Tiny Bites of Wagaliciousness

Do you find it hard to apologize? Many people do, and yet a simple, sincere apology is one of the best ways to get along with people. Stuff happens every day, and sometimes a mistake one person makes causes problems in the life of another person. Fender-benders are a great example – not a huge problem because nobody got hurt, but an inconvenience having to deal with getting a police report, getting the insurance paperwork done, and getting the damage fixed. In a situation like that, instead of a civilized conversation, it’s more common that a confrontation happens as one driver gets out of the car, surveys the damage, and proceeds to treat the other driver like they caused the accident on purpose. When the at-fault driver can choose to respond calmly, with a sincere apology and desire to make things right, very often the conversation calms down. Think about times in your life where a simple apology would have eased a tough situation. And next time you are in a position where you’re a little bit at fault, or maybe even a lot, remember the power of a simple apology. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Do you love to read? As a child I devoured books – Mom loved to read and set a great example for me. Even if you’re not a voracious reader, you’ve probably read a book or two in your life, right? The story spins, page by page, until all the threads combine to create a lovely tapestry. Want to feel more in charge of your life and less anxious about things that aren’t as you want them to be? Use your imagination. Your life is the book… the seasons of your life are the chapters…each day is a page. The only way to read the book is to turn the pages. That’s what’s meant by “enjoy the journey”…savor each day, knowing it’s part of the magnificent book of you. And when you’re on a page that doesn’t feel good, remember that just like in those books you’ve read, the story can be completely different with just the turn of a page. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Does your workplace bring out the softness in you or the survival in you? Think about it – when you step through the doors in the morning, are you feeling optimistic or defensive? Do you look for cooperation or cut-throats? These are extremes, and it’s still a good mental exercise to do every few months. Think about who you are at work – is it who you want to be? Are you learning and growing, and feeling useful and appreciated? Can you see a career path? Or are you feeling a bit stagnant, maybe caught in a political whirlpool, and often at odds with those around you? Does your workplace make you feel comfortable and safe, or in a state of conflict and self-protection? Jobs aren’t forever, and if yours doesn’t feel the way you want it to feel, you don’t have to stay. Explore your options – if you have a pulse and are taking some breaths, you always have options. Look for a situation that brings out your softness, not your survival mode. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Do you have a life partner? Do you love them? Do you give them the benefit of the doubt, and do you look for the best aspects of them, appreciating them out loud now and then? That’s one of the best ways to keep love alive and thriving, and most people get it right most of the time. By assuming the best intentions instead of the worst, by appreciating their strengths instead of focusing on their weaknesses, and by reminding them how special they are to you, you show them how well you love them. Do you love yourself as well as you love your partner? Do you kick yourself for not knowing how to do something perfectly the first time? Do you focus on your weaknesses and where you made a misstep? Does that little voice inside your head remind you of every time you got it wrong instead of cheering when you get it right? How would your partner feel if you talked to them the same way the voice inside your head talks to you? Yeah – that’s how you feel, too. Next time that voice inside your head says something you’d never say to someone you love, remember to love yourself well enough to tell it to shut up. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Where are you headed in your life? Are you hoping for a fairy-tale relationship, or a dream house, or a career where you’re of service and completely satisfied? Do you think that once you have those things you want in your life, you’ll finally be happy? News flash - life doesn’t lead to a destination. Life is the destination. You create the journey, you set the goals you want to achieve, and you choose the path to them. Along the way, you’ll have collaborators in your story, some who will help you and some who will feel like they’re nothing but an annoying obstacle. You may have a fairy-tale relationship with someone who turns out to be an annoying obstacle, and yet the fairy-tale was there for a while. Trust that you learned from that one and will find an even better fairy-tale next time. Your first house is rarely your dream house – trust that the next one will come closer. And know that you serve people through the example you set for them and the compassion you show to them – you don’t need a perfect career to serve people. There is no destination – life is the destination, so go out there and have fun in it! Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Do you know you are the boss of your life? No one else has lived your experiences. No one else has learned what you know. No one can see you the way you see you. No one can know what’s right for you the way you know what’s right for you. And yet so many of us allow others to decide how we’ll behave, how we should feel about things like religion, politics, and even our own selves. We look to our spouses or friends or bosses or peers to see how they’re doing things, feeling about things, and what they’re saying about things. The drive to conform is a normal human feeling, and yet when you value conformity over what you really feel, deep inside, you gut your own sense of self-worth and self-mastery. You are the boss of your life. Remember that the next time you are tempted to “go along to get along.” Go your own way. It’s so much more fulfilling! Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Think back to when you were a child – did you love to feel free? Adventurous? Like you were creating the story and starring in it at the same time? Most people can say “yes” to all those questions. At some point you felt free. At some point you loved the adventure of what you were doing. At some point your wonderful imagination transported you from where your physical body was into a fanciful place where you ruled as the benevolent prince or princess. Now think about your life now – do you feel as free, adventurous, and in charge of your life as you want to feel? I hope you can answer “yes” and it’s OK if you can’t. Most of us don’t feel those feelings as much as we’d like, and yet most of us forget to use our wonderful imaginations to transport us to those feelings. Instead, we wait for the weekend, or for vacation, or for when we hit the lottery to give ourselves permission to feel free, frivolous, and fun. We go along to get along. We try not to rock the boat. We try to blend in. We aren’t here to blend in, we’re here to experience our lives fully. If you long to feel free, adventurous, and maybe even a little magical, think about how you can create that in your life today. You’re in charge of your feelings – shape them as you want them to be and watch your life conform. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Are you a responder or a thinker? Think carefully – don’t respond right away. And that’s kind of the point of this Tiny Bite. ;) Most people simply respond to the world around them. If something happens they don’t like, they respond negatively. If something happens they do like, they respond positively. Sounds pretty normal, right? Here’s the pitfall – when all you’re doing is responding to what’s going on around you, you’re not in charge of your life or your feelings. When you choose to think before you respond, you exert control over those responses. For example, let’s say you keep getting caught at red lights and feel like steam is about to come out of your ears. Instead of blowing your top, shift your attention – look at what’s around you for things that are beautiful, interesting, or funny. Find small details you’ve never noticed before that you have time to look for now that you’re stopped at the light. I guarantee that when you arrive at your destination, you’ll be in a much better mood when you focus on the details instead of on the inconvenience of the red lights. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Are you feeling burned out at work lately? Burnout usually happens when your work hours are long and you’re in a high-stress position. According to the World Health Organization, symptoms of burnout are chronic low energy levels, feelings of distance or negativity about your job, and a feeling of cynicism about the difference you make through the work you do. Burnout has far more to do with your own mental outlook than it does with your working conditions, and while that might sound accusatory, I want you to feel your own power in conquering burnout. Using just a few simple wellbeing tools each day, you have the power to banish burnout and regain your passion for your work. Put these three tools to work for you each day: quiet your mind for 15 minutes every day, ideally at the start of your day; call a mentor or friend each day to just touch base or ask for advice; shift your mental focus from the deficiencies of your team members to their strengths. When you can incorporate these three wellbeing tools to your day successfully, you’ll be astonished at how much better and more positive you’ll feel about the work you’re doing. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Is there a bully in your midst? Sadly, bullying in the workplace is as common as bullying in elementary, junior, and high school. Is it because no one ever taught the bullies how to better manage their own low self-esteem issues? Perhaps. Is it because no one they bullied ever fought back? Perhaps. Is it because whoever manages the bully in your workplace was bullied as a child themselves and doesn’t know how to manage the current bully any better than they managed their childhood one? Perhaps. In the workplace, bullying tactics like verbal abuse, intimidation, and exclusion affect not only the targeted person, they also affect the entire team. If you’re a team lead, be sure your company has policies in place to address workplace bullying quickly, and make sure that everyone on the team knows you’re on it. As a leader, it’s up to you to address the bully quickly and effectively. Be direct and let the bully know that the behavior you’ve seen or heard about is not appropriate and you won’t tolerate it going forward. If they deny doing anything, don’t agree or disagree, simply repeat that you won’t tolerate that kind of behavior on your team. The ball is in the bully’s court – either they get ship-shape or you need to ship them out for the success and wellbeing of the rest of your team. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Do you know or work with someone who seems to have a negative perception of themselves? Maybe they avoid social situations and activities, keep their eyes and sometimes even their head down, and might mumble when responding to questions or requests for input? Those are classic signs of someone with low self-esteem. They’re not anti-social – as a matter of fact, they often crave social interaction and don’t know how to ask to be included, or may feel unworthy of being included. You can help that person blossom, and it’s generally easier than you think: ask for their input, be genuinely interested in the answer, and appreciate their input out loud. Include them in lunch plans. Bring them a cup of coffee or their favorite beverage now and then. If you think you might have low self-esteem, know that you can raise your own self-esteem by internally arguing with the negative voices in your head, volunteering for a cause you believe strongly in, and by making a list of the things you’re really good at and reviewing and adding to that list each day. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

When I was a kid, I’d often ask Dad what he was doing. “Wrestling alligators” was often his answer. Of course we didn’t keep a pit of alligators around, just waiting for him to be ready to wrestle – it was his light-hearted way of beginning an explanation. Usually I ended up learning something about soldering or tinkering with a car engine or trouble-shooting a plumbing problem. When you’re figuratively wrestling alligators at work, especially if you’re a team leader, a light-hearted response to a question is a good way to open up communication, inviting questions. Like wrestling actual alligators, some people have a very hard time asking how to do something. Maybe they feel like they should already know, or maybe they don’t like to admit they don’t know something. When you can set a light tone at the beginning of a teaching moment, you make it easier for others to take risks in order to achieve success. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

When you were 10, what was your dream for your life? How about when you were 18, and 25? How have those dreams worked out for you, or have you morphed them into new dreams? Our dreams usually change as we learn more about what the reality will be when we achieve them. When I was 7, I wanted to be a nurse. Then I learned what nurses do, and I still loved nurses and decided I didn’t want to be one. When you are today years old, what is your dream? Seriously – what is your dream for your life? If you have to stop and think about it, then please let yourself dream. It’s easy, once we become adults with adult responsibilities, to forget to dream about what we want from life. Find a few minutes each day to think about your life and your wishes for it to grow and change. Treat your dreams like a delicious dessert – savor them in the privacy of your mind, thinking about them as if they’ve already happened for you. Live inside your dream for a few minutes each day, trying to smell the aromas, hear the sounds, touch the objects – treat them all as if they’re real. Let your dreams dance and morph and change as they need to so they feel perfectly real and perfectly delightful. Treat yourself to your dreams again, and let them be the movie of your life. Want more? Click heref or a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

I was tagged in a FB post the other day – it was about the power of words and was vaguely magical. It said, “Words cast spells – that’s why it’s called spelling.” The meme made me laugh, and it also got me thinking about the power of words. They can sometimes feel magical and like you’re casting a spell with them. The magic works both ways, though – it can be beneficial or quite harmful, depending on the words you use, or sometimes just on your tone of voice. When you say “thank you” to me and I respond with a nonchalant “no problem” I’ve just dismissed your gratitude. You might think twice before ever thanking me again. If I’d responded with “it was truly my pleasure” or “you are most welcome – glad I could help you” it probably would feel better to you, right? Before you say something the way you usually say it, think about the words – are they casting the kind of spell on the other person you want them to? If not, think of the words you could say that would make the person feel the way you want them to feel. Words cast spells – use them intentionally. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Do you work in a space that feels confining to you? Let me share a story from many years ago. I worked in an 8 foot by 8 foot room that was stuffed with racks on two walls, making the room effectively 7 by 7 feet square. Now add equipment that sat in built-in cabinets on the other two walls, taking up three feet on each side. Now my workspace was 4 feet by 4 feet. Wait – there was a diagonal cabinet cutting that space in half, so now I’ve got a triangle that my rolling chair barely fits in and a door that opens outward behind me. That space was confining, for sure! If you work in a space where you feel like you barely have room to breathe, maybe what my boss shared with me way back then will work for you now, too – your brain has no boundaries. Your thoughts have no boundaries. Your ideas have no boundaries. Your imagination has no boundaries. When you’re tempted to be irritated with the tight space, unleash your thoughts on something more fun. It will help you cope with the feeling of confinement, I promise! Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

When you’re faced with doing something you’ve never done before, does it make you nervous? Anxious? Frightened? Or intrigued? Anticipatory? Excited? It’s pretty common to dip into the less-happy emotions when trying something new, and it’s good to get your thoughts worked around to a more-happy state of mind before you actually begin. Think back to when you were learning things as a child – everything was new, so more things felt like adventures. As you got older and had more people telling you to be cautious or careful or spouting all the scenarios that would end in some sort of failure for you, it became harder to find the adventure in new things. It’s not impossible, though – next time you find yourself faced with doing something for the first time, turn off the grown-ups inside your head who are cautioning you. Try to find your 8-year-old self and let them take a look at what the two of you are about to do. Put the adventure back in learning new things and tell the grown-ups in your head to take a seat in the time-out chair! Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Would you like more self-confidence? Here’s an exercise I suggest you to do every day. Yes, every day. You can do it while you’re brushing your teeth, because it’s just that easy. The reason I want you to pair this new daily exercise with one you already do each day is because that’s the easiest way to create a new habit – pair it with one you’ve had for years. While you’re brushing your teeth, say the first two words I’m giving you and then fill in the blank with as many good words as you can honestly say about yourself: “I am ____.” When you first start doing this, it could be tough for you to find words of appreciation about yourself that you can say without feeling like a fraud – trust me when I tell you this exercise will get easier each day you do it. Not only will it get easier, your self-confidence will get stronger, too. Most of us spend a lot of time disapproving of ourselves, beating ourselves up, and generally tearing ourselves down in subtle ways. In this exercise, you will be intentionally building yourself back up again. Keep it positive, keep it honest, and do it daily. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Let’s talk about your body…how do you feel about it? OK, so we’ll talk about how most people feel about their bodies. Yuk. Right? I remember being a child, reading a Nancy Drew mystery where one of the characters was described as having “knobby knees.” Before that I had never judged my knees – that day, when I looked at them in the mirror, they looked knobby and I disapproved of them. I also disapproved of my short neck, funny-looking feet, and a myriad of other details about my body. It never occurred to me to appreciate the mechanical miracle that my knees represent, and the wonderful functionality of my neck. How do you feel about your body, and where did those feelings come from? Chances are, you were perfectly fine about your body until you heard someone else being judgemental about your body or their body or a complete stranger’s body. Let’s make a deal – let’s stop judging our looks and start appreciating the functionality of these vessels we inhabit. The wrinkles, folds, jiggles, and all the other perceived imperfections are just decorations on an amazing piece of machinery that we get to drive around for our whole lives. Practice appreciating your body instead! Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Do you think you’re stubborn, even just a little bit? When you want to do something and someone tells you “no” how do you feel? If you are like me, there’s a bit of a stubborn streak in you. Being stubborn is one of those mixed blessings – on one hand, it can be annoying to those around you and can cause you to make less-than-optimal choices because you stubbornly want to be right. When “stubborn” causes you to hold fast to an idea or plan you know isn’t the best, but you continue to push it because it’s yours, that’s not a good use of stubborn. When stubborn is channeled correctly, it’s an essential part of being a good leader. You have to have the confidence in yourself, your knowledge, and your plan to lead a team, so “stubborn” in the face of doubt from your team can get them to go where you know they need to go. Temper that stubbornness with a big dose of sharing your vision, teaching new skills, and sharing your confidence in the team, and they’ll follow your “stubborn” to victory, and tell everyone what a great leader you are. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Do you indulge in regrets? And “indulge” was an intentional word there, so you probably already see where this is going, right? Spending time ruminating over the past, maybe wishing you’d done things differently or better or not at all is indulgent – it’s you spending your time making a mental movie about something you can literally do nothing about. You made the choices you made, whatever they were. You handled things however you did. Things worked out however they worked out, and you probably learned something from those experiences. It’s all part of living life – we’re supposed to try things, decide if we liked the outcome, and then try more things. When you spend your precious time – the one thing you have access to that you can NEVER get back – when you spend your precious time indulging in regrets, you’re cheating yourself of growth and new experiences you could be having. Skip those indulgent movies – create dreams instead. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Do you have a friend that you think has it all together? When you look at her life, she seems to have everything you want and more? Beware the tendency to compare your life to anyone else’s. It’s very common for humans to measure where they are in life against where someone similar is – their car is better, their house is better, their partner is better – and yet you’re using a flawed yardstick. There’s no way you can possibly know what their life is like. People can be very good at painting a picture of a great life, when it’s really not so great. They’re two months behind on car payments, they can’t afford to get the HVAC fixed right now, and when no one’s around, the two of them fight like Taylor Swift and Kanye West. The only yardstick you can reliably measure yourself against is who you were yesterday, who you are today, and who you want to be tomorrow. When you resist the temptation to compare yourself and your life to others, you eliminate a lot of stress and uncertainty from your life. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

If I asked you to tell me about yourself, what would you say? Would you tell me the roles you play in other peoples’ lives? Would you tell me where you were born or grew up? Maybe you’d tell me the school you graduated from. What else would you tell me? Would you tell me what you’re really good at doing? Would you tell me what you love to do for fun? Maybe, if I prompted you just a little bit, you might even tell me what you dream of doing someday. We get so used to seeing ourselves as what we do for a living, as what we do for the people we serve, that we forget about the picture of our gifts, values, hopes and dreams. What do you think other people would say about you if I asked them to tell me about you? I would hear what you’re so good at you make it look easy. I would hear about how you inspire them and uplift them. Some people would tell me that they look up to you and admire you. If you saw yourself the way others see you, you’d truly understand just how wonderful you are. Want more? Click heref or a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

If you’ve ever been online, you’re probably familiar with the term “influencer.” In the social media space, an influencer is someone who is generally attractive, outgoing, online a lot, sometimes showcasing their experiences with specific products and services. If they’re a really good influencer, they make a living from the makers of those products and services. Even if you’re not that kind of influencer, you’re still an influencer. According to the National Society of Leadership and Success, you influence between two and three people each day during your lifetime. You may not intend to, and you may not even know you’re doing it. And yet, you are – you’re showing up in a way that they notice, and maybe try to emulate. Each morning when you wake up, think about those people you’ll influence that day, and really rise and shine. There are people who need the example you set. They’re looking for you, for your heart, your example, your leadership. Give it to them, you influencer, you! Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job"  #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Are you raising a family? Are you chasing that unicorn called work-life balance? Do you feel pulled in too many directions, and find yourself choosing to meet everyone else’s needs but yours? Stop. This is the time for you to prioritize your needs, your children’s needs, and your job’s needs. Yes, all are important. And yes, you can create a schedule that meets most of those needs most of the time, and that’s all it takes for you to feel balanced and more in control of your life. When there are children in the mix, remember that they lack the ability to reason like an adult, and they won’t have that ability until they are an adult. Think about prioritizing their emotional needs as you’re creating your more balanced schedule. If they go to bed most nights while you’re still working late, they’re missing your positive influence on them. Maybe in the quest for work-life balance, their needs might get to outweigh work needs at least some of the time. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" # veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Have you been this way, too? A mistake I made throughout my marriage was thinking I needed to keep the peace. I would try to talk about something, be met with defensiveness or dismissiveness, and unless it was something I felt very strongly about, I’d drop it. Each time I chose to let the wasband get away with dismissing my input, I disrespected myself and my feelings. I also ensured that what I saw as a problem wouldn’t be fixed. Don’t be like me – peace is important, and so is your mental wellbeing. Romantic, friendship, and co-worker relationships worth having need to have open curtains and open windows, letting sunshine and fresh air in. When you allow emotional doors to shut instead of having an honest, open conversation, you’re not keeping the peace, you’re gutting your own self-esteem as well as the depth and potential for growth of the relationship. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job"  #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Is it easy or hard for you to support the dreams of others? Think carefully, because one of the most common human behaviors is to hear someone’s dreams or plans and tell them why they won’t work. You care about them and don’t want to see them fail. Now does that sound like you? Here’s why you might want to squelch that well-meaning negativity and support them in their dreams:, because dreams can and do come true all the time. Steve Jobs dreamed of putting a computer in the hands of everyday people in 1977 when he and Steve Wozniak founded Apple. Meghan Trainor knew by the age of 7 that she would be a successful recording artist. CVS CEO Karen Lynch, widely regarded as one of the most influential businesswomen in the world, blazed her path to help those with physical and mental health problems, after losing her mom and aunt at an early age. Before you do the “common” thing and throw wet-blanket words on someone’s dream, consider this: what if they succeed? Want more? Click heref or a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job"  #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Have you had your heart broken? Most of us have, and it’s not a fun feeling, right? I remember crying so hard after the love of my life left me that I thought all the moisture in my body was going to come out through my eyes if I didn’t find a way to stop. Been there too? When the waterworks stop, we generally go through phases of blame, phases of shame, and sometimes even beating up on ourselves. It’s easy to misunderstand where the problem really lies: you loved, and they didn’t. You did the good thing and they didn’t. Don’t fall into the very human trap of kicking yourself over the loss of the relationship, because that’s not a useful or healthy response to the loss. Being able to open yourself to love is a vulnerable, admirable attribute, and when you’re ready, being willing to do it again is even better, because now you know more clearly the kind of person you want to be with. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job"  #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

There is belief, and there is faith, and there is knowing. What’s the difference? The differences are subtle, for sure, and the lines blur from one word to the other to the other. Belief is something you think is true because of your own past experience. Faith is something you believe is true because of a desire for it to be true, coupled with a shared expression of your faith, and it can be about anything, not just religion. Knowing is the hard-and-fast reality of something that you’ve experienced over and over, so you can count on the truth of it. I believe when I turn the oven on it will get hot. I have faith that the packet of yeast will make the bread light and tender. I know that if I try to take the bread pans out of the oven without potholders, I will burn my fingers. That’s a very superficial example – today, take five minutes, pick a deeper subject, and play with what you believe, what you take on faith, and what you know. Do that daily – it’s actually a very interesting exercise. When you take the time to sort out your feelings on different topics, it helps you sort out your own priorities in life. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job"  #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Do you ever have days when you feel limited by life’s circumstances? Like all the light has gone out of you, and you’re just a smoldering wick? You haven’t lost your light, it’s just misplaced for the moment. You can shine, no matter what your personal circumstances. If you’re feeling limited by your physical body, you can still shine – look at Stephen Hawking, the physically paralyzed, mentally acrobatic physicist and author. If you’re feeling limited by your educational level, you can still shine – look at Oprah Winfrey, one of the world’s most famous and influential women, who finished her college degree long after becoming a household name. If you’re feeling limited by your finances, you can still shine – look at Mother Theresa, a nun with a vow of poverty and a Nobel Peace Prize. All these people faced challenges, used them to grow, and have used their lives to better the lives of others. All these people undoubtedly had lack-luster days, too, and yet they managed to move through them and soar. You can, too. C’mon…show me your shine! Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" # veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Are you a caretaker of things and people? Is that who you are, deep down? Does it fill you up when you’re able to help someone? Do you get puddles in your eyes when you can offer advice that a person needs to hear and truly appreciates? Do you look for the best in people? If you said “yes” to some or all of these, then you lead with love, and those who lead with love are leaders by example. You don’t usually think of yourself as a leader, and yet you are. It’s not all sunshine and daisies, because those who lead with love can be taken advantage of and even ridiculed by those who don’t. While it’s easy to get caught up in the drama being stirred by someone else, remember that their bad behavior is about them, not about you. Ignore them – keep being the one who smooths things over instead of stirring the pot. Keep leading with love – the world needs a lot more people like you! Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job"  #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

What do you do every day that feeds your soul? And what the heck is “feeding your soul” and why is it so important? There’s not a scientific definition for soul-feeding, though research does show that finding a way to distract yourself from problems is very beneficial to mental wellbeing. So what is feeding your soul? It could be anything – meditation, going for a run, talking with someone important to you, or volunteering for a cause dear to your heart. Almost anything has the potential to feed your soul, with this caveat: it will feed your soul when you let it. A daily habit that feeds your soul is the easiest way to give yourself a boost of serotonin and dopamine, lowering your stress and enhancing your mental wellbeing. How can you find something that feeds your soul? Think of the special things you do for others – do them for yourself, too. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job"  #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

When was the last time you felt joy? Excitement? Anticipation? Trepidation? Irritation? Fear? Depending on which research study you believe, humans have either 8 or 27 or 34,000 different emotions. If you think about the many different ways you have felt in your life, you realize that counting them doesn’t matter – feeling them does. It’s not possible to be deliriously happy 100% of the time, and it wouldn’t even feel that good after a while. What is happy if you don’t have sad to compare it to? Try not to get caught in the trap of judging your feelings and then judging yourself for the quality of those feelings – instead, feel them, figure out why you feel the way you do, and decide if you want to keep feeling that way. We’re supposed to feel and then learn from our feelings. You’re a walking emotional textbook – don’t forget to read the book now and then. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job"  #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Are you at odds with someone, and maybe thoughts of the situation are swirling in your head? Maybe it’s someone who wronged you, maybe it’s someone who’s not upholding their end of an agreement, maybe it’s someone you interact with a lot that just irritates the life out of you. Whatever the case is, you’re having a mini-meltdown about them inside your head. If you’re like most people, you know about 600 people, and have about 12 in-person social interactions with different people daily. When you ruminate, fixate, and obsess over problems you may have with one person, can you see how out-of-proportion that reaction is? With so many other people in your circle, can you find someone else to turn your focus to? When you can make your brain stop focusing on the one irritating person and start focusing on the myriad of delightful others, you create a better life for yourself right then and there. Try it – it works! Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job"  #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Do you know someone who complains a lot? Maybe you? People complain for a lot of reasons – to feel like they’re solving a problem by shining a light on it, to commiserate about a shared condition, and of course, the chronic complainers, who have complained so often for so long that they’ve literally re-wired their brain into a full-service complaint department. Complaining isn’t in your DNA. It’s not part of the human psyche, it’s learned behavior. That means that if you hear yourself complaining more often than you want, you and you alone can fix it. When you make a choice to complain, you can make another choice to keep those lips together when your brain is trying to spit negativity out into the world. Whether it’s venting, complaining, or chronic complaining, it’s destructive behavior for any kind of relationship. If you’re the complainer, clam up and choose a more positive way to view what you were just about to vent about. If you live or work with a chronic complainer, gently offer them alternative ways to look at whatever is upsetting them. Want more? Click heref or a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job"  #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Are you more open-minded or closed-minded? Most people are pretty open-minded…right up until they aren’t. For instance, I’m live and let live about politics and religion and who people love, and don’t get me started on the people who think my dogs should have the same rights as humans have. That’s where I have to remind myself that everyone is entitled to their opinions. That’s a good strategy for you, too, when you start to feel the big steel doors in your brain clang shut on your hot-button topic. The most satisfied people are the ones who are open-minded on every – or nearly – every topic. They don’t preach what they believe to others, trying to convince them how wrong they are. They don’t end friendships over a disagreement on a topic, and they don’t cut themselves off from learning more about a topic in order to understand it. Before you start to defend your position, stop and remember – the other person believes they’re right, too. Is argumentative really how you want to show up in the world?   Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Some of the worst advice given to teens who are trying to decide about a career path is to research what the global marketplace needs. Does the marketplace need salespeople? Then they need to focus on sales. Does the marketplace need accountants? Then they need to get a degree in accounting. Does it look like more lawyers will be needed in the next decade? Then they need to study law. What about what they need? Far better advice would be to ask them what makes their heart come alive. What piques their curiosity? What feels like the right path to them? When someone is pursuing a career in something they truly love, they are 100% enthusiastic about the work they’re doing – so enthusiastic about it that it doesn’t feel like work. It makes them feel alive, and what the world really needs is more people living their passions. PS – that includes you, too, if you’re not living your passion right now. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Do you run and hide when you’re about to cry? When you get mad, do you suck it up it and seethe inside when you’d rather let your anger fly? Listen, this used to be me, too – I’d do anything not to cry in front of people, and perfected the fine art of a placid face when someone ticked me off. I can promise you – that’s not the best way to deal with your emotions. When you bottle them up, it’s bad for your body. Emotions that are bottled up actually increase in intensity, pumping more adrenaline and cortisol into your bloodstream. Protect the health of your body while protecting your mental wellbeing – let ‘em out. If someone makes you cry, let them see the tears. If someone disrespects you, let them hear it. Your emotions are part of who you are, so hiding them hides the real you behind a façade. When you’re not being authentic, people don’t trust you because they know you’re not being real. Cry and rage if you need to, and then move on. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

When you’re in conversation with someone and they get something factually wrong, do you correct them? Here are three reasons you might not want to do that. You know how it feels when someone corrects you? Yeah – it feels like that to others, too. It’s not your job to make sure everyone is on the same page as you unless you are the other person’s supervisor. Even then, correct carefully – maybe something like, “hmmm…I’ve always thought it was (insert your version here). Would you mind looking that up for us so we’ll both know?” What if they’re right and you’re wrong? A lot of what we believe is true is simply something we’ve thought often or for a long time. I’m always surprised when, at my experienced age, something I’ve believed for decades turns out not to be true. It could be that way with you, too. Let other people be wrong, as long as it doesn't put people or animals in danger. You’ll feel better when you’re not trying to be the professor to the entire world. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Do you take your responsibilities seriously? Are you someone who drives yourself to do everything you see that needs doing, whether it’s yours to do or not? Stop. The success of every person in your office doesn’t rely only on you, and when you pick up the slack for others, you deprive them of the chance to learn and grow. In a work situation, when you get outside your lane, people can get defensive, and defensiveness can be very tough to defuse. Try not to let it get started in the first place – you do you, you do what’s yours, and offer to help if you see someone struggling, but don’t insist. When you excel at what you do and allow others to do the same, you foster an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual support. Take your responsibilities seriously, and let others do the same with theirs. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Do you often feel stressed? This Tiny Bite is for you, though you may not like it very much. Please don’t let it stress you out when I tell you that most of the stress you feel isn’t because of what is happening around you – it’s because of how you’re reacting to what’s happening around you. Let me say that again…your stress isn’t caused by what’s happening around you, it’s caused by how you’re reacting to what’s happening. When you realize that, you have the one tool you need to reduce your stress – change the way you’re looking at the thing you’re stressing about. For instance, when I’m running late and driving, it’s very easy for me to get irritated at the slow driver in front of me, the red lights and the dern train that seems to be two miles long. You, too? Instead, focus on taking three deep breaths and looking around for something that’s either beautiful or makes you laugh. Focus on something other than your tardy arrival – something that will lift your mood instead of intensifying it – and feel your stress melt away. Oh, and when you get there, don’t apologize – instead, thank them for waiting for you. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Are you someone that people might see as quiet? In a group, do you do more listening than talking most of the time? Do you feel like people overlook you because of your silence? That’s common – don’t take it personally and don’t get your feelings hurt by it. Know this – when people assume that you’re uninteresting or – gasp! – even boring, it’s their loss. There are tons of truths about quiet people – “still waters run deep” and “quiet people have the loudest minds” and “the quieter you become the more you can hear” and of course Jane Austen’s “I was quiet, but I was not blind.” Quiet people are some of the best friends because we’re good listeners. Quiet people understand interpersonal dynamics far better than those who are always talking. Eleanor Roosevelt…Albert Einstein…Elon Musk…Bill Gates…Meryl Streep…if you’re a quiet person, you’re in very auspicious company! Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Did you know you are magical? I don’t mean Disney princess magical, or Hogwarts magical, or genie in a bottle magical, though maybe you are those kinds of magical, too. Your kind of magical is your set of superpowers. The things that come easily to you literally can’t be done by millions of people. The way your friends and family come to you for advice or soothing, or just to be close to you for a while, is evidence of your magic. Your ability to make people laugh is magical. The way you walk your talk is magical. The way you know just how to interact with dogs and children is magical. You are completely unique, and that’s pretty magical, right? When you’re feeling inadequate, like an impostor or like you haven’t accomplished a single thing that day, remember this – you have a magic that’s is uniquely you. Share your magic with the world in that magical way of yours! Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Have you recently suffered a setback? Are you having a tough time motivating yourself to get going again? It can be very hard to get moving when you’ve had a major upheaval in your life, like the loss of a relationship, the loss of a loved one, or a job loss. Yes, it hurts – that’s normal. It’s going to take some time before the hurt stops, and you can shorten that time by being intentional about keeping your life moving forward. Instead of holing up in your house, binging on chips and Instagram reels, think of something you’d like to achieve. It doesn’t have to be a big goal – just set a goal and start moving towards it. Progress is made by taking one step, then another. It doesn’t have to be perfect – give yourself permission to learn and adjust your course as you go. It won’t take long before you become more focused on the goal and the future and less focused on the pain and the setback. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

When people ask, “What’s new?” they’re usually asking about the little things in your life, not the big ones. What if the answer is something big and even a bit intimidating – what’s up with that? Big new life events, even when it’s something you’ve worked for, planned for, or dreamed of, can make you feel like you’re on shaky ground, and that’s normal. What is new is unfamiliar. What is unfamiliar can feel scary. What is scary often goes unlearned and undone, and that’s a limitation many people put on themselves. When something new is intimidating you, even just a little bit, shift your focus. What is unfamiliar is also intriguing because it means you have to stretch, learn, and grow. What feels scary is also challenging because it means you have to look yourself in the heart and double-dog-dare yourself to face your fear. Instead of letting something new pass you by because you’re uncertain, shift your focus – it’s not unfamiliar, it’s intriguing. It’s not scary, it’s challenging and an opportunity to grow. When you can make this shift, the answer to “what’s new?” is YOU! Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Think back to the last time you were at a low point in life. We all have them. What was your brain saying to you as you were living through the low point? Can you conjure up the words? Everyone’s life has low spots, tragic events, and places where they wish they’d have done something differently or better. The self-talk that focuses on those parts of life is the destructive self-talk, the kind that guts your confidence, erodes your self-esteem, and makes you feel like an imposter in your own life. If your brain dishes up highlights of your low points, remember this: everyone’s life has comebacks, victories, and places where they were the hero. The self-talk that focuses on those parts of life is the productive self-talk. When your brain starts going down the low road, use your mental stop sign and change the subject. Find and focus on a time when you made a comeback or you were someone’s hero. Focus on the best parts of your life and watch even more of those highlights show up! Want more? Click heref or a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Did you grow up concerned about your grades, anxious to be on the honor roll and dean’s list, turning in extra credit projects, and dreading having to miss school because you were sick? Would you be surprised if I told you that’s the beginnings of a control freak? OK, “freak” is pretty harsh, and please don’t take it as an insult because I’m talking about me, too. If we studied hard enough, we would get good grades. If we did extra credit and took AP classes, we’d ace the honor roll, dean’s list, and admission to the college of our choice. If we never missed a class, we never felt behind in our studies. As adults, that level of self-control can sometimes cause us to want to try to control the actions of others, too, and that’s when people might start applying “freak” and be right. It takes a lot of self-control to let go of trying to control everything. Use the same self-control you learned as a child to learn to let go of trying to control things and people that aren’t yours to control. You’ll love how freeing letting go is! Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Did someone call you “crazy” today? Yay, you! OK, did you just call me crazy for congratulating you on being called crazy? Hear me out – it’s good to stand up and stand out, because that means you stand for something. You have the courage of your ideas and beliefs, and you value them so much you want others to benefit from them too. People who are willing to share their ideas, whether they’re conforming to the current trends or not, are often called crazy by those who lack imagination and guts. Crazy is a crazy-good way to go through life, because it means you’re willing to buck a trend. You’re willing to courageously speak your mind. You’re willing to boldly be yourself in a world of people who are trying to conform to whatever the latest influencers say is “normal.” If someone called you crazy today, I congratulate you and thank you for your bold ideas and your courage. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Want to change the world? There are a lot of people who dream of making a difference, of living a purpose, and of changing the world. I have two words for you if you want to change the world: speak love. Talk to others like you value them, and listen to them with your heart, not just your ears. Talk to yourself like you value you, and nurture your needs, wants and desires as if they’re the garden that nourishes you, because they are. The simple act of sharing kind, loving words in every conversation with everyone can do more to change the world than any law, lawmaker or king can do. The wrong words can spark a war – the right words can keep it from ever starting. Listen to the words you use, and choose the kindest way to say something that you can. For instance – “I appreciate you” is much kinder than “I appreciate it” when someone does something nice for you. Speak words of love. Change the world. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Has life handed you a challenge where you feel like the victim? Stop! When you paint yourself as the victim, you are the ultimate loser. You can’t win when you’re feeling sorry for yourself, because you cut yourself off from avenues for growth and learning. Sure, you might get some sympathy, which can feel good in the moment, but here’s what ultimately happens: those who feel sorry for you will eventually get tired of watching you go through the same problems again and again. They’ll get tired of offering you help and advice, only to watch you disregard their wisdom and do the same things again. People will get tired of the drama and drift away, and that’s not what anyone wants. The moment you notice thoughts of victimhood going on inside your brain, ask yourself this question: Do I want to wallow, or do I want to grow? I hope you want to grow – if not, then I hope you have an endless supply of people willing to listen to you whine. And PS – is that how you really want to show up in the world? Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction

Have you heard the saying “good fences make good neighbors”? It’s easier to stay civil when everyone stays on their own lawn, taking care of their own stuff. In the same way, good boundaries make good relationships. Knowing what you will and won’t put up with, and being very clear and consistent with others about your desires, makes it easy for you to see when someone is violating your boundaries, plus it helps others know how to interact with you without ticking you off. Healthy boundaries are necessary for great friendships and romantic relationships, and they’re vital to your mental wellbeing. You are the only person who knows how something makes you feel, so being open and clear to your co-workers, friends and family is a kindness you give to them and to you. Yes, some people will get upset when you set boundaries, some people will try to talk you out of your boundaries, and some people may even exit your life when you set boundaries. Those people who don’t like your boundaries are the reasons you need to set boundaries. Create a map of your ideal life, and begin by putting your boundaries in place. Want more? Click here for a free audio course, "Happiness is an Inside Job" #veterinarian #petindustry #wellbeing #leader #lawofattraction