It’s been tough times with many challenges, stresses and emotions to deal with. Some dealt with and some not so well. To help I have turned to grass, weed and pot. Here I share some of those experiences, insights and learning.
Singing my Praises - 6 Month Review Happy Life Habits (HLH)
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
Leadership Vs Management
My teenage son asked me if I thought he was a leader or a manager. He asked after I picked him up from school where he had an interview for head boy, a role he had put his name forward for. He had been asked the question. I answered I thought he was a leader, I asked what he had answered and it was the same. Then I asked what he thought the difference between the two was.
I shared with him some thoughts I have learnt over time from Stephen Covey, Robin Sharma, John Maxwell, Simon Sinek, Nick Williams and my own experience of leadership.
Some of this I had shared with Xerox The Women's Alliance (TWA): Xerox Women’s Alliance – UK & Ireland Chapter in the talk titled " The Role of Effective Selfcare in Positive Leadership".
"Leadership is an act not a position"
"Leadership is not about taking charge but looking after those in your charge" Simon Sinek
"Leadership is about bring out the best in the people you work with"
With my son I shared the difference between Leadership and Management using the Stephen Covey example of Management being about climbing a ladder and Leadership about making sure the ladder is against the right wall. I used example of management painting house - sanding correctly, applying primer, 2 coats and doing it properly. Leadership being making sure it is the correct house that is being painted.
"Management is doing things right. Leadership is doing the right things".
What are your thoughts on leadership and management?
Have you had any interesting conversations lately?
Singing my Praises - 6 Month Review Happy Life Habits (HLH)
I'm singing my praises, not to stroke my ego but to reaffirm to myself when sometimes I feel doubt, insecure, unmotivated or inspired. To remind why I get up in the morning and do what I do : Positively Impacting Happiness & Wellbeing Levels.
On 30th June we completed the 30 Day Happy Life Habits Gratitude & Habit Immersion Training Course. During the celebration calls the participants shared some of the changes that the had experienced - some were quite transformative. All rated the course excellent or very good.
With us being 6 months into the year I often take the opportunity to look back and to look forward - to review, reflect and remind.
6 Month Review:
In December just before the year end we had a Looking Back, Looking Forward Workshop - reflecting on last year and planning next. This was postponed from original date due to the death of my father in mid December.
We delivered 90 days of training through 3 instalments of the
30 Day HLH Gratitude & Journal Habit Immersion Course - this was Jan, Mar and June.
From Late Jan through Apr during lockdown; through 2 series; we supported with 12 consecutive weeks of Inspiration Point Podcast featuring amazing people sharing their journeys, One series was dedicated to Women, Mothers Day and International Women's Day.
In March we celebrated International Day of Happiness using the Wonder platform and having a variety of speakers, coaches, therapists, practitioners share in zones for Laughter, Relaxation, dealing with loss and conversations.
We took part in some talks with Healing Our Earth and SRMD in March and April
During May we supported Mental Health and Mental Health Awareness week (MHAW) with
Daily Videos - various groups
Events with Asian Parents Club before and after MHAW
Xerox The Womens Alliance talk
2 Happiness Booster sessions - one with Oshwal Connect
Daily quotes in Happy Life Habits Community Facebook group
Hosting a 21 Day Simple Living Challenge
Shared through various articles, blog post etc on Facebook, LinkedIn and the HLH website.
The Future continues with
Corp talks/workshops
Wellness event by Iglobal
Taking part in podcasts
Hosting more Inspiration Point Podcasts
Asian Parents Club sessions including one on Grief
HLH MasterMind Group - new exciting monthly project
30 Day HLH Gratitude & Journal Habit Immersion Course
What is one of your memorable, positive events, impacts, achievements from the last 6 months?
What are you looking forward to in remaining 6 months of the year?
The new and fun virtual event platform called Wonder that just turned 1 years old has a feature on Happy Life Habits in it’s July newsletter. We used Wonder for the International Day of Happiness event on 20th March 2020. as Happy Life Habits we are using it for various meetings and events.
Here is the write up.
"With a few simple adaptations to your routine, you can positively rewire your brain to bring high self-esteem, focus, and happiness into your everyday life."
Meet Shaileen Shah: the happiness coach trying to keep the business world an emotionally positive place. The founder of Happy Life Habits, Shaileen has a unique approach to personal development and the 'Science of Happiness'. A scientifically certified process that uses real life and digital gatherings to increase the 'feel good' chemical in the brain? Sign us up.
Q: Tell us about Happy Life Habits.
A: Happiness is a skill that can be learned and developed into empowering life habits. Happy Life Habits introduce off-screen practices and habits to rewire the brain and increase happiness levels. Developing an offline tool kit allows you to disconnect the practice from a fixed environment, and allow your brain and feelings to fully surface without distractions. We then use online check-ins to share the knowledge, reflect with others, and solidify the practice in a professional environment.
Q: Tell us about your last event.
A: Most of our events are currently online and we foresee a good proportion being so in the future. We have a 30 Day Gratitude & Journal Habit Immersion Training Course with a mix of live online sessions, a private Facebook group, and accountability via WhatsApp. The goal is to deliver content online but connect to your offline brain.
Q: Why are you using Wonder?
A: I used Wonder to create an event for International Day of Happiness on 20th March. I set up Areas for Laughter, Relaxation, Conversation, and Dealing with Loss; being able to define specific Areas for people to meet removes the awkward introductory periods in other online tools. It worked so well and people were immediately able to connect to like-minded individuals and approach whom they wanted to speak to. The experience lends itself to a natural environment for having conversations that stick with you after the laptop is closed. Because of the simple UX, easy setup, and Area control, my guests had a memorable and positive experience with Wonder, and made a positive connection to the material. It's the perfect platform for hybrid events.
Check out Happy Life Habits and join their upcoming training course on Happiness. Mention Wonder and get a discount ;)
Excited to join @iglobalmedia for its first-ever Great Big Indian Wellness Show, on 16 & 17 July 2021. Join me as I discuss “Happiness Habits” at the BIGGEST & BEST health and wellbeing event for the welfare of the modern British Indian. Book your free virtual seat today & don’t miss out to be a part of 2 riveting days of masterclasses, top tips and discussions at #iWellnessShow. Register NOW https://bit.ly/iGlobal-TheGreatBigIndianWellnessShow2021
I’ll be sharing on 17th at 16:25.
HLH events and activities
HLH MasterMind Group
Happy Life Habits Mastermind Group
A place for a small group of like minded positive people each month to come together online, connect, support, inspire, share and cheer each other on in life's journey.
A segment for learning - a book, podcast, conversation, reflection or article that has inspired us.
A segment for brainstorming practical solutions to a problem that a member is facing, tapping into the collective wisdom of the group.
An opportunity to take consistent steps towards our goals within an environment that helps accelerate our learning, growth and progress.
Limited spaces.
We start on the 16th of July and run each month with virtual 90 min virtual meeting plus private Facebook Group.
Inspiration Point Podcast Series 4 confirmed for Autumn with another amazing line up. Booking and episode details will be available later this month.
A request dear friend and reader.
(1) If you have enjoyed some of the articles I have shared and found useful please reply to shaileen@happylifehabits.co.uk and let me know.
(2) If you are not a subscriber to the Happy Life Habits email list - please sign up.
(3) If you think someone else might benefit from this please share with them.
(4) If you want to engage my services for coaching, speaking or training get in touch and lets see if we can create a win-win result.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list.
Happy Life Habits FaceBook Community Group
Happy Life Habits FaceBook Page
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaileen-shah/
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
The UN's International Day Of Happiness
As a Happiness Coach and Happy Life Habits we love the International Day of Happiness, dedicated to celebrating the importance of happiness. We are celebrating with an event and also share some other activities that we are aware of that are going on related to this. Wishing you a Happy Day celebrating the International Day of Happiness.
STAR FISH STORY - WORLD HAPPINESS AWARD NOMINATION -SHAILEEN SHAH
Sometimes doubt and chatter (my friend Ashik has just sent me book called Chatter by Ethan Kross) creeps in making me wonder if I am making a difference, is there value? is it worth the time, energy, attention and financial investment? Then a conversation, testimonial or message comes through letting me know that it made a difference to them.
A NEW HOPE? OR NO HOPE?
Sometimes with the restrictions of lockdown, the negative news, so many deaths and cold, dark winter we feel like there is no hope and at other times hope is all we have.
The original classic Stars Wars was titled Episode IV : A New Hope. In this blog article I share some recent positive news stories, resources and Happy Life Habits activities.
HELP HAPPY LIFE HABITS KEEP HAVING POSITIVE IMPACT
During the month we celebrate Thanksgiving, Happy Life Habits (HLH) is crowdfunding via the Mayor of London’s Pay it Forward crowdfunding platform. If we reach our funding target and other criteria we will get some extra funding towards the work we do of “Positively Impact Happiness & Well-being Levels” through free or low cost, high value services and products that have helped many, maybe even you.
https://payitforward.london.gov.uk/hlh-sharing-positivity-resilience
TAKE MY BREATH AWAY : THE INEVITABLE - DEATH, THE END OF LIVING - ONE YEAR ON
The theme of death and loss is back in my awareness. Over the months we have explored it in Young Jains Enriching Conversations. Many friends, family and people in the community over the last 2 weeks have lost a close loved one. I shared with them an article I wrote last year upon the death of a close friend, Bobby Shah, on 15th October. The article has my thoughts feelings and also some resources that may help. Since originally writing it almost exactly a year ago I have shared it with many and edited to include a wonderful podcast from commune. Really do check out the article and resources - share with those who you may know are dealing with the loss of a loved one.
Happy Birthday - Time to Connect
I write this on the eve of turning 50. What to say? These birthday celebrations are way different from what we had in mind last year or even at the beginning of this year. We were making plans to have family from USA and Kenya come visit during the summer and arrange a few get togethers with both sides of the families - both in terms of mine and my wife’s as well as both in terms of my dad’s and mum’s side. This is a lot of people. The celebrations would be for my son turning 16, completing GCSE exams and me turning 50. With the pandemic issue we can’t have more than 6 people meet.
I remember before I turned 24, I had just started my first real job and career out of university. I was a junior consultant in a US based technology consulting firm. I had been to Cambridge, Massachusetts for month long orientation training. During one weekend we had driven to New York, the Big Apple. I was then back in the UK working on projects, work then had become quieter in the UK. During September they shipped a few of out to projects in the USA. I ended up in Lansing, Michigan for a good few weeks. One weekend we took off to Lake Michigan - more like am ocean than a lake. I ended up spending my birthday weekend driving with a friend to Toronto, Canada where he had his family. I was away from family and friends. Being with my friend and his family was fine but I felt alone and did not enjoy that birthday experience. I enjoy being around people, especially family and friends and I enjoy celebration birthdays. Happy Birthday - I has HAPPY in the phrase and it has Birth - Life, so a Happiness Coach calling his company Happy Life Habits loves celebrating birthdays be they his own or others.
I was reminded by Facebook of a post from a few years ago which is a real treasure and I share here which share the difference between a contact and connection.
A Monk of the RamaKrishna Mission was being interviewed by a journalist from NY.
Journalist - "Sir, in your last lecture, you told us about Jogajog (contact) & Sanjog (connection). It's really confusing. Can you explain ? "
The Monk smiled and apparently deviating from the question asked the journalist:
"Are you from New York?"
Journalist - "Yeh..."
Monk - "Who are there at home?”
The Journalist felt that the Monk was trying to avoid answering his question since this was a very personal and unwarranted question. Yet the journalist said: “Mother has expired. Father is there. Three brothers and one sister. All married..."
The Monk, with a smile on his face, asked again: “Do you talk to your father?"
The journalist looked visibly annoyed...
The Monk - “When did you talk to him last?"
The journalist, supressing his annoyance said: "May be a month ago."
The Monk: “Do you brothers and sisters meet often? When did you meet last as a family gathering?"
At this point, sweat appeared on the forehead of the journalist. Now who was conducting the interview, the Monk or the Journalist? It seemed that the Monk was interviewing the Journalist.
With a sigh, the Journalist said: “We met last at Christmas two years ago."
The Monk: “How many days did you all stay together ?"
The Journalist (wiping the sweat on his brow) said: “Three days..."
Monk: "How much time did you spend with your Father, sitting right beside him?"
The journalist looking perplexed and embarrassed and started scribbling something on a paper...
The Monk: "Did you have breakfast, lunch or dinner together? Did you ask how he was? Did you ask how his days are passing after your mother's death?"
Drops of tears coming out started to flow from the eyes of the journalist.
The Monk held the hand of the journalist and said: “Don't be embarrassed, upset or sad. I am sorry if I have hurt you unknowingly... But this is basically the answer to your question about "contact and connection (Jogajog and Sanjog)". You have 'contact' with your father but you don't have 'connection' with him. You are not connected to him. Connection is between heart and heart... sitting together, sharing meals and caring for each other ; touching, shaking hands, having eye contact, spending some time together...You brothers and sisters have 'contact' but you have no 'connection' with each other...."
The journalist wiped his eyes and said: "Thanks for teaching me a fine and unforgettable lesson"
This is the reality today. Whether at home or in the society everybody has lots of contacts but there is no connection. No communication... Everybody is in his or her own world.
Let us not maintain just "contacts" but let us remain "connected"; caring, sharing and spending time with all our dear ones.
*****
The Monk was none other than Swami Vivekananda
Lessons Learned at 50
There are many people who have come into my life, there are many mistakes made, lessons learned, many inspirers, many joyous moments and continue to do so. Some of these lessons relate to a few themes.
TIME is our most precious resource. We don’t know how much we have left so use it wisely.
CONNECTION is central to our existence. The much loved and shared Brene Brown quote says it all. Check out this awesome blog on connection.
We have 3 main relationships or connections:
with our self
with others
with our higher self, nature, universe, God
The Happy Life Habits logo is all about connection, it is a connected pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
The below quote was share on HLH Community group when within a few days we developed the HLH Book Club. Thanks Mary T for inspiring it.
“‘Time is our most precious resource. We should not waste it. If it fits with my mission, serves, feels right, positively impacts, makes me smile, adds to the greater good, enthuses and inspires me and have the opportunity to be with wonderful like minded people - why wait? ”
Manage your TIME, ENERGY & ATTENTION
I am hoping to share sessions on this in 2021
HABITS OF THE HEART & SOUL : GRATITUDE, COMPASSION, KINDNESS, LOVE, FORGIVENESS, MINDFULNESS
return wonderful returns when developed - they are all about connection.
“Our life is made up of a series of moments. We live moment to moment. The more happy moments we can have and create the happier our life will be. ”
All the current Happy Life Habit projects and activities relate to these themes : The Happiness Boosters, The Gratitude Workshop, The Gratitude and Journal Habit Immersion Course, The HLH Book Club and the newly launched Inspiration Point. I look forward to connecting with you and being part of the Happy Life Habits Community with you.
Many thanks to all the attendees, participants, partners, supporters and sponsors.
With Love, Warmth, Gratitude and Kindness
Shaileen Shah - The Happiness Coach - 50 Years Old - still got a long way to go.
A request dear friend and reader.
(1) If you have enjoyed some of the articles I have shared and found useful please reply to shaileen@happylifehabits.co.uk and let me know.
(2) If you are not a subscriber to the Happy Life Habits email list - please sign up.
(3) If you think someone else might benefit from this please share with them.
(4) If you want to engage my services for coaching, speaking or training get in touch and lets see if we can create a win-win result.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list.
Happy Life Habits FaceBook Community Group
Happy Life Habits FaceBook Page
Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good; supporting the UNs Sustainable Development Goals. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.
Inspiration Booked & Opportunities
To Be or Not to Be? – That is the question or is it a choice? Be a Caterpillar, Become a Butterfly
LOCK DOWN LAB: LIFE BY DESIGN - YOU THE ARCHITECT
This and the few related articles are about the golden opportunity we have for learning, change growth, development and transformation. Moving from a caterpillar to being in a cocoon to become a butterfly. They blend ideas and snippets on needs, mindsets, zones and actions from Stephen Covey, Tony Robbins, Abraham Maslow, Carol Dweck, Nelson Mandela, Robin Sharma, Forrest Gump and a few others.
This one looks at the idea of a Lockdown Lab and moving from a zone of fear to learning to growth and to contribution.
