The Happiness Hunter Podcast

Most of the time we completely overcomplicate things because we either don't have a clear vision or mission, or we have lost our connection with it. This lack of focus creates a state of overwhelm, doubt and uncertainty as we stumble around in the weeds trying to figure out our next move, trying to make sense of all of the options and choices we feel like we have, trying to make sense of the chaos. This idea of keeping things simple, by remembering our why, remembering our purpose, remembering why we started in the first place. It opens things up. It creates the space for clarity, confidence and certainty, trusting that whatever move we make is the right one, because all of our decisions and actions are connected to a bigger aim. It keeps it simple. Keeping things simple does not mean that things are not challenging or hard. Keeping things simple means that we don't get stuck in the obstacles and challenges, if we even create them in the first place. In this episode, I'm sharing the back story of The Happiness Hunter, and how when I'm focused on my mission, everything becomes simple.

Napoleon Hill said that every misfortune has within it the seed of an equal or greater opportunity. Opportunities don't always look like we might expect them to, and sometimes when we don't get what we think we want, we are really getting what we need. This can sometimes feel very painful. But really, who gets to say that something is good, and who gets to say that something is bad? We are never in the position of being able to judge something, because we actually never have the full and complete picture. In this episode of the podcast, I'm sharing a story about more than one opportunity ending up on the cutting room floor, which at the time was brutal. But what that experience opened up for me instead. And spoiler alert - it's the reason why I was able to finally get out of my own way and launch this podcast.

A brand is like an identity - an intangible marketing or business concept that characterises a company, product, or individual. A brand is not a logo, slogan or colour palette. These are the tools that help promote the brand. YOU are your brand, and a strong brand is very clear on it's mission and values. There is not much of a gap between a personal and professional brand, but it's helpful to think about you as a brand from both perspectives, especially as it is almost impossible to distinguish between your personal and professional brand in your digital footprint. In this episode of the podcast, we explore the concept of "you as a brand" aligned with your personal and professional goals, as well as your core values. Knowing who you are and the value you bring to the tableFinding your voice and platformEstablishing your expertiseCreating your brand image and how you show up

Have you ever felt powerless in a situation, or like you are giving away your power? Or perhaps you may have felt like you were exerting too much power, causing someone else to feel uncomfortable? I think it’s fair to say that we all want to become more aware of the impacts of our behaviour, to have better relationships, to communicate more effectively and to understand without assuming. In this episode of the podcast, you'll gain: - a clear picture of the passive - assertive - aggressive spectrum- understanding the different communication styles, and where you sit- a greater understanding of your role - within any communication setting- insight into the positive and negative character traits of masculine and feminine energy (which has nothing to do with gender)- some tools and strategies to present yourself, to "read" the communication style and communicate and respond effectively You'll have an opportunity to reflect on where you sit on the passive-assertive-aggressive spectrum, and what you can do to become more empowered in your behaviour.

 Today's episode is about jealousy, and how when we are honest with ourselves about feeling jealous, we can harness this emotion as a motivational force. Our emotions are always speaking to us, trying to tell us something. Unfortunately, we often deny them. Squash them down. Or, we let them take over. We get negatively consumed by them without the positive benefit of understanding what they are showing us about who we are, who we would like to be, what we would live to do, what we would like to have. When we become aware of our emotional state, we can try and understand what our emotions are saying. When we can name them and feel them without getting stuck in them and being controlled by them - we will discover things about ourselves that we did not know before. If you have ever felt jealous about someone or something (I know I have!) then have a listen to this episode and discover what your jealousy might be trying to tell you.

The term Imposter Syndrome was first coined in the 1970's by a University psychology professor called Pauline Rose Clance who noticed something was going on with the women in her class. For the most part, the women she was observing had what she considered everything going for them - they had come from well educated and successful families, grew up in nice neighbourhoods, were healthy, financially secure and had access to every opportunity, and had a proven track record of success and academic achievement. The Imposter Syndrome refers to high achieving individuals who are marked by an inability to internalise their accomplishments and a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud, and it is very, very common - and not just with women. In this episode you'll discover: what it ishow it presents itselfthe five different types of imposterhow to address and overcome it 

To become a goal getter, you need to learn how to set and achieve goals.The brilliant thing about becoming a goal getter is not ultimately what you get at the end - although that is a wonderful bonus. The real prize to becoming a person who achieves their goals, is meeting the person you become along the way.In this episode of the podcast, you'll learn the five reasons why goals die a death on the boulevard of broken dreams, and what you can do to make sure your dreams become your reality.Enjoy this episode.

When we are waiting for perfection, or expecting perfection - for us to be perfect, for things to be perfect, for conditions to be perfect - we are going to be waiting for a very long time, because "perfect" in that sense, it doesn't really exist. The best place to start, is here. The best time to start, is now. The best time to pick yourself up and dust yourself off, and to take the lesson - is now. And if you've had an idea planted in your heart, then you are the person to be doing it. Whether you feel like you are ready or perfect, or not. Because an idea, without execution, it is nothing. It is just an idea. And how will you become the person who can do it, if you don't start doing it? How will you know it was the right or wrong thing to do if you don't get out of your head and into the field of play?Accepting that within the very messy progress, lies the true perfection.The way we learn and grow in life is through our experiences, through our mistakes, through what we perceive as our failures.What if the the only real failure lies in never starting, or in giving up before it's done - because of a fear of imperfection?If done is better than perfect (because what is perfect anyway, who says, who gets to determine that??) what can you let yourself off the perfection hook about, and give yourself permission to dive in and simply give it your best? 

Why am I using a red pen? Wouldn't a green pen be nicer? Writing a book - indeed any creative pursuit or the making of something that didn't exist before - is about doing, creating, building, action. But to come to its full glory, it also needs nurturing and gentleness and love. If we have made something, created something, if we have planted a seed, then we need to love it and care for it and look after it. We don't want to destroy it, especially when it is little. It needs time to grow. It needs space to evolve. It needs lifting up. All things need balance to become.In this episode of the podcast, I'm sharing a very powerful question you can ask yourself when you are in the process of creation. To question (not doubt, or second guess) the energy behind your action, and to think about the balance you are bringing to your work. And to have a new reference point for yourself - should I be using a red pen here, or would a green pen be better?It Is Possible was published in 2023. You can get a paperback copy through Amazon or listen as an audio on Audible here

Busy. How often do you use this word to describe your day? Overwhelmed. Frazzled. Drowning. Chasing your tail. No time to breathe. Trying to do all the things and be everything to everyone, and not necessarily feeling like you are accomplishing things. The crazy thing about this state, is that we think the only way through it is to just keep going and hope that things will get better and improve. But the problem with this strategy is that we get ourselves completely stuck in the weeds. And when we are down in the weeds, all we can see is weeds. When we get like this, it's very important that we use it as an opportunity to reflect what is going on. Why are we thinking, feeling, behaving in this way? What is driving it? What do we need to do differently to change the outcome we are (continually) experiencing? As the creators of our own life experience, it's our responsibility to become aware so that we can change it. In this episode of the podcast, we are talking about The Power of The Pause. Stopping creates a circuit breaker to get us out of the weeds and into the eagle eye present moment. It helps us to rebalance and regain focus. We can breathe again. From this higher perspective, we can gain a greater understanding of why we are where we are, experiencing what we are experiencing, and map out a pathway forward.

When you are feeling overwhelmed it can cause big problems…for you, your family, and your work…it seeps into every corner of your life. When you eliminate overwhelm from your life, you have: Clarity on your priorities, and the ability to easily adapt to the natural ebbs and flows of life Feelings of inner peace and calm More confidence in your skills and abilities Higher self-esteem Less conflict in your relationships A greater sense of control A better relationship with time The ability to get more done, with much less drama ... and so much more... In this episode of The Happiness Hunter podcast, I'm sharing the most common trigger points for overwhelm and the key strategies to put in place to help you: Greatly reduce the chance of getting overwhelmed in the first place Become more aware of your red flags so you can spot them and deal with them, simply and easily Get back on track when the wheels fall off - immediately and for the longer term. These are the same strategies I’ve taught hundreds of clients over the last decade, to help them successfully overcome overwhelm. Fiona

Creating the right environment and doing the right things at the right time. For us to succeed in our endeavours in life, we need to be practiced and we need to be prepared. Often, we do things thinking we are doing the right thing, preparing ourselves for what is coming up - and in a sense we are. The action is right, but the timing is not. We often miss this nuance. We do things, which are the right things to do, but it is not at the best time to maximise the outcomes. In this episode of the podcast, I'm sharing a really simple example of how thinking we are doing the right thing, but not being fully across the conditions for which we are doing that thing, can sabotage our success.

There’s a scene in the rockumentary ‘This is Spinal Tap’ where they have an amp. And because they are such a hardcore rock band, they have an amp that goes to eleven. But to get to eleven, you still need to start at one. If we don’t start, if we don’t just pick up the guitar, metaphorically speaking, and have a go, then the amp is never, ever going to get to eleven. In this episode of the podcast, I'm sharing about how we self sabotage, how we stop ourselves from ever getting to eleven - either by never starting in the first place or putting the brakes on before we can get there. Once we start anything, we begin to collect data. And we can review this data which provides a glimpse into ourselves - our patterns and our behaviour. And it is this awareness which gives us an opportunity to do things differently. Let's allow ourselves to get to eleven, whatever that means, and wherever that will take us.

There are two versions in which we show up. At our best, we are patient, loving, kind, courageous, forgiving, curious, and empathetic to the needs of others. We have an attitude of learning and growth. In our highest and best version of being, we value the self, know our worth, and contribute to life and others. This is referred to as the higher self. Showing up as your highest self means operating and living life in communication with a higher level of consciousness, without the restraints of limiting beliefs. And then there is the other side of the coin. In this state, we are emotionally reactive, stagnated, closed off to any new information, argumentative and operating in victim mode. This is a contracted and closed off energy space. This is referred to as the lower self. We also have free will. In this episode of the podcast. you'll have an opportunity to reflect on which self you are choosing to spend most of your time operating from.

What other people think about you, is none of your business. But what you think about you. That is your business. How you feel about yourself should not be determined by whether other people like you or not. If you like yourself then it doesn’t matter what other people think about you - positively, negatively, good, bad, indifferent. If you like yourself then you are friends with yourself. And if you are friends with yourself then you like and accept yourself, just as you are. In this episode of the podcast (it's super short, and super sweet) you'll have an opportunity to reflect on the relationship you have with yourself, and how much you may be impacted by what you think the outside world thinks and feels about you.

Despite what we know, let's face it, moments happen in which we become emotionally reactive – slaves to our thoughts and feelings. Some ways you may experience this: You are about to lose it, you are losing it, you've lost it Yelling or screaming back at another in an argument A stream of verbal insults Thoughts, intention and action to physically lash out Uncontrollable crying In this episode of the podcast, you'll learn about the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale (SUDS). This is a framework used to measure the subjective intensity of distress or disturbance experienced by an individual. SUDS is a self-measuring assessment developed by Joseph Wolpe using a scale of zero to 10 to rate the level of emotional disturbance. The benefits of becoming familiar with this scale (you don't need to know it verbatim) is that it provides an instant self-assessment reference to where you are at, in the present moment. Because the thing with emotions is that if you can name it, you can change it – this is acknowledgement and awareness. Using the scale and knowing where you are will allow you to pause and take action to process and ease the level of distress. This may help prevent your emotional distress from escalating, and will help you help others when they are not control of their emotions.

The problem and the solution are two sides of the same coin. When we can understand our problem, we can understand the solution. Our problem with other people is nothing to do with them. It is 100% our problem. We may know this. But are we really living it? Are we embodying what we know? Are we honestly implementing it in our lives? Truly, knowledge and awareness are nothing without understanding and action. In this episode of the podcast, I am exploring this idea from another perspective, and I really encourage you to listen in. If you are the problem, and if you can completely accept that, then equally, you are also the solution.

When we try to control things around us, like other people or our environment, this is a safety mechanism. Our primal instinct is that when we feel under threat or feel let down, we immediately try and want to control the situation. We do this when: • We feel unsafe • Fearful that things are not going our way • The need to be right and get the last word in or prove someone wrong • We have assumed without complete understanding or discussion In this episode of the podcast, I'm sharing some examples of how this behaviour shows up, and the impact it has on other people. You'll have an opportunity to reflect on where you might be trying to control other people and situations, and what you can do instead.

​As Marcus Aurelius put it: “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” Too often we don't take action, because we are scared it will be messy. We don't start, because we are worried that the action we are going to take is not perfect. But what we want to do instead is begin to embrace the mess and the imperfection, understanding that whatever we do is perfect in its imperfection, and it is in our messy, imperfect action that we learn to overcome the obstacles standing in our way. In fact, it is the only way. It’s messy at the beginning and in the middle and sometimes at the end, and that is perfectly okay.

If you think about an area of your life you are struggling with at the moment - chances are you are struggling because your behaviour in relation to that area does not reflect your values. The challenge we mostly face with this is that we are either: a) not clear on our values or b) are not living our values (consistently) through our behaviour (eg do as I say, not as I do- in other words our actions do not reflect what we say is important) Following on from the recent episode with Dr John Demartini on Honouring Your Core Values, in this episode of the podcast we are going to be talking about how you can get clear on your values and understand the behaviours that align with them, to help you see your way through your struggle. Get clear on your values (what you have determined is important). And understand what that means in terms of your action (in actually living your values). And from that place of alignment, you can begin to turn the ship around.