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Unlocking the secret: the vital difference between mental illness and brain health

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Redefining Success | Resorting Life Balance

Unlocking the Secret: The Vital Difference Between Mental Illness and Brain Health!

As we continue to learn more about the complexities of the human brain, the distinction between mental illness and brain health becomes increasingly important. While the two are often used interchangeably, they refer to different aspects of our mental wellbeing. Mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, or behaviour and may interfere with their ability to function in daily life. Brain health, on the other hand, refers to the overall health and functioning of the brain, including its ability to process information, regulate emotions, and maintain physical health.

Understanding the difference between mental illness and brain health is crucial for anyone seeking to improve their mental wellbeing. While mental illness is a specific condition that requires treatment, brain health is something that everyone can work to improve. This can include regular exercise, a healthy diet, and engaging in mentally stimulating activities such as reading or puzzles.

It is important to note that mental illness and brain health are not mutually exclusive. A person with a mental illness can still have good brain health and vice versa. We can work towards a healthier, happier life by focusing on both aspects of our mental wellbeing.

What is Mental Illness?

When discussing mental illness, we refer to a wide range of mental health conditions that affect our mood, thinking, and behaviour. According to Dr. Amen, a renowned psychiatrist, mental illness can be caused by genetics, brain chemistry, and life experiences.

Symptoms of Mental Illness

Some common symptoms of mental illness include:

  • Feeling sad or down
  • Excessive worry or fear
  • Extreme mood changes
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Withdrawal from friends and activities
  • Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, seeking help from a qualified mental health professional is important.

Types of Mental Illness

There are many types of mental illness, each with its own symptoms and treatment options. Some common types of mental illness include:

Table of mental health

It is important to remember that mental illness is a treatable condition. With the help of qualified professionals like Dr. Uma Naidoo, a psychiatrist and nutrition specialist, and a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes, people with mental illness can lead happy and fulfilling lives.

What is Brain Health?

When we talk about brain health, we are referring to the overall wellbeing of our brain. This includes its structure, function, and ability to perform daily tasks. A healthy brain is essential for good mental health, cognitive function, and overall quality of life.

Factors that Affect Brain Health

Several factors can affect brain health, including:

  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Sleep
  • Stress
  • Environmental toxins

According to Dr. Amen, a renowned psychiatrist and brain health expert, “The food you eat, the air you breathe, the thoughts you think, and the toxins you’re exposed to all affect your brain.”

Dr. Uma Naidoo, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and nutrition expert, emphasises the importance of a healthy diet for brain health. She states that “the food we eat has a direct impact on our brain function, including our mood, memory, and cognitive abilities.”

Importance of Brain Health

Having good brain health is crucial for our overall wellbeing. A healthy brain allows us to think, make good decisions, and easily perform daily tasks. It also helps us to maintain good mental health and prevent cognitive decline as we age.

By taking care of our brain health through a healthy diet, regular exercise, and other lifestyle factors, we can improve our mental and physical health and live a happier, more fulfilling life.

The Difference between Mental Illness and Brain Health

When it comes to mental health, there is often confusion between mental illness and brain health. While they are related, they are not the same thing. Mental illness refers to conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, or behaviour. At the same time, brain health is being free from disease or damage and having optimal cognitive, emotional, and social functioning.

How Mental Illness Affects Brain Health

Mental illness can have a significant impact on brain health. According to Dr. Amen, a renowned psychiatrist and brain health expert, mental health disorders can cause changes in brain function and structure, leading to long-term damage if left untreated. For example, depression has been linked to a decrease in the size of the hippocampus, a part of the brain responsible for memory and learning.

Furthermore, mental illness can also affect neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers in the brain that regulate mood, behaviour, and cognition. Imbalances in neurotransmitters can lead to various mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

How to Maintain Good Brain Health

While mental illness can have a negative impact on brain health, there are steps we can take to maintain good brain health. According to Dr. Uma Naidoo, a nutritional psychiatrist, a healthy diet is essential for optimal brain function. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats can provide the nutrients and antioxidants needed to protect the brain from damage and promote healthy brain function.

Regular exercise is also important for brain health. Exercise has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, promote the growth of new brain cells, and improve cognitive function. Additionally, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and engaging in activities that challenge the brain, such as learning a new skill or playing a musical instrument, can also help maintain good brain health.

Overall, while mental illness and brain health are not the same things, they are closely related. Maintaining good brain health can reduce the risk of developing mental health disorders and promote overall wellbeing.

Conclusion

After extensive research and analysis, we have concluded that mental illness and brain health are two distinct concepts often misunderstood and conflated.

While mental illness refers to a range of conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, or behaviour, brain health encompasses the overall wellbeing of the brain, including its structure, function, and performance.

It is important to note that mental illness is not a result of poor brain health or a sign of weakness or personal failure. Rather, mental illness is a complex and multifaceted condition that can arise from various factors, including genetic predisposition, environmental stressors, and traumatic life experiences.

As Dr. Amen and Dr. Uma Naidoo have noted, taking care of our brain health is essential for maintaining our overall physical and mental wellbeing. This includes adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and seeking professional help when necessary.

By understanding the difference between mental illness and brain health, we can better appreciate the complexity of the human brain and the importance of taking care of it. Let us strive to promote brain health and destigmatise mental illness, so that we can all lead happier, healthier lives.

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Tammy Whalen Blake

Founder of go to yellow
Personal Development Coach

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client success stories

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Transform Your Life with Journaling

Journaling

Redefining Success | Resorting Life Balance

Transform Your Life with Journaling: The Power of Putting Pen to Paper

Have you ever felt like your life is going by too quickly? Or you’ve felt like you’re not progressing towards your goals. Perhaps you’re feeling overwhelmed with your thoughts and emotions and don’t know how to manage them. Journaling is the solution you need.

Journaling is a simple and effective tool that can help you transform your life. You gain clarity and insight into your life by putting your thoughts and feelings down on paper. It helps you to identify patterns, understand your emotions, and track your progress towards your goals. Journaling has been proven to have countless benefits on mental health, including reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.

But journaling isn’t just about writing down your thoughts and feelings. It’s about reflecting on your experiences and learning from them. It’s about setting intentions for your future and taking actionable steps towards achieving them. Whether you want to improve your mental health, gain clarity in your life, or become more self-aware, journaling can help you get there.

Benefits of Journaling

Journaling is a powerful tool that can help you transform your life. It has numerous benefits can improve your mental health, enhance your creativity, and increase your self-awareness. Here are some of the benefits of journaling:

Improved Mental Health

Journaling can help reduce stress and anxiety by providing a safe space to express your thoughts and feelings. It can also help you identify negative thought patterns and replace them with more positive ones. Writing down your worries and concerns can help you process them and solve problems. Studies have shown that journaling can improve sleep, boost mood, and reduce symptoms of depression.

Enhanced Creativity

Journaling can help you tap into your creativity by providing a space to brainstorm, explore ideas, and experiment with new writing styles. It can help create space in your mind by decluttering any worries. Writing prompts can help you generate new ideas and break out of creative blocks. Journaling can also help you develop your writing skills and find your voice.

Better Self-Awareness

Journaling can help you better understand yourself by providing a space to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Writing about your goals, values, and beliefs can help you clarify your priorities and make decisions that align with your values. Journaling can also help you track your progress and celebrate your accomplishments.

For example, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, write down all the things that are causing you stress. Seeing them on paper can help you prioritise and devise a plan to tackle them individually. It’s like cleaning out a closet. Just as you might sort through your clothes and decide what to keep and donate, journaling can help you sort through your thoughts and decide what to keep and let go of.

Types of Journaling

Journaling is a powerful tool that can help you transform your life. There are many different types of journaling, each with its remarkable benefits. Let’s explore some of the most popular types of journaling.

Gratitude Journaling

Gratitude journaling involves writing down things that you are grateful for each day. This type of journaling can help you focus on the positive aspects of your life and cultivate a more positive outlook. Studies have shown that practising gratitude can lead to increased happiness and wellbeing.

For example, you might write things like “I am grateful for my legs so I can explore the world” or “I am grateful for my supportive friend, Hannah. She offers a shoulder to cry on when I am now.” By focusing on what you are specifically thankful for, you can shift your attention away from negative thoughts and feelings.

Gratitude journaling is like planting seeds of positivity in your mind. By regularly acknowledging the good things in your life, you can cultivate a more positive mindset that will help you navigate challenges more effectively.

Bullet Journaling

Bullet journaling is a type of journaling that involves using symbols and short-form notes to keep track of tasks, goals, and other important information. This type of journaling can help you stay organised and focused, especially if you have a busy schedule.

For example, you might use symbols like a dot to indicate a task that needs to be completed or an arrow to indicate that a task has been moved to a different day. By using symbols and short-form notes, you can quickly and easily keep track of important information. Ideal for those visual learners.

Think of bullet journaling as creating a personal roadmap for your life. By setting goals and tracking your progress, you can stay on track and make progress towards the things that are most important to you.

Reflective Journaling

Reflective journaling is next level and can transform your life in ways never thought possible. It involves writing down your thoughts and feelings about your experiences. This type of journaling can help you gain insight into your thoughts and behaviours and can be especially helpful if you are trying to make positive changes in your life. Even more helpful to reflect on them over time as you may have forgotten essential experiences when they’ve shown up again later in life. All the stored information will help you gather deeper insights into your patterns.

For example, you might write about a challenging situation and reflect on what you learned. By reflecting on your experiences, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your motivations. You can cross reference against similar experiences in your reflective journal.

It is like having a conversation with yourself on a deeper level. By writing down your thoughts and feelings, you can explore your inner world and gain a deeper understanding of yourself.

How to Start Journaling

Choose a Journal

The first step to journaling is choosing a journal that suits your needs. Many types of journals are available, from blank pages to guided journals. The choice is yours. Consider what you want to achieve with your journaling and choose a journal that aligns with your goals. You may prefer a smaller journal that you can carry with you or a larger one that allows for more writing space.

Set Aside Time

Setting aside time to journal is vital for making it a habit. Choose a time of day that works best for you, whether in the morning, during your lunch break, or before bed. Start with a few minutes each day and gradually increase the time as you become more comfortable with journaling. The most challenging time for journaling is the beginning – start small, and build it up.

Choose Your Location and Set The Scene

At Go To Yellow, we recommend having a Thinking Chair. A space that is not in your workspace or bedroom. You want all thoughts to flow and not workplace thoughts. Somewhere spacious and quiet to restrict distractions. Turn your phone on silent to be truly focused, and set a timer if you are not journaling for long enough – this will push you to go deeper into your thoughts before rushing to the next daily task. Some like coffee shops with just a book and pen. The choice is yours. 

Find Your Writing Style

There is no right or wrong way to journal. Experiment with different writing styles to find what works best for you. Some people prefer to write stream-of-consciousness, while others prefer to use prompts or guided exercises. Find a style that helps you express your thoughts and emotions.

For example, if you’re feeling stressed, write about what’s causing your stress and how it’s affecting you. Use your journal as a safe space to explore your feelings and work through any challenges you may be facing.

Journaling is like having a conversation with yourself. It allows you to reflect on your thoughts and feelings, gain insight into your behaviour, and track your progress over time.

I have sporadic thoughts that make little sense the first time. After spending plenty of time with my journal, I like to return to the same experience after a few days to allow new thoughts to flow. Over time it starts to make sense.

Journaling Prompts

Journaling is a powerful tool for personal growth and transformation. By putting your thoughts and feelings down on paper, you can gain clarity, insight, and understanding about yourself and your life. But sometimes, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s where journaling prompts come in. Here are some prompts to help you get started on your journaling journey:

Self-Discovery Prompts

Self-discovery prompts can help you explore your core values, beliefs, and identity. By reflecting on these topics, you can better understand yourself and what matters most to you. Here are some self-discovery prompts to try:

  • What matters most to me?
  • What are my strengths and weaknesses?
  • What are my biggest fears and concerns?
  • What are my proudest accomplishments?
  • What do I want to be remembered for?

Goal-Setting Prompts

Goal-setting prompts help you clarify your goals and create a plan for achieving them. You can create a more fulfilling and purposeful life by setting goals and taking action. Here are some goal-setting prompts to try:

  • What are my short-term and long-term goals?
  • What steps can I take to achieve my goals?
  • What obstacles might I experience, and how can I overcome them?
  • What resources do I need to achieve my goals?
  • How will I measure success?

Mindfulness Prompts

Mindfulness prompts can help you cultivate awareness and presence in the present moment. Mindfulness can reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance your overall wellbeing. Here are some mindfulness prompts to try:

  • What am I grateful for today?
  • What sensations do I notice in my body right now?
  • What thoughts are passing through my mind?
  • What emotions am I feeling?
  • What can I do to bring more mindfulness into my daily life?

Tips for Maintaining a Journaling Habit

Make it a Routine

One of the most effective ways to maintain a journaling habit is by making it a part of your daily routine. Set aside a specific time each day to sit down and write in your journal. This could be first thing in the morning, during your lunch break, or before bed. By making it a routine, you’ll be more likely to stick with it and make it a habit. It takes an average of 66 days to make a habit stick. Keep at it! Change doesn’t happen overnight. 

Write Freely

When writing in your journal, don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or punctuation. No judgement. Just write freely and let your thoughts flow onto the page. Don’t worry about making it perfect or even making sense. The purpose is to get your thoughts and feelings out of your head and onto the page.

For example, start by writing about how your day went, what you’re grateful for, or what’s been on your mind lately. The more you write, the easier it will become to express yourself and write your thoughts down.

Don’t Judge Your Writing

It’s important to remember that your journal is for your eyes only. Don’t worry about what others think of your writing or whether it’s good enough. The intent is to use journaling as a tool for self-reflection and personal growth.

Think of your journal as a safe space to be completely honest and open with yourself. Just like how a caterpillar goes through a transformation in its cocoon, your journal is your cocoon where you can transform your thoughts and emotions into something beautiful.

"You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

Need further help with personal development coaching? Get in touch. 

Book a no-obligation 30-minute call with Tammy Whalen Blake to discuss the best program for your personal development needs.

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Tammy Whalen Blake

Founder of go to yellow
Personal Development Coach

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What is personal development: A guide

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Redefining Success | Resorting Life Balance

What is personal development: the Guide

The personal development industry is one that always continues to grow. This makes sense because the need to self-develop and elevate has always been apparent to human beings. 

Dating to years, Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher who lived over 2000 years ago, is one of the founding fathers of modern personal development.

Today, we have many names of stature in the personal development industry spanning to and from different sub-niches, i.e. Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology, Human Resources, The arts, etc. 

In their ways, these industries combine to forge a vast personal development industry. This post will discuss personal development in depth. 

What is Personal Development?

Personal development is a lifelong personal journey. It is constantly assessing and adjusting how you live and how this adds to your overall satisfaction and success. 

Personal development spans different parts of a person’s life. For one person, it may be about defying weaknesses and maximising strengths. For another person, it may be about unlearning toxic behaviour and adopting new ones. 

In a work environment, personal development can be intentionally working on communication skills to become a better teammate or anything else necessary for such a space. 

Because the determining need to self-develop will differ from individual to individual, the outcome of personal development looks different for people. 

For one person, personal development is for the glory of gaining more confidence; being better at relationships; being an attractive work prospect, or simply leading a high-quality lifestyle.  

Whatever your course, you need to embark on your personal development journey with intention and map out why it’s of importance to you. 

Why is personal development important?

We estimate the personal development industry’s market size to be over 50 billion dollars. With this enormous sum, ask yourself what makes it so popular; or so important. I like to believe it is its importance that makes it popular. 

It goes back to what separates humans from animals. Humans are intelligent and emotional beings. The great capacity we possess in these respective areas comes at a price.

As we go through life, aware of our complex cognition and emotions, even more complexities come to be. And this is where personal development comes in. 

Committing to improving yourself and how you relate to your cognition and emotions helps you be attuned to the weaknesses and strengths that may affect these areas.

Though embarking on a personal development journey is a choice, people have an innate need to grow. When one feels like there’s a barrier between them and where they want to be; the automatic need to self-develop kicks in. 

In some ways, personal development nurtures your self-awareness and self-esteem and helps you adopt better ways to navigate your personal barriers. It is such an important thing because it is an ongoing attempt to be better. And this is a good thing for any individual.

How to identify your own Personal development areas? 

Since personal development is a personal journey one commits to for personal reasons, it is very important for each individual to identify their own personal development areas.

There are 5 areas of personal development, I.e. emotional, mental, social, spiritual and physical. 

No one area precedes the other because these areas can all affect each other. But ideally, start with mental development.

Your mental state can affect other development areas, both dramatically and perpetually. For example, physical exercises require physical strength and mental willpower to get into it. 

Social spaces can also trigger detrimental mental responses. But for someone who has trained themselves to respond accordingly to expected and unprecedented contexts, they have the mental strength to persevere.   

Also, for the sake of your mental well-being, you shouldn’t overwhelm yourself by committing to all these areas at the same time. Rather, be patient and realistic with yourself.

Ask yourself crucial questions before you start your journey.

  • Where do you excel?
  • Where do you struggle?
  • How do you feel about your life?
  • What goals are you aspiring for?
  • Are you better at professional or social relationships? 
  • Which self-development area is affecting other parts of your life?

Don’t be afraid to look at yourself as you are and make the best choices for yourself. 

Abraham Maslow’s self-actualisation

Self-actualisation is one theory that encourages addressing all your needs to fulfil your potential. According to Abraham Maslow, a humanistic psychologist, humans have an intrinsic need to develop and fulfil their potential in life. 

He asserts it is necessary for humans to develop their needs from the ground up, starting with physiological needs and with self-actualisation at the top. In between there’s safety & security, love & belonging and self-esteem. 

In its entirety, self-actualisation theory contends for basic needs and is inclusive of personal development areas. 

This is why we recommend following the self-actualisation pyramid to position oneself better to have the willpower to tackle personal development areas. As affirmed by Maslow, the need to develop our complex positions will typically be absent if we do not first meet our basic needs.  

According to Maslow, self-actualisation is the ultimate realisation that one can achieve anything set to mind. That co-occurs with a full appreciation of one’s life and its surroundings. 

Self-actualisation traits 

  • Autonomy and independence
  • Democratic character structure
  • Feelings of kinship and identification 
  • Accepting of others and yet true to self
  • Clear, efficient perception of reality
  • Have missions to complete outside of self
  • Detachment and need for healthy privacy 
  • Balance between polarities in personality 
  • Ethical discrimination between good and bad
  • Sense of appreciation and exuding gratitude
  • Philosophical non-hostile humour to others and self

Given the traits attributed to self-actualisation, intending to reach this stage is a good thing. 

 

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (1)

How to develop a personal development plan?

Your approach must also be thought through now that you understand personal development. You need to have a personal development plan. 

This plan will help you pick out areas you need to develop as well as the best approach for yourself; provided you don’t skip out on it. Starting with a swot analysis. 

Choose your development area and do a personal swot analysis

A personal swot analysis, much like a business swot analysis, is a method of identifying your strengths and weaknesses to best determine how to maximise and minimise them.

As an abbreviation, swot stands for:

S – STRENGTHS

W – WEAKNESSES

O – OPPORTUNITIES

T – THREATS

By default, a personal analysis will ask questions concerned with one’s personal life. However, they are not limited to that.  

You want to use a personal swot analysis as a fundamental reference despite the personal development area you want to develop. 

Even in business, a personal swot analysis goes a long way because your success is always a direct reflection of your personal capacity and approach. 

STRENGTHS

  • What am I great at?
  • What value do I provide?
  • What do people like about me?
  • What resources do I have at my disposal?

WEAKNESSES

  • What can I improve?
  • What am I missing that I need? 
  • What am I bad at compared to others?
  • What’s something that works against me?

OPPORTUNITIES

  • What unmet demands can I satisfy?
  • What opportunities do I see for myself?
  • How can I apply my existing strengths?
  • What trends can I take advantage of as per the person I am?

THREATS 

  • What external forces work against me?
  • Do I have underlying issues that undermine my growth?
  • Am I in a position for my weaknesses to be exploited?
  • If I have any, are my competitors outperforming me?

In each slot, you may relate the questions to different things. It all comes down to where you are as an individual and the personal development area you plan to develop.

For example, if you are targeting mental development, the question “what’s something that works against me” will question a part of your life that strains your mental health. 

And if you’re developing your social area, that question would now be concerned with characteristics that fail your social relationships. 

Iron out your personal vision 

Once you know the personal development area you want to develop and complete a personal swot analysis around it, it’s time to map out what moving away from your current position to the one you inspire to be in looks like. 

“What does my personal vision look like, and who does it need me to be?”

A personal vision, which is just a fancy way of saying a vision statement, is a statement that declares what you want to achieve and the most idealistic position you want to assume in the long run.

Whether condensed or long, your personal vision should account for your values, strengths, and goals. Above all, your vision must be an achievable goal. 

This is a statement to always fall back to as a reminder of where exactly you’re going and perhaps be a motivation that keeps you going when the going goes tough. 

How to create a personal vision?

To make this process less complicated, you want to outline a few things and work according to them, starting with your strengths. 

STRENGTHS – What innate abilities do I possess?

  • What am I good at? 
  • Where do I compete better? 

VALUES – Think about the personal standard you hold yourself to

  • What are my non-negotiable values? 
  • What kind of person do I aspire to be? 
  • What is desirable and not desirable to me?

ACQUIRED SKILLS – What did I learn I am good at?

  • What skills have I learned in my life?
  • How can I use things I learned to my advantage? 
  • Do my skills make me favourable in any way? How?

ULTIMATE GOAL – Where do I want to be?

  • Where would I like to be? 
  • How do I want to change? 
  • What does my desired change look like?

PERSONAL VISION – What idealistic position do I want to be in?

  • What do I want to do on a day-to-day basis?
  • What does a perfect life look like for me?
  • When I narrow down options, which one do I want the most?

In the end, you will use answers to these questions to write your personal vision statement.

 
These questions will differ as per the reason you are developing yourself. For example, these questions will revolve around a chosen field if you’re developing your career. 

Develop a personal development mindset.

It takes an average of 66 days to make a new habit stick. Even after that, slacking just once can set you back to the beginning. With that said, you can imagine how outlining your personal development aspects is just the beginning. 

The tough part is committing to your plan and seeing it through. It is going to take some willpower and dedication. But with the following approach, you can do it. 

  • Break down your goals 

One big goal is scary. But that’s no reason for you to shy away from your wildest dreams. Instead, continue to target scary and overwhelming goals but break them down into small parts. This process helps you set smart goals. 

S- Smart, M- Measurable, A- Achievable, R- Relevant, T- Time-bound.

Imagine your goal as a long road trip. 

The 1st step for you to take would be to set up your dynamic and static ropes. Your dynamic rope, the one that will stretch and absorb the impact when you fall, is made of all the lessons, habits, and insight you gained when taking small steps toward your big goal.

The static rope, the efficient one that stretches a little to lower you and haul you up. This rope is all the small steps you’ll take to get to the big goal.

The static rope helps you to achieve short-term goals, while the dynamic rope anchors the long-term goal. 

Think of it this way. If your ultimate personal goal is to be a better mother, then learning to be  patient, better at communicating, and less distracted would be the small steps you need to take. 

If you want to build a business, separating milestones would be less overwhelming. For example, the 1st goal is to register the business before worrying about marketing. 

After this part, follow through with the next steps.

  • Set deadlines for each small goal you outline.
  • Be mindful of threats and opportunities
  • Delegate whatever you can 
  • Have a way to measure progress

Setting deadlines is important because you don’t want to be stuck on one small goal forever. Being mindful of threats and opportunities provides the needed flexibility to adapt and not despair when things change you. 

You should delegate if you can afford to and measure your progress to see how close or far off you are to the ultimate goal.  

Develop your personality to fit your goals

When I was a relatively bright student in secondary school, one of my teachers told me I would struggle with my studies in University because:

  1. No one chases you to do your work at university
  2. My playful and laid-back approach will work against me
  3. It will be hard to adapt my horrible working style to university demands

Despite my capabilities; he basically told me I was my worst enemy. Though in my case, he was wrong, people being their own worst enemies is not uncommon, and Dr. Brain R. Little affirmed this.  

In his acting out-of-character article, Dr. Brian R. Little, a Professor, author, and speaker, wrote about how your personality can work against your success. He emphasised the need to ‘act out of character’ for the sake of your success.  

“Human personality plays a striking and subtle role in shaping the course of our lives in the immortal profession. Arrogance, shyness, bounciness, and hundreds of other traits of personality influence how others see us and how we see ourselves. They have important consequences for the shape of our lives.”

Consider the big 5 personality traits as per contemporary psychology. Whichever you embody, they all have pros and cons. And the cons are the ones to adapt for the better if they work against you. 

  • Openness

People with this personality trait are imaginative, insightful, curious, eager to learn with a broad range of interests.

On the flip side, their openness can lead them down an overwhelming path as they take on more than they can handle.

  • Conscientiousness

People with this personality trait are thoughtful, goal-oriented, organised, and pretty much finish deadlines.

On the other hand, they can be perfectionists who struggle to work in fast-paced, changing environments.

  • Extraversion

People with this personality trait are social, talkative, excitable, outgoing and enjoy meeting people.

On the other hand, these people can be easily distracted and neglect their goals. They can also overestimate other people’s presence a lot, which can sometimes be a con.

  • Agreeableness

These are the people who are kind, altruistic, empathetic, cooperative and enjoy helping others.

On the other hand, agreeable people can easily be taken advantage of and also exhaust themselves to a point where they are left with nothing to offer themselves.

  1. Neuroticism 

These are people who are moody, chronically sad and all round emotionally unstable.

While the defining traits are not great, neuroticism goes hand in hand with creativity and problem-solving, and one can maximise these traits.

The trick is to get to know yourself as much as possible and learn to adapt the negatives to not work against you as per your chosen personal development area and development plan. 

“You may not be naturally open and extroverted. But given an important occasion or project, you have little choice but to act out of character, to rise to the occasion and be an alternative you — in a sense, perhaps, an optimised you.”

Advantages of developing yourself ‘personally’

Having emphasised the need to choose a personal development area before outlining a plan, let’s talk about why developing yourself puts you at an advantage. 

Whatever area you decide to focus on, i.e. career, relationships, mental health, etc. You cannot separate the outcome of your success from who you are as an individual and where you are in your entirety. 

Therefore, before everything else, the self-development journey should be concerned with who and what one is at the core. Understand that the innate traits that set you apart and make you who you are can be a disadvantage as much as they can be an advantage. 

If your innate traits are going to have a ripple effect on any part of your life, you might as well develop them to have a positive impact and add to the following advantages:

  • Strong sense of self-awareness

You will make better decisions for yourself and your life when you know yourself and what you expect from yourself and your surroundings. Consistently committing to developing yourself certainly helps you get to know yourself better more and more.

  • Living a balanced life. 

A disadvantage of not knowing what you want out of life is allowing multiple things to pull you in different directions, even when you can do without them. One can end up overwhelmed by demands that do not even fulfil them. The opposite can be said for someone whose personal development journey grounds them. 

  • Defining your life goals 

Often the instigator of personal development journeys, having defined goals, is a catalyst of progress and success because despite facing challenges, at least you are working towards clear goals, and any adjustment is still towards the same achievement. 

  • Building healthy relationships 

When you are sure of yourself, and what‌ adds value to who you already are, you will choose and gravitate towards connections that affirm you in the best way possible. You will reduce the likelihood of forging potentially toxic relationships. 

  • Motivated to be a success

One obstacle that limits success is not knowing what you want to do with your life. This is why people who know what they want out of life are motivated to chase the said thing. In retrospect, people who don’t know waste a lot of mental energy figuring out what they want. 

  • Strong self-control

Human beings are what they are because of their emotional and intelligent nature. At our worst, our emotions and intelligence can be the worst of us. This is why it is important for you to have some control over what you feel, think, and how you behave because of the preceding two factors. Self-control also aids temptations, habits and impulses.

  • Strong boundaries and decisions

When you know what you stand for and your ultimate goals for your life, you refuse to take on obligations you have no business doing. You know what makes sense to your journey and can make hard decisions that filter out the unnecessary fluff without being paralysed. 

  • All-round fulfilling life 

All in all, personal development has a ripple effect on all areas of your life. Ultimately, this is a journey that nurtures multiple shortcomings and strengths, creating a life of balanced demands and progressive solutions. An individual having an extensive understanding of all areas that can affect them nurtures this all-round fulfilling life. 

Ready to start your personal development journey? Download our free tool to help you map out your journey. 

Alternatively, you can join our personal development coaching programme. 

What are the benefits of personal development coaching?

There are many potential benefits to participating in personal development coaching. Some of the most common benefits include:

  1. Increased self-awareness: Personal development coaching can help you gain a better understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, and values, which can lead to improved decision-making and increased personal fulfillment.

  2. Improved performance: By setting specific, measurable goals and developing action plans to achieve them, personal development coaching can help you improve your performance in various areas of your life, such as your career or personal relationships.

  3. Enhanced communication skills: Personal development coaching can help you develop effective communication skills, which can improve your relationships with others and make it easier to achieve your goals.

  4. Greater personal and professional satisfaction: By working with a personal development coach to identify and pursue your goals, you may experience greater satisfaction and fulfillment in your personal and professional life.

  5. Increased confidence and motivation: Personal development coaching can help you build self-confidence and increase your motivation to pursue your goals.

  6. Improved problem-solving and decision-making skills: A personal development coach can help you develop the skills needed to effectively identify and solve problems, and make informed decisions.

Who is personal development coaching for?

Personal development coaching is for anyone who is looking to improve their personal or professional life and achieve their goals. It is a helpful resource for individuals who want to increase their self-awareness, build new skills, and make positive changes in their lives.

Personal development coaching can be particularly useful for people who are:

  1. Seeking to make a career change or advance in their current career
  2. Looking to improve their personal relationships
  3. Seeking to increase their self-confidence and motivation
  4. Struggling to manage their time or set and achieve goals
  5. Seeking to improve their overall well-being and happiness
  6. Looking to make a positive change in their lives, but are unsure how to do so

If you are facing any of these challenges or simply want to improve your personal or professional life, personal development coaching may be a helpful resource for you.

Which personal development coach is for me?

There are many different personal development coaches available, and it is important to choose one that is a good fit for your needs and goals. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a personal development coach:

  1. Expertise: Look for a coach who has experience and training in the specific area you are looking to work on. For example, if you want to work on your career development, look for a coach who has experience helping others advance in their careers.

  2. Approach: Consider the coaching approach of the personal development coach. Some coaches may use more structured approaches, while others may be more flexible and adapt their approach to meet the needs of their clients. Choose a coach whose approach aligns with your preferences and goals.

  3. Personality: Personal development coaching involves a personal relationship between the coach and the client. It is important to find a coach with whom you feel comfortable and can build a rapport.

  4. Availability: Consider the coach’s availability and whether they offer sessions at times that are convenient for you.

  5. Cost: Personal development coaching can vary in cost, so it is important to consider your budget when choosing a coach.

It may also be helpful to speak with a few different coaches before making a decision, to get a sense of their style and approach and determine which one is the best fit for you.

"You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

Need further help with personal development coaching? Get in touch. 

Book a no-obligation 30-minute call with Tammy Whalen Blake to discuss the best program for your personal development needs.

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Tammy Whalen Blake

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What is personal development coaching?

Redefining Success | Resorting Life Balance

What is personal development coaching?

What is personal development coaching?

Personal development coaching is a type of coaching that focuses on helping individuals identify and achieve personal goals. It is designed to help people develop new skills, improve their performance, and increase their self-awareness. Personal development coaches work with clients to identify areas of their lives that they want to change and then help them develop strategies and action plans to make those changes. They may work with clients on various issues, including career development, relationships, health and wellness, and personal growth. Personal development coaching is typically provided in one-on-one sessions and may involve group or online coaching.

What are the benefits of personal development coaching?

There are many potential benefits to participating in personal development coaching. Some of the most common benefits include:

  1. Increased self-awareness: Personal development coaching can help you gain a better understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, and values, which can lead to improved decision-making and increased personal fulfillment.

  2. Improved performance: By setting specific, measurable goals and developing action plans to achieve them, personal development coaching can help you improve your performance in various areas of your life, such as your career or personal relationships.

  3. Enhanced communication skills: Personal development coaching can help you develop effective communication skills, which can improve your relationships with others and make it easier to achieve your goals.

  4. Greater personal and professional satisfaction: By working with a personal development coach to identify and pursue your goals, you may experience greater satisfaction and fulfillment in your personal and professional life.

  5. Increased confidence and motivation: Personal development coaching can help you build self-confidence and increase your motivation to pursue your goals.

  6. Improved problem-solving and decision-making skills: A personal development coach can help you develop the skills needed to effectively identify and solve problems, and make informed decisions.

Who is personal development coaching for?

Personal development coaching is for anyone who is looking to improve their personal or professional life and achieve their goals. It is a helpful resource for individuals who want to increase their self-awareness, build new skills, and make positive changes in their lives.

Personal development coaching can be particularly useful for people who are:

  1. Seeking to make a career change or advance in their current career
  2. Looking to improve their personal relationships
  3. Seeking to increase their self-confidence and motivation
  4. Struggling to manage their time or set and achieve goals
  5. Seeking to improve their overall well-being and happiness
  6. Looking to make a positive change in their lives, but are unsure how to do so

If you are facing any of these challenges or simply want to improve your personal or professional life, personal development coaching may be a helpful resource for you.

Which personal development coach is for me?

There are many different personal development coaches available, and it is important to choose one that is a good fit for your needs and goals. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a personal development coach:

  1. Expertise: Look for a coach who has experience and training in the specific area you are looking to work on. For example, if you want to work on your career development, look for a coach who has experience helping others advance in their careers.

  2. Approach: Consider the coaching approach of the personal development coach. Some coaches may use more structured approaches, while others may be more flexible and adapt their approach to meet the needs of their clients. Choose a coach whose approach aligns with your preferences and goals.

  3. Personality: Personal development coaching involves a personal relationship between the coach and the client. It is important to find a coach with whom you feel comfortable and can build a rapport.

  4. Availability: Consider the coach’s availability and whether they offer sessions at times that are convenient for you.

  5. Cost: Personal development coaching can vary in cost, so it is important to consider your budget when choosing a coach.

It may also be helpful to speak with a few different coaches before making a decision, to get a sense of their style and approach and determine which one is the best fit for you.

"You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

Need further help with personal development coaching? Get in touch. 

Book a no-obligation 30-minute call with Tammy Whalen Blake to discuss the best program for your personal development needs.

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Tammy Whalen Blake

Founder of go to yellow
Personal Development Coach

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An opportunity in redundancy

redundancy males

Redefining Success | Resorting Life Balance

an opportunity in redundancy

#11 An Opportunity in Redundancy

Ten years ago, I was climbing the ladder of life. Yes, the same ladder we’re told will carry us to success and financial freedom. Working for a global tech company, I was on a dream salary and living the lifestyle that went with it: luxury cars, travelling the world, Michelin restaurants, flying helicopters – I’m sure you get the idea. I believed my worth was determined by my status and my success at work.

It’s funny how we are conditioned to believe this story, whether it feels right or not!

Everything was going great until redundancy hit me like a ton of bricks. The fall from grace smashed my confidence and took me on a rollercoaster of ups and downs. I naïvely believed it couldn’t happen to me. I had always felt safe and secure.

At first, I had a financial security blanket to keep me afloat, but the pain of what I perceived to be failure crippled me mentally and physically. My life had been taken away in a snap. Some days I would be at peace and have a sense of hope; other days would end at the bottom of a crisp packet with a side of self-pity. I can confirm Smarties definitely don’t have the answer!

Rejection felt like a physical attack, and I needed time to heal. Having no visible wounds didn’t make it hurt any less. As the days and weeks rolled past, I realised that being bitter and angry was not going to help me; I decided to use my emotions in a positive way to motivate and drive me forward.

CREATING A NEW PATH

As my focus started to return, I saw a new vision of how life could be. In time, I realised what I perceived to be a personal failure was actually a failure of the company I had invested my life in.

 

As the fog lifted, I found a force at work, shifting my vision of life and helping me to see the lessons I had been learning. The universe was sending me subtle messages that became clearer the more I tuned in. This was my turning point, and, somehow, I knew I’d been chasing the wrong dream, a dream that was never going to lead to total fulfilment.

 

You see, while I’d had many fulfilling experiences on my journey, deep down, I realised none of them gave me total life fulfilment. And that’s what I wanted. I needed to thrive on the pain of my experience to become the person I never knew I was born to be.

 

Now, I live my passion. I coach others and help them find their own sense of success and balance. 

Without the dark, there is no light, and now I can see my strength has come from my adversities.

Finding your unique purpose is key, but it can be misaligned if you don’t pay enough attention to what you really want – and ignore what others insist you want. Whilst the process of redundancy was a hard lesson, it also gave me the time and space to rediscover myself.

 

Look for the lesson in every situation. During times of struggle, it may not be clear, so you need to actively ask yourself ‘what have I learnt?’ to learn the most about yourself.

 

Keep moving forward and grasp opportunities as they arise and make sure you step outside your comfort zone once in a while. Success will come when you are comfortable with who you are and your abilities. Without testing yourself, you’ll never know what you’re capable of. Too often, we try to mould ourselves to fit the ideals of others, we rely on external validation. It holds us back from realising our dreams and confuses our true desires, so we end up overworked and unfulfilled.

 

For me, life today looks a little different to the original plan, but it is so much better than I could have imagined. I learnt the hard way, but now I see the bigger picture and know I have walked the right path to get to where I am. I know the future is bright, and I can’t wait to bask in the glow!

FIND YOUR PASSION AND PURPOSE

Know that you are not alone in this journey and it is OK to take time to think through your next steps. Feel what you need to feel and take action when you are open to change.

When you are, get in touch. Let me give you 60 minutes of my time to listen to your situation and give you guidance. 

If you want to get ahead of the curve, book on the same coaching program that took me from lost, to finding my passion and purpose. You can find out more here COACHING PROGRAMS 

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Tammy Whalen Blake

Founder of go to yellow
Personal Development Coach

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client success stories

It's Your Turn

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The Problem With Goal Setting

The Problem With Goal Setting

The Problem with goal-setting 1

THE PROBLEM WITH GOAL-SETTING

While 93% of the population set New Year’s resolutions, only 8% go on to achieve. So why don’t these goals get executed?  Perhaps many people have been following an ineffective approach. 

Let’s explore the reason why goals often don’t get implemented and what you can do differently.  

WHAT vs WHY? 

The goal is WHAT you want to achieve.  But lots of WHATs are not done because the WHY is not clear.  Here’s a common example. You know that daily exercise is good for you.  Many of you may have even set a daily goal to exercise. But only some of you are doing it.  Maybe you have a clear WHY, like a recent accident that made you realise how important it is to keep healthy… or trying to fit into a dress for a special event…  your WHY is very clear. 

But others fail to achieve their goal because they had less clarity on the WHY, or perhaps not emotionally-attached to their WHY.  So the WHAT is just an activity without a clear purpose. And before you know it, other things take priority.  

So before you set a goal, you must know why you are doing it in the first place. More importantly, it must be something that motivates YOU. Something deep and meaningful. 

There is a process I use to guide people to dig deep to their WHY.  And it’s surprising that when we get to your WHY, you’ll discover that your goals change.  You may not want to achieve the old WHAT you had previously planned. 

This may seem relatively simple, doesn’t it? But the challenge of digging your own WHY is that you stop before you get to the core and settle for a superficial WHY.  And this is ineffective because it doesn’t give you the motivation to achieve your WHAT, especially when distractions come. 

Ready to go deeper on this topic? 

Let me help you dig your WHY.  I will give you 30 minutes of my time free of charge and, in return, you will give me an open mind to explore yourselves deeper.  I only have 5 slots a week to do this, so make sure you book one of them. I would like you to feel what it’s like to get clarity and see the impact it makes to your goals. 

Schedule your call here https://gotoyellow.co.uk/schedule-a-call/ and let’s start your 2020 off to a great start.

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Tammy Whalen Blake

Founder of go to yellow
Personal Development Coach

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The Change Model

The Change Model

The Change Model

The Change Model

It’s important we understand where people come from in relation to making changes to their lifestyle that will improve their health. There is a very well-established model for this called the Stages of Change.

The Stages of Change model describes the different stages we go through when we want to change something in our lives.

Know that people can vary in the stage for different circumstances. For example, a person might be in the Action phase for improvement in their career, can also be in Precontemplation phase for smoking. While the time a person can stay in each stage is variable, the tasks required to move to the next stage are not. Those who practise change often, tend to naturally self-improve in all areas of life. A habit worth pursuing. 

It takes conscious effort to keep evolving and challenging yourself, as over time circumstances change. For example, today you may be focused on developing your career – focusing on the behaviours to amplify your success. In 5 years’ time, you become a parent – your previous behaviours such as working away from home might be adjusted to spend time with your newborn.  

6 Stages of Change

  1. Precontemplation – Not Ready

This is the first stage of change. In this stage, people do not have a desire to take action in the near future (within the next 6 months). These people are usually unaware of their behaviours causing problems for their situation. They tend to be oblivious, unwilling to discover or take responsibility for their actions. People in this stage underestimate the benefits of changing their behaviour but rather focus on the negatives of changing behaviour.

2. Contemplation – Getting Ready

In this stage, people aspire to begin the behaviour change in the near future (within the next 6 months). These people have recognised that their behaviour may be troublesome, and are thinking of the benefits of changing the behaviour, along with the negative impact. Even though they have recognised the behaviours as a problem, they may still feel doubtful of changing.

3. Preparation (Determination) – Ready

In this stage, people are ready and keen to take action soon (within the next 30 days). They prepare themselves by making adjustments, usually in small steps, and they believe changing their behaviour can lead to a more fulfilling and healthier life.

4. Action 

In this stage, the behaviour has changed (within the last 6 months) and people make a conscious effort to keep moving forward with the behaviour change. 

5. Maintenance 

In this stage, people have for a new habit as they’ve been performing the change for a while (more than 6 months). They maintain the behaviour change moving forward. People in this stage work to prevent relapsing.

6. Termination 

In this stage, people are confident in their new behaviour and have no desire to return to their unhealthy behaviours. These people tend to not relapse. Since this uncommon for many, people are most likely to stay in the maintenance stage. You do not see promotional material or marketing for people in these stages. 

 

In order to progress through the stages, people apply different processes: cognitive, affective, and evaluative. 

There have been 10 processes of change identified, with some being more relevant to a specific stage of change than others. 

 

The below processes require different strategies that help with making and maintain change.

Cognitive and Affective Experiential Processes

  1. Consciousness Raising (Get the Facts) – Increasing awareness about the behaviour.
  2. Dramatic Relief (Pay Attention to Feelings) – Emotional arousal about the behaviour, whether positive or negative.
  3. Self-Reevaluation (Notice Your Effect on self) – Self re-appraisal to realise the behaviour is part of who they want to be.
  4. Environmental Re-evaluation (Notice Your Effect on Others) – Social re-appraisal to realise how their unhealthy behaviour affects others.
  5. Social Liberation (Notice Public Support) – Environmental opportunities that exist to show society is supportive of the behaviour.

Behavioural Processes

  1. Self-Liberation (Make a Commitment)– Commitment to change behaviour based on the belief that achievement of the behaviour is possible.
  2. Helping Relationships (Get Support) – Finding supportive relationships that encourage the desired change.
  3. Counter-Conditioning (Use Substitutes) – replacing poor behaviours and thoughts for healthier behaviours and thoughts.
  4. Reinforcement Management (Use Rewards) – Rewarding positive behaviour and reducing the rewards that come from negative behaviour.
  5. Stimulus Control (Manage Your Environment) – Re-engineering the environment to have reminders and cues that support and encourage the new empowering behaviour and remove those that encourage the unhealthy behaviour.

Ready to take the leap into personal growth? 

Let me help you move through the change model to realise your potential.  I will give you 30 minutes of my time free of charge and, in return, you will give me an open mind to explore yourselves deeper. I would like you to feel what it’s like to get clarity and see the impact it makes to your personal development. 

Schedule your call here https://gotoyellow.co.uk/schedule-a-call/ and let’s craft the life you desire most

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Tammy Whalen Blake

Founder of go to yellow
Personal Development Coach