Time Magazine Named Me a Leading Happiness Expert

I'm pinching myself. Time Magazine interviewed me about my happiness habits along with 17 other greats like former lecturer at Harvard University, Tal Ben-Shahar, Barbara L. Fredrickson from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and best-selling author, Gretchen Rubin.

As I mentioned in the article, happiness is not always a yellow smiley face. And I honestly have not been very smiley myself lately. That's why you haven't heard from me in a while. Thanks to my delicious toddler, Lev, I haven't slept in two years. We've also been remodeling our kitchen and washing dishes in the bathroom. And I'm writing a book! (I have to tell you the story of how that happened - more soon!) 

All of the above are blessings. But they're also taxing. Big time.

To me, living the life worth living is honoring the fact that I can feel both grumpy and grateful at once. It's having perspective and knowing how to re-perceive in those low moments. It's listening to my body and learning to not do it all. 

I know it's New Year's resolution time for many and I wanted to share a recent insight I've been clinging to, in case you're also wrestling with striving, exhaustion, and striking a balance:

Don't focus on your goals when you feel overwhelmed. 

Instead, just zoom in on where you are and the next micro step. 

For me, when I think about how many chapters I have left to write, I want to hide in bed. Under the covers. Instead, I tell myself, just open up your Word doc.  Sometimes, that's all the progress I make.

When you're feeling depleted (which, who isn't from the past several years?), sometimes, the best place to look is down. 

Look down at your feet. Get grounded. Take the next small step. 

Studies show us that when we're not in a good mood and don't feel supported, challenges seem more challenging. The distance between where you are now and where you want to be can feel daunting. 

When that's the case, temporarily leave the lofty aspirations for tomorrow. Celebrate your mini progress, whatever it is. Once you feel a little rested, then get a glimpse of that exciting goal to remember why you're on this path. It will propel you forward. But until you have that energy stirring within you, your ambitious reach can hold you down.

It's a dance. To me, self care in stressful times means relieving pressure, not adding it. How can you be more gentle with yourself? 

Want more help thinking about your goals and coaching your team on how to set theirs? Join me for a free training sponsored by BizLibrary on January 26. More details below. 

Heads down (for now) and thankful for you,

Stella

How to Choose (and Stick With) Goals that Support Your Career Wellbeing & Happiness

Sponsored by BizLibrary: January 26, 2023 at 1:00pm CST. 

The start of a new year is a great time for employees at your organization to consciously rethink their goals with fresh eyes. Regardless of whether or not they’re a fan of New Year's resolutions, teaching your team members to set clear goals and objectives will help them stay motivated to keep moving forward toward success.

In this training, I will share how to create attainable goals amidst rocky times and how to set your organization up for success in the coming year.

You will learn to develop your employees on:

• How to determine which goals to set
• Key strategies to set goals and achieve them 
• The three mind-traps that sabotage the ability to get to the finish line and how to avoid them