This page is divided into two somewhat lengthy sections: Articles, then Blog. You can use the search function (the magnifying glass icon at right in the nav bar) to search for articles and blog posts on specific topics of your own interest, or click through the “Categories…” sidebar for articles on specific topics of interest.
Articles represent the most recent content in five most-read topics – kind of a greatest hits in applied happiness. The Blog section below it is a straight feed of ALL my articles, listed from newest to oldest. There are hundreds of posts, going back to 2008 – so if you’re intent on exploring the unfiltered blog at length, you might want to access it on this alternate page, so you won’t have to scroll past this intro and the Articles section every time you load another page of older posts.
Articles:
I welcome you to use these articles individually and/or reprint them in your own publication. Feel free to edit the articles to best fit the needs of your readers, but be sure to follow these guidelines for reprinting procedures:
- When you download the article, please email jim@theexecutivehappinesscoach.com with your intent to use.
- Include Jim’s bio just as it appears at the end of each article.
- Send Jim one copy of the e-zine or item it is published in.
Everyday Happiness
- Act Happy Week 2023, Day 5: Self-Expression
- Act Happy Week 2023, Day 4: Self-Talk
- Act Happy Week 2023, Day 3: Self-Work
- Act Happy Week 2023, Day 2: Self-Care
5 Prescriptions for Happiness (downloadable PDF)
Strategies for Personal Change
- Book Reviews – Top 2 for ’21
- Done is Better than Perfect
- ThanksGETTING – How do you receive a Gift?
- I GOT A BALLOON!
Leadership and Workplace
- How To Ask For Coaching
- ThanksGETTING – How do you receive a Gift?
- Three Simple Rules
- ACT HAPPY WEEK, DAY 5: WHAT’S THE ONE THING?
Happiness Principles
- #6: Tolerate Nothing (downloadable PDF)
Annual Planning Kits
- Jim’s Annual Planning Kit for Couples (downloadable PDF)
- Jim’s Annual Planning Kit for Individuals (downloadable PDF)
Blog posts:
Lead With Questions
One of the oldest and most enduring leadership models in business today is Situational Leadership (SL), developed by Blanchard and Hersey several decades ago. The SL model works with the stages of learning through which we all progress when we take on a new task. The four stages (these are in my own words) are: Clueless … Read more
Remove Barriers to Happiness at Work
A good friend is currently tied up in knots about her workplace culture. The company owner rarely shows up to provide guidance, yet resists giving others the power to put rules and policies into place. So the workplace is chaotic, morale is falling, and my friend is debating whether she will continue to work at … Read more
Assertiveness: You Can Do This!
Any emotion that you WANT to experience more can become more natural if you play the role, or practice it, more often. Let’s look at assertiveness. In assertiveness, you are able to stand up for yourself or your position from a place of confidence. When you practice assertiveness, you are more likely to get your own needs … Read more
Advice for Happier Performance Appraisals
The topic of Performance Appraisal (PA) discussions has come up with several clients recently. Anxiety seems to be the most common emotion associated with PAs, both on the part of the receiver and the writer/manager. A little anxiety running up to the conversation can be helpful. It will keep you alert and engaged during the … Read more
Communicating Unhappy News
As more companies must make the difficult decision to reduce staff and send people packing, I’ve had many leaders seek advice on what to tell people when they ask questions. When people suspect a layoff is pending, they shift into constant anxiety. Too many leaders insist on “keeping mum” as the official management policy. And … Read more
9 Things You Should Know About Happiness
If you want to experience more positive moments in your life, start by checking your beliefs about what it means to live a happy life. You have the right to pursue Happiness, not have it delivered. You are free to define happiness in your own way, without others imposing their definition on you. At the … Read more
Give Yourself a Break: 13 Tips For Self-Care
Exercise: Raise your hand if you’ve recently engaged in any of the following activities: Called someone a moron, a jerk, or an idiot? Screamed at someone for being stupid? Looked at someone and said, “I can’t stand the sight of you!”? Pushed someone down then kicked them over and over and over? What’s that, you … Read more
25 Simple Ways to Have More Fun, Right Now
A friend of ours, Dr. Mary, is a General Practitioner who has patients of all ages and life stages in her medical practice. Mary recently shared stories about some elderly patients who inspire her, like the 99-year old who still drives to appointments or the 80-something great-grandma who just completed a marathon. These are people who, … Read more
Ten Practices for Gratitude
Gratitude (grat-i-tood), noun: the quality of being warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankfulness. Gratitude is the most powerful of all the positive emotions, forming a solid foundation for experiencing more happiness, optimism, hope, and joy. Practiced regularly, gratitude shapes your worldview toward noticing abundance versus scarcity, since it focuses on what you Have versus … Read more
Watch Your Language
So, I’m sitting in a Starbucks working on my computer, surrounded by conversations. I am not a snoop by nature, but when surrounded by Loud Talkers, I can’t help but hear. On my right sit two women coming from a class they take together once a week. “This is the only time we get to … Read more