As 2024 approaches, it is a good time to take stock of the past year.
Time flies, and whilst there is nothing we can do about that, we can find empowerment in how we use our time. You can make new goals and decisions now to do things differently to improve your personal growth, no matter what lies ahead!

Looking back allows you to fully understand what you enjoyed about the past year, and what you want to change. 
It is an essential step in moving towards building a positive mindset in 2024, by taking ownership of the things you could have done better, and consciously deciding to let them go and look ahead. 

Kick off the process with a confidence-boosting exercise!
If you find yourself at the end of this year dealing with stress and anxiety, or wanting to cultivate a more positive attitude, then start by celebrating your successes from the last year. 
That’s right, make time for a cup of coffee, cosy on down, and grab your journal and a pen. 
Start by writing down the positive points of this year. 

• What were your victories? 
  
• What did they bring you? 
  
• How did these accomplishments affect you emotionally? 
  

After revisiting these personal triumphs, turn your attention to the future. What needs, goals and dreams will define your journey in 2024? Capture them in the form of five core values that will guide your year.

It is crucial to acknowledge that challenges are our steadfast companions in the realm of self-improvement. On a fresh page, record any difficulties you encountered this year then ponder on these questions:

• How did you respond to each of these situations?
  
• ​What strategies did you employ to overcome them?
  
• What lessons have you learned?
  
• Are you proud of how you handled things?

Confronting these issues, though daunting, is essential to the process of positive transformation. It will empower you to take responsibility for your actions and habits, and draw necessary conclusions to set yourself on the road to new things.
We view every situation in our lives through our own subjective lens, our internal processing and personal views of the world and ourselves. 
It is helpful to take a step back from challenging scenarios in our past and try to see them with objectivity so that we can truly learn the lessons and grow from them.

We all have our habits. It’s human nature, and we form them to build certainty and safety for ourselves, often unconsciously, throughout our lives. 

However, when you look back on 2023, you might notice that certain situations have repeated over months or years that are not so desirable. 

I’ll let you in on a secret - you have the power to take control and flip the script. 
Throughout our lives, we form habits as a means of ensuring predictability and safety. However, upon examining the year that has passed, you may discover that certain undesirable patterns have emerged. Here lies the revelation that you possess the power to regain control and instigate change.
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Open your journal and once more consider any patterns that have recurred:
What could you have done to disrupt or prevent these patterns?

Could better self-respect and consideration of your needs have steered a different course?

Acknowledge that every action and pattern seeks to fulfill a need - whilst all needs are valid, our attempts to meet them can inadvertently create unhealthy patterns. 
For example, overloading yourself with work to seek validation may signify a deeper need for self-approval, but results in more work stress. This insight empowers you to consciously reevaluate your strategies, prompting healthier choices that align with your wellbeing and personal growth. 

Tip: It might be easier to work backwards from your negative symptoms. For example, if you experience a lot of work stress, you would write this down and search back for clues as to what patterns might be causing it.

If you want to make the new year sparkle, try giving your life a new impetus with something you haven’t tried before. 
Write down some things that you’ve been curious to try for a while. Maybe it’s skydiving, joining a charity, starting piano lessons, or planning a new project. 
It doesn’t have to be huge, but the New Year promise of starting anew is a great time to inspire new action.
Take Action
What can you do to achieve your professional development goals, and cultivate a positive attitude? 
How can you shine, improve your mental wellbeing, and align with your goals?
By understanding that the tools for change and growth are within your grasp, you empower yourself to realise your deepest desires for the year ahead. Should you find yourself in need of more professional guidance, a Life Coach stands ready to support your journey.

Amongst the vibrant workforce of Hong Kong, the pursuit of excellent leadership is an enduring endeavour. The journey to becoming an exceptional leader is not merely a matter of ambition; it is a commitment to personal growth, self-awareness, and continuous improvement. In this article, underline leadership traits and styles, and delve into the transformative world of leadership coaching in Hong Kong and the many benefits it offers to aspiring individuals.

Leadership coaching is a dynamic process that empowers individuals to harness their unique potential and become more effective leaders. It offers a structured and personalised approach to transformational leadership, allowing you to unlock your latent abilities and elevate your performance. In Hong Kong, where the corporate landscape is both competitive and fast-paced, leadership coaching has gained significant importance for professionals seeking to stand out and lead with impact. 

Enhanced Self-Awareness 
One of the first steps in becoming a great leader is understanding oneself. Leadership coaching encourages self-reflection, helping you to recognise your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for personal growth.

Improved Communication Skills 
Effective leadership hinges on strong communication. Leadership coaching will equip you with the tools and techniques to communicate more clearly, build rapport, and foster positive relationships within your teams. 

Conflict Resolution 
Navigating conflicts in the workplace is challenging, but it is an essential leadership quality. Coaching will help you to develop conflict resolution skills, ensuring that disputes are resolved constructively and don’t hinder progress.

Decision-Making 
As a leader, you face complex decisions every day. Leadership coaching provides a structured approach to decision-making, helping you to make informed and confident choices.

Stress Management 
The demanding business environment in Hong Kong can lead to work stress and burnout. Coaching will offer strategies to manage stress effectively, promoting good mental health and resilience.
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Goal Achievement 
As your coach, we work together to set clear goals and develop action plans to achieve them. The result? Improved performance and the ability to lead your teams toward success.

While coaching is an effective tool for leadership development, certain qualities are instrumental in defining a great leader. With a coach, you will get the opportunity to build desirable leadership qualities to implement in the workplace:

Vision 
Great leaders have a clear vision and can articulate it to inspire and guide their teams. Getting clear on your vision will clarify where you’re headed so you can convey your sense of purpose to others.

Empathy
Empathy is essential in understanding and connecting with team members. Great leaders are attuned to the needs and emotions of their colleagues.

Resilience 
Resilience is integral in being prepared for setbacks, and the ability to use them for greater success.

Adaptability 
The ability to adapt to change and navigate uncertainties is a hallmark of great leaders. They can pivot and make well-informed decisions even in challenging circumstances. 

Problem-Solving
Great leaders are adept problem-solvers. With this quality, you can analyse complex issues and develop effective solutions, ensuring your team and your progress is not impeded.

Leadership coaching will serve as a transformative tool for you as an aspiring leader. With the right motivational life coach alongside you, you can step into your capacity for leadership and embody all of these qualities! I believe you are reading this because you strongly desire to unleash your leadership potential and make a lasting impact on your professional journey! 

In the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong, the fast-paced lifestyle, competitive job market, and high expectations can lead to a considerable amount of work-related stress. To thrive in such an environment and achieve career success, many individuals turn to career coaching. 

I’m going to outline how career coaching will address stress management and pave the way for personal growth, confidence building, and a successful career. Sound good?

Chances are that if you live and work in Hong Kong, you have been wooed by its dynamic business landscape and myriad professional opportunities. But the price tag on this competitive atmosphere is that it often comes with increased work stress. Long working hours, demanding deadlines, and high standards can quickly lead to burnout, anxiety, and a negative impact on mental health. You would not be alone if you struggle to find the balance between professional success and personal wellbeing.

Mental health is the conductor of everything you do, including your overall health, wellbeing and professional life. It also affects one’s confidence, decision-making abilities, and, unsurprisingly, resilience to stress. In Hong Kong, where the work culture is notorious for its intensity, it’s essential to prioritise mental health to avoid burnout and prevent personal stress.

Life coaching services in Hong Kong are increasingly addressing the intersection of mental health and career success. The main facet of my job is to serve as a mentor, guiding you in managing stress effectively and achieving personal goals. Here are some of the ways that I work to help leaders, entrepreneurs and business professionals:

• Personal Growth Assessment: Career coaching starts with an assessment of your strengths, weaknesses, and career goals. I will help you to understand your potential. Armed with this insight, you will be able to navigate your career path with purpose.
• Building Confidence: It is no secret that confidence is a key ingredient for success and self-leadership! Coaches like me work to build your self-esteem and self-belief. By setting clear goals and recognising your own unique capabilities, you will cultivate unwavering self-assurance, enabling you to thrive in Hong Kong’s demanding professional landscape.
• Managing Stress Effectively: Stress management is a core component of your work with a coach. I teach strategies to cope with work-related stress, including time management, relaxation techniques, and boundary setting. Even if you aren’t a busy professional, these life skills are invaluable!
• Leadership Coaching: Leadership coaching in Hong Kong is popular among professionals aiming to move up the corporate ladder, kickstart a new project, or achieve in their entrepreneurial endeavours. In leadership coaching, I help individuals to hone skills that are integral to leading a successful team and building good contacts and rapport. 
  
• Mental Health Recovery: If you have struggled with mental health issues due to work-related stress, then I will provide support and strategies for recovery in order to help you regain your footing and develop resilience, so that you can keep shining your skills and gifts in the workplace.

Success is a subjective concept that varies from person to person. In career coaching, I will help you to outline and acknowledge your version of success, and tailor our sessions according to your definition. Perhaps you want to advance your career, are yearning for more satisfaction in your work, or need to create a better work-life balance. Maybe success for you is all of the above! Regardless of the goal, our career coaching sessions will equip you with the tools and techniques to achieve it.
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In Hong Kong’s ever-evolving landscape, my role as a coach means being your trusted guide in navigating work stress and finding your path to success. Through personal growth assessment, confidence building, stress management, and mental health recovery, coaching can help you to find solutions to your career dilemmas and navigate the demanding professional landscape. By understanding the importance of mental health and seeking guidance from an experienced coach, you can not only thrive in your career, but also lead a happier and more fulfilling life. 
Success is not a one-size-fits-all concept, and coaching can help you to define and achieve your version of it.

Feeling overwhelmed and like there’s too much on your mind? It’s not uncommon in the hustle culture of Hong Kong’s professional world, but recognising that you need to take a load off is the first step towards better wellbeing, and effectively dealing with stress and anxiety. In this article, we’ll explore practical steps to clear your mind, release tension, and achieve better work-life balance.

The first and most critical step in addressing the monkey mind (non-stop internal chatter and noise) is self-awareness. Taking a moment to reflect and recognise that something needs to change is essential for coping with stress. 
So block some time in your calendar for a coffee break and take a moment of solitude to reflect. Then grab your journal, and get started with the following:

• Jot down everything that occupies your mind, be it work-related tasks to personal responsibilities and relationships. 
  
• Include future projects, professional or personal. Try to let your thoughts spill freely onto the page.
  

This process will help to declutter the mind, identify what’s not serving you, and gain perspective. It’s like clearing out the pipes of your mental workspace, making room for more focus and efficiency.

Once you’ve taken stock of your thoughts, it’s time to decide what needs to change. To do this, you can ask yourself the following:

• Where do you see yourself in six months, one year, or two years from now?
  
• Create three columns and title them respectively: things you are satisfied with, points of frustration, and ambitions or unfulfilled desires.
  

Writing these down will clarify your thoughts and help you visualise your priorities.
From this list, decide what you want to keep doing and what you want to change. What changes do you want to make in the next twelve months? This step will help you align your goals and aspirations with your mental wellbeing.

In my work as a life coach, I often see people struggling with themselves to produce more and more results. But let me ask you a question: what if that was totally off the mark?
To ease your mind, consider reevaluating your concepts of productivity and performance. Often, we focus on being constantly busy and productive, but is that really the path to happiness and success? Consider the following:

• Instead of trying to do more, focus on doing a few relevant tasks exceptionally well.
  
• Productivity is not about checking off endless to-do lists but about setting and achieving meaningful goals.
  
• Being proactive and approaching tasks thoughtfully is often more effective than being reactive to external demands.
  

Redefining your approach to productivity can help reduce stress and lead to better mental wellbeing. It’s about working smarter, not harder!

As you reflect on your achievements over the past six to twelve months, consider seeking practical guidance. Whether it’s from a life coach, career coach, or life coaching articles, professional guidance can provide valuable insights and tools for managing work stress and finding clarity in your life. 
Feeling like there’s too much on your mind is a common challenge in today’s fast-paced world. However, with self-awareness, clear priorities, and a redefined approach to productivity, you can regain control of your mental health and manage stress effectively.

Whether you are looking to build your confidence, manage work stress, or to simply practice positive self-talk, self care lies at the heart of all that you do (yes, ALL). 
In order to stay positive, it’s important to take care of yourself!
For example, how much time do you give yourself each week to become conscious of your happiness? To appreciate your surroundings? To meditate? To see where you are in life?
Some people start their day with a moment ‘for themselves’ before moving on to their work day. Others prefer to take a specific moment in their day or week to focus on what is good for them.
Some do it alone, others need a sounding board and prefer to use a life and performance coach – there is no right or wrong way!
In fact, the only limit is you, your imagination, and your desire to do something for yourself.
It starts with this: How much time, if any, are you assigning for the simple reason of taking care of yourself?
And before you think about it, a ‘To Do’ list is NOT self care! Sure, it’s helpful and helps to maintain structure in our lives, but we’re talking about the small, regular actions which fill your personal, emotional and mental cup from the inside out. These actions aren’t done with the intention to simply achieve something, but with the intention of feeling rejuvenated and fulfilled. 
If you can’t pinpoint the ways in which you may want to, or might already be taking care of yourself, you might want to ask yourself these questions:
What do you enjoy? 
As far as work stress solutions go, down time in any capacity is essential for self care. Everyone knows that feeling joyful is a key ingredient for stress release, so this is a good place to start.
What can you control?
Could you get a little bit more sleep by turning off the TV half an hour earlier each night? See if there is something that is simple, but is within your control to make a big difference to your wellbeing. 
What do you need help with? 
Self care involves being able to delegate outwards. 
It is important to admit that when you’re trying to manage stress effectively, you might find you can’t take even five minutes out of your day for yourself. 
If this is the case, see if there is something that you can delegate. For example, can you organise a kids-swap with a neighbour, for an hour after school each week? Maybe you can look at the division of household tasks between you and your partner?
The old adage, ‘It takes a village’, really applies here!

With all this said, putting a self care practice into place is not always easy. There are all sorts of reasons for this, from having low energy to dealing with too much pressure at work. 
Here’s the thing - the very reasons you can’t manage to take care of yourself are the same reasons that you need to!
So why is me-time the first thing to fall off your list of priorities, even though it makes everything else we need to do that much easier? 
When work is stressful, or your mental health feels vulnerable, it is your commitment to self care that acts as your support, your suit of armour, and your resilience to these difficulties. 
If your never-ending list of work-related tasks are all that take up your calendar, then one thing to make sure you prioritise yourself is to schedule this time alongside everything else. Commit to it with the same sense of responsibility! 
Use a different coloured pen (or a digital scheduling system like most people in this century) to factor in your time for self care, and know that in doing so, you will be increasing the productivity of everything else by taking that time. 
It is in the small, daily actions that we are able to see results and positive change occur the most quickly. So see what happens when you make five minutes for the start of your day to practise self care.

It’s important to start with an achievable commitment, and that any change you want to make is manageable and sustainable. SMART is an acronym that defines a good goal as being: 

1. Specific (because vague objectives lead nowhere)
2. Measurable (because there is no evaluation without prior measurement)
3. Assignable (an objective must be achieved by/with an identified person)
4. Realistic (don’t set yourself up for disappointment)
5. With a notion of Time (all goals have results within a reasonable time).

These apply to anything you choose to implement as part of your self care!

The most important thing is that you find something that works for you, your lifestyle, preferences, and of course, your goals. 
If you need more rest, then adding a workout to your self care routine is probably not what you need! Instead you could opt to subscribe to a meal-kit three days per week so that you can increase diversity in your diet without needing to add a trip to the supermarket, for example.
Here are some ideas to help you get the ball rolling:

• You could start a Personal Project.
  
• ​Take a short trip away to disconnect and unwind.
  
• Try something new - think classes, hobbies, or groups you’ve been curious about.
  
• ​Make a commitment with another person, partner or friend (a weekly walk, cooking dinner for each other, etc.). Committing with another person is a great way to be held accountable to your new routine!
  
• Carve out five minutes for a guided meditation, yoga, or workout video each morning (we all know that sport is good for mental health!). 
  
• Look at improving your nighttime/sleep routine.

The ball is in your court in the end, and it’s up to you to make the choice to take charge of your life and (re)become the master of your emotions and your mental health through action! So, what kind of positive mindset do you want to have? What transformation do you wish to see? Do you need a push? Remember, whilst the first step must come from you, you don’t need to be alone.

Book a 30-minute free call and allow your own transformation to happen.

Coping with stress and maintaining good mental health is not always easy, and especially if you have a high-pressure job, it can be a challenge to dig deep to find positivity. However, the absence of a positive mindset tends to become a vicious, self-perpetuating cycle, which conditions us to think more and more negatively. This is annoying! 

Particularly since the pandemic, when a lot of us had more time and space to reconnect with personal passions and long-forgotten hobbies, there has been a rise in people looking to start anew. 

But rather than simply quitting your job to pursue your obsession with sourdough bread (although I wouldn’t blame you for it!), a more constructive, more engaging, and more exciting question arises: how can we bring a little positivity back into our lives?

Because guess what? What we do outside of work can help us to reduce work stress! 
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Because guess what? What we do outside of work can help us to reduce work stress! 

One way to do this may be to embark on a personal project that is close to your heart, and that gives you a sense of purpose while enjoying your efforts. Having something enjoyable to focus on that doesn’t involve the pressure at work will also help to alleviate stress. 

If you are tempted by the idea, here are a few ideas that might get the ball rolling on your personal project. Remember, this should be fun and enjoyable! Do not put yourself under more pressure.

So, how do you start your personal project? I’ll touch on a few key points:

How do you align it with your own values? 

How do you define goals that make sense and enable you to feel a sense of achievement? 

​And finally, how do you make sure you can start now? It’s now or never!
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​Going back to basics, let’s first talk about what being positive means, what a personal project brings, and how we can align it with our own values to transform our lives and create some much-needed positive energy.
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By definition (thank you Dictionary), to be positive is to rest on a firm idea, “something, of which the reality cannot be doubted […] which takes account of realities, which has a practical sense […] which has an effect, a favorable result or which constitutes a stage in a progression”.

In order to build your positive attitude therefore means deciding to be positive in one’s approach. It means forging a personal and conditional conviction that a specific behavior will have a transformative impact on our lives.
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Promising, isn’t it?
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A project is something that we are committed to, and which pushes us forward in a desirable direction. It is something that may push our limits beyond what we thought we were capable of because it is an authentic creation of our very own.

For this reason, personal projects can bring us positive emotions, self-confidence, rigor, and a reason to get up in the morning. With each step in the direction of our ultimate goals - eg. baking that perfect loaf, or running up the third peak of the week - we inspire ourselves to continue along this self-created avenue of possibility. 

Projects can be a very personal expression of what moves us, motivates us, and creates in us an irrepressible need to move to change a situation that may be negative, unsatisfactory, uncomfortable, or uncertain.
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In other words, a project is a concrete and tangible way of putting into practice the desire for positivity that we have – that’s all there is to it. When we begin to see positive results, we are tapping into the power of positive thinking! 
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Finally, a successful project is one that aligns with our values.
Values are super important! 

If your project was a GPS that was supposed to take you somewhere, then your values would typically be the road signs that line up your route and define where you’re driving.

Never this way, never that way, always at the same speed… you get the idea!

So in order to know your motives behind your project, in other words, your driving force, you must firstly define what is important to you!

You might be thinking you’re not entirely sure what your values are. Don’t worry, they do exist, and it can be really helpful to clarify them.
Think about what contributes to generating positive emotions in your daily life. This is always an easy place to start.

What is your favourite part of the day? Maybe it’s coming home to your dog and taking it for a run, or perhaps discovering new restaurants excites you. On the flipside of this, what do you turn to when you feel anxious or have low energy? Perhaps you can focus on something that you know makes you feel soothed and easeful. 

Looking at this will help you make your project exciting and stimulating.

Another question is, how can you create a positive impact on your life or even the lives of others? Whether it is for three months, a year, five years, or ten years? It is no secret that being of service and helping others is incredibly fulfilling, and helps to create a deep sense of meaning and purpose for those looking to boost their positive energy.
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The questions are there – the rest is in your hands!
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We described positivity as a way of thinking that creates positive conditioning.

To make the momentum of your project last, it is highly recommended to set up SMART goals in the short, medium, and long term!

SMART is an acronym that defines a good goal as being: 

1. Specific (because vague objectives lead nowhere)
2. Measurable (because there is no evaluation without prior measurement)
3. Assignable (an objective must be achieved by/with an identified person)
4. Realistic (don’t set yourself up for disappointment)
5. With a notion of Time (all goals have results within a reasonable time).

This point is essential to ensure that your positive mindset grows!

It allows you to formulate a clear idea of where you want to go.
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It allows you to put in place a clear plan of action for personal growth, and to measure progress.

It allows you to give responsibility to the parties involved in the project - including you!

It keeps your feet on the ground.

And it allows the project to enter a time dimension that you can control.

Put differently? Having a SMART project will allow you to gain confidence step by step while controlling the realisation and the ins and outs of what you have in mind. That’s positivity in a nutshell!
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So? What kind of positive energy do you want to produce? What positive impact do you want to have? Do you need a push from a Life Coach? ​