The Happiness Hunter Podcast

How strong is your self care game? How balanced are you within yourself, mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually? How much time and focus do you spend on looking after yourself, caring for yourself, ensuring life is a healthy and positive experience for you? If you want to care well for others, we need to start first with caring for yourself​​​​​. What steps can you start to take today to build a stronger foundation in your life? ​ What are you doing for yourself today to show how much you care? ​ All change starts with self. Caring for yourself, loving yourself. Self love is caring for yourself. Caring about the quality of your life. How you are showing up. How you care for others. ​ When we work on our foundation, we balance ourselves and we balance the world. In this episode of the podcast, you'll learn how you can focus on you to ultimately be your best in all areas of your life. ​​ Enjoy.

The secret to not getting distracted is to focus on your why, on your goals, on the reason that this is important.   We need to almost set a very clear intention for what we are doing before we start, for why we are doing it and to remind ourselves why it matters.  Rather than just blindly taking an action, we need to really care about what we are doing.  This constant focus on the focus is what is going to bring us back to the task at hand - the task that we have decided to do - when we might feel ourselves drifting off into a place of distraction. The secret to not getting distracted therefore is to be completely aligned with the purpose of what you are doing and why it is important, and to be disciplined about the doing of it, to simply not allow yourself to become distracted. The secret to not getting distracted is to catch yourself the second you find yourself drifting, and to bring yourself fully back into the present and into the task at hand. Therefore, each of us need to work out what our likely points of distraction are - it could be checking emails, making phone calls, mindlessly scrolling social media, striking up a conversation, cleaning the house, allowing yourself to go down the research rabbit warren of the internet after you have already found the answer you needed - and be on the front foot when we find ourselves drifting into distraction, be honest with ourselves that we are doing it, and to be disciplined about bringing ourselves back to what really matters. So, remember, it's very simple.  The key to not getting distracted, is to not get distracted.

Today's episode is for you to have an opportunity to reflect on and remember why you started. ... and where you are now in relation to that decision. Nearly 10 years ago, I made a life-altering decision that I just wanted to be happy.  And not long after that, that I just wanted to share what I was learning and discovering with other people. And over the course of the last ten years, I've hit many challenges, gone the wrong way, got very lost, gone round in circles... yet lots of things have also been done well too. But every time I get off track, I can go back to why I started, and this helps me refocus and regroup and get back on track. Do you know why you started? Or do you feel like you are still waiting? Some questions for you to consider: Who am I? What am I here to do? What is my purpose? Why is it important to me?  What are my strengths? What lights me up? What do I have to contribute to the world that I am meant to contribute? How is what I am doing now reflecting that? Remembering why we started. It can be challenging, but it's always worth it.

Why do we do the things that we know we shouldn't do, that make us feel bad? Why do we keep repeating the same old habits and keep on experiencing the same old outcomes? We say we don't want to be doing it or experiencing it, and we think we know we are doing it, but in reality, nothing is changing.  Starting to ask yourself two questions will help you to understand why you are where you are, and why you keep doing what you do. Because, even though your might not like what you are experiencing - there is still some benefit in it for you.  Listen in to this week's episode as I share with you two examples for you to reflect on and to think about: what am I getting out of this, and what is the negative consequence if I change?

I’ve actually been quite stressed the last couple of weeks, more stressed than I have been for a long time, and this is what helped. Being honest with myself (and others) that I was stressed, not pretending everything was ok Taking responsibility for my behaviour Working out my priorities and eliminating everything else Meditating more Walking more Making a plan and then taking laser focused and targeted action, completely bypassing the thinking in my head Meeting myself with compassion and forgiving myself Sharing it here with you 💚 Fiona xxx

The quality of our base - or our foundation - is going to be reflected back to us in everything that we experience in our life. To achieve the outcome we want to achieve, in anything, there are always going to be a number of steps that we need to take. Those steps need to be taken in an order, to build on each other to help us get to where we want to be. The quality of our foundation and the strength of the steps we take on top of that foundation, will determine how successful we are at achieving our goals. In this episode of the podcast, you'll have an opportunity to consider how the creation of a solid foundation will help you achieve your goals, and you'll also have a chance to think about how you might need to change to help you get there.

Large organisations have vision and mission statements as a reminder to the public and staff as to their operating principles and values. Sports teams, schools and religious groups have a code of conduct as their reference point. What these creeds and mission statements do is a reminder of how they operate in their best version. They are aligned with their identity and how they show up. Therefore it makes perfect sense for us to have our own. The Happiness Hunter’s Creed is a reminder of how we show up as our best and highest version - individually and as a collective. The power of this is being able to refer to it when feeling stuck, or “less than”, and asking yourself as you work through each point - “am I being this”? "When I step into the vision of me as the best version of myself, the creed is how I think and operate. There are days where we can forget to check in and we operate and show up at less than ideal energy or attitude. By reading, connecting and reminding myself of this creed, it instantly lifts the standard of how I am showing up. And on those days and times when I feel some resistance to stepping into this fully, I hand write the creed into my journal and read it out loud, and repeat this until I feel myself wholly embrace it".

When you set a goal, do you name it and claim it? Or do you set a goal and then sort of hope that maybe it might happen, but you are not really holding your breath? Or - even better - do you stop yourself from even setting a goal in the first place, because it just brings up too much stuff? In this episode of the podcast, you are going to have an opportunity to name your goal, and to claim your goal. To allow yourself to go there, to allow yourself to dream, to allow yourself to fully own the deepest desires of your heart. To stake your claim on it as already being yours. And then I'll share with you an affirmation and a couple of simple techniques to help you shift your belief system, and to step into the realm of possibility: to believe it is possible, wherever you are right now in relation to that goal.

Are you wondering why you aren't seeing the results you'd like to be seeing in your life?  Have you just resigned yourself to this being it, that there is no point to trying anymore?  Or are you frustrated because despite all your very best efforts, nothing seems to be shifting in the way you would like? Do you have a plan for success?  Or are you just winging it, not really aiming for anything concrete? But please - no more of the same? Beginning with the critical - but very often overlooked - first and second steps, in this episode of the podcast, I'll step you through the process you need to put in place to create the change you want to see in your life.

​Gratitude is so powerful because it shapes the way we see and experience the world: what we focus on expands. So the more we appreciate, the more we have to appreciate. We tend to say thank you for things we have already received. Affirmations are powerful in that they help guide our thinking and help us to get clear on and focus on what we want. Combined, they are even more powerful. I like to think of them as gratitude affirmations. In this episode of the podcast, you can practice saying thank you in advance, with gratitude for that which you are intending, knowing it’s already a done deal.

Imagine if your mind was the internet, your questions were a google search, and you were the one typing the question into the search bar. How do you formulate that question? You take some time to think about what you want to know, you take some time to word it in the way that you think will deliver the most beneficial answer. We know google is going to go searching all over the internet for the answer to that specific question asked - that is it's job after all - so we make sure we word the question in the right way to make sure we get the best possible answer possible. We are not going to ask a question that we don't want the answer to. The wrong question is still going to come back with the right answer to that question. It's just going to be the answer we don't want. But if you ask the right questions, then you are going to get the right answer. If you imagine your mind was the internet, just like google - ready and waiting to answer whatever question you ask, could you be asking yourself better questions, to make sure you get better answers?

Recently, I wrote a Memo to The Universal Marketing and Publicity Departments, handing over the creation of the marketing and publicity strategy for my new book, It Is Possible. The way we create a life beyond our present reality is to get clear about what it is that we want, and then put it out there by taking action, and taking this action in faith. Believing before we can see.  So much of the stuff that that we do here in The Happiness Hunter is really about getting super clear about what it is that we want, and then putting it out there and taking action as if it is reality.  We need to get really clear about what we want and what we're asking for. We need to feel comfortable and not scared of asking for that. And then we have to be open to the guidance that comes in along the way. And then we need to take action on it. It's a really simple formula. This episode outlines the back story behind me writing this memo, but also shares a conversation it opened up with Jane Turner of Write with Jane, on her Youtube show - Conversations with Jane.    

Imagine if your biggest weakness could become your greatest strength? "Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit" - Napoleon Hill. When we gain awareness of our weaknesses, when they have been exposed and highlighted, we have an opportunity to choose to change. We have an opportunity to learn how to become strong in those areas we have identified as weak. We have an opportunity to use our obstacles and challenges to grow and become stronger, and the steps that we take to overcome our shortcomings mean that we become better than we were before, not just where we were weak, but that strength lifts us in all of the other areas of our lives too.

How much time do you spend thinking about it, talking about it, worrying about it, procrastinating on doing it, beating up on yourself that you haven't done it yet, doubting whether you should do it, questioning the best way to do it? Rather than just simply, doing it. Outcomes are achieved and things get done when we get out of our heads and into the field of play. With no excuses. Not thinking about doing it. Just doing it. And then it’s done, and you’ve reclaimed all the mental space that not doing it was consuming. You will feel amazing. You’ve proven to yourself what you can achieve, which builds trust with yourself, increases your confidence and helps you realise even better results. Imagine what you could achieve if you got clear on what you wanted, you set yourself a goal, made a plan and then got it done. What is possible for you, if you just got out of your own way, and did it?

One of the most significant pieces of advice I picked up when I first started my business was this - stay in your lane. Staying in your lane basically means to focus on what you are doing; that the lane you are in, is the lane you are in. The lane somebody else is in, is the lane they are in. Our job is to know our own lane and not to drift into each others' lanes. We can run alongside each other, inspire each other, challenge each other, lift and support each other. But my race is my race, and your race is your race. We each bring our own set of what makes each of us, us, to our own race. We cannot BE each other. Similarly, looking at what someone else is doing and being jealous or envious of them, mad at them, comparing yourself in a positive or negative light. It actually has no bearing at all on your race and the lane you are in. When you are looking around you, beside you, behind you all the time. All it does is stop you moving forward. When we know our lane, and stay in it, we can focus on being the best we can possibly be, and bringing the best of ourselves to our own race, without losing ourselves and wasting our time and energy to a lane we don't belong to.

In a nutshell, self-esteem is your opinion of yourself and your abilities. It is the determining factor in your happiness and success. It includes: the judgement we pass on ourselves, a feeling of personal competence, a feeling of personal worth, a high level of intellectual self trust and a strong sense that it is okay and desirable to be happy in life. According to Nathaniel Brandon, author of the Book How to raise your self-esteem, it is the sum of self-confidence and self respect. In this episode of the podcast you'll discover: what self-esteem is (high, low, average and how we can fluctuate) self-confidence and self-respect how low self-esteem shows up the impacts of low self-esteem how to boost your self-esteem your next steps

Your energetic income level is the threshold of how much money you allow yourself to receive. You may never have heard of this before, but once you listen to this episode you will never think about money in quite the same way ever again. When you understand and have the awareness of the energetic income level at which you feel comfortable, you then have the opportunity to learn how to work on the belief systems and the stories that are keeping you stuck where you are, and preventing you from moving beyond your current energetic income ceiling. If you want to change your energetic income level you need to work on your money mindset. Having a really clear understanding of your current energetic income level and your current attitude around money (poverty/lack/scarcity or abundance) is a great place to start.

The gap between where we are now and where we want to be will more often than not require us to do something that we have never done before. It will require us to take a leap of faith, to put our trust into something that we can't see, that we don't know and that we can't touch. Taking a leap of faith does not mean that you don't have fear. Taking a leap of faith means that you have such a burning desire to get where you want to go, and to live your life how you want to live, and to experience life in that way that in the deepest part of you knows is 100% possible - that your desire outweighs your fear. It means that you are able to accept that right now you don't know what you don't know, and the only way you are going to find out what you need to find out, is to think, feel and act in a different way than you ever have before. Every great success, every great achievement, every great transformation had at it's very beginning a yes. And every single one of those yeses was from someone who made a decision to just say no to the fear and yes to taking a leap of faith. To hold the vision and trust the process, however terrifying it might be. Because in that moment of saying yes, something changes within you, and you will never be the same again.

The decision to decide to change can be hard. But what happens if you avoid the hard, and you don't decide? What happens if you just keep going as you are, and nothing changes? We really need to ask ourselves - Is that acceptable? For things to remain as they are? Indecision is a decision in itself. Avoiding the uncomfortable feelings, conversations, reckonings. This is a decision. Deciding not to decide is a decision. But something magical happens when we decide to decide. When we decide to say yes. To step up. To try something new. To do something different. To come at life from a new angle with a different approach. What could happen for you, in your life, in your business, in your health, in your relationships? If you simply decided to decide? Have a listen to this episode and ask yourself - where am I avoiding making a decision? Where do I need to decide to decide?

Self-sabotage is a behaviour. Behaviour becomes self-sabotaging when it creates problems in daily life and interferes with long standing goals. We are not always aware of when we are self-sabotaging because there is not always a clear link between behaviour and consequences. However, this behaviour can be overcome with awareness. In this episode of the podcast, you'll learn: - what self-sabotaging behaviour is - the three things you can do to help you gain awareness - some practical things you can do to help break the pattern of self-sabotaging behaviour Here's to your success!

Your self worth is the opinion you have about yourself and the value you place on yourself. Self worth is about valuing your inherent worth as a human being, simply by virtue of you being you, and of being alive. As opposed to measuring or comparing yourself to external measures or other people - by what you do, what you have, or what you may or may not have achieved. It is about accepting that you being your unique self, is all you need to be worthy. You are enough right now, just as you are. Your work is to rid yourself of the negative internal dialogue and the layers of conditioning that would have you believe otherwise. In this episode of the podcast, you'll discover the four steps you can take to allow yourself to feel worthy. And I'm sharing with you a life-changing affirmation.  

The wonderful thing about journalling, is that it is free-range. There are no rules. The process of journalling is such an incredible way to help us explore new ways of understanding ourselves and of looking at things. Journalling, combined with practices like meditation, goal setting, affirmations and afformations is very powerful. In this episode of the podcast, I'm sharing with you the wonderful results of a recent journalling session, where I decided to write down ten things that I knew to be true, right this second. And then I just went to town on what I believed to be true for what was possible, right this second. For what I believed for to be possible to happen right this second, knowing that the process of my believing was what is going to make it happen. And my energy shifted in a very big way. So... what is possible for you right this second?

We say we have been "ghosted" when someone stands us up, or just disappears never to be seen or heard from again. You had every reason to believe that they would show up, honour their commitment, see through their end of the bargain but then... nothing. And we are left scratching our heads, wondering what just happened there.  But if you honestly stop and pause to reflect, ghosting doesn't have to be something you do to someone else or that they do to you. What if ghosting was something you actually did to yourself as well? Where in your life do you say you are going to do something that involves a commitment just to you - it may likely even be in pen in your diary - and then you just don't show up. No communication, no apology, no acknowledgement. Just completely not present. No-one likes being ghosted. So why do we do it to ourselves? 

Daily tracking is the best way to keep focused on what you want to achieve. It removes the over thinking and eliminates excuses. You have either done it, or you haven’t. It is a known and proven fact that what gets measured, gets improved. Tracking will measure the level of consistency, and by this focus alone will encourage a commitment to the process. Consistency in your action forms new habits and routines, which helps to build momentum, creating and embedding sustainable change. This action builds on itself in a positive upwards cycle. Consistency is about repetition. It is about doing the same things repeatedly over time to reach a desired outcome - whether you feel like doing them or not. Beyond the attainment of your goals, the benefits of daily action include; • Building self-discipline and self-control • Increasing self-esteem and self-confidence • Honouring your word - walking in integrity • Fast tracking your success • Attracting and manifesting opportunities - becoming “lucky”   You can order your daily tracker here

Every week on a Monday morning I have a meeting with myself. This meeting is about me being the CEO, CFO and all-round general boss of my life, being across all the things, knowing what is coming up, and feeling excited and expansive about the possibilities for what is ahead. The purpose of this meeting is to review the week that has been, to learn from this information and to look strategically at the week ahead. This process informs my daily goal setting and decision making. In this meeting I take a look at what is coming up in the week ahead, I set my weekly goals, check in with my beliefs and I track my (multi-million dollar) wealth activation plan. It's a super inspiring and motivating way to start the week, it helps keep me focused and looking at the bigger picture. If you are not already, this is a process I'd love you to think about introducing into your life and business too.

Life Integration is the philosophy of seamlessly integrating wellbeing into every area of your life. Everything you do is your life, even work. Life Integration is about seeking balance across all areas of your life - recognising that everything in your life and that everything you do is inextricably linked. Understanding that when one or two (or three or four...) elements are out of whack will impact the other areas, and therefore, the quality of your life. It is about giving you permission to get clear on a healthy, happy, purposeful, fulfilling, abundant, successful, loving life is and what it means for you. As well as giving you permission to start living that life today. In this episode of the podcast, you'll learn more about The Seven Elements Framework for Life Integration, and how you can achieve it.

Walking is one of the most underrated and overlooked activities in life. Walking is movement. Movement creates energy and momentum. Walking is one of the simplest, easiest and cost-effective ways for us to get our energy moving - essentially to shift our energetic state. Research (and there is much research to support this) has found that the benefits of walking include: boosts creative inspiration has physical benefits improves attitude and outlook makes you feel good increases feelings of connectedness It is free, requires no special equipment, is accessible for all levels of fitness, you can do it anywhere, at any time, you can set your own distance and determine your own pace. Listen to today's episode for some more walking inspiration, and then make sure you enjoy a walk today!

For change to take place, a change needs to take place. So if we want things in your life to change, but we don't change, then nothing will change. It's not a complicated formula. We often think that change is too hard - that to get from where we are now to where we would like to be requires too much effort, and it feels too overwhelming, and it is going to take time that we don't have right now. We tend to look at change from a macro level. And that can feel big and too much of a stretch from right where we are. But what about if we started to think about change at it's smallest, most micro level - at the exact point of decision, in the moment the decision gets made. And what about if change required nothing more than you doing the opposite of what you have always done? Imagine if you could create the change you wanted to see and experience in your life, by catching yourself and asking yourself one very simple question. What is the opposite of this?

Being intentional and focused about what we do at the very beginning of our day and the very end of our day creates a very different experience for our life. When we can set our day up for success by spending an hour or so doing all the things that help us create a state of peace and calm and balance and focus within us, we set a very positive trajectory for our day. Likewise, if we can end our day by spending the last hour calming ourselves down and creating a space between the busy of the day and the rest time of sleep - reflecting on our day, on what worked well, what didn't go so well, what we could do differently next time, putting the day to bed so to speak and focusing on what we can do tomorrow, our lives will be forever changed. And while it might feel that is too restrictive and costing you your freedom, what you will discover is that self discipline really is self love, and the more structure and boundaries you can bring into your life, the more time and space and freedom you will create. Bookending your day is a winning strategy.

Charlie Gilkey helps people start finishing the stuff that matters. Charlie is the founder of Productive Flourishing, a company that helps professional creatives, leaders, and changemakers take meaningful action on work that matters. He is the author of the book Start Finishing and The Small Business Lifecycle, and host of the Productive Flourishing podcast. Before starting Productive Flourishing, Charlie worked as a Joint Force Military Logistics Coordinator while simultaneously pursuing a PhD in Philosophy. Through actionable guidance grounded in thought-provoking theory, Charlie helps you take meaningful action on the stuff that matters in both life and work. I was so delighted to have Charlie join me on this episode of the podcast. I was first introduced to his work several years ago, specifically his approach to time blocking, and my mind was blown by such a simple concept. Charlie’s philosophy around living our best lives, productivity and his time blocking method was a game-changer for me, and I share his teachings with all of my clients. In this episode of the podcast we cover a lot of ground, from: Charlie's background in military logistics Living intentionally The overwhelmed brain Why to-do lists will frazzle your brain The concept of time blocking Understanding focus, admin, social and recovery blocks How to communicate your time blocking preferences with others Not all time is created equal Factoring in invisible activities and SO MUCH MORE I hope you enjoy this episode and take what you learn to start to get stuff done.

This episode is about what it is like to be facing the obstacles and the challenges in our lives, and how we can gain greater awareness and understanding of them – to use the world as our mirror to understand our thought processes and belief systems and to understand what we can do differently to create a better outcome for ourselves. And when we can honestly do this, then we can start to really work out what it is that is keeping us stuck and map out a pathway to move us forward. To do this, we need to believe it is possible. To empower the new belief system that if it has ever been possible for another person in the history of the world - or even if it hasn't, because we are the creators of our own reality and our possibilities are limitless - then it is possible for me.

The Happiness Quotient or HQ is based on The Seven Elements Framework for Life Integration, which underpins a lot of the work that we do in The Happiness Hunter. The framework was initially developed in 2013, with a friend of mine, Paul O’Brien. Since that time Paul and I have both gone on to refine and adapt the framework as we deepened our individual understanding of it's application to real life.  Undertaking your Happiness Quotient (HQ) is one of the first exercises we do when we begin working together. It's based on the framework, and asks you to reflect on how happy you are in each of the elements of your life. It can be a bit confronting, but this can also be quite enlightening, as it shines a light on and exposes where you may be struggling, but also lets you see those areas of your life that are going well. In this episode of the podcast, you'll have the opportunity to reflect on your HQ and make a plan to take the next best step from where you are now. And just so you know, when I first did this exercise - not one element of my life was working well, but today, that is no longer the case.

Our rewards, outcomes and experiences in life are in direct relation to our attitude, our effort, our contribution, our service. Our deeds are what counts. So if we are not taking action, then nothing counts. We need to be the catalyst. If we want a different experience, we need to do something differently. So, have a listen to this episode, reflect on what it means for you and then go out into the world, and give the best of yourself today.

Boundaries are a sign of self-respect, so love yourself enough to set and honour them. They come in many forms, and most conversations refer to emotional boundaries of how we allow others to treat or speak to us. Yet, we tend to overlook the boundaries we set, or do not set, for ourselves. Boundaries are the emotional limits set, which are activated when breached. A breach is usually a behaviour or a comment which violates a personal value. The breaches could be concerning requests for your time and how another treats and speaks to you or invades your personal space. Even though you may not know what a boundary is, you know it has been crossed when you have an instant and uncomfortable emotional reaction. Most people have set their boundaries unconsciously, and in a world of healthy relationships, these are generally sufficient. However, when it comes to unhealthy environments, relationships or poor communication, the lack of awareness and strength of the boundaries is where the challenges arise. In this episode of the podcast, you'll discover how to set healthy boundaries and use them in a healthy way for yourself, and with others.

A worried person SEES a problem. A concerned person SOLVES a problem. Worrying about things never fixes them, never changes them, never helps us in any way. Worrying about something - allowing the repetitive thinking to take over - simply makes us feel anxious and quite often, powerless, and will keep us stuck in the same old cycle until we make a change. Being concerned on the other hand, means that we are taking responsibility for whatever we can within the situation, and taking some positive action to try and address it to either make sure the thing we are concerned about never eventuates, or that we can take steps to manage it, or reduce its impact. In this episode of the podcast, you'll have an opportunity to reflect on how your worry can be shifted to concern. Enjoy this episode.

We all have the same 24 hours in every day. Why are some people able to manage their time and get more done, calmly, focused and with minimal stress, and others flap their way through the day stressed, in a panic and with limited productivity? In this episode of the podcast, you'll understand how tracking what you do in the day will teach you just how much time you waste (and how you can change that), and you'll also be able to think about how you can apply a really awesome time blocking system (developed by Charlie Gilkey) called Productive Flourishing.

Great lives are made up of great days, and great days are made up of all the decisions we make through the day... starting with the intention of having a great day.  Making the decision to have a great day is a choice.  In this episode of the podcast, you'll learn about the importance of implementing a morning routine, and the steps you can take to balance yourself and put yourself in the position to have a great day, every day.

Ask. Believe. Receive. When we set our sights on something, set a vision or create a goal, we need to believe that it is possible, and then we need to take action in the belief that it is already ours. Regardless of how impossible it might seem. Regardless of how far it seems to be from where we are standing right now. If we believe that we can be, do or have anything we desire, then we are going to cultivate the right thinking and take the action that corresponds to that belief system. We are going to become the person for whom it became true. In this episode of the podcast, I'm sharing with you a little story about asking for what you want, believing it is possible, holding the vision and trusting the process.  

The thing we think is the thing, is never the thing. Think about in your life, when you have a problem, a challenge or are struggling with something. You will often look at the thing as being the problem. But when we think about the thing, as not being the thing, what it helps us do is to see that thing for what it really is. The manifestation or representation of something that is sitting behind that - in the way we think, our belief system, the way our program works, the way we are emotionally dealing with something, our action, our behaviour - which then appear to be the thing that we think is the problem. The problem with this is that it deflects us from seeing where the real issue and root cause of where the problem lies. Which in turn often results as seeking a short term band aid solution. What this also does is focuses our energy and attention on what we don’t want. In this episode, you will have an opportunity to really understand this concept, and to think about "the thing" in your life in a completely new light.

With over 1000 videos on YouTube and 33 million views, Brad Yates is what my kids would call my favourite YouTuber. Known internationally for his creative and often humorous use of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as Tapping, Brad is joining us on the show to talk all things EFT. Emotional Freedom Technique is a form of acupressure psychology. It is based on traditional acupuncture and works with the meridians in the body. It involves gently tapping the fingertips on the skin where the energy meridians are located, diffusing negative statements and replacing them with positive ones. EFT is a healing modality that has played very prominently in my personal development journey and it is a tool that we use in The Happiness Hunter. In this episode, we explore: What EFT is How is it works How our childhood program unconsciously drives our decision making today The benefits of tapping Tapping for stress management Each of the different tapping points How to tap And as a special bonus, Brad also takes us through a tapping round on FEELING GOOD. I hope that you enjoy this episode and I really encourage you to give EFT a go. Fiona x

A vision board is the visual representation of your desires and aspirations for your life. They are a useful tool to inspire and to motivate you to take consistent daily action in pursuit of your goals and dreams. Our minds see in images, not words. Our focus and energy is what creates the outcome - this works for both what we want, and what we don’t want. Transformation in any area of our life starts with a decision, continues with a thought, empowered by our feelings and is followed by action. The vision board is the visual representation of taking action and bringing together the decision and the thought, and supporting it with a visual reminder. A vision board is a talisman of sorts, created with magical properties and strengths to remind you of your vision and quest.

In today's episode of the podcast, you'll discover the difference between laziness, procrastination, idleness and rest & recovery. If you are super honest with yourself, how often have you justified your lack of action as "rest & recovery" when in fact, it was probably closer to laziness or procrastination? And again, super honestly, how well has that strategy worked out for you in the past, and how well is it working out for you today? Both laziness and procrastination come from the same core driver - a lack of motivation. But neither make you feel very good, and laziness completely takes you away from your goals, while procrastination makes the process of achieving them so much more difficult than it needs to be. There is no cure to laziness, except to stop being lazy. Being able to honestly (and with oceans of love) to simply ask yourself the question - "am I just being lazy" when you find yourself in the middle of mindless activity and yet another pointless distraction, may just be the circuit breaker you need to summon up the discipline required to just get that job done.

The best advice I have for anyone who has been thinking about meditation, is to stop thinking about it and simply just start. And know that NO-ONE can meditate when they first start. It's called a practice for a reason, because we have to practice to become better, to learn how to train our mind and to really start to realise the benefits (although you will notice improvements within a few short days). But stick with it, and your life will transform, as you transform - from the inside out. In this episode you'll discover what meditation is, why it is important and be guided through a very simple breathing technique to show you how to meditate.

Nothing changes if nothing changes. I know that this sounds like a really simple no-brainer kind of statement. And you are probably nodding in agreement as you read it, thinking that makes sense. But really, honestly stop and pause on it for a minute. Read it again, slowly. Really reflect on what it is saying. Because if change in our life starts with us changing, with us thinking or feeling or acting differently, and if nothing changes, then nothing changes... what does that actually mean for you in your life right now?

One of the most powerful ways to find peace and be ok with where you are at right now, is to learn about what we like to call The Big Guns. The starting point for all change, requires awareness. Without awareness, nothing can change. But once we have awareness, there are three key steps (The Big Guns) that we need to move through to truly learn how to meet ourselves where we are at. In this episode, Fiona will share the life changing acceptance, forgiveness and gratitude with you, and help you understand how to apply them to your life, right where you are, right now. Because where you are is where you are now, and where you are now, is perfect.

In today's episode of the podcast, you'll get to hear from human behavioural specialist and founder of The Demartini Institute, Dr John Demartini. Having authored over 50 books (and counting), over the last 40 years he has worked across the globe assisting and guiding individuals and groups to greater levels of achievement, fulfillment, and empowerment in all areas of their lives. We cover a huge amount of ground in this episode, and you'll have many opportunities to reflect on how your life is demonstrating your values - and gain some key insights into how you can make your life your masterpiece. Some of the things we discuss, include: Determining your values and hierarchy of values Making decisions and priorities based on your values The Values Determination Process How money circulates in the economy Determining the difference between assets and consumables that depreciate in value The seven different types of wealth Self-depreciation as a feedback system Why the mind is our greatest treasure Prioritising action and prioritising perception Setting goals to master each of the areas of our lives Delegation Uncovering your creative genius Taking on challenges that inspire you The principle of reflection How being too proud or too humble prevents us from knowing and loving ourselves and others Creating sustainable fair exchange in everything Contrast and perception The power of reading and how to choose what to read Visualisation to activate priorities Getting clear on what you want, setting goals and being open to opportunities Your life as a masterpiece Measuring and tracking your achievements Why we need a vital and enthusiastic energy Habits and routines How having a true north reduces volatility in life Keeping a gratitude record to document opportunities Giving yourself permission to acknowledge what you set out and did May you know yourself, and may you be yourself.

Discover what a Major Definite Purpose - or a Chief Aim - for your life is, and learn how to create one for yourself. Deciding on your Major Definite Purpose, being clear about what you desire and what you are prepared to exchange for what you desire, writing it down and reading it every day will begin to reprogram your subconscious mind. This episode was inspired by Napoleon Hill and his book Think and Grow Rich, and shares the steps to create your own, discussing examples that you can base yours on, including Fiona's and Bruce Lee's.

In this episode of the podcast, you will learn an amazing little strategy to help you improve your relationships, become more aware of your belief systems, thought processes and emotions and to help you move from a space of reacting to the world, to beginning to respond. To be in the drivers seat of your life. Practicing being Teflon creates an opening to start to see yourself, the world and other people in a different way, it creates the space for more understanding and allows for improved communication - within yourself and with others.

Journalling is the practice of downloading your thoughts and feelings around a particular event, person or situation, with a desire to understand and make sense of the chaos and the jumble. Journalling is like having a deeply private conversation with your innermost thoughts and feelings, and is a process to tap into your innate wisdom. In this episode I address the common challenges when it comes to journalling (I don't know what to say, what if someone reads it?) and how you can start your very own practice. Plus how journalling and meditation work together. I swear by journalling in my own life and it is one of the first and core practices that I teach my clients and students. Journalling ALWAYS feels awkward at the start, but as you commit to it, and allow yourself to just let go and trust and embrace the process, you will begin to experience the benefits and results of this life changing practice. 

On January 21st 2013, I decided to stop drinking. It was a decision a few months in the making, so by the time I made it, it was actually quite a relief. I share my story and experience with everyone: I am very open about the fact that I don’t drink, I am not ashamed of it, I don’t need to justify it, but if people do ask, I let them know why. And basically it was this - drinking was just not working out for me anymore. And as a result I have had some very personal exchanges with my friends about their drinking habits as well. With no judgement on either side. It has been wonderful and enlightening and life affirming. And over the years, I've coached dozens and dozens of other people through reassessing their relationship with alcohol too. As I have come to understand, the thing is never the thing. Drinking is not the thing. It is what it is hiding, covering up, what we are avoiding through the drinking. That is what we need to be able to look at. But we can't do it while we are drinking. I know that problem drinking does not discriminate, certainly not by age, not by gender, not by income and not by relationship or parental status. So I know that my experiences with drinking are in no way unique. Way back in 2013, I decided to go public with my story because I think that as a society we love the idea of drinking (as long as we don’t have a “problem”) but we are very quick to make people feel ashamed and not provide them with the support they need if they allude to or admit to perhaps having said “problem”. At no point along this path have I referred to myself as an alcoholic. Labels can be very dangerous things. I like to think of myself as a drinker who is not very good at moderation. I don’t beat myself up about this. I don’t feel bad about it. I just accept it. A lot of us are drinking way too much and way too often. For many of us, it is a coping mechanism. But it is not healthy, it is not good for us, it is costing us as individuals and as a society. Our culture is completely saturated with alcohol – we use it to celebrate, to grieve, to commiserate, to reward, to self-medicate, to relieve stress, to pass the time, when we are bored, when we are happy, when we are sad, when we are angry… whatever the reason, alcohol is generally part of the equation. Throughout my drinking career I had periods of minimal to moderate consumption, through to pretty heavy drinking. I was always a good binge drinker though, and my life was punctuated with extended periods of binging every Saturday night and many weekend benders. I can’t remember when I first started feeling that my drinking was becoming problematic. But there were a number of events and understandings that really started to highlight some of the problems to me. I was very unhappy. I felt unfit and unhealthy. I was concerned about the kind of example I was being to my kids. I suffered anxiety. I felt depressed. I didn’t have much patience. I was angry a lot of the time. I was negative and felt like the world was against me. I felt like a bad mother. There was one distinct moment (well, actually there were several, but this was the clincher) when I knew that something really had to change. It was when I realised that I was starting to look at the clock at 4pm and wonder when I could have a drink. With an absolute thirst for a wine. Even though I'd woken up that morning with a shocking hangover and an absolute resolution that I was not, I repeat not, going to drink today. And I know I am not alone in this. And this is why I share my story. The last several years have been the most intense, challenging, enriching, rewarding, difficult, enlightening, confrontational, joyous and scary periods in my life. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. I knew from past experience of trying to cut down or cut out alcohol that it was a pretty difficult task. So I started doing some research about how