Happy & Healthy U: The Monthly Message

  THE BENEFIT OF GRATITUDE  Being Grateful for 2022 Helps Usher in 2023 As 2022 comes to a close, it it helpful to reflect on how we were successful in getting through the year. It is important to note that using a positive lens through which to evaluate what has transpired and where we have landed does not require us to ignore the painful or challenging experiences.  It is healthy to acknowledge problems and negative situations.  However, it is unhealthy to give those events and situations all of the power.  That is what happens when we narrow our lens and focus only or primarily on the pain of hurtful events. A healthy attitude enables us to desire to be whole, feel well and move on. Psychological researchers have found that the practice of gratitude is helpful in switching our perspective from one of problem to solution and building the resilience to overcome the negative impact of hurtful events.  Specifically, the attitude of gratitude is the ability to see the "silver lining

  CAREER SATISFACTION AND SUCCESS PODCAST SERIES by Dr. Diane Kern Podcast Episode Highlights   Episode #1:   Boosting Career Confidence (Aired November 15) Guest: Mr. Ralph Rosello, Sales and Marketing Expert Having strong career confidence is important because: It enables you to showcase your best It helps you promote yourself during the application and interview phases of job search It inspires others to have confidence in your abilities In sales, it helps you have influence potential customers It strengthens the foundation for your decision making It allows you to “take control of the room” and be in command of situations when necessary It helps you communicate effectively It strengthens perseverance and resilience that help you overcome challenges   3 Tips for Boosting Career Confidence: Reflect on your previous positive experiences and achievements Focus on your strengths, talents and abilities Seek and engage in opportunities to showcase your stre

  Career Confidence is Vital to Career Satisfaction and Success Career Confidence Consists of the Following: Having a strong and positive belief in one's work-related assets (i.e. skills, strengths, abilities, talents that enable achievement) Feeling comfortable demonstrating those assets Seeking and being willing to take on challenges, including learning new skills Feeling good and at ease with celebrating achievements Career Confidence is Important to Career Happiness and Sucess: When you experience a high level of confidence, it functions like a muscle that reinforces your desire and comfort with applying your work-related assets.  This is especially true when you are performing work that you enjoy and is truly a good fit for you. You are also more likely to experience success when you feel the confidence to apply and demonstrate your work-related skills, talents and abilities.   A High and Healthy Level of Self Confidence is Beneficial Because it Enables You To: Represent and p

 Being Happy in Your Career Life Enables You to be Successful According to Positive psychology researcher, Shawn Achor (author of the Happiness Advantage), evidence shows that happiness leads to success and not the other way around.  This suggests the powerful role that seeking and cultivating happiness play in our career lives.   Most of us enjoy using our talents and skills that enable us to feel accomplished. Using our strengths promotes positive motivation to achieve and be our best.  We tend to enjoy work even more when that work satisfies a sense of meaning and purpose. It enables us to feel authentic and fulfilled. When you believe it  possible to do what you want, you are likely to find it.   Here is my mindfulness model to engage with yourself to achieve your career satisfaction and success: Acknowledge: Engage with yourself and recognize what gives you a sense of purpose and what talents and skills you enjoy using Assess: Determine what you want and need to feel happy, motiva

Career Happiness Matters Being happy is widely recognized as a major contributor to good health.  This is especially important in your career life, especially given that most of your waking hours are occupied with work. What contributes to happiness as an employee in your career life?  The literature on career and employee happiness suggests the following characteristics as significant contributors. Work that:  has meaning, mission and purpose provides adequate salary (somewhat beyond basic needs) offers generous benefits  has conditions that enable work-life balance provides opportunity to utilize your skills and strengths treats you as valued and appreciated  provides competent and considerate leadership promotes a harmonious interpersonal environment What is the status of your career happiness?   Reflect on where you are with respect to what you want and where you wish to be.  It is possible to aim for work that fulfills your needs and priorities, including doing what interests you

Give Yourself Permission to be Happy and Healthy: Embrace an Attitude that Promotes Overall Self-Care Many folks struggle with granting themselves permission to do what they desire or want to do.  They either feel they do not have the permission; or feel that they are committing some offense against others by doing so.   The effect of not granting self-permission is feeling stuck, trapped and unhappy. Let's understand the concept of "permission".  According to the Mirriam-Webster Thesaurus definition: Permission is "the approval of someone in authority for the doing of something".  Two critical concepts loom large here: authority and approval    Who has authority over you?   As a fully functional, responsible adult, the healthy response is, "You" . Whose approval should you seek, as an adult?   Again, the healthy response is, "You" .  When you exercise authority in your life choices and decisions, you are assuming responsibility and taking c

How are you doing as we continue to move beyond the Covid Pandemic?   Are you ready for re-connection and re-direction ? Become Aware and Acknowledge: The world continues to grapple with safety, especially in the wake of various vaccinations (and boosters), while still facing the occurrence of  Covid variants. As you experience increasing safety, aim for ways to connect and resume those things that are meaningful.   RE-CONNECT  with yourself, with others and with life: Worship  Work  Family, Friends and Other Relationships Healthcare and Wellness Recreational and fun activities Assess: Determine how well you are doing, in spite of the past 24 months of this major disruptive event. It is important to identify the ways you cope and continue to get through this experience.  What has enabled you to get to today? Recognize  and celebrate how you: Survived Thrived  Became More Resilient Became More Grateful and Appreciative Became More Wise Displayed Grace Address: Decide ways you wish to