Healthylicious Avocado

Dear Friends

The first time I ever ate an avocado was this year - that’s 49 years of missing out on this amazing fruit! Well, better late than never. Since discovering it, I have been eating at least 3 or 4 pieces a week, if not one a day!

Reason for my late discovery: no one in my family ever ate avocados before; it was simply non existent in Chinese cuisine. But now, I know just how versatile this fruit is - there are literally hundreds and hundreds of healthylicious recipes featuring the avocado - I really can’t seem to get enough of it!

Here’s why you should add eat an avocado a day:

1. Essential Nutrients.
It is an excellent source of some essential nutrients like: vitamin K (36% of daily value in one cup), dietary fibre (30%), potassium (25%), folate (23%), vitamin B6 (22%), vitamin C 20%), copper (20%).
2. Better Nutrient Absorption.
Not only does avocado contain a spectacular array of carotenoids like beta-carotene, alpha-carotene and lutein, as well as many lesser known carotenoids including neochrome, neoxanthin, chrysanthemaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and violaxanthin, it has also been found to increase the absorption of two key carotenoid antioxidants—lycopene and beta-carotene from other foods when eaten together.
3. Prevent Breast Cancer.
Avocado, like olive oil, is high in oleic acid, which has been shown to prevent breast cancer.
4. Good for the Eyes.
Avocados is a great source of lutein, which helps protect the eys against macular degeneration and cataracts, two disabling age-related eye diseases.
5. Glutathione Support.
Avocados are an excellent source of glutathione, which is your Master Cell Protector against aging, cancer and heart disease.
6. Lower Bad Cholesterol.
Avocados are high in beta-sitosterol, a compound that has been shown to lower cholesterol levels.
7. Heartilcious as well.
Besides glutathione, avocados is also a great source of folate, which has been found to protect against heart disease and strokes. One cup of avocado will give you 23% of the recommended daily value of folate.
8. Vitamin E Powerhouse.
Avocado is rich in vitamin E, which will protect your skin from ultraviolet light, prevent cell damage from free radicals, allow your cells to communicate effectively, help protect against prostate cancer and Alzheimer's disease
9. Anti-Inflammatory.
Avocados have received a lot of bad press because of its high fat content. What most people don’t realise is that these fats are unusual - they are good for us. They are the phytosterols - beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol; and the polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols (PFAs), both of which are key supporters of our inflammatory system to help keep inflammation under control.

If that doesn’t convince you to go out and buy a basket of avocados now, then we hope our tasty Healthylicious Recipes will help persuade you!

Healthy for Life
Jessica

P.S. If you are suffering from debilitating arthrithis, check out: My Healing Kitchen.

Take the Long-Term Approach

It’s estimated that over 95% of all people who lose weight on a diet, gain it back. They started a diet and gave up feeling discouraged when they don’t lose much weight, or they started a diet, lost weight, gained back more weight, and then gave up in discouragement. Or some started on a different diet and repeated the same depriving, discouraging, demoralizing process.

If you want to be successful at not only losing, but keeping the kilo’s off, you need to take the long term approach: Look at what you are about to undertake not as a short term, quick, weight loss, but rather a change in lifestyle to last a lifetime. Remember, you did not go to bed skinny one night, and woke up the next morning, grossly overweight!

Deprivation diets don’t work long-term, because you just end up with a bigger craving for what you have cut back on. Yes, you will lose weight in time for that big event you were targeting to lose weight for, but after that, you will pile on the kilo’s again as you double your intake on what you felt “deprived” of.

That’s why I recommend you to work with a weight loss or health coach who can tailor an integrative program just for you, based on your specific lifestyle – what you eat, when you eat, even how you eat, what physical activities you do. You will begin to make more nutritious food choices, add exercise, and cut back somewhat – no more than 20% – on your eating.


If you falter along the way, you don't need to look at it as a failure because you know that you have a long time to make the changes. For example, if you go for a big Chinese wedding dinner, and you indulge in more than what you normally take, there is no need to feel guilty because you know that eating so much is not a regular habit, and that at the next meal you will eat more sensibly.

What you can also do is, at each meal, take 20% less than what you normally take on your plate, eat slowly, taking care to chew your food well, and enjoy it. More often than not, you will find the amount is actually enough. For many of us, why we overeat is because we have been taught from young to finish the food on our plate and not “waste” it. Also, our brain takes at least 20 minutes to get the signal from our stomach that we are full, so if we eat too fast, we tend to overeat.

"The best diet is the one you don't know you are on." Dr Brian Wansink

THIS WEEK'S LESSON:
Set a realistic goal for yourself how much weight you want to lose or how many inches you want to take off your waist in the short as well as long-term. A good goal is to lose only 5-10% of your body weight at a time. Also, your waistline should be less than half your height, so if you are 5'2", your waist should be below 31".

The key to successful weight loss is to enjoy what you eat. So start looking for healthier options and learn to enjoy the taste. You can go to my website Healthylicious Meals to get some great recipes you can try.

Healthylicious Meals

Dear Friends

I am so excited... today, my dream of launching a website to help people discover - for themselves - how healthy meals can be great tasting as well is finally realised. I have started a new company with my good friend Alicia called Healthylicious Meals and together, we are going to cook up a storm!

Our mission is to introduce all the wonderful foods that Nature has provided us, and make them exciting again! As Man became more "sophisticated", our food became more artificial. We wanted the best taste, the fastest way. We were seduced by attractive commercials touting "good" food. As a result, our bodies grew weaker and new diseases that our great grandparents never heard of, descended upon us.

It's time for a Healthylicious revolution! Let's rediscover the wonderful gifts from Mother Nature - in beautiful colours and smells and tastes to excite all our senses.

Join the revolution NOW - it all starts with YOU. Your kids and their kids will follow the example you set. Let this be your mantra - "I am what I eat, so I want to eat what's best for my body."

Please go to my Healthylicions Meals website and register for the monthly ezine - we will send you a free Healthylicious recipe every month!

Healthy for Life
Jessica See

Dear Friends
Feeling stressed and constantly tired? Pimples popping out on your face? Experiencing all kinds of skin allergy? Trying all kinds of weight loss diets but none seem to be working?

It may be time for a detox - kind of like a body overhaul! Detox, short for detoxification, is the removal of potentially toxic substances from the body. Why do we need to detox?

Like it or not, the environment today is toxic; so are the foods we eat, even the air we breathe and the water we drink! Everyday we are exposed to, and absorb toxins and chemicals that are potentially harmful to our well-being and our feeling of “wellness”. Whilst our bodies naturally detoxify, we need to lend a helping hand, not only by minding our lifestyle habits on a daily basis, but also, at least once in six months, go through a detox program to cleanse out our system. Kind of like clearing a clogged drain once in a while.

This will help get rid of those chemicals built up from years of pollution, which are making us feel tired, sluggish and endows us with a lack-lustre appearance.

There are various detox programs that you can explore - some work only with the bowels, others may cleanse the liver or the blood, and others may aid the kidneys or the skin in their functions. By combining these detox programs into a total health program, you can effectively restore your health to an optimal level and look younger in the process.

Besides following a short-term detox program, other factors to consider in detoxification are nutrition and water, exercise, adequate rest, sunshine, and fresh air. Not forgetting - your mind and spiritual dimension!

"The cure of the part should not be attempted without the treatment of the whole. No attempt should be made to cure the body without the soul, and if the head and body are to be healthy, you must begin by curing the mind." - Plato


THIS WEEK'S ACTION STEP
Get started on a detox program - not just for your body but your mind as well!

Some factors to be aware of in detoxifying your body:

1. Have enough rest.
During the detox period which can be for one or two days, give your body plenty of rest. If you do, your body will be able to recoup its energy. Cut out every non-critical activity and allow your body to rebuild as necessary to function at its optimum again after the detoxifying.

Try to refrain from exercising during this period so you can conserve energy.

2. Drink lots of pure, distilled water.
Pure water is the next important remedy to aid body detoxifying. As far as possible, drink only distilled water during this period as most of what we drink only adds toxins to our body.

3. Eat lightly.
Eating, which forces the body to digest food, requires a lot of energy. So, eat lightly, and if you are not hungry, listen to your body and don’t eat!

If you are sleeping or lying down, you are giving your body that much needed mental and physical rest. Drinking lots of water and eating only fresh fruit and vegetables will give you a physiological rest as well.

Word of Caution:
Make sure your liver - a major detoxifying organ - does not become overburdened, congested, and stagnant during detoxification. The liver may be unable to completely purify the system of toxins while those substances are still coming into the body on a regular basis; the liver's energy is spent processing and sorting the incoming toxins rather than eliminating them. In such a situation, by the time the liver is ready to begin flushing toxins out, another flood is introduced to the system and the liver must deal with the new load of incoming assailants rather than continuing the final phase of releasing toxins, leading to an overworked organ.

The Role of Glutathione in the Detox System

Glutathione, which is produced in our cells is known as the Master Detoxifier. It performs two tasks in the detox process. First, it quenches the free radicals created when the liver neutralizes toxins and secondly, it combines with toxic chemicals such as found in cigarette smoke, auto exhaust and the deadly PCB’s so they can be safely excreted.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Penicillin, Tetracycline and toxic metals like lead, mercury and cadmium are only a few of the substances detoxified by Glutathione. It also detoxifies the liver of aldehydes and ketones that build up from alcohol intake. It can help to reduce liver disease including cirrhosis and fatty liver disease, which is caused by alcohol consumption.

Glutathione in the foods that we eat detoxifies substances in the intestines before they can be absorbed into your blood stream.  It is also thought to protect your stomach lining from the free radical effects of the high amounts of acid it produces. High glutathione levels are good for the immune system enabling the body to produce more white blood cells which fight off infection and devour foreign substances.

Most children with autism are significantly deficient in glutathione and it is thought that mercury inhibits the production of glutathione and the toxins that are unable to be detoxified contribute to the brain and other symptoms associated with autism.
Sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Lyme Disease have been helped by increasing their glutathione levels.

For more information on glutathione, go to: Benefits of Glutathione.
For a free recipe on a detox juice that you can prepare at home, write to coach@health-coach-international.com.

Eating Mindlessly

Dear Friends

I had a tearful evening watching the tear-jerker, My Sister’s Keeper. I suppose it’s never easy watching your loved one die. It creates the eternal debate: Is it better to know when you are going to depart from this life, or simply go without knowing? Those who have watched the movie Bucket List (my favourite!) would probably say, “yes” to knowing; at least we can make our bucket list and do all the things we have always wanted to do before the final goodbye.

Anyway, what such movies do is to reinforce in me the passion to get more people to take full responsibility for their health. There is so much we can do to keep and stay healthy – all simple disciplines that we will even enjoy, once we make a decision to follow them. It’s just that most people are just too lazy to even think about them. They would rather remain ignorant, and as we know, if we had ever seen a sick person dying, or watched the movies I mentioned, ignorance is certainly not bliss.

Take good nutrition for example. As you see in my last two articles, the foods I listed as Top 5 Beauty Foods and Top 5 Energy Foods are all so delicious. Why not focus on taking more delicious foods that are good for us, and less (not total deprivation) foods that we know are not good for us?

The trouble is most of us are indulging in mindless eating and lifestyle habits; often we don’t even enjoy what we put into our mouths or know why we like to stuff ourselves with potato chips whenever we turn on the television. Or why we just automatically light up that cigarette that we know is poisoning our lungs? Or must drink that cup of coffee in the morning? If you really think about it, you will realize it was probably not about how you enjoyed the taste.

The first time you smoked, you probably choked. Similarly the first time you drank coffee, you probably didn’t really like it. This is our body reacting to what is really not good for it.

THIS WEEK'S LESSON:
Take time to reflect on lifestyle habits that you know are bad for your health: Describe in detail why it makes you feel good following them, and then explore if there are healthier alternatives.

But the road to success is not ruthlessly cutting out all your habits, although that has worked for many, once they found their motivation. My mother quit smoking “cold turkey” after she was hospitalized for a stomach ulcer. My husband also quit immediately after a speaker at a seminar pointed out how distasteful it was for non-smoking business associates to breathe in the foul breath of a smoker.

You don’t have to go that road where food is concerned. As Dr Brian Wansink suggested in his book Mindless Eating, the key to change lies in middle. You can turn the food in your life from being a temptation or a regret to something you guiltlessly enjoy. You can move from mindless overeating to mindless better eating, says Dr Wansink.

“It's so hard when I have to, and so easy when I want to.”  ~Annie Gottlier

THIS WEEK'S ACTION STEP

Better eating means different things to different people. It can mean eating less, eating without guilt, eating more nutritiously or eating with greater enjoyment.
As we often emphasise at Health Coach International, there is simply no one-size-fits-all solutions. Over the next few days, think of three (yes, only three!) food trade-offs or food policies that are specifically relevant and motivating for you.
Food trade-offs are statements which goes like this: “I can eat x if I do y.” Example of a food trade-offs is: “I can eat dessert if I have done my 20-minute morning exercise.”

Meanwhile a food policy is a personal rule that you stick to, without exception. Examples are: “I serve myself 80% of what I normally would.” “Eat only at the dining table.” “Only order dessert after I have finished my main course and if I still feel hungry.”

As Dr Wansink says, “We don’t have to commit to big sacrifices, we only have to pick the habits we can easily forego.
If you need help to work out a healthy diet plan that is suitable for you specifically, drop us an email at coach@health-coach-interntional.com or visit Health Coach, giving us your name, age, race and any health conditions.  

Talk to you soon!

Jessica See




For more information on MaxOne, go to: Max International.

High Energy Foods

In 1835, a man in Florence, Italy, went to a doctor for a checkup. When the doctor asked if anything was wrong with him, the man replied, “I am filled with anxiety and exhausted from lack of sleep. I’ve been unable to eat and find myself isolated from even my closest friend.

After a thorough examination, the doctor concluded that the man was in excellent physical condition. He decided the man was probably just stressed out and needed to relax and have a good time. The doctor suggested that the man visit the circus that was in town then, and enjoy the hilarious antics of the star performer, a clown named Grimaldi. “You could relieve your anxiety by enjoying the fun and laughter that Grimaldi produces.”

“No, no,” replied the man, “he can’t help me. You see, I’m Grimaldi.”

Certainly as Plato once observed, “The cure of the part should not be attempted without the treatment of the whole. No attempt should be made to cure the body without the soul, and if the head and body are to be healthy, you must begin by curing the mind. In other words, we all need to be healed in the highest sense by taking care of our mind, body and spirit, and the first step, says r Deepak Chopra in his book Journey Into Healing, is to realize that this is even possible.

Yes, you can live a healthy, happy life, and be filled with positive energy… IF you decide to.

THIS WEEK'S LESSON:
Take responsibility for your own health and well-being by taking care of your mind, body and spirit.

The expression “you are what you eat” is increasingly shown to be true. Every body cell is ultimately derived from food which provides all the components and energy we need for optimum health and energy.

Last article, I shared the Top 5 Beauty Foods. This week, I will share with you the Top 5 Energy Foods.

When you have high positive energy, you will have a new zest for life and be able to do more, be more and have more!

What fools indeed we mortals are
To lavish care upon a Car,
With ne'er a bit of time to see
About our own machinery!
~John Kendrick Bangs

THIS WEEK'S ACTION STEP
Here are the Top 5 (delicious) Energy Foods that I recommend you add to your daily diet starting NOW:
1. Banana. Bananas are the ultimate healthy snack. It’s great for boosting energy levels as well as mental energy, being a source of the biogenic amines serotonin and dopamine, the building blocks of neurotransmitters in the brain. It also contains bufotenine which increases sex drive.
2. Broccoli. Contains protective phytonutrients, calcium as well as useful amounts of magnesium, vital for producing energy, for muscle function and nerve conduction. It also contains sulphoraphane, an antioxidant which has powerful anti-cancer properties.
3. Asparagus. Asparagus is high in antioxidants and low in calories, and will help keep your skin looking younger as well. It is also a very rich source of rutin, which can strengthen blood vessels, capillaries and will help support circulatory system, as well as help detox your body.
4. Nuts and seeds – walnuts, brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds. Nuts and seeds are a rich source of energy in the form of fatty acids. Walnuts also contains a significant amount of beauty-enhancing omega-3 fatty acids, plus antioxidants selenium and vitamin E. Most of the nuts and seeds are also good for enhancing circulation, and relieving stress and fatigue.
5. Tomatoes. Tomatoes are by far one of the healthiest of the fruits and vegetables. It is a rich source of Lycopene, a vital anti-oxidant that helps to fight against cancerous cell formation as well as other kinds of health complications and diseases. Research has also indicated that the lycopene in tomatoes can help older people stay active longer. It is also rich in glutathione - an essential component for the survival of cells.

All the foods listed in my last article for enhancing beauty also helps in giving plenty of positive energy – avocado, berries, salmon, sweet potato and spinach. So, keep on enjoying the beauty and health foods, and you will be glowing with youth and vitality!

By the way, I've created a Healthy4Life PicBadge which you can download and put on your Facebook profile picture - Good health can be yours, just claim it!

Jessica See

My Favourite Healthy Snack

Dear Friends

One of my favourite healthy snacks is Oven Baked Sweet Potato Wedges. All I have to do is slice up a sweet potato, put the strips on a piece of aluminium foil on top of a tray, sprinkle a little sea salt and cinnamon spice, with a tablespoon of olive oil on top, and bake it in the oven for 15 - 20 minutes and viola! My tasty homemade wedges are ready for me to munch on.... yummy!

The key to looking good – whatever your physical attributes, is radiant health and lots of positive energy. To chieve both is not as difficult as it’s made out to be. It simply starts with making a decision to follow a healthy lifestyle: Eat healthy and nourishing foods; do enough physical activity; have enough rest and learn to feel good about yourself. It’s not rocket science: most of us know it. It’s just that most have NOT made the decision to do it!

Today, I’m going to focus on healthy eating. As the saying goes, “You are what you eat.” Such a simple idea, yet so many people struggle to follow it. Instead, they would rather spend thousands of dollars trying to correct what problems they eventually face with their skin, weight and health.

Of course, it can’t be denied that genetics do play a role, but it’s also been proven that we can lend ourselves a helping hand as well by watching what we consume. My genes dictated that I would suffer greatly from skin acne in my teens; but by taking care of what I eat and my skin health, I am now blessed with clear skin. When I say “skin health” I am not just referring to the skincare we use on our face, although of course that’s important too. Remember, beauty comes from inside out. If you put junk into your stomach, it will show up in your skin and your weight.


THIS WEEK'S LESSON:
Love yourself: Eat well, treat your body well, feed your mind with good thoughts.

Indeed, true beauty and wellness emanates from within. I believe strongly in head-to-toe transformation; starts with the mind, right down to the feet, taking you where you want to go. It’s not enough just to KNOW what you have to do to look good, feel great; you’ve got to DO it!

So, stand tall. When you straighten your shoulders and put a smile on your face, you already look more elegant and appealing. Suck in your tummy and you look two kilograms slimmer. And then, say to yourself: My health and how I look is my responsibility; everyday, in every way, I will get better and better.


“People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within.” – Elizabeth Kubler-Ross


THIS WEEK'S ACTION STEP
Here are the Top 5 (delicious) Beauty Foods that I recommend you add to your daily diet starting NOW:
1. 1. Avocado. When ripe, avocados are almost a complete food, supplying lots of potassium, vitamins A and E, some B and C vitamins, and a little protein and starch. It’s also a rich source of skin-protective antioxidants, especially vitamin E. It’s good for the heart, circulation, anti-aging and for anyone suffering from stress or sexual problems. It is also a natural source of glutathione. For more information on what glutathione can do for you, go to: Glutathione for Ant Aging.
2. Berries – blueberries, cranberries, strawberries and more. One thing that nearly all berries have in common is: they are great for rejuvenating both the heart and blood. They are also remarkable cleansing and purifying agents, and last but not least, have an abundance of anti-oxidants which help to neutralize free-radical damage in body tissues.
3. Salmon. Salmon is one of the best food sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which help to enhance our health and appearance by fighting inflammation, improving blood circulation and keeping the skin cells soft, smooth and supple.
4. Sweet potato. This humble tuber is an excellent source of beauty-enhancing beta-carotene, which is a powerful anti-oxidant. It also contains Vitamin A, minerals and fibre which is important for the body. In addition, it is also a source of phytochelatins which help in metal detoxification of body tissue.
5. Spinach. Does Popeye have great skin? Presumably so, as not only is this the vegetable of purported strength but also great for the skin and eyes. It is loaded with beauty-enhancing nutrients like beta-carotene, alpha-lipoic acid, vitamins C, E and B9 and minerals. Its exceptional lutein and zeaxanthin content keeps the eyes healthy and bright.

In my next article I will touch on some High Energy foods, so watch out for it! If you have comments or queries, please write to me at coach@health-coach-international.com.

Jessica See

YOU are Responsible for Your Own Health

Dear Friends

Many years ago, when I was working at a “clock-watching” job in a financial institution, I used to go on medical leave at least once a fortnight. Mind you, I was really sick – with migraine, gastric, diarrhea, flu, you name it. Now I haven’t stayed home sick for years and years – I can’t remember the last time I stepped into a clinic except for the annual health checks I go for.

No, I’m not out to discredit medical doctors – I’m sure most of them are wonderful, conscientious people. It’s just that I think we all have to take personal responsibility for own health and well-being. I believe in good health via a healthy lifestyle, and prevention rather than cure.

My friends get tired of my “nagging” but I do not intend to desist. One of them, in her mid-30s, has the most unbelievably unhealthy practices – smoking, a diet of mostly meat and hardly any vegetables or fruit, sleeping late from watching DVDs and playing computer games, no exercise… little wonder that she gets sick every so often. And when she does get sick, it’s off to the doctor and more antibiotics, and on and on it goes.


THIS WEEK'S LESSON:
Put your past bad habits behind and start anew.

As Dr Deepak Chopra says, “To have a renewed body, you need to be willing to have new perceptions that give rise to new solutions. If you look closely at your own life, you will realize that you are sending signals to your body that repeat the same old fears and wishes, the same old habits of yesterday and the day before. That is why you are stuck with the same old body.”

So if you are getting sick all the time, you have to recognize that your body is telling you something is not right, either spiritually or mentally, as well as physically. We cannot simply ignore the signals, and hope they’ll go away with a dose of antibiotics or two!


“Health is not just an absence of a disease. It’s an inner joyfulness that should be ours all the time – a state of positive well-being.” – Deepak Chopra, MD.


THIS WEEK'S ACTION STEP
So how do you get started? Here are some suggestions for the week (and days to come):
1. First and foremost, love yourself. Every morning, look into the mirror and give thanks for the wonderful person looking back at you. My friend and colleague June greets herself by saying, “Hi, Gorgeous!”
2. Take a list of all the bad habits that you want to get rid of – smoking, sleeping late and waking up late, eating junk food, etc. Then just make a decision and STOP it! 3. If you need help, write to us; our health coaches will be able to help you.
4. Feed your spirit, mind and body with good, nutritious diets. Like reading a good book, watching a good movie that will nourish the soul and put a smile on your face (like Bucket List; not a horror movie, please!), and of course eating good, nutritious food. Read my latest article on how you can nourish your body, go to: http://ezinearticles.com/?Glutathione---The-Master-Anti-Oxidant:-How-You-Can-Increase-the-Glutathione-Level-in-Your-Body&id=6453762
5. Indulge in a good body massage or foot reflexology, or a stress-free holiday. I like to go camping in the jungle – it’s so amazingly rejuvenating for the mind and spirit!
6. At least once a year, go for a detox program. For more advice on this area, watch out for future articles or write to me at coach@health-coach-international.com.

Talk to you soon!

Jessica See

Turnng Stress to Positive Energy

Dear Friends,

Stress is inevitable. Trust me, the only place where there is absolutely no stress is not the place you want to be!

Instead what we want to look for is how we can manage stress effectively and turn it into a positive motivator or engine to move us forward to the life we want to live.

THIS WEEK'S LESSON:
Discover the joy in what you do and find a purpose to the work you do.

The best and most effective way to turn workplace stress to your advantage is to discover the joy in what you do and find a purpose to the work you do. Too many people are lost in their day-to-day routine and tasks that they can’t seem to distinguish the trees from the forest. When the mountain of work they have in front of them seem to only get bigger no matter how much time they seem to be putting in to get it done.

Not enough people take the time to reflect on what is the BIG picture in terms of their career or business. Our career or business is a big part of our life as most of us spend at least one third of our time working on it from the time we embark on a career until we retire, which for some, may be our death bed! Thus, many of us are “defined” by our career and what we do, so it’s really important that we have clarity on where we are at now, and where we want to go eventually.

Once you have clarity on your purpose, then you have to take some time to reflect on which tasks or part of your job you like and which parts you dislike. Strive to be truly brilliant at areas you enjoy and are good at; and wherever possible, delegate areas you are not good at. If you can’t do that, then just understand and acknowledge your weakness as well as the fact that it’s part and parcel of the job. If you find that what you don’t like far outweighs what you enjoy, then perhaps it’s time to think of doing something else!

“The road to happiness lies in two simple principles: find what it is that interests you and that you can do well, and when you find it. Put your whole soul into it – every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability you have.” - John D. Rockefeller II


THIS WEEK'S ACTION STEP

In closing this week, I'd like to offer an exercise to complete in the week ahead:

Keep a daily journal detailing what tasks you do everyday at work and beside the task, rate it in terms of how much you enjoy doing it, from 1 being Not Enjoyable to 10 being Great Fun.

At the end of the week, reflect on the tasks and for those with low scores, decide if you could delegate, reinvent or simply think of getting another career!

For a detailed assessment form that you can use to assess your career, please write to coach@health-coach-international.com with Subject: Health Coach International’s Assessment - Career

Have FUN!!

Jessica See