out. So it’s time for you to cool down and let yourself be so you get to decompress and let stress leave your tired body and soul.
3.) You get to pursue your passion
At the end of the day, it’s important to do things that make your heart sing and allow you to feel happy, complete and fulfilled. So take time to have breaks to pursue your passion and live your dreams outside of work. You will eventually realize that you’ve been missing on a far more beautiful experience for the longest time.
4.) You are able to nurture relationships around you
Work can pay the bills, but it won’t necessarily allow you to build lasting relationships with people who matter to you. So it’s very important to take breaks and just enjoy the company of people who have been with you through thick and thin, long before you have chosen to bury yourself with work. In the long run, these people have your back, which definitely can’t be 100% the same case with your work where everyone can be replaced by yet another new hire.
5.) You allow yourself to become your #bestmeever
Don’t ever let your work define who you are or what you can still be. Having breaks in between will allow you to discover more about yourself, gain clarity about what you really want and need so you can become the person you’ve always wanted to be.
I hope these reasons help you choose yourself and your over all well being more.
And you can always start by giving yourself what you deserve the most: a break from it all.
Fact: It’s not easy to step out of our comfort zone.
Also a fact: It will always be worth it.
Because as they say, growth is found outside of your comfort zone.
However, most of the time, we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by negative emotions brought about by the uncertainty that lies ahead.
What we fail to recognize in the process is that the uncertainty also brings about beautiful possibilities only if we choose to embrace the entire situation whole heartedly.
I remember the time when I was still starting as a professional life coach, after turning my back on a lucrative advertising and marketing career that lasted for 15 years, simply because I was no longer happy anymore after reaching my peak.
Back then, admittedly I was also scared and anxious, not knowing where my new calling will take me or how far I’ll go. What kept me going was that I held on to my purpose, which was to speak to inspire – and allowed it to motivate me all through out my journey towards becoming the Global Master Coach that I am now.
A lot of ups and downs along the way but hey, I wouldn’t have had it in any other way.
Life is too short to just settle in a space that no longer supports your happiness and growth. Visualize clearly what you want and paint that image vividly on your mind every single day because that will keep you going. Eyes on the prize always. I totally believe that if you truly want something, you’ll find a way to achieve it, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone.
Each and every time you overthink, you cripple yourself with a bunch of fears and assumptions. Take that life changing first step instead. That’s actually the hardest part: to commit to starting. However, when you’ve finally decided fully and you have taken that first step outside of your comfort zone, there’s no where else to go but on and forward towards your own #bestmeever .
It may be a leap of faith for you as you embark on this new journey of yours but remember not to hurry and allow yourself to grow at your own pace. Instead of making big, drastic steps to hasten the process of pursuing your goals, focus on doing small, consistent ones and build up on them gradually. Don’t forget to be grateful along the way so that regardless of what happens in between, you will never feel that you lack anything.
Now this is tricky but very much possible. This can be done by seeing each and every experience as a wonderful opportunity to grow. When you change your perspective from being resentful to being open and optimistic, you allow yourself to thrive amidst the uncertainty that surrounds you at present. Remember, the key here is to listen to yourself mindfully: rest if you must, allow yourself to feel, celebrate wins in between, focus on what went right along the way and start all over again when ready.
As you step outside of your comfort zone, be sure to journey alongside people who genuinely believe in you and who help bring out the best In you. Having someone (or a bunch of people) cheer you on makes even the most difficult journey bearable. Just be sure to acknowledge them along the way and never forget that at the end of the day, apart from them, you should also be your own biggest fan.
I hope these inspire you to take that first step outside of your comfort zone simply because you are worth that risk and you definitely have what it takes to thrive thereafter.
And they lived happily ever after.
Perhaps our favorite line in every fairy tale that we read.
After all, who doesn’t want to have a lasting relationship?
When you’ve found the one, I know that you’ll be more than willing to make things truly work out.
Allow me to share with you these 5 tips to help make your relationship last.
In order for a relationship to work, you guys must be on the same page. Don’t ever overlook the importance of reaching out and asking your partner about his/her needs and wants and allow yourself to share yours as well. Talk openly and honestly. Adjust accordingly there after based on your conversation. Allow yourself to give and receive the kind of love and affection you deserve.
Try new things. Or enjoy doing old ones. Explore and experience together. Never be too busy to be in love with that one person who changed your life. How can you support each other more as you get to know each other better while growing together? Keep that in mind.
Don’t let an argument make you forget the beautiful relationship that you have. Have enough time and space to reflect and understand the situation fully. Express your thoughts and apologize if needed. Forgive. Be more than willing to start all over again when you’re ready.
Don’t wait for any special occasion to show your love and affection. Make every single day special. Send sweet messages, surprise each other with random gifts. Hold hands. Give tight hugs. Make your partner feel special and remember all the reasons you fell in love with this person from the very beginning. Keep the fire burning.
I know that once you get in a relationship the assumption is that it has to be always about you both. But to be honest, that shouldn’t be the case. Allow yourself to have enough time and space and acknowledge your own needs outside the relationship. Become your own #bestmeever and allow your partner to do the same. Trust each other and know that by having that healthy space to grow individually as well, you become the best version of yourselves for each other.
I hope these will help you guys build that happy, stable, lasting relationship that you’ve always wanted.
Time to recreate your own fairy tale now.
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]Life Changing.
The other day, I woke up being told that I made it at #38 among the Top 100 Life Coach Website, Blogs and Influencers in 2021 globally.
My heart is beyond grateful and I am so honored to be included in this list.
So I got a lot of congratulations and comments telling me that I was already successful and that all my hard work is finally paying off.
And getting all those made me think hard: was I really successful?
If you would define success as being a 6-7 digit professional coach, having multiple best selling books and global features and interviews, numerous highly happy and successful clients, having a number of brand collaborations and paid workshops and talks left and right, while having a solid growing number of followers and supporters, then I guess I would say yes, I am successful based on those standards, solely based on facts and with my humility in tact.
However, coming from a space of honesty, I defined my own success this way:
Being able to have the time and means to pursue my passion and live my dreams.
Because at the end of the day, my life isn’t about what I can do, or what I have or what I have achieved.
It’s about how much I have allowed myself to just be.
And mind you, the entire journey wasn’t easy.
Yup, what you see now is just the tip of the ice berg of how a successful life coach can be like.
But what is not seen at the onset is how I had to spend a number of sleepless nights and days just as long, just to work on my craft to be able to deliver my key results consistently as I help others become their own #bestmeever .
1.) Build your credentials
Always be hungry to learn more about your craft. Explore multiple disciplines. Never be resistant to something unfamiliar. Be humble enough to start from scratch. As for me, even as a Global Master Coach, to this day, I still continue to study and get certified by reputable coaching institutions as I work on my rank promotion in the International Coach Federation. Never feel bad when you invest in yourself and your dreams. Oh and yes, I still have my own Master Level Coach as I mentor other coaches, even at present. Choose your mentor well and be willing to invest on them. My mindset: mistakes are too expensive for me and I can’t afford them so I would rather invest wisely on myself and my growth and on my mentor whom I have seen deliver the results I want.
2.) Strengthen your credibility
Ok, being good at what you do is one thing. Letting others know that you are is another. How much time have you spent in establishing yourself as an authority in your space? Take time to give high-value talks, write articles, post consistently, and most importantly, practice and ensure that you are able to deliver expected results from a professional perspective. Don’t just settle on having a certification or title: your credibility must be supported by your own body of work and the results which you have consistently (and successfully) given.
3.) Don’t ever make money as the basis of your practice
Always remember your why. Don’t ever make a client’s ability to pay as the basis of your performance as a coach. Whether it’s a paying client or a pro bono thing, always give your best. Don’t shortchange yourself and the client. The key here is to be able to hone your skills and test your own coaching programs time and again so that you would know if its doing its work or if you’re really hitting the right market. Treat everyone as a beautiful investment. After all, seeing someone else grow is such a rewarding experience so just make life coaching as a lifestyle so that it comes out naturally and not based on anything monetary. Oh, and client testimonials are priceless and referrals from them can open even beautiful doors for you in the long run.
4.) Never let rejections dishearten you
Fact: you can’t please everyone and not everyone is meant to be your coachee. And guess what? That’s ok. Take each and every NO as an opportunity to start fresh. Don’t ever take rejections too hard. It’s not always about you. In my case, trust me, when I was starting, I have gotten a lot. And in my current space, till now, I still do. But I’ve realized that it’s ok and I always try to learn from the experience and grow from it there after. Remember, if I hadn’t experienced all those rejections before while growing up, there will be no #bestmeever : no global coaching platform, no best selling books, no TED talks , no brand collaborations, no international podcast — and the list goes on.
5.) Be willing to take risks
Don’t let your fears get in the way of your dreams. So if you really want to make it as a life coach, embrace the uncomfortable. Don’t overthink opportunities given to you, instead, just go for them and make sure that you maximize each one along the way. Stop trying to fit in a mold and just allow yourself to grow as you are. Become that beautiful disruption that you are meant to be. That was what really worked for me: to be a Unicorn among the life coaches from all over the world. In your case, what should you allow yourself to be? Remember that authenticity can do wonders for you, big time. You are worth that risk.
So there, I hope that wherever you are in your journey as a life coach, these tips will help you become more successful in the process.
Thank you for being part of mine.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column] [/et_pb_row] [/et_pb_section]Nowadays, with the pandemic, among others, times seem to be really challenging.
Ok, let me correct myself: times ARE challenging. Period.
I know that at some point, we all have experienced doubting ourselves and losing hope in the process as we become anxious about what tomorrow holds for us.
And I think that we have learned based on experience, having that kind of behavior wouldn’t allow us to thrive in our space.
Because truth be told, more than ever, we need to have a positive mindset as we remain optimistic about what lies ahead.
Nothing is permanent in this world. Same goes for whatever is bothering us now. So hold on to that fact that someday, all will be well. Having something to look forward to allows you to have a better perspective about life at present.
You can’t undo the past, even if you tried. But you can always work on your present and create the future that you want from scratch. Remember that what can still be will always be more beautiful than your what could have been.
Choose to see what went right. Big or small, celebrate your wins. You deserve to acknowledge yourself and your hard work. They will inspire you to do more in the process as you become your own #bestmeever.
Choose the company you keep. Remember, your immediate environment plays a big role in the way you think and react to circumstances in your life. So be mindful of the kind of people you allow in your space. Check on red flags every now and then. You’re not obliged to accommodate any form of negativity or toxic behavior at the end of the day.
At the end of the day, no matter how it went, there will always be something to be grateful for. Train your mind to look for those. That will help you realize how beautiful life still is amidst trying times.
There you have it. I hope these help you keep your hopes high as we journey together towards a brighter future ahead.
Here’s an interesting fact:
At times, what really makes a goal hard to achieve is not the lack of skills nor opportunities.
It’s the lack of self-confidence.
That feeling of not being worthy, not being good enough.
These are walls we built by ourselves.
They hold us back from becoming the person we are meant to be: our very own #bestmeever .
Let’s face it: it’s not that easy to be truly confident when we all have experienced a lot of down times in our lives.
It’s over and done with. So why hold on to whatever painful experience you’ve had up to this day? You have a choice to start all over again as you learn from what initially broke you so you can have your own breakthrough. You’re not defined by your past; you’re defined by the choices you make there after.
Somewhere along the way, you have succeeded in your own right. Celebrate those wins. If you’ve done it before, why worry about not being able to achieve the same now?
You’ve survived and made it this far. So why doubt yourself? Wear your battle scars proud. And give yourself that much-deserved pat on the back.
What normally freaks us out is the fact that we don’t have a plan to back us up as we pursue our goals, coming from a space of unfamiliarity. By carefully listing down all your options and specific steps on how you can reach your goals, you become more confident in the process knowing that somehow, you have it all figured out.
Be your own best fan. Tell yourself all the words you long to hear. Know that you are truly great within, you just have to consistently remember that, no matter what. The thing is: you’re actually the best person to remind yourself too.
There you go. I hope that these tips will enable you to level up your confidence so you can finally pursue your dreams with the greatest of ease.
Enjoy your journey as you break free confidently!
For some, work is life.
Like nine-to-five is dedicated solely to what pays the bills.
At times, it goes beyond that as well.
Longer work hours. No holidays.
More time with officemates. More time to build one’s career.
However, in the process of focusing too much on work for wanting to earn a living, we forget one important thing:
To live the life we have always wanted.
Take this time to read through this list of 5 things which I believe are far more important than work:
How have you been managing your stress lately? Have you had enough time to actually sit back, relax and pamper yourself? Remember, it’s very important to take care of your overall health, because at the end of the day, if it suffers, working won’t even be possible. Make sure to include exercise, healthy diet, meditation and other self-care routines in between to allow yourself to always be at the pink of health.
When the going gets tough, trust that your loved ones will never fire you. I doubt it if same goes at work. Haha! What I am just saying is, you also need to spend more time with people who truly matter to you because at the end of the day, long after work is over, they’re the ones by your side, no matter what happens. Working long hours can never compensate for missing out on very important family occasions, personal milestones and the like because those are priceless.
So yeah, cool, your work pays the bills and you get to reach the top of the food chain in your career ladder. However, beyond your success, are you really able to pursue what makes your heart fulfilled? Have you really given yourself time to pursue your passion or learn something new? Know that your own #bestmeever is not defined by your work alone.
Are you genuinely happy outside of what you do at work? Have you given yourself the permission to just be and experience the best things in life without feeling guilty about your work deadlines? Remember that it’s ok to put yourself as your top priority, simply because if you’re coming from a space of happiness, everything around you will be in alignment — your work included. Never deprive yourself from the kind of life you truly want and deserve.
Picture this, how would you like others to remember you? Someone who worked long hours or became a CEO of a company? Or someone who helped change their lives and inspired them to be their best? It’s all about allowing yourself to be relevant beyond the walls of your office by reaching out to others and making a difference in their lives. Know that you are never too busy to help and that allows your heart to come from a space of overflow. It helps to be surrounded with like minded people who can empower and inspire you from within.
I hope that you get to work on living the life you’ve always wanted.
Time in now.
Nobody’s perfect.
And that’s a fact.
But guess what?
It’s perfectly ok.
So stop beating yourself up for “flaws” which make you feel less of a person.
Because in, reality, they don’t.
Know that as you are, you are perfectly amazing.
If you’re still struggling with loving your imperfections, then allow me to share with you these 5 ways to allow you to embrace them fully.
Only you can see your true worth. So set your own standards. You don’t have to stress yourself fitting into someone else’s mould. Create your own. Your beauty makes you uniquely special, so don’t ever compare yourself with someone else. Just appreciate your own because by doing that, you’ll know that there’s so much to love about you.
2. Make your flaws inspiring
Somewhere out there, someone needs to hear your story of how you embraced your flaws and imperfections. Whether it’s a physical insecurity, a disability, a circumstance … these can be turned into powerful inspirations, only if you see the true purpose behind each. Come from that space.
3. Count your blessings
Your flaws shouldn’t define you and your happiness. Look around you. Inquire within. What else can you be grateful for? There’s more to life than just focusing on things that are “less than perfect.” Focus on what matters more instead: what gives you genuine joy, fulfillment and wholeness. You can always choose to work around your imperfections and see things in a different light.
4. Surround yourself with inspiring advocates
All over the world, there are other people like you who may have experienced the same thing but have chosen to rise above the situation and empower others instead. Choose to find (and be with) your role models and people who bring out the best in you. Self-Check: If they can see beyond your flaws, why can’t you?
5. Affirm yourself daily
Give yourself that much needed confidence boost by facing the mirror every single day and loving the person you’re seeing daily, genuinely. Empower yourself with positive words you need to hear that will allow you to be your authentic, unapologetic and grandest version of yourself, your own #bestmeever . Don’t wait for others to validate you because as you are, you can give yourself that much needed love, acceptance and understanding. And your own affirmation will always be more than enough.
I hope that now you can see how “FLAWsome” you are.
Time to give yourself a tight hug. And a whole lot of love.
