Spring is finally here!

I just got back from a wonderful vacation in Bretagne, France where Spring had just arrived. The flowers were blooming, birds were chirping, and the sun didn’t set until 9pm. The air was fresh and clear, and I felt so alive. I returned refreshed and renewed, ready to awaken each day to whatever life has in store for me, looking forward in love and joy!

“Like it or not, at times we all reach a point of stagnation in our lives, when we can’t seem to go forward or backward. This can be the death of us, whether of our hope, our health, our faith or our relationships. In such situations we often cannot see the need for change in ourselves, or we cannot see the way of making it happen. We look outside of ourselves for an answer, even just a subtle push. The springtime is nature’s season for giving that subtle push, though our personal season of renewal can come at any time, in any month of the year.

Spring has been the harbinger of changes to come since before mankind walked this Earth. It has been worshipped as sacred, as the time of the new dawn, by countless cultures and religions, both ancient and modern. It is worth pausing to reflect on this time of renewal while it is happening around you. Let spring fill you up with hope, for spring is an energy which never looks back or allows regrets. Spring is the looking forward, the building up, and it is filled with optimism and promise.”

(Shared by a colleague; author unknown)

Happiness defined…

We all yearn to be happy; it’s a universal goal and it is often linked to finding our life’s purpose, life satisfaction, appreciation, gratitude, and moments of pleasure or joy.

University of Minnesota researchers found that about half of happiness is genetically determined… And that we’ll be happy if we pursue basic values such as faith, family, community and work.

Where Meaning and Happiness Collide

Work can bring happiness by joining our passions with our skills, empowering us to create value in our lives and in the lives of others.  As Franklin D. Roosevelt said: “Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.”  Americans who feel they are successful at work are twice as likely to say they are very happy overall as people who don’t feel that way.

Finding Your Ikigai

More often than not, happiness and meaning often feed off each other. The more meaning we find in life, the happier we typically feel, and the happier we feel, the more we often feel encouraged to pursue even greater meaning and purpose. And if you can mesh passion and skills with a mission and work that you’re paid for- voila! It doesn’t get any better than that!

To find your Ikigai, or life’s purpose, ask yourself these 4 questions:

1. What do you love?
2. What are your strengths? What are you good at?
3. What does the world need? What is your mission?
4. What can you be paid for?

Without purpose, people can feel unfulfilled, and this can affect their happiness quotient.  Positive psychology researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky says happiness is “the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile.” We like to feel that what we do matters beyond just getting a paycheck.

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, or worn. It is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace & gratitude.” – Denis Waitley

Ready to Find Your Ikigai?

It’s possible to find your purpose and be happy in a career that’s meaningful where you’re fulfilled…  Sure, you have to do the work which takes some courage, and perhaps shifting your mindset… but you can address the challenges and obstacles and make appropriate choices, one step at a time.

If you’re unhappy or feel stuck in your current situation, if you’re unemployed or underemployed, and you’re ready to see what else is possible, I have a super special offer for you! (details below) Together, we’ll craft a strategy so you can define happiness on your terms and create your own personal road map for success.  Sound good?

Special Offer for Unemployed or Underemployed Job Seekers- *50% off Career and Life Coaching with Clare!

The first 3 people who send me an email will receive coaching at half my regular (job seeker) rate!  I’ve seen it make a difference for so many clients and I’m committed to helping people find work (and a life) they love…plus recent research has shown that coaching helps job seekers find work faster by providing emotional support, objective feedback and accountability that keeps their motivation and momentum strong. It’s a win-win!

So, what do you really, really want?  And what are you waiting for?
It’s your life, and you can make it work! Let’s find your Ikigai together!

*Conditions: A minimum of 3 months or at least 6 one hour coaching sessions, meeting weekly or every other week per terms on my coaching agreement, which will be sent ahead for review.