ARTICLES & BLOG
How to Have an Amazing Year
How to Have an Amazing Year. Simple, do Amazing things.
Plan these in, look forward to them with positive anticipation and after the event look back savouring the memories.
“One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree.
‘Which road do I take?’ she asked.
‘Where do you want to go?’ was his response.
‘I don’t know,’ Alice answered.
‘Then,’ said the cat, ‘it doesn’t matter.”
Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
““One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree.
‘Which road do I take?’ she asked.
‘Where do you want to go?’ was his response.
‘I don’t know,’ Alice answered.
‘Then,’ said the cat, ‘it doesn’t matter.”
”
How to Have an Amazing Year
Simple, do Amazing things
Plan these in, look forward to them with positive anticipation and after the event look back savouring the memories.
Watch this short video.
https://youtu.be/MTgg37r_F9Q
As shared in the video, we went to a Candlelight Concert on the theme of Bollywood. The benefit of planning and doing amazing things was that we looked forward to the experience. This gave a positive feeling and we went with the expectation it would be a good experience.
During the event we were present and mindful, appreciating the ambience of the venue and wonderful talent of the musicians.
After the event, we are able to savour the memory as we share it with others. This leads to a positive, good mood.
I am looking to have at least one Amazing experience each month.
Let me know if you have any suggestions.
What are you looking forward to, have planned, what were highlights and learning from last year?
As in previous years, they will be to foster Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social and Spiritual wellbeing. Step out of comfort zone, learn, develop skills and grow. Be of service. Create memories and have joy.
Currently planned and some of the benefits/reasons :
Meditation & Mindfulness Day and Breathwork Workshop : Learning, skill development and supporting my friend who is running the workshops. This enables cultivating good working relationships with other practitioners.
Looking Back, Looking Forward Workshop : Expand my comfort zone as it will be the first time I will be doing in-person, service to community.
London City Walking Tour With 5 friends : Enjoy a prize I won in a raffle. Treat some friends to an experience around their birthdays. Make the most of the day out creating positive memories, social connection and spending quality time together.
Gratitude for Wellbeing at North Finchley Library : Deliver a workshop in a new venue. Cultivating good working relationships. Continue the working relationship with Mind in Enfield and Barnet and also serve the Happy Life Habits mission.
Sound Healing session : Attend some Sound Healing /Bath sessions run by people I know
A few weeks travel abroad to visit family : A break from norm and a change in scene. Allowing social connection and a time for learning.
Visit with family and friends to watch a new play “Comedy about Spies” : Fun experience full of laughter. Spending quality time with friends and family.
ABBA Voyage Concert : Enjoy excellent music to sing along to that will make me feel good.
Self Renewal Luxury Retreat @ The Vedanta : Enjoy delivering the workshops and also having a relaxing time at this retreat, in a wonderful venue with like minded souls.
In addition: Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, achievements, time in nature, time with family, friends and community.
Happy Life Habits events to look forward to :
Social Connection dinner/lunch : one event in first half of the year near International Day of Happiness March 20th and another in the second half near Thanksgiving around the forth Thursday in November.
30 Day Gratitude & Journaling Habit Immersion Training course : our lifechanging flagship course that helps develop and benefit from a regular gratitude habit, a journaling habit, a morning and evening routine. One training course to be held in the first half of the year and another in the second half of the year.
Positive Grief Talk during National Grief Awareness Week in December
Gratitude Practice on WhatsApp : On 1st January we launched a 10 Day Gratitude Challenge for the first time on WhatsApp. Each day a different gratitude theme/question to contemplate on and share reflections. The feedback on the experience from the participants was excellent. Summarised as :
A different and moving experience beyond individual practice that helps you go deeper in your practice, think outside the box, be inspired from insights from others perspective, see our common humanity and make a positive difference to your day
All respondents to the poll rated it 5/5 - Amazing/Awesome/Transformative
The intention is to run a Gratitude Practice each month on WhatsApp. Join here.
Self Renewal Luxury Retreat : Following on from our first Self Renewal Luxury Retreat in September 2024 which was well received, with an average 9/10 rating by the participants, we are running another one on 8-10th November 2025.
Invest in your self-renewal at our retreats designed to re-energise, refresh and rejuvenate your wellbeing whilst connecting with like-minded people for an unforgettably meaningful experience in a beautiful countryside setting.
Happiness Boosters / Coaching / Talks / Workshops as and when booked by organisations and corporates
Even as I write this and think about the plans for this year it brings a positive and optimistic feeling.
Hiccups / Spontaneous / Expectations
Undoubtable some things will not go to plan. Things may get cancelled, postponed, delayed due to things outside your control or your own doing. You may become unwell, a friend can’t make, tube strike that could hamper the journey and so forth.
That is life. That’s ok.
The plans may go better and if they do not, I’ll step back to see the big picture and learn from the experience.
By planning, organising and expecting the best, I feel in control and have a better time leading up to the event or experience. We get what we focus on.
You need to be flexible to spontaneous opportunities. Sometimes these are the best. Such as a friend popping over unannounced, or a last minute shout to go out for a meal or chance encounter and conversation.
Many say, especially spiritual teachings that we should not have expectations as can cause disappointment and emotions when not met.
I think expectations themselves are not the issue but an attachment to the expectation or outcome is.
By expecting the best, we look for the best and also show up as our best helping to make it the best.
If it does not work out as expected, the quicker we are able to accept the situation and learn from it the better for us.
Planning allows us to feel in control of our lives, gives us an opportunity to enjoy looking forward to the experience, Enjoy while it happens and savour it after the event. Triple benefit from the one event. Now that’s a good return.
Looking Back, Looking Forward
There is much merit in looking back and review the past year. It allows us to learn from, celebrate and let go to move forward in the new year. We can see patterns, remember highlights and observe growth.
Looking forward allows us to plan, dream, visualise, prepare and the most out of the new year.
For a number of years I do an end of year review and often mid year too. Life is at a hectic pace that we can sometime lose track of what has happened.
Looking Back, Looking Forward Workshop inc. lunch Sunday 26 January 2025 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
What is the wisest decision I made in 2024?
This is one of the questions from the Year Compass booklet we will look at in the workshop and capture in the booklet.
The Looking Back, Looking Forward Workshop is a great way to review the year.
The workshop includes:
- The YearCompass workbook
- In person session in NW London (limited spaces)
- Lunch (Vegetarian/Vegan)
What will you give you time, energy and attention?
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." - Jim Rohn
We will do structured review and planning
- a structured review of the last year using a workbook to look at various themes including personal life, work/studies, hobbies, friends, health, emotional, spiritual, finances etc.
- Capture learning, moments, challenges, achievements
- Consider what we want to let go
- Focus on new year via various themes including personal life, work/studies, hobbies, friends, health, emotional, spiritual, finances etc.
Questions to guide and focus such as
About Last Year :
What is the wisest decision I made?
The biggest thing I completed?
About this Year:
I am ready to let of of these 3 things ...
This year I will not procrastinate any more over...
Capture it in the YearCompass to refer to during the year and thereafter.
What are you looking forward to, have planned, what were highlights and learning from last year?
Year Review / Planning Resources
Here are videos/podcasts/articles and tools I have found beneficial for planning, goals and habits
Mel Robbins : How to Make Next Year the Best Year: Ask Yourself These 7 Questions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm6oJwpuOYc
Oprah Winfrey - How to Finally Change Your Life in 2025
https://youtu.be/v7VWqwCSc08?si=VzcWReIaIIUQ9p2B
Joshua Becker - 12 Unique Resolutions https://youtu.be/d3Ry0zbYnsU?si=2T48caakMdMWuVXp
Jim Kwik - 5 Steps for a Limitless Life in 2025 https://youtu.be/Vc-tuW85uHo?si=pPrk1ZaIIYaFr2nz
Andrew Huberman 6 small habits can CHANGE your life in 2025 (21 day plan) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEq-AYSRFHE
Dr Rangan Chatterjee How To Completely Change Your Life In 2025 - 5 Habits You'll Actually Use https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2k7FO6hNr4
How to Make Next Year the Best Year: Ask Yourself These 7 Questions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm6oJwpuOYc
Oprah Winfrey - How to Finally Change Your Life in 2025
https://youtu.be/v7VWqwCSc08?si=VzcWReIaIIUQ9p2B
Joshua Becker - 12 Unique Resolutions https://youtu.be/d3Ry0zbYnsU?si=2T48caakMdMWuVXp
Jim Kwik - 5 Steps for a Limitless Life in 2025 https://youtu.be/Vc-tuW85uHo?si=pPrk1ZaIIYaFr2nz
Andrew Huberman 6 small habits can CHANGE your life in 2025 (21 day plan) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEq-AYSRFHE
How To Completely Change Your Life In 2025 - 5 Habits You'll Actually Use | Dr Rangan Chatterjee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2k7FO6hNr4
Some planner tools
Join the Happy Life Habits WhatsApp Community - more regular sharing done here.
Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker & Trainer
Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
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.
Happy Life Habits Positively Impacting Happiness & Wellbeing Levels
The Power of Training
Thank you for the support, encouragement, engagement, sharing and attending Happy Life Habits related events, products, services, articles and posts.
Regular investment in training, learning and cultivating habits pays great dividends.
The Power of Training
“What I love about gratitude and positive emotions is that It is a habit of the heart. I feel good, am more productive, I can’t be sad, depressed or angry while feeling gratitude and it has helped me with stress, grief, mental health, relationships, respond to challenges and say yes to opportunities.
The beauty of gratitude is that it amplifies the good we already have, it helps rescue us from negativity or struggles and fosters connection. It heals, gives hope and helps us not feel deflated. It reduces stress, increases well-being and happiness, as well as coping with life’s daily challenges.”
The Power of Training
Regular investment in training, learning and cultivating habits pays great dividends. I recently listened to this Choiceology podcast that shares on a Fireman’s training helped him cope with a very stressful, dangerous and life threatening situation. Reflecting on that I realised that during 2020 I had been very much in training, learning and cultivating habits mode. I had hosted 5 to 6 challenges which each lasted 21 days during the first half of the year and during the second half, 4 of the 30 Day Gratitude & Journal Habit Immersion Training Course. That is over 240 days of daily focused training, learning, working on mindset. In addition my daily practices of gratitude, journaling and meditation have all helped me be resilient and deal with the various challenges that life has thrown, including grief
Recently have been watching the Ip Man set of films on Netflix about a Wing Chun Kung Fu Master. He is the one who taught Bruce Lee. In each film there is a strong emphasis on his training which is called forth when he is involved in a fight.
This reminds me of 10,000 hour rule shared by Malcolm Gladwell in The Outliers and Matthew Syed in Bounce. The gist of the concept is : “it takes 10,000 hours of intensive practice to achieve mastery of complex skills and materials, like playing the violin or getting as good as Bill Gates at computer programming”.
I’m still building my 10,000 hours - let me know of any opportunities to do talks, workshops, training, coaching or sharing.
During the month that many celebrate Thanksgiving, surely there is more to it than rushing at a frantic pace to get Black Friday or Cyber Monday bargains!
Thanks Giving is a traditional time when many people reflect on gratitude and give thanks for what they already have. Traditionally Thanksgiving started as a harvest festival to give thanks for the harvest collected.
WHAT CAN YOU GIVE THANKS FOR, BE GRATEFUL FOR THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE IN YOUR LIFE?
Could it be for hot running water? shelter, family, friends, food, heating, transport options, work, study, community, hospitals, etc?
During this Thanksgiving week, on the Happy Life Habits Community Facebook Group there has been daily sharing or gratitude from the 30 Day course, articles, quotes, videos to help foster gratitude. If you would like to explore more we have:
Happiness Booster this Sunday - Free
Happiness Journal - get started with instant happiness and positivity plus start of positive habits - £25
90 mins Gratitude & Journal Workshop - learn how to develop positive habits and get started with using the journal (included as part of workshop) - £55
Designed to build your positive habits - using material learnt from :
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
The Slight Edge - Jeff Olson
The Power of Habit - Charles Duhigg
Atomic Habits - James Clear
The Compound Effect - Darren Hardy
How to develop better habits in 2019 - Ryan Holiday
and more
30 Day Gratitude & Journal Habit Immersion Training Course - full on focus and support to develop the positive habits in gratitude & journaling and rewire the brain for a new mindset. £125
Only a few places left for Jan. You can register with 2021 prices for 2022 courses if you act soon.
Master Mind Group
We are designing the Learning Curriculum for the Master Mind Group to choose from 17 topics that include :
Purpose, Confidence, Productivity, Weight Loss, Energy and more.
A simple 2 question survey that takes 2 mins is here : https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/W32MYDM
The workbook for the Looking Back, Looking Forward Workshop is now available to attendees to fill.
There are now bite sized videos (released every few days) of the Positive Grief talk on the Positive Grief page plus other resources being added regularly.
Had a great experience sharing an interactive session today to Shishukunj elderly group : AnandKunj about Positive Grief. It was a challenge on 3 factors:
Condensing a 100 mins content rich talk to a 40 mins valuable session
Sharing to an audience primarily of an older generation age : over 60 years old
Delivering a talk in Gujarati where I am primarily used to sharing in English
It went well, really enjoyed it and again training, experience, intention, passion and purpose played their role.
Thank you for the support, encouragement, engagement, sharing and attending Happy Life Habits related events, products, services, articles and posts.
With Kind regards and Gratitude
Shaileen - Happiness Coach
Happy Life Habits
www.HappyLifeHabits.co.uk
If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list.
Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits
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.
11th November : Today I am reminded...
I am reminded that memories creating and remembering are important…
Saturday 13th November is World Kindness Day. When we practice kindness we release the happy chemicals in ourselves, in those who receive the kind act and also in those who witness it. It’s what I call the Triple Whammy.
What is the difference between skills and values/qualities?
Looking Back, Looking Forward Workshop
11th November : Today I am reminded...
I am reminded that memories creating and remembering are important, my mum has Dementia.
Today is Remembrance Day, Veteran's Day, Armistice Day. The 11th Hour on the 11th Day of the 11th Month.
I am reminded of those
"who gave their todays so we could have our tomorrows".
I am reminded of the sacrifices to protect freedoms and give safety.
Today is the 11 month since my dad passed away. I am reminded of his kindness, positivity and helpfulness. I am reminded of death and that life is short.
Today is my nephew Kush's birthday, he is twenty something. Happy Birthday. He dropped out of Cass Business School to follow his entrepreneurial spirit and passion to be creative with his awesome street jewellery business Feather Pendants. I am reminded of birth, happiness, following your dreams, being creative.
Today is my second Workshop on Gratitude Journaling for Happiness with the Charity Mind in Enfield and Barnet. I am reminded of the power of gratitude, journaling, Thanksgiving towards the end of the month. I am reminded how blessed I am to do what I love and love what I do: Positively Impacting Happiness & Wellbeing Levels.
On Saturday 16th it is World Kindness Day. I am reminded:
"In a World where you can be anything, be Kind"
Today, what are you reminded of?
World Kindness Day
Saturday 13th November is World Kindness Day. When we practice kindness we release the happy chemicals in ourselves, in those who receive the kind act and also in those who witness it. It’s what I call the Triple Whammy.
Do some purposeful acts of kindness
Happy Life Habits as an act of Kindess and Thanksgiving has gifted tickets for the Last Inspiration Point Podcast episode on December 8th with our friend Vicky Johnson - co-founder of the Museum of Happiness. See here for tickets and please note the episode has been extended to more that the usual 1 hour.
What is the difference between skills and values/qualities?
I shared this question in the HLH Facebook Community group and got some insightful answers. I did some research, reflection and share my thoughts here.
Skills can be learnt, trained and relate to what we do. They are often what comes after “I can …” or “I am able to…” e.g. I can swim, I can drive, I can read. They are to do with doing.
Qualities / Values are innate, they are related to character, to who we are, to how we do things. E.g. they often come after “ I am…” E.g. I am patient, I am kind, I am happy. They are to do with being.
I think skills we acquire and qualities/values we uncover, nurture, cultivate. Both can require effort, focus, learning, practice, training.
The Happy Life Habits 30 Day Gratitude and Habit Immersion Training Course starts by sharing knowledge and training to develop the skills to be grateful and journaling thereby with consistent, daily, focused practice it develops and nurtures the qualities in us so we move from practicing gratitude to being grateful - we uncover the qualities of who we are.
What I am finding is that many people see training as a cost as opposed to an investment. They would be happy to spend £125 on a meal or two out at a restaurant or a night out but not see the value of investing £125 in themselves to develop lifechanging habits. They do not measure the investment cost to being in the same place in 1 years time. No growth, no progress - the same old, same old.
The HLH Master Mind Group will continue in 2022 to focus on skills training, learning and nurturing qualities looking at topics such as productivity, Energy, Sleep, Nutrition, etc to help us put into action changes for improving ourselves and our lives.
Looking Back, Looking Forward Workshop
A great way to consider the skills and qualities we have and those we want to develop is by doing a review / reflection of the last year and plans for the following year. The Looking Back, Looking Forward Workshop helps with this. This workshop is £20 but you can attend for free by investing in yourself during November with one of these Happy Life Habits products or services:
Happiness Journal - get started with instant happiness and positivity plus start of positive habits - £25
90 mins Gratitude & Journal Workshop - learn how to develop positive habits and get started with using the journal (included as part of workshop) - £55
30 Day Gratitude & Journal Habit Immersion Training Course - full on focus and support to develop the positive habits in gratitude & journaling and rewire the brain for a new mindset. £125
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.