Wellbeing, The Science Of Happiness, Self Care, Personal Development, Happy Life Habits, Happiness, Habits, Connection
Shaileen Shah
A Thousand Mile Journey Begins With The First ...

Is you life too busy, boring or bland? If yes, read on, focus on self-renewal and energy management making your life beautiful by prioritising how you use your energy, time and attention to engage in activities that help you flourish, thrive, have zest and engagement to feel fully alive.

The year 1994 was a defining year in my life. I was just reflecting and realised that 2024 marks 30 years since I started my personal development and growth journey.

A Thousand Mile Journey Begins With The First Step...
Grief, Wellbeing, Self Care, Relationships, Mental Health, Inspiration, Happiness, Habits, Gratitude
Shaileen Shah
A Christmas Care - Role (Carol) Who Cares? for ...

In the story of Jesus’ birth there are three kings who come bearing gifts. In Charles Dickens’ The Christmas Carol there are 4 ghosts who visit Ebeneezer Scrooge. His business partner Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

On 11th Dec 2020 our world changed when my father suddenly passed (https://www.happylifehabits.co.uk/news/2020/12/24/live-love-learn-amp-legacy) away within 36 hours. He was the primary carer for my mum. We had the gifts and ghosts of : Old age, Grief, Loneliness, Parkinsons and Dementia. That was part of our inheritance.

Without those gifts and ghosts this article would not be written, published and shared.

As time goes by the probability that someone close to you will be impacted by dementia is increasing. 

“One of the hardest things in life is to know that you can not stop the decline as you witness firsthand the diminishing cognitive capacity of a loved one due to progressive incurable neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s or Dementia. 

To observe them becoming a shadow of themselves day by day; the impact on their physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing. Knowing there is nothing you can do to stop that decline. Experiencing the loss each day as anticipatory grief.” 

Shaileen Shah - Carer, Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker and Trainer.

This article is about my role as a carer for my mum who is elderly, grieving, lonely and suffering from the progressive and incurable neurological conditions of both Parkinson’s and Dementia. It shares the perspective of the carer, the challenges faced, how best to look after yourself as well as how to look after and interact with someone who has these conditions or someone you are caring for. 

I salute all those who are carers of any type and ask you to support those who you know who are doing a caring role.

A Christmas Care - Role (Carol) Who Cares? for the Carer? Dementia/Parkinson's/Old Age/Grief/Loneliness
Community, Spirituality, Values
Shaileen Shah
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

The blog was not planned. The fantastic Mel Robbins video The World Needs Your Light prompted a thread connecting various content. The essence is about being the light, shining our light. This is by living and expressing our virtues, qualities and values. The World Values Day and the Book Club help by recognising the values and virtues that are important to us, how we become Heroic in expressing them each day to be our best and contribute to positively serving the world.

For those who have joined the book club or ordered the book from Happy Life Habits watch this video on the Heroic 7 Objectives to get a sense of what the book is about and how we use it to be our Heroic Self.

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE
Happiness, Happy Life Habits, Inspiration, Habits, The Science Of Happiness, Wellbeing
Shaileen Shah
Every Day Happiness

In addition to being a coach, speaker and trainer, I am now also an author of the ebook, “Every Day Happiness”.

‘Every Day Happiness’ provides understanding, tools and habits we can utilise to navigate a world with rising uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. This increase makes more demands on our Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social and Spiritual Wellbeing. Everyday Happiness is a nonfiction book written for professionals, business owners, leaders and managers reminding them to choose to put Happiness and Positive Emotions at the heart of everything they do. Thereby they will have better happiness, mental and emotional wellbeing, productivity and life satisfaction in all areas of their life.

Every Day Happiness
Connection, Gratitude, Happy Life Habits, Happiness, Values, Personal Development, Purpose
Shaileen Shah
Gratitude is my Super Power

Gratitude is my superpower. When I am immersed in the feeling of gratitude I come alive, have hope, optimism, see some many possibilities, am creative and very productive. My whole energy is different - feel very positive, connected and grounded.

  • Gratitude is my Superpower

  • 7 THINGS THAT AFFECT YOUR VIBRATORY FREQUENCY FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF QUANTUM PHYSICS

  • What are your Superpowers?

  • Thanksgiving

  • Inner Compass Good Life

  • Outstanding Black Friday Offer

Gratitude is my Super Power

Leadership

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Singing my Praises - 6 Month Review Happy Life Habits (HLH)

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Leadership Vs Management

My teenage son asked me if I thought he was a leader or a manager. He asked after I picked him up from school where he had an interview for head boy, a role he had put his name forward for. He had been asked the question. I answered I thought he was a leader, I asked what he had answered and it was the same. Then I asked what he thought the difference between the two was.

I shared with him some thoughts I have learnt over time from Stephen Covey, Robin Sharma, John Maxwell, Simon Sinek, Nick Williams and my own experience of leadership.

Some of this I had shared with Xerox The Women's Alliance (TWA): Xerox Women’s Alliance – UK & Ireland Chapter in the talk titled " The Role of Effective Selfcare in Positive Leadership".

"Leadership is an act not a position"
"Leadership is not about taking charge but looking after those in your charge" Simon Sinek
"Leadership is about bring out the best in the people you work with"

With my son I shared the difference between Leadership and Management using the Stephen Covey example of Management being about climbing a ladder and Leadership about making sure the ladder is against the right wall. I used example of management painting house - sanding correctly, applying primer, 2 coats and doing it properly. Leadership being making sure it is the correct house that is being painted.

"Management is doing things right. Leadership is doing the right things".

What are your thoughts on leadership and management?
Have you had any interesting conversations lately?

Singing my Praises - 6 Month Review Happy Life Habits (HLH)


I'm singing my praises, not to stroke my ego but to reaffirm to myself when sometimes I feel doubt, insecure, unmotivated or inspired. To remind why I get up in the morning and do what I do : Positively Impacting Happiness & Wellbeing Levels.

On 30th June we completed the 30 Day Happy Life Habits Gratitude & Habit Immersion Training Course. During the celebration calls the participants shared some of the changes that the had experienced - some were quite transformative. All rated the course excellent or very good.

With us being 6 months into the year I often take the opportunity to look back and to look forward - to review, reflect and remind.


6 Month Review:


In December just before the year end we had a Looking Back, Looking Forward Workshop - reflecting on last year and planning next. This was postponed from original date due to the death of my father in mid December.

We delivered 90 days of training through 3 instalments of the
30 Day HLH Gratitude & Journal Habit Immersion Course - this was Jan, Mar and June.

From Late Jan through Apr during lockdown; through 2 series; we supported with 12 consecutive weeks of Inspiration Point Podcast featuring amazing people sharing their journeys, One series was dedicated to Women, Mothers Day and International Women's Day.

In March we celebrated International Day of Happiness using the Wonder platform and having a variety of speakers, coaches, therapists, practitioners share in zones for Laughter, Relaxation, dealing with loss and conversations.

We took part in some talks with Healing Our Earth and SRMD in March and April

During May we supported Mental Health and Mental Health Awareness week (MHAW) with
Daily Videos - various groups
Events with Asian Parents Club before and after MHAW
Xerox The Womens Alliance talk
2 Happiness Booster sessions - one with Oshwal Connect
Daily quotes in Happy Life Habits Community Facebook group
Hosting a 21 Day Simple Living Challenge

Shared through various articles, blog post etc on Facebook, LinkedIn and the HLH website.

The Future continues with

Corp talks/workshops
Wellness event by Iglobal
Taking part in podcasts
Hosting more Inspiration Point Podcasts
Asian Parents Club sessions including one on Grief
HLH MasterMind Group - new exciting monthly project
30 Day HLH Gratitude & Journal Habit Immersion Course

What is one of your memorable, positive events, impacts, achievements from the last 6 months?

What are you looking forward to in remaining 6 months of the year?

The new and fun virtual event platform called Wonder that just turned 1 years old has a feature on Happy Life Habits in it’s July newsletter. We used Wonder for the International Day of Happiness event on 20th March 2020. as Happy Life Habits we are using it for various meetings and events.

Here is the write up.

"With a few simple adaptations to your routine, you can positively rewire your brain to bring high self-esteem, focus, and happiness into your everyday life."

Meet Shaileen Shah: the happiness coach trying to keep the business world an emotionally positive place. The founder of Happy Life Habits, Shaileen has a unique approach to personal development and the 'Science of Happiness'. A scientifically certified process that uses real life and digital gatherings to increase the 'feel good' chemical in the brain? Sign us up.

Q: Tell us about Happy Life Habits.
A: Happiness is a skill that can be learned and developed into empowering life habits. Happy Life Habits introduce off-screen practices and habits to rewire the brain and increase happiness levels. Developing an offline tool kit allows you to disconnect the practice from a fixed environment, and allow your brain and feelings to fully surface without distractions. We then use online check-ins to share the knowledge, reflect with others, and solidify the practice in a professional environment.

Q: Tell us about your last event.
A: Most of our events are currently online and we foresee a good proportion being so in the future. We have a 30 Day Gratitude & Journal Habit Immersion Training Course with a mix of live online sessions, a private Facebook group, and accountability via WhatsApp. The goal is to deliver content online but connect to your offline brain.

Q: Why are you using Wonder?
A: I used Wonder to create an event for International Day of Happiness on 20th March. I set up Areas for Laughter, Relaxation, Conversation, and Dealing with Loss; being able to define specific Areas for people to meet removes the awkward introductory periods in other online tools. It worked so well and people were immediately able to connect to like-minded individuals and approach whom they wanted to speak to. The experience lends itself to a natural environment for having conversations that stick with you after the laptop is closed. Because of the simple UX, easy setup, and Area control, my guests had a memorable and positive experience with Wonder, and made a positive connection to the material. It's the perfect platform for hybrid events.

Check out Happy Life Habits and join their upcoming training course on Happiness. Mention Wonder and get a discount ;)

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Excited to join @iglobalmedia for its first-ever Great Big Indian Wellness Show, on 16 & 17 July 2021. Join me as I discuss “Happiness Habits” at the BIGGEST & BEST health and wellbeing event for the welfare of the modern British Indian. Book your free virtual seat today & don’t miss out to be a part of 2 riveting days of masterclasses, top tips and discussions at #iWellnessShow. Register NOW https://bit.ly/iGlobal-TheGreatBigIndianWellnessShow2021

I’ll be sharing on 17th at 16:25.

HLH events and activities

HLH MasterMind Group

HLH MasterMind Group

Happy Life Habits Mastermind Group

A place for a small group of like minded positive people each month to come together online, connect, support, inspire, share and cheer each other on in life's journey.

A segment for learning - a book, podcast, conversation, reflection or article that has inspired us.

A segment for brainstorming practical solutions to a problem that a member is facing, tapping into the collective wisdom of the group.

An opportunity to take consistent steps towards our goals within an environment that helps accelerate our learning, growth and progress.

Limited spaces.

We start on the 16th of July and run each month with virtual 90 min virtual meeting plus private Facebook Group.

Inspiration Point S4 Combo.png

Inspiration Point Podcast Series 4 confirmed for Autumn with another amazing line up. Booking and episode details will be available later this month.

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 Habit Events

Happy Life Habits FaceBook Community Group

Happy Life Habits FaceBook Page

Instagram happylifehabits_hlh

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.

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Leadership is an act and not a position - event with Nick Williams

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Leadership is an act and not a position

This is written with personal insights on leadership as well as from the Shishukunj Bethak with Nick Williams on 26th September 2019 where six core ideas were shared on Be Inspired. Be Inspiring. Be Yourself. Includes recording of the event and slides..

During the December of 2000 I was in leadership role as President of the Young Jains charity organisation and had travelled to India on holiday. I remember distinctly seeing a poster in a shop that resonated with me and had a lasting impact. The poster had a quote which read:

Leadership is an act not a position.

This message really hit home and stuck with me.

The first habit in one of my favourite books, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Dr Stephen Covey is the habit “Be Proactive”, this is about leadership and being responsible.

The book also explains the difference between management and leadership using a ladder metaphor.

Management is about making progress up the ladder whether that ladder is career, relationships, business, learning, purpose or personal growth. Leadership is about making sure the ladder is leaning against the right wall - your mission, values, purpose, goals.

Leadership is about doing the right things and management about doing things right.

Other books that I have read on leadership are Covey’s “Principle Centred Leadership”, Robin Sharma’s “The Leader With No Title” and “Dare - Accepting the Challenge of Trusting Leadership” by Scott Weiss. All great reads.

The focus of the Shishukunj event was on Spiritual Leadership. After greeting with Namaste, we reminded everyone that the greeting means we are bowing to the higher self, reminding us we are a Soul.

Most Shishukunj events start with the prayer “ Aasatyo Mahati….”, my interpretation and translation (which is not fully correct I am sure but works for me) of this is :

Dear Lord, lead me from what is not true to the truth,

Dear Lord, lead me from darkness to the light,

Lead me from death to peace,

Lead me to Divinity

Nick Williams an author, coach, thought leader, past director of Alternative and has spirituality at the heart of everything he does as he shares about inspiration, creativity, leadership and challenges such as resistance to these. September 2019 is the celebration of 20 years of his first of many books, the classic book “The Work We We Born To Do”. He is a humble, creative, discipline, devoted , grateful and inspiring individual. The event related to his latest book “Be Inspired. Be Inspiring, Be Yourself”. Some of the ideas that were shared were:

  • Offering Leadership Vs Leadership as a position where offering leadership is steeped in love and leadership as a position is often driven from fear.

  • It takes courage to show up

  • Best leaders have been on a journey of self leadership and lead with empathy and compassion. Self leadership is authentic, powerful and professional

  • Leadership is about drawing the best out in yourself and help others to do the same

  • “We are the ones we have been waiting for”

  • Primary purpose of leadership is to inspire

  • Inspiration has a different quality to motivation

Six core ideas:

  1. Assume your best qualities, gifts and abilities are already within you. Some are already manifest, many remain dormant are are waiting to be drawn forth. They do pre-exist so it less about self improvement and more about self cultivation. Always an invitation to blossom.

  2. Seek to be inspired and inspiring, come from a place of personal inspiration at least some of the time. Stoke the fires of inspiration, source of inspiration never goes away. What will inspire you next? The most power relationship: Being a willing collaborator. Whatis your next chapter? How will you inspire yourself next?

  3. Understand that inspiration has an “evil twin” that is called resistance. Resistance - all our ego’s petty responses to the amazing power, ideas and creative impulse of your Soul.

  4. Make friends with your vulnerability. Become comfortable with your discomfort. As we step outside the comfort zone we grow.

  5. Show Up! Even in small but bold and brave ways. The world is poorer when our resistance wins. It is about sharing the light with others and not taking the spotlight.

  6. Commission yourself. Initiate. Take responsibility.

What are your next steps of being an inspired leader? We are all leaders whether we have a leadership position or not as we may have roles of parent, family head, team lead, teacher, community leader and world citizen.

If you would like signed copies of Nick’s books get in touch.

Sign Up for Happy Life Habits newsletter to get new blogs posts and news straight into your inbox.

The next one will be about my recent crisis of being a victim of identity theft fraud, losing more than 7 figures, how I resolved and steps to protect yourself.

Added Value Resources

The recording of the event.

The slides used at event.

Here is a TED talk I love about every day leadership

We have all changed someone's life -- usually without even realizing it. In this funny talk, Drew Dudley calls on all of us to celebrate leadership as the everyday act of improving each other's lives.

About the Author

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; supporting the UNs Sustainable Development Goals. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.


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Invitation to Shishukunj Bethak with Author and Coach Nick Williams

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I am fortunate to be helping organise the next Shishukunj Bethak on 26th September 2019 where Nick Williams will be the speaker. Nick is a friend, I have read some of his books including his first “The Work We Were Born to Do” and the latest “Be Inspired. Be Inspiring. Be Yourself”, they are great. He brings a wealth of experience and a authentic, caring approach, The event is free, registration required and details are below.

Nick Williams book covers.jpg

NAMASTE,

“Be Inspired. Be Inspiring. Be Yourself.”

Spiritual Leadership - enabling the best in yourself and others. Nick Williams is a best-selling author, leadership coach and mentor.

FREE insightful talk on Thursday 26th September 2019 at Shishukunj Bhavan at 25-27 High Street Edgware Middx HA8 7EE 

at 8:30pm - 10:00pm

We have tended to think that in order to offer leadership, you need to have a position of leadership, or someone needs to appoint, anoint or vote for you. But today, leadership can simply be a choice you make in any moment. We can all offer inspired leadership by following our call to lead, and don’t need a formal position of leadership. We can be“ordinary” and still offer inspired leadership. 

Inspired leadership is about helping to transform a thought system based on fear to one based on love and inspiration. In this very practical event, Nick will help you explore the next chapter of how you show up in your inspired leadership.

Nick is best selling author of over 16 books including the inaugural "The Work we are born to". He has been heart of the Alternatives programme for 21 years, and co-leading it for 3 years; hosting events for Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer; etc.

The bethaks are open to all. Please confirm your attendance by email to Laxmiben at
bethaks@shishukunj.org.uk.

If you do not wish to receive emails about Bethaks, kindly inform me and with your permission will remove you.  
there is ‘NO’ Bethak in October.