Your Happiness Factor

This post appeared first in the blog at our Personal Development Coaching Website Optimists see Good around them – they focus on the positive!  That means the impact of negative things is very much reduced! Pessimists – do just the opposite. They concentrate on negative events and so miss out on the full impact of lots of good things. Research suggests that whether we are optimists or pessimists depends to some extent on our genetic make up – we are born with a tendency that way. But environment and how we grow up also plays a part. Think about your own experience – as you were growing up, did those around see life in a negative or a positive way?  What effect do you think that had on you?   But we know that on the whole optimists are happier and research suggests that they are also healthier and live longer. They appear to suffer less from depression and they recover more quickly from illness. Pessimism drains you and wears you out.  You feel j...

Image via Wikipedia Body language has a major part to play in how we communicate with others. People form a very quick first impression of us based on appearance and body language - the way we walk, smile, sit and stand. When we communicate,  this body language plays a major role – greater than the words we use or the tone of voice that we adopt. Once we understand the role that body language plays we can learn to shape the way that others see us.  Body language can help us project a confident image.  Being aware of our body language and knowing that we are projecting a confident image help us to feel more confident!  This supports us in dealing with others as our confidence grows. An understanding of body language allows us to communicate more effectively.  This is because with the right body language we can reinforce the message we wish to convey.   But also it helps us to understand much better the real meaning ...

Image via Wikipedia Confidence is learned!  From the day we are born our family, friends and the environment contribute to the development of our confidence.  But they can also contribute to our lack of confidence.  Day by day throughout our lives, we receive a barrage of messages.  This can encourage or erode our ability to develop confidence. Most parents want only the very best for their children. But if they, themselves, do not have the right skills how could they know how to encourage confidence in their child. If our parents lack confidence, we may become shy and lacking in confidence.  If parents are cold and distant we may grow up lacking confidence.  Or perhaps they found it difficult to praise or they were constantly criticizing that in turn can lead us to have a poor self image. With brothers and sisters, other family members and teachers, if we feel or are treated as different, or we find it difficult to fit in, lack of...