Happy New Year! However, you have started 2026, I invite you to first reflect whether you feel in control of it, or if January has started without you! Lots…
HOW TO REFLECT ON THE PAST YEAR
With suggestions that the amount of wrapping paper used in the UK will be enough to cover the island of Guernsey, that there will be over £700 million unwanted…
Yes to Goals, and No to Resolutions: The Key to Making Lasting Progress in 2026
Yes to Goals, and No to Resolutions in 2026 This month I have observed lots of people asking if I plan to make any New Year’s Resolutions for 2026. This…
How Strategic Slowdown Makes Leaders 40% More Efficient
It happens every Autumn … It’s that time of year again. As the clocks go back and November arrives, every leader is faced with the same challenge: how do…
LEARN FROM REGRET
Whether you are hunkering down as the weather gets colder in the Northern Hemisphere or brightening up with warm energy in the Southern part of the planet, this is…
WELCOME SEPTEMBER WITH A NEW SEASON OUTLOOK
It’s that time of year… what I call “new pencil case” season! ✏️🖊️📏 September has just begun, and it’s a typical time for new beginnings. From a new school…
EMBRACE THE COUNTER-INTUITIVE
Discover how doing less and thinking differently can be your most powerful executive advantage! In a world that constantly demands more from our brains – more speed, more focus, more…
11 QUESTIONS FOR MID-YEAR REFLECTION
02 July is the exact midpoint of the year which means that there will be 182 days remaining of 2025. It’s also the start of Christmas, well for consumer…
ARE YOU BEING A LOVER OR A LABELLER?
How have you been talking to yourself recently? If you are thinking “I don’t do that,” may I challenge that you most likely do because this is what the…
THE BRAIN’S HAPPY HORMONES: A DOSE OF DOPAMINE
Imagine your brain as a magnificent garden. Just like a garden flourishes with care and new seeds, your mind blossoms with the nourishment of learning. Engaging with new ideas…
FOCUS WITH INTENTION! THE POWER OF DEEP WORK
We live in a world filled with distractions. Notifications ping, emails pile up, and the temptation to check ‘just one more thing’ online is ever-present. Yet, the ability to…
YOU’VE GOT THIS!
Last week was the second time that I have experienced the 25th February 2025. The first time was exactly two years ago at the first ‘Act As If’ event…
FINDING YOUR PURPOSE
What gets you out of bed in the morning? Is it excitement for the day ahead, or is it the alarm clock dragging you into yet another routine that…
START STRONG: THE SCIENCE OF SETTING GOALS
Happy New Year! The beginning of the new year offers a valuable opportunity to reflect, reset, and refocus. The motivating act of setting clear and meaningful goals isn’t just…
THE BRAIN-FRIENDLY WAY TO REFLECT ON THE YEAR
As the year end approaches, it’s natural to focus on planning for the year ahead, outlining goals, and strategising for success. Before you do that though, this is also the…
HOW TO MAKE BETTER LEADERSHIP DECISIONS: REWIRE YOUR BRAIN
How Cognitive Reframing Can Improve Leadership Skills Every day, you face countless decisions as a leader. Some are straightforward, while others feel impossibly complex—the kind that keep you awake at…
THE POWER OF VISUALISATION: A BRAIN-FRIENDLY TOOL FOR GOAL ACHIEVEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
Finding tools that enhance performance at work (and at home!) without adding stress is invaluable. One such tool, often underutilised, is ‘visualisation’. Rooted in the principles of neuroscience, visualisation is…
THE POWER OF THE PAUSE: HOW TAKING TIME TO REFLECT CAN TRANSFORM YOUR LEADERSHIP AND PERFORMANCE
While leaders often feel the pressure to act quickly and decisively, some of the most effective leadership comes from taking a step back and reflecting. For example, Bill Gates…
WELLNESS IS NOT TWO WEEKS A YEAR
When the Roman’s advanced road construction, it enabled wealthy citizens to travel to their villas outside of Rome more easily and therefore, enjoy time away from the busy city…
NOT A GOAL-SETTING PROBLEM. A GOAL ACHIEVEMENT CHALLENGE.
In twenty years of professional coaching, it’s rare that I meet someone who really does not know (deep down) what they want or what they would like to accomplish…
WHAT’S YOUR THING?
Your life and work are busy. How do you switch off? What helps you to think and give your brain a break? I regularly suggest and encourage this as…
HAVE YOU GOT MORE THAN ENOUGH?
Here’s a video update from me sharing a popular Brighter Thinking strategy that this month I’m *having* to deploy. My life coaching, business coaching and executive coaching clients also…
HOW TO INCREASE SELF-BELIEF
You did not become successful by accident. There are many talents, strengths, and qualities that you possess and deploy, that have enabled you to become the wonderful person that…
CARPE DIEM: SEIZE THE DAY (MONTH!)!
Six weeks into the year, and how are you getting on? What do you think of your progress towards your priorities so far? How do you feel about keeping your…
NEW YEAR, NEW ENERGY, NEW GOALS!
Happy New Year! I hope that 2024 has begun exactly as you expected and that you are excited about the year ahead. January always contains so much potential, endless…
HOW TO REST
Reflecting on the most popular topics that my clients have brought to their executive coaching engagements this year, in addition to career goals, leadership challenges, improving communication, decision making…
HOW TO CONDUCT A BRAIN-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Performance Review: the words that can strike fear and dread for a leader, and November is the popular month for them to be scheduled (and unfortunately rescheduled!). I don’t…
SIMPLE RECIPE FOR A HAPPY, SUCCESSFUL LIFE
How about this simple recipe for a happy, successful life: Grab a pen and write down everything that’s been upsetting you for the last month or so. All the…
SURPRISE YOUR TEAM WITH THIS SKILL
Last week, faced with a fully booked Tuesday, I decided on a quick lunch consisting of an M&S* sandwich. Well, this being not just any sandwich (!), when I…
7 BOOKS TO READ ON HOLIDAY THAT WILL MAKE YOU THINK
Welcome to the Brighter Thinking Holiday Reading List, curated specifically for busy executives and leaders seeking inspiration, knowledge, and a moment of reflection. In the midst of our demanding…
EMBRACE THE UNFAMILIAR: 7 LESSONS FROM A DIGITAL NOMAD
This year, I have embarked on an incredible adventure as a digital nomad, starting in Southwestern Asia and the Balkans, where I’ve not been before. By immersing myself in…
HOW TO PLAN MORE SPONTANEITY
Spontaneity can be a wonderful way to add even more excitement and fun to your life. It’s also good for the brain: doing something new means the brain has…
ONCE UPON A TIME…
Once upon a time, there was a town called “Dittoborough”, in the charming county of Samebridgeshire, where everything and everyone seemed to be stuck in their old ways. Don’t…
7 EASY TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR BRAIN
Working in harmony with your brain will achieve increased productivity, reduced stress, and better mental well-being. Simple to implement, these brain-friendly strategies do not require any financial outlay, massive…
10 TIPS FOR HOW TO STAY MOTIVATED
Staying motivated can be a challenge, especially in February! New Year, with all its plans and hope for the coming 12 months seems an age ago. For many of…
ACT AS IF YOU ALREADY HAVE IT
A very special party was held on The Queen Mary in Long Beach, California in 1986. Those attending were under strict instructions to come as they would be in 1991,…
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO THINK ABOUT YOUR GOALS?
Here we go, get ready! It’s that time of year again. Every article, social media post and email will be expounding the importance and desirability of setting goals (or…
HOW TO STAY FOCUSED ON A TASK: 5 brain-friendly strategies that work
Executive coaching clients frequently ask me for help and tips on staying focused, whether that’s on a specific task or at work in general. With working from home, a…
WHAT IS YOUR LEADERSHIP BRAND? A fun exercise to help define it
I recently coached a client in his late thirties with a young family and who was hungry for success. He was ambitious and loved personal and professional development. He…
3 TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF SEPTEMBER (OR ANY MONTH)
With the start of the new season and the end of the year in sight, September is traditionally a time of new goals and assessing what to accomplish by…
RAISE YOUR STANDARDS AND INCREASE YOUR ENERGY
Here’s a question: when did you last challenge yourself on your expectations? August is a great month for looking back and checking in on how the year is going. …
THE TENSION BETWEEN WHO YOU ARE NOW AND WHO YOU WANT TO BE
One of the clues that signifies to me that a coaching client is ready to make changes is a palpable tension. They are uncomfortable with themselves or their current…
THE SURPRISING POWER OF ‘HELMET TIME’
Harley-Davidson, the oldest (and some might say the best) motorcycle manufacturer in the USA, started their business in a shed – similar to many businesses nowadays. And, from such…
Why Emotional Regulation is a Pivotal Leadership Skill
How good are you at regulating your emotions? Is this something you consider an essential skill? Being able to manage your emotions is a key leadership – and human…
KNOWING WHEN TO QUIT: THE UNDERESTIMATED LEADERSHIP SKILL
“You’re bored, aren’t you?” I observed. “Yes, I am. You’ve hit the nail on the head,” was the senior leader’s reply. I went on to learn that despite him…
STRUGGLING WITH A GOAL? PERHAPS, YOU NEED ANOTHER ONE!
Now is a critical time to evaluate your progress to ensure that you are heading in the right direction for 2022. How are you getting on with your daily…
TODAY IS THE DAY THAT COUNTS
Happy New Year! Are you excited about 2022? Have you, or are you going to, set goals for the coming year? Or are you going to wait and see…
WHAT HAVE CANDY FLOSS, AVIATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS GOT IN COMMON?
Today, on 7th December, it is National Cotton Candy Day in USA, or candyfloss as it is known in the UK. Yes, this European creation whose production was mechanised…
CHALLENGE YOUR THINKING AND INCREASE YOUR SELF-WORTH
Dubbed The Great Resignation or Great Reshuffle, life re-evaluations following the pandemic could create an influx of people changing careers (Kaplan, 2021). Over 40% of respondents in a 30,000 global…
IS YOUR CONSISTENCY CONSISTENT?
12 weeks, 84 days, Q4. Whichever term you prefer (or prefer not to think about!), the 2021 finish line is now in sight. With this clear deadline that the brain…
9 INSIGHTS ABOUT SUCCESS INSPIRED BY A COMEDY LEGEND
With one decisive, confident step he appeared on stage, suddenly, and with presence. This was obviously not the first time that he had done this. As he appreciated the enthusiastic…
THE DECISIVE QUESTION: go from stuck to in flow again – fast!
If you knew what to do, you would do it, right? How often do you deliberate all sorts of different scenarios and choices and feel that you remain stuck because…
THE HALF-TIME WHISTLE: here’s your pep talk
The elite athlete that can access their decision-making capabilities and make split-second decisions under pressure will outperform those who rely on others to constantly instruct them during the match –…
THE COACH, THE SHOES AND A FROG: a 2021 fairy-tale!
“They have gone up by a size and a half?” I looked at the woman measuring my feet with incredulity and back down at my right foot encased in the…
WHAT DO YOU ALREADY KNOW? Take action on it now!
“You knew that five years ago” I overheard a sister say to her brother in a shop last week. Apart from the obvious excitement and novelty at being in a…
MOTIVATION BOOST FOR MARCH: the crazier the activity, the better!
Despite the tantalising carrot of forthcoming social fun, motivation may be proving elusive right now. Two months have passed since the heady excitement of anticipating what 2021 will bring, and…
HOW A FOX AND ROUTE REVERSAL CREATE NEW AWARENESS
Suddenly noticing strange, new shapes through the stark winter branches of the trees and metal fence, I stopped, confused. Had I been so unconscious of my walk that I’d taken…
7 BRAIN-BASED STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS IN 2021
Happy New Year! Whilst 2021 may not have begun with the social freedom that we were hoping for, I hope that despite the ongoing challenges, you are optimistic for the…
HOW MINCE PIES & A FORMER U.S. NAVY SEAL CAN STIMULATE THE BRAIN
People shown pictures of mince pies and other traditional festive icons enjoy feelings of Christmas cheer, reflected in specific regions of the brain. Or do they? Whether you experience positive…
THE ULTIMATE MOTIVATIONAL TOOL: and it is FREE!
Your body never lies; however, this is not always true. There are instances where it does give erroneous messages to the brain, which consequently cause you to stop an activity,…
THE NEXT STEP: where focusing on feelings = action
The bell for the last lap of the 2020 marathon has just sounded and Quarter 4 has begun! What are your thoughts about this? Is it something like “I just…
BAGS, THE NEW YORK GIANTS & FISH: a simple strategy for success
Sometimes it is the tried and tested reliable formula that guarantees goal achievement. Planning ahead and taking habitual action so that you exceed your weekly and monthly targets exemplifies this…
THE LOCKDOWN LEADER: focus on ‘in group’ development
A day of online video meetings is potentially more exhausting, than face-to-face. Communicating virtually is more difficult, as unlike the body language available when we are in the same room,…
THERE IS NO GOING BACK: focus on moving forward instead
Whilst understandably the first half of 2020 may not necessarily be rated as one of the best six months to any year, I hope that you have found lots of…
COMPARISONS ARE FUTILE: chart your own course
I have not learnt a new language. I have not read the complete works of Shakespeare either. Nor have I taken the Lockdown opportunity to master baking sourdough bread.* However,…
BREAK FOR YOUR BRAIN: avoid Lockdown burnout
“I’m working even longer hours than before” is what many of my executive coaching clients are lamenting right now. The switch from office to home has created even less of…
FINDING YOUR NEW ‘NORMAL’: How can I help you?
President Trump was right to reprimand the reporter for focusing on the negative during his daily press briefing yesterday. At any time, let alone a time of crisis, concentrating on…
FOR BRAIN-FRIENDLY PEAK PERFORMANCE: create this first
When desiring to enhance their success and happiness, plus achieve the covetable skills of brain-friendly peak performance, numerous people (and organisations) make the mistake of initially attempting to fix the…
WORDS ON THE BRAIN: which Q&A are more motivating?
“The meaning of my communication is the response that I get” is a core principle of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) which I first learnt, sixteen years ago. Neuroscience has since re-confirmed…
WHY SMART GOALS ARE NOT SMART: 2 essential components required for easier and faster goal achievement
Happy New Decade! I hope that 2020 has begun well for you. This may include having created your personal Vision and goals for the year (in addition to those for…
SUCCESS, GRATITUDE & REVIEW THE YEAR: reflect to change
‘Tis the season to be jolly… and out partying every night with “friends” who must catch up with you before the end of 2019 and the ubiquitous work Christmas “do”.…
MAKE ACHIEVING PEAK PERFORMANCE more pleasurable
The denial of pleasure is unfortunately a consistent trend that Brighter Thinking clients from all cultures discuss during their coaching sessions with me. There is an erroneous belief in the…
FOCUS ON SUCCESS: 3 easy questions to train your brain
“You are doing better than you think you are” is something that I frequently remind my coaching clients. Unfortunately, we can get used to metaphorically beating ourselves up on a…
NEW SEASON, NEW ENERGY: leverage this special time of year
Renowned as the “September feeling”, there is a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation in the air. Refreshed with renewed energy following the holiday season, it is as if the…
CHANGE YOUR PERCEPTION: rewire your brain with new thinking
Think of a banana. Depending on your previous experience of this edible fruit, whether actual memories or someone telling you about it, this will determine what neural pathways are activated…
INCREASE EFFECTIVENESS & LOWER STRESS: the top 3 actions recommended to my corporate leader clients
Coaching corporate leaders and managers in organisations around the world gives me an insight into the values, culture and leadership ethos of those in charge. Despite being in different countries,…
DO NOTHING MORE: 5 benefits for your success
Two years ago, I shocked the conference audience in Germany encouraging them to not always be focusing the mind, but also to let it wander and daydream. This was during…
ARE YOU DOING IT? Actions speak louder than words
“You don’t know it, until you do it” is frequently featured in my opening statement when presenting on stage. As you are an intelligent human being (and Brighter Thinker!), you…
INSIGHTS & PROGRESS: unusual questions for next Quarter success
Welcome to April… and the start of Quarter 2 (Q2) of 2019! With three months of this year having already passed, now is a great time to assess how you…
CONTROL YOUR CHALLENGES: 3 strategies to instantly transform overwhelm
If you feel in control of your life, no matter what the circumstances and what life throws at you, you are more likely to view stress as a challenge to…
WHERE IS THE LOVE? how you can be hiding it from yourself
“Apparently, my towels are not big enough!” The older, male server in the department store chuckled knowingly, as I flung the three potential and very large man-size bath sheets on…
ENHANCE FOR 2019: a motivating approach to increasing your happy success
Happy New Year! I trust that you are feeling excited and optimistic about the next twelve months and energised about the beginning of a new year. As the usual ‘New…
REVERSE THE ADVENT CALENDAR: the brain-friendly power of giving
Many people have told me that they have adorned their homes with Christmas decorations already and that this is much earlier than tradition. Perhaps, the festive celebrations are even more…
CONTROL OR BE STRESSED: your choice
“Accept what you cannot change, change what you cannot accept” is taken from Reinhold Niebuhr’s Serenity Prayer, words frequently cited in addiction recovery programmes. Apparently, this week is International Stress…
FUEL YOUR SUCCESS WITH FEAR: act on the feeling
There are now less than 100 days until the end of the year: 84 until the C-word. Have those two thoughts triggered some anxiety? If so, what is the reason?…
UP LEVEL TO EVEN GREATER SUCCESS: make every area count!
Welcome to the start of the “new term” as this time of year is affectionately known. It is not just me, is it? I have written previously about my excitement…
5 REASONS WHY YOU DESERVE A HOLIDAY: deserve is the right word!
Why Taking Only 62% of Your Holiday Is Harming Your Success If you live in the UK and rest of Western Europe, the last few months have probably felt like…
THE TEAM IS ONLY AS GOOD AS ITS LEADER: & 14 other strategies for winning
I’m gripped by the mens’ World Cup 2018 football, so much so that I have not watched any other television since it began. The entertainment, the drama, the skill, the…
YOUR HALF-YEAR CHECK-IN: 7 Questions to Ask Yourself
Yes, we are now halfway through the year. Eek! How is it shaping up for you? If you are experiencing the sense that time is whizzing by and that this…
ARE YOU BEING THE REAL YOU? Challenge your integrity
Have you wondered about whether you are actually being who you think that you are? Does your perception of who you are as a person match how you are thinking,…
ARE YOUR ROUTINES A BIT ROUTINE? Stop the autopilot
Following the Easter holiday and now at the start of the second quarter of the year, you may be reflecting on how the year has gone so far and whether…
ARE YOU LISTENING? Or are you simply hearing?
When you are at a noisy party or busy work networking meeting and suddenly hear your name mentioned in a conversation happening on the other side of the room, it…
ARE YOU DOING WHAT YOU LOVE? Or are you denying yourself fun
Last month’s edition focused on how what you expect is critical to goal achievement. This belief will be demonstrated at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games which begin this Friday. I am…
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FOR 2018? A secret for goal achievement
Happy New Year! I trust that you are feeling excited and optimistic about the next twelve months and energised about the beginning of a new year. Do you believe that…
HOW WAS IT FOR YOU? Look back to look ahead
So as 2017 draws to a close, now is the time to enjoy sitting down in a cosy place where you feel relaxed and inspired (most likely to be out…
3 WAYS TO KEEP MOTIVATED NOW: they are mostly free, fast & fun!
With only eight weeks to go until the C-word (or festive holiday week if you prefer!) plus for many of us the added pressure of shorter daylight hours, this can…
How to Make Fast Decisions: Are You a Maximiser or a Satisficer?
Amusingly, scientists do not agree on how many decisions an adult makes in a day, ranging from claims of 27 to 35,000 (226.7 of those on food, mostly non-conscious!) however,…
MAKE THE NEXT 4 MONTHS MATTER: more or less?
As we speed towards the final quarter of 2017, and as September is frequently considered optimal for a “new start” (or new term / academic year!) it is a good…
BRAINS LIKE HOLIDAYS TOO: 3 simple steps to benefit your brain
Many countries in continental Europe are already enjoying what seems like an official national holiday not just for school children but their entire nation. For many others, the month of…
Why creativity & confidence are connected
Not allowing yourself the freedom to pursue or express your creative talents is a HUGE depressor of mojo and confidence. I use the word “depressor” deliberately. Many clients come to…
[VIDEO] WHAT IS YOURS?
Shot on location in one of my other offices, this 1 min 50 secs video reveals what 1 small change I have implemented this month and the simple thing that you can…
WHAT IS YOUR ONE CHANGE? This small change will make a big impact
We are now into the sixth month of the year so halfway between what you said that you would like to happen and achieve by the end of 2017. How…
WHAT IS YOUR 100 PERCENT? Feel good, not frustrated
How do you measure your own effort? How do you know when you have given something your all? How do you assess your performance (ahem, not for that kind of…
THE ALTERNATIVE TO MINDFULNESS: What?! It is good for your brain
Last month, presenting a workshop in Mainz, Germany to a fantastic global audience (such as from Argentina, France, Lithuania, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and UK) I shocked them first by starting…
THE FAST STRATEGY TO MOTIVATE & ENERGISE: it boosts your clarity and confidence too!
There is something unseen which is often present when a client comes to me feeling stuck and with a desire to make changes in their life – and get their…
[VIDEO] Do not open this!
LOVE ON THE BRAIN: and the power of the unexpected positive surprise!
Oscar Wilde opined that life imitates art and this month, despite normally (and hopefully!) avoiding commercial clichés, here is a strategy that will win you the proverbial brownie points from…
[VIDEO] Brighter Thinking With A Bottle – This is what’s truly essential…
SET YOUR INTENTIONS FOR 2017: give your brain positive commands
Happy New Year! I sincerely hope that you are feeling excited and optimistic about the next twelve months and energised about the beginning of a new year. However, with…
Merry Christmas!
How to Give Brain-Friendly Recognition
‘Tis the season to be jolly… and also when many organisations formally give rewards and recognition to their teams. In numerous studies, recognition has been found to be more motivating…
Brighter Thinking With a Bottle – I’ve been to prison
Brighter Thinking With a Bottle – Uncle Jack Meets Brighter Thinking!
BRING ON NOVEMBER: listen to your body
I am writing this standing up. No, I have not got one of those standing-up desks (yet). Unfortunately, it is because I put my back out last week. One hour…
ARE YOU COMING FROM LOVE OR FEAR? Your results reveal your answer
Yes, I know that doesn’t sound very practical or scientific however the results of your thinking on another person’s brain can be directly and visibly measured. Ultimately, all emotions stem…
THE HIDDEN OLYMPICS MESSAGE: do this 1 strategy to massively increase your success
With a professional interest, I am already rather proud at GB achieving what no other nation has ever accomplished: namely to achieve more medals in the subsequent Olympics following hosting…
5 BRAIN-BASED STRATEGIES TO INCREASE YOUR FOCUS – AND YOUR BUSINESS
We have all done it. Sat watching television whilst simultaneously communicating to someone via our Smartphone (and also trying to answer our partner’s question from the other room). Attended a…
WHICH ROOM ARE YOU IN? August matters to elicit change
In my internal visual depiction of the calendar year, August is opposite December. This may sound strange, however we all have a representation of time inside us and also externally:…
“HOPEFULLY TRY AND READ THIS”: the impact of power words
“I’m going to go out there and try to win the tennis match. I probably won’t.” So said rank outsider Marcus Willis before his tennis match against seven times Wimbledon…
PASSION MAKES PERSISTENT PRACTICE POSSIBLE: zero motivation required
“I don’t think that Rachel should come any more” was apparently the phrase used by my piano tutor to my parents when reviewing my lack of seven year old progress…
THE ONE QUESTION: Ask this to eliminate what is holding you back
“What is the ONE thing I can do to achieve X, such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?” This question posed by property millionaire Gary…
WHAT ARE YOUR VALUES? Refill your life
If you don’t do anything else in 2016 with regards to ensuring that you are on track to enjoy a really happy, fulfilled and successful year, then the exercise in…
WHAT IS YOUR NEXT CHOICE? How the small decisions add up to success
WHAT IS YOUR NEXT CHOICE? How the small decisions add up to success During delivery of a recent leadership skills training, I interviewed a top strategist working for John Deere. …
WHAT DO YOU WANT? Seeing starts the process of believing
Close your eyes and imagine. Picture your ideal life. What do you see? What are you doing? Who are you with? What is your life like? For some people, when…
NEW YEAR: where are you starting from?
NEW YEAR: where are you starting from? Happy New Year! I hope that you enjoyed a lovely break over Christmas and that you now feel raring to go in 2016:…
24th December: Stars
24 DECEMBER 2015 STARS It is the final day of Advent and therefore the last in this series of Daily Gratitudes. Today, I am extremely thankful for stars. The artist…
23rd December: London
23 DECEMBER 2015 LONDON Today, I am thankful for London, United Kingdom. Here are 10 things that you will never hear a Londoner say: 1. Hold on guys, I just…
22nd December: Humour
22 DECEMBER 2015 HUMOUR What’s a sleeping brain’s favourite pop band? REM. What do you call an elf who sings? A wrapper. Why did no one bid for Rudolph and…
21st December: Sex
21 DECEMBER 2015 SEX Due to advances in technology, it may not be too long before humans start to have relationships with specially designed robots. Indeed, you may think that…
20th December: My Red Briefcase
20 DECEMBER 2015 MY RED BRIEFCASE Thank you to my red retro briefcase. It has become part of my Brighter Thinking brand and a bit of a trademark. My clients…
19th December: Sunshine
19 DECEMBER 2015 SUNSHINE Today, I am extremely grateful for sunshine. Not least because if it wasn’t for the sun, none of us would exist. A lack of sunlight is…
18th December: Sport
18 DECEMBER 2015 SPORT Today, I am very thankful for sport. Not to be confused with what I experienced at school, which generally classifies as physical and mental torture. The…
17th December: Travel
17 DECEMBER 2015 TRAVEL The brain pays more attention to novel stimuli (especially if it is moving) and as well as good for the heart and soul, exploring new places…
16th December: Exercise
16 DECEMBER 2015 EXERCISE Today, I am exceedingly grateful for the ability to move. I am thankful that I can move my body in all sorts of ways and for…
15th December: Contact Lenses
15 DECEMBER 2015 CONTACT LENSES “I can see, I can see!” was my enthusiastic reaction when first wearing contact lenses out to a student club. Having to wear glasses since…
14th December: Men
14 DECEMBER 2015 MEN Today, I am thankful for men. Despite neuroscience finding that there is no significant physical variation, I love how their brain sometimes operates in a very…
13th December: Technology
13 DECEMBER 2015 TECHNOLOGY Life is one endless round of washing up and if it wasn’t for the invention of the dishwasher, I would still be doing the dishes with…
12th December: Creative Arts
12 DECEMBER 2015 CREATIVE ARTS As a ballet-dancing bumble bee, I made my stage debut at three years old and can still vividly recall running (sorry, gracefully moving) onto the…
11th December: Stationery
11 DECEMBER 2015 STATIONERY Computers were said to terminate the need for paper, however unlike the predictions from various strange cults around the world, the global stationery market decided that…
10th December: My Team
10 DECEMBER 2015 MY TEAM Today, I am very thankful for my wonderful team. Knowing that hours wasted perfecting the formatting of documents or learning how to use complicated online…
9th December: Books (& Libraries)
You can get lost in a book, especially if it is one of those that you feel that you are not supposed to be reading aged thirteen years old. Never…
8th December: Tea
Today, I am extremely thankful for tea. That is “normal tea”. English Breakfast tea. With cold skimmed (0% fat) milk and made with boiling water at 100 degrees centigrade, served…
7th December: My Clients
07 DECEMBER 2015 MY CLIENTS Today, I am extremely grateful for all my brilliant clients, past and present. You are the reason that I do what I do. I am…
6th December: Nature
Today, I am thankful for nature and for David Attenborough because he invented it. I love being outside in the elements and experiencing the peace, awe and wonder that the…
5th December: My Home
They say that home is where the heart is, however, mine is where I get to kick back, relax and indulge in passions including design and organisation, reading, cooking and…
4th December: My Friends
Social isolation is more harmful to our health than cigarettes; alcohol, obesity etc combined which is one of the reasons why today, I am thankful for all my friends. The…
3rd December: My Family
03 DECEMBER 2015 MY FAMILY I am very thankful for my family today. I was born into a small family on both patriarchal and matriarchal sides, which depending on your…
2nd December: My Body
02 DECEMBER 2015 MY BODY Today, I am extremely thankful for my body. I am grateful that it provides me with the ability to move around and do so many of…
1st December: Daily Gratitude
When I was a child, I remember wanting the chocolate filled advent calendars that my friends had, because they seemed far more exciting than my family’s picture-behind-the-door-and-nothing-more version each year.…
GIVE THE GIFT OF GRATITUDE: and your brain and body will reward you
GIVE THE GIFT OF GRATITUDE: and your brain and body will reward you Like your muscles, your brain changes when you ‘exercise’ it and repeatedly use particular functions, actually changing…
Make Decisions Faster: the 1 question guaranteed to help you make a choice
MAKE DECISIONS FASTER: the 1 question guaranteed to help you make a choice One of the UK’s leading supermarket chains has announced that it is going to decrease choice…
ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH? No, it is not what you think!
ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH? No, it is not what you think! Over one million people from 250 countries had their sleeping habits examined for a study in 2000. Almost…
SURPRISING INSIGHT TO HOW OLYMPIANS KEEP FOCUSED ON THEIR GOAL
SURPRISING INSIGHT TO HOW OLYMPIANS KEEP FOCUSED ON THEIR GOAL On the long and often arduous journey towards representing your country at the Olympic Games, how do you keep…
WHAT PETER ANDRE AND ALBERT EINSTEIN HAVE IN COMMON
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when creating them.” – Albert Einstein Yet, isn’t this what we often attempt to do? We think of the…
WHO ARE YOU HELPING? WHO ARE YOU ASKING?
Earlier this year, Tony, a colleague in Texas emailed me an unusual request. He invited me to contribute to his neighbour’s son’s 6th grade World Geography class goal – to…
JUMP INTO SPRING: GO FROM STUCK TO FINISH BEFORE STARTING
So the sun is shining, the days are lighter for longer and suddenly we feel like we are ready to start doing new activities. With our heady enthusiasm and natural…
BE FULLY PRESENT WITH 100% ATTENTION THIS CHRISTMAS
Since 2010, I have been researching the impact of communication technology and like most things in life, there are both positive and negative outcomes in the advance of science. One…
HOW ARE YOU FEELING? TIP TO HELP YOU THINK MORE EFFECTIVELY
So we have accomplished (or as some would say “got through”!) three months of 2014 and how are you feeling? Yes, really… how are you feeling? Have you checked in…
WHAT WILL BE NEW FOR YOU IN 2014? FIND A HIDDEN TALENT
A year earlier and he had been a student sat in a cafe. Now, Donald Thomas was the 2007 World Champion in high-jump. The rookie with only eight months of…
EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP: COURAGE TO TAKE TIME OUT
This week, a coaching client said that during our session, he felt like he achieved the same mental state that he does in meditation – clarity and relaxed. Wow! Whilst…
END OF Q1 IN 2013: HOW ARE YOU DOING?
As the first quarter of 2013 ends, I have caught myself feeling a sense of panic at the fact that three months of the year have passed and not thinking…
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE A HAPPY 2013? 2 THINKING QUESTIONS EXERCISE TO HELP
This year, I am excited to be celebrating ten years working as a professional high performance coach. Over that time I have loved motivating hundreds of clients to achieve their…
SURPRISES ARE GOOD FOR THE BRAIN BUT NOT IF THEY ARE BAD
I know a wife whose husband gave her an unexpected present of a nightdress from Mothercare* for Christmas. This was understandably met with derision from the recipient, as the gift…
SHAKE IT UP BABY! Have fun flexing
Albert Einstein famously said that insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Our brain is hardwired to automate and habituate thinking and action…
AN OLYMPIC MINDSET: the 7 Brighter Thinking tips to help you win in the sport of life
So the gold-medal euphoria maybe starting to diminish, however hopefully the inspiration from the London 2012 Olympic athletes will live on and serve as a powerful influence, not just as…
ENJOY THE PARTY: mindfully focus on others
Despite the persistent rain in the UK, I am revelling in the current party atmosphere in London, which I know that Brighter Thinking Tips readers across the globe are also…
WHAT ARE YOU GAINING? Find the hidden benefits that could prevent change
You know what is best for you. This is one of the reasons why I love coaching, because my role is to facilitate clients to choose their own path towards…
WHAT WOULD MAKE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE TO YOU IN 2012? Align to your Gold!
If you could achieve anything in 2012, what would it be? What would really make a positive difference to your life? On 31 Dec 2012, what do you want to…
THE CERTAINTY OF CHRISTMAS: it is good for your brain!
I love the festive season, as apart from the traditional significance, it seems to be about packing as much fun things in a month as possible, often focused around being…
CELEBRATE IMPERFECTION: a tip that guarantees you will get more done!
I’ve just celebrated submitting my first book proposal to a publisher! Although I know that readers and clients appreciate me sharing my own goals (this is what you tell me!)…
WHAT YOU RESIST PERSISTS: ACCEPT HOW THINGS ARE RIGHT NOW
Like many people I have been battling with a horrid flu virus this week and attempting to combat it with every solution that I can think of, to no avail.…
LEARNING FROM DEREK THE DELL: A USEFUL METAPHOR TO APPLY IN LIFE?
Yes, my laptop has a name (!) and unfortunately at the beginning of this month, it was not ‘Derek’ that I was calling him. Having put up with less than…
“NO ONE IS PERFECT… that’s why pencils have erasers”.*
I have really enjoyed watching The King’s Speech and Black Swan at the cinema recently. Both are very brave and moving films: the former is dialogue-heavy which is a risk…
ENCOURAGE YOURSELF: forget the nag of resolutions and cheer yourself on instead!
How often do you cheer yourself on? My guess is that it is not as frequent as the times you berate and tell yourself off. Forget having endless negative lists…
BALANCE YOUR VISION FOR 2011: Christmas is the perfect time for reflection
Debbie* rang me at the end of her tether “it has got to change” she said “I cannot go on doing what I am doing. My husband said last night…
MAKE THAT ‘BOTTLENECK DECISION’: BOOST YOUR ENERGY & MOTIVATION!
Somebody once said that most of the decisions that you make in life are wrong. This seems like it could be worth remembering when we are wrestling with a decision…
COMMIT TO WINNING: mind your language to get results
I have been really enjoying the World Cup, although with Forl?n and Cavani (ahem, Uruguay!) out, it is not as exciting for me to watch now! As previously mentioned in…
DEADLINES: Make them work in all areas of your life
I had a major insight today, in the place where I often have insights! Put it this way, I am not sure that Archimedes was in the bath when he…
SPRING IS HERE: Questions for your first quarter review
Yes, a first quarter review is not necessarily just for work… and if this idea has you shifting uncomfortably in your seat, here are some questions to help you reflect…
WHAT IS DRIVING YOU? Top 3 tips for motivation and satisfaction in life
We all face choices in life. Whether to remain in our comfort zones or to actually confront ourselves, face our fears, and exceed our own expectations. The single thing that…
COMMUNICATION: the key to success… and a Happy Christmas!
I really enjoy helping my clients get better results through their communication. Typically, I enable people to develop their skills in relating to others, maximise their personal impact and increase…
BOOK OF THE MONTH: recommending a useful, motivational book to inspire your thinking
Your Best Year Yet by Jinny Ditzler will help you to carry out a useful audit for 2009 and stimulate some new thinking about what you want to achieve in…
How to Pay Attention to the Task at Hand
After decades of arguing, it seems that humans have a smaller capacity for attention than first thought. In this Information Age, your brain literally gets bombarded by millions of calls…
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR THINKING? The first place to start
99% of the clients who ask for my intervention to develop their skills and abilities, at some point in the process consider their beliefs and thinking and whether these are…
CHANGE: the importance of recognising which stage you are at
I love September as it always reminds me of that ‘new pencil case’ feeling elicited by going back to school. Not that I ever bought a new pencil case… I…
NEWS UPDATE FOR DECEMBER 2009
Rachel has assessed the new coaching skills of professionals in UK, Italy & Spain for RCS Coach Connection on Mon 07 December had the most attendees this year… maybe it…
ARE YOU EUPHORIC WITH EUSTRESS? How to avoid the dangers of this lesser known stress
Most people are aware of stress and generally, we have been taught to view it as extremely negative and something to avoid at all costs. The affects of such bad…
NEWS UPDATE FOR JULY 2009
COACHING SKILLS TRAINING Rachel is currently training professionals from Deloitte, secondary education, the military and business owners in brain-based coaching skills for RCS ASSESSING NEW COACHES Rachel is formally assessing…
STAR CLIENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT*
In 2007, Helen (aged 30) came to me feeling a “loss of control, confidence and self-belief”. Through having a series of 12 coaching sessions with me, she gained a promotion…
INSTANT ‘FEEL GOOD’ BOOST: top motivational and happiness tip to complete your day
Do you go about your daily life never really considering what you get done each day and what positive impact you had on others? Many people get really down on…
NEWS UPDATE FOR MAY 2009
ASSESSING NEW COACHES Rachel is currently formally assessing professionally trained coaches and helping them to get Certified for Results Coaching Systems COACH CONNECTION LAUNCH Rachel’s new monthly meet up and…
INSTANT ‘FEEL GOOD’ BOOST: top motivational and happiness tip to complete your day
Do you go about your daily life never really considering what you get done each day and what positive impact you had on others? Many people get really down on…
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO LET GO OF? How your surroundings can affect your energy and productivity
Easter Weekend is a traditionally a time of home improvement here in the UK as Spring naturally sees the time for renewal and ‘nesting’. With the forecast of rain, it…
NEWS UPDATE FOR APRIL 2009
RACHEL PRESENTING FUTURE LEADERSHIP AWARDS Rachel is delighted to be motivating students at Oxford Brookes University and presenting their Brookes Future Leaders Awards on 28 April. BE-FABULOUS Rachel will be…
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO LET GO OF?
Easter Weekend is a traditionally a time of home improvement here in the UK as Spring naturally sees the time for renewal and ‘nesting’. With the forecast of rain, it…
WOULD YOU BUY YOUR LIFE? Incisive question to help you celebrate or make some changes
This was the powerful question that I was asked a few weeks ago from a coach whom I was assessing. This insightful enquiry was in response to my revelation that…
NEWS UPDATE FOR MARCH 2009
RACHEL IS NOW OFFICIALLY A RISING STAR! Nominated for the GLE Rising Star Awards in business, Rachel was shortlisted from 500 companies and received her Award at the ceremony on…
WOULD YOU BUY YOUR LIFE? Incisive question to help you celebrate or make some changes
This was the powerful question that I was asked a few weeks ago from a coach whom I was assessing. This insightful enquiry was in response to my revelation that…
NEWS UPDATE FOR FEBRUARY 2009
Meet Rachel at The Hot Date organised by moretolifethanshoes.com – chosen as one of the Courvoisier Future 500 – stars of the future! New date to be announced due to…
ARE YOU ON TRACK FOR SUCCESS OR STUCK? Top three-tip technique to help you get unstuck
Yesterday was Groundhog Day in the USA which apparently means that if the Groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. Well, I guess we know…
CHOOSE THE ‘STONES’ IN YOUR LIFE: make time for what makes you happy first
As the start of the new year is a traditional time to plan for the year ahead, here is a little story to help you think what is important for…
CHOOSE HAPPINESS NOW: Be present every day
Happiness often seems to be something that we are continually striving for, as if it is something elusive, only available in the future. I hear people actually say phrases such…
REWARD YOURSELF: the crucial phase of the Cycle of Productivity
You may read this and now be thinking that this sounds rather obvious and that you do this all the time. However, do you consciously reflect on what you have…
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