By Eleanor Shakiba Confidence tips 0 Comments

WISHING YOU A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON AND THRIVING 2023

As the end of 2022 approaches, I am filled with gratitude for your support and participation in my programs. My passion is working with people who want to make a difference and you are one of those people. Thank you!

This year the amazing team at Think Learn Succeed achieved many fantastic milestones. We took Complete Confidence with NLP to a much wider audience by making it self-paced. Plus, we launched our new program Rise of the High Impact Leader, in both online and face-to-face mode.

And personally, I finally achieved my dream of becoming a ‘digital nomad’. It has been so exciting to live part-time in Bali, whilst still working with my wonderful and inspiring clients! This was my goal back in 2019, so it was wonderful to finally achieve it.

I hope you, too, have seen some successes and positive times. I can’t wait to continue working with you in 2023!

Warmest wishes for a safe and happy holiday season.

This article was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer and success coach. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference.  Since discovering her passion for training and development, Eleanor has trained more than 60,000 people. She delivers face-to-face workshops for corporates, online masterclasses for leaders and Positive Psychology retreats for trainers, HR practitioners and leaders. 

By Eleanor Shakiba Confidence interesting articles 0 Comments

Surprising ways nostalgia is good for us

Are the toughest challenges in life really within our own minds? This question is a common theme throughout the 10 Ways You’re Stronger Than You Think article from Psychology Today. In this piece, the author examines the power of nostalgia and how it can help people overcome self-doubt and build resilience. It argues that by recalling happy memories and moments of joy, we can tap into personal strengths that have been lying dormant, allowing us to face difficult situations with greater strength and courage.

Exploring what nostalgia is, outlining its definition as a sentimental yearning for the past or feelings of longing for an idealized past. The writer goes on to explain how nostalgia has been proven to be helpful in difficult times, providing a sense of meaning and purpose through remembering pleasant memories.  It highlights the science behind the power of nostalgia, and explains how it can help us build our resilience.

The article also examines the importance of self-affirmation in challenging times, arguing that by recognizing our personal strengths we can better cope with difficult situations. It looks at how we can use affirmations to remind ourselves of our worth and potential.

 

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Managers, business owners and supervisors who often find themselves facing numerous challenges on a daily basis. By using the strategies discussed in this piece, leaders can tap into their hidden reserves of strength in order to better cope with uncertainty or fear during tough times. Additionally, they can draw upon happy memories which will provide them with comfort while helping them remain focused on their goals despite any obstacles they may face along the way.

This empowering program offers guidance on how to use one’s own experiences as fuel for personal growth. It provides tools for building resilience so that individuals can face present struggles with confidence knowing that they have overcome similar hardships before.

In summary, 10 Ways You’re Stronger Than You Think is an inspiring article that explores how nostalgia can give us access to untapped reserves of strength when we need it most. The strategies outlined offer practical advice which is especially useful for managers, business owners and supervisors looking for ways to cope with challenging circumstances while remaining focused on their goals despite any obstacles they may encounter along their journey.

Find out more in the original article here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/articles/202203/10-ways-youre-stronger-than-you-think

This article summary was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer, success coach and people skills expert. She helps managers and business owners build thriving teams and organisations, using tools from Positive Psychology. She's trained more than 60,000 people during her career as a corporate trainer and professional development consultant. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference. 

 

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Want more impact? Stop proving and start persuading

When it comes to being a successful leader, proving your point is key, but persuasion is what will take you to the next level. This article on Forbes discusses the difference between proving and persuading, and how leaders can use persuasion to get their team on board and achieve their goals.

Can persuasive leadership be learned? The ability to be a successful leader is not about proving your point, but persuading people to come on board with your vision. She outlines five techniques that can help you become a more effective persuader.

The first step is understanding your audience. You need to know what motivates them and what objections they may have. The second step is setting the frame. You need to put your idea in the context of what the other person cares about. The third step is using empathy. You need to understand how the other person sees the world and what their concerns are. The fourth step is using stories. Stories are a great way to connect with people and help them see how your idea can work for them. The fifth and final step is using questions. Questions help you understand where the other person is coming from and figure out what they need to be persuaded.

 

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These steps are not mutually exclusive; in fact, they are complementary. Proving is necessary but not sufficient for persuading; persuasion is necessary but not sufficient for motivating. The three steps also work together to create a virtuous circle: proving reinforces persuasion which in turn reinforces motivation.

Managers, business owners, and supervisors can benefit from understanding the difference between proving and persuading. Proving can help you make a strong case for your ideas or decisions, while persuading can help you win others over to your point of view. Being a persuasive leader takes practice, but it can be a valuable skill in any business setting.

Find out more in the original article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/estherchoy/2022/08/21/persuasive-leadership-the-difference-between-proving-and-persuading/?sh=36906b51658f

This article summary was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer, success coach and people skills expert. She helps managers and business owners build thriving teams and organisations, using tools from Positive Psychology. She's trained more than 60,000 people during her career as a corporate trainer and professional development consultant. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference. 

 

 

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Health benefits of going easy on yourself

When stress gets to you, go easy on yourself. It’s easy for high-achieving professionals to push themselves too far. You’re often your own worst critic. Instead of stressing yourself out, try self-compassion. Self-compassion isn’t just good for your mental health. It’s also good for your heart. One study found that people who practice self-compassion were at a lower risk of heart disease.

People tend to think of self-compassion as some type of new-age fad. Yet, it’s backed by sound research. Research shows that self-compassion lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease in middle-aged women. Of course, the findings will likely also apply to men and women of all ages. The idea to study the impact of self-compassion came about during the pandemic. Researchers noticed that the pandemic amplified certain stressors. They wanted to know if mindfulness practices, and other examples of self-compassion, could help improve heart health.

Research has previously focused on the impact of stress on the heart. Few studies have investigated the impact of positive psychological factors, including self-compassion. Yet, self-compassion is often used as a tool to help people deal with chronic stress. It makes sense that self-compassion would have a positive effect on the heart.

The study was led by Rebecca Thurston, PhD, from the University of Pittsburgh. Thurston and her colleagues studied 200 women between the ages of 45 and 67. The participants answered a questionnaire to analyse their level of self-compassion. The researchers then scanned the participant’s carotid arteries with ultrasound equipment.

The findings were consistent, even when considering other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Smoking, physical activity, and depression didn’t change the results. The participants that exhibited greater self-compassion had less blockage in the arteries. The results of the study show the importance of self-compassion, especially during stressful times. Self-compassion promotes better heart health, which is also essential for proper cognitive health.

 

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Treating yourself with compassion is often easier said than done. This is especially true for high-achieving professionals. You may not know how to give yourself a break. One area of positive psychology holds the solution. Neuro-linguistic programming provides effective techniques for greater self-acceptance and mental stamina.

Cognitive reframing is one example. It allows you to rethink your perceptions, including your self-perceptions. You can use reframing to challenge your negative inner critic. For example, you may frequently doubt your skills and abilities. Reframing helps you analyse your skills and abilities in a realistic light. NLP sub-modalities are another solution for transforming your thoughts. You can use sub-modalities to gain a better understanding of your moods and emotions. You can use this knowledge to manipulate your thought processes. Other NLP techniques include anchoring, association, and disassociation.

Self-compassion goes a long way. If you struggle to cope with stress, consider exploring NLP techniques for relaxation. Learning to acknowledge and let go of negative thoughts builds your resilience. Why not get started today? To learn more, explore my one-to-one coaching services and online courses at https://thinklearnsucceed.com.au

By Eleanor Shakiba Confidence interesting articles 0 Comments

TEMPLATE Confidence Interesting Articles*

INSTRUCTIONS

Use this template for confidence interesting articles.

Copy these instructions into a note on your computer.

Create a new draft from this template. 

Then follow this procedure to set up the post.

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  1. The settings for the post have been preset in this template. However, you need to double check them.
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3. Check the Snippet Preview and scheduled the post.

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This article summary was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer, success coach and people skills expert. She helps managers and business owners build thriving teams and organisations, using tools from Positive Psychology. She's trained more than 60,000 people during her career as a corporate trainer and professional development consultant. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference. 

 

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Conflict coaching for leaders

Leaders need to know how to deal with conflicts. Unfortunately, low confidence or self-esteem may hold you back. Most people don’t like conflict. The right strategies can make these situations less stressful.

One-on-one coaching can give you the confidence to address any situation. Coaching zeroes in on the anxieties getting in the way of your success. You’ll learn how to solve your people problems and flourish. Develop the skills needed to resolve conflicts with ease. Arrange a coaching session or a free discovery call with Eleanor Shakiba.

Https://thinklearnsucceed.com.au/coaching-packages/#.Yc5scGhBx2Y

By Eleanor Shakiba Videos resilience 0 Comments

Resilient leaders are NOT so tough they don’t need support.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Leaders who cope with challenges on their own experience more stress. If you can’t find a satisfactory solution, you may also become discouraged. These emotions are also likely to trigger imposter syndrome. So, what should you do instead? Collaborate. Ask for help. Smart leaders know to offload some of their burdens when they feel stressed. Learn more in this week’s article on why coping alone isn’t a trait of a resilient leader.

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This is the science of building happy teams

How does the science of happiness relate to managers, business owners and supervisors? According to an interesting article in Harvard Magazine, it’s all about creating a positive work environment. The article summarises a study that found happy people are more productive and take fewer sick days than those who are languishing or unhappy. It also points out that when people experience positive emotions at work, they are more likely to be innovative and come up with new ideas.

So how can you – as a positive leader – create turn the science into practical action? Here’s what the authors of The Science of Happiness suggest.

 Express appreciation and gratitude

Regularly give feedback on performance and express gratitude. Remember rewards can be social and emotional, as well as financial. And, of course, show people that you care about them as individuals, not just employees.

 

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Encourage interaction

Help people to work together and share ideas. This makes each person feel part of a larger community. Allow people to spend social time and relax together, too. This builds team spirit and helps beat stress before it sets in.

Link goals to a higher purpose
Too many managers focus on business outcomes, rather than higher purpose. Yet the evidence is clear: connecting your goals to something that matters is the way to make people in your business thrive. Make sure everyone knows not only what they are meant to do, but how their efforts will make a difference.

Foster trust

Show that you care about your people by listening to their ideas and being open to new ways of doing things. Make sure everyone has the tools, resources and support they need to do their jobs well. Make feedback an everyday occurrence. And monitor your positivity ratios. The more positive moments your people experience, the more trust will gro.

If you’re a business owner or supervisor, these are all things that should be on your to do list. Every day.  They’re not part of the HR plan or an annual appraisal system. They’re simple habits that will make your business thrive.

Find out more in the original article here: https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2007/01/the-science-of-happiness.html

This article summary was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer, success coach and people skills expert. She helps managers and business owners build thriving teams and organisations, using tools from Positive Psychology. She's trained more than 60,000 people during her career as a corporate trainer and professional development consultant. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference. 

 

By Eleanor Shakiba Impact tips 0 Comments

3 reasons I love teaching NLP to leaders.

I’ve taught NLP to thousands of leaders over the past 25 years, but I never grow tired of doing it. That’s because NLP is practical, creative and versatile. It’s ideally suited to leadership development, because it helps high achievers power up their influence, credibility and impact in no time at all. Plus, it’s best taught in groups – which means you get the benefit of peer support when you add NLP to your leadership toolkit. You can learn more about why all leaders should have a strong peer support group in this week’s video.

Are you toying with the thought of learning NLP? Well, here are three reasons to pursue that idea!

Reason 1: NLP compresses a lot of wisdom into an easy-to-digest format

That’s because NLP is based on the principle of modelling. Put simply, modelling involves studying the thinking and behaviour patterns of highly successful people. The aim of this exercise is to create a handy ‘how to’ guide for replicating their success. It’s like creating a recipe for your favourite cake by watching a master chef in action.

Reason 2: NLP helps you move beyond fear, limiting beliefs and outdated habits

Using NLP, I’ve helped leaders beat imposter syndrome, beat crippling fear of failure, give up smoking and overcome stage fright. This is possible because NLP is versatile. Working with a skilled NLP practitioner means you can experience rapid, powerful change and truly step into the zone of bold leadership.

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Reason 3: NLP is heaps of fun!

Yes, you read that right! Learning NLP is an opportunity to develop your leadership strengths and have fun at the same time. What sort of fun? The joy of connecting with like-minded people (I still hang out with the people with whom I learned NLP 30 years ago). The excitement of uncovering your hidden potential. The adrenaline rush of solving a problem that’s been plaguing you for years. These are all rewards you can reap with NLP – and if you’re a leader it’s important to enjoy what you do. Leadership can be stressful, so using NLP is a way to reprogram your brain. After all, the brain that can learn to be stressed out can also learn to be chilled out. My latest blog article summarises some important research on how you brain does this.

So yes. You should invest time learning NLP! It’s practical, creative and versatile. Plus, it has a track record that goes back over 40 years. Thousands of savvy leaders use NLP every day. Why not join them?

By Eleanor Shakiba Impact tips 0 Comments

Self-care when you don’t have time.

We all know self-care is important, but when you’re short on time and energy, it seems impossible to take even a few minutes for yourself. Sometimes, it might even feel self-indulgent or selfish to take time out. Watch this week’s video to find out why this is NOT the case.

If you’ve been feeling over-committed or time-poor lately, I want to share my favourite story with you. It’s the story of a busy executive who visits the Dalai Lama. The executive explains how time-poor and stressed out he is. The Dalai Lama listens and then advises the executive to meditate for an hour a day.

‘Meditate for an hour a day?’ yells the executive. ‘I don’t have time for that!’

‘Ah yes’, replies the Dalai Lama, ‘I understand. In that case, for you I will make an exception. YOU must meditate for three hours a day’.

Here are three important things I think this story teaches us.

Lesson 1: When you’re too busy to rest, it’s time to rest more

When self-care has been off the menu for a while, it’s vital to bring it back.

The busy executive wasn’t ready to meditate for an hour a day, but that was exactly what he needed to do. Your brain needs downtime. For example when you meditate, the parts of your brain associated with self-interest, self-consciousness and self-protection slow down. This makes it easier for you to relax. When you sleep, your brain sheds toxic proteins that built up during the day. It also clears the way for new brain cells to grow.

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Lesson 2: Be playful

If you’ve ever seen the Dalai Lama in action, you’ll know he’s playful and quirky. His mischievous sense of humour reminds us that self-care is supposed to be fun. As one of my coaching clients recently said, self-care should be ‘a way to brighten the corners of my world’. When you’re overworked or overextended life can start to feel grey and dull. It’s self-care that brings some colour back into your world.

Lesson 3: Taking it easy has health benefits

Back to the story: self-care isn’t selfish. When you don’t take it easy, you’re actually doing yourself harm. For example, your cortisol levels rise and increase inflammation in your body. This is bad for your brain, bad for your heart and bad for your mood. So, give yourself permission to slow down. Stop beating yourself up or expecting yourself to stick to a hellish schedule. Find out more about the health benefits of self-compassion easily in my recent blog article Surprising Health Benefits of Going Easy on Yourself.