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:
If you're not uncomfortable, you're not leading
People don’t like to be uncomfortable. I cannot recall the last time I had a conversation a leader where the subject of “difficult conversations” about performance did not come up as one of their most feared situations. Second to that is concern about telling people that “change is coming.” Meanwhile, we face the reality that … Read more
Smile Like a Baby
As of the moment I’m writing this, our first grandbaby’s due date has come… and gone. And my daughter is still (very) pregnant. In fact, she and Paul attended the out-of-town wedding for Kelly’s med-school roommate on her due date. Until the baby arrives, life remains normal…. Babies don’t pay much attention to deadlines and … Read more
Down Time is Productive Time
Have you ever watched an auto race? Cars race around the track and race around the track at high speeds, and occasionally pull into the Pit where their Pit Crew come screaming into action. The car is jacked up on hydraulic lifts and instantly the crew swarm the car like ants on a sugar cookie. … Read more
John Gottman on Relationships
Studies in the workplace have concluded that the best leaders hit or exceed what’s considered the ideal balance of positive interactions to negative ones. Well, guess what? It’s not just about the workplace! In this less-than-90-second video, John Gottman shares what he knows from two decades of studying personal relationships. (John is the guy who … Read more
You Can't Change Other People
“You can’t change other people. You can only change how you respond to them.” I first heard this life lesson from a mentor when I was a newly minted supervisor 30 years ago. At the time I was struggling with how to manage several very difficult personalities on my team. What I learned in that … Read more
Read more articles like this one in: Communication, In the workplace, Leadership, Practicing Happiness
Say Cheese: 15 Fascinating Facts About Smiling
Ken recently contacted me to share an article he thought my Happiness audience would also enjoy — on Smiles. Of course! Ken’s audience is nurses (www.nursingschools.net), so he’s really grounded his research in the medical world — proving that smiles are GOOD FOR YOU! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Everyone loves the quote “laughter is the best medicine,” and … 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 … Read more
Put the 13 Happiness Principles into Action
For the past 32 years I’ve been married to an amazing woman who has partnered with me in raising a great family, but who pretty much left me alone when it came to running my coaching and consulting business (except for balancing the books!). A few years ago, however, she started to pay more attention … Read more
Read more articles like this one in: About Happiness, Everyday Happiness, Practicing Happiness, Relationships
No Excuses
I’ve been whining to my marketing mastermind group about how I can’t find the time to get all my assignments completed. I’m not the only one. And then Thomas sent us all a link to this video. OK, that’s a WHOLE different perspective. If you SAY it’s important, don’t make excuses.
Is Your Open Door Policy Killing You?
A common concern I hear from my executive clients is that they have great difficulty with strategy time. The issue usually presents itself like this: “I can’t find the time to think when I’m constantly being interrupted.” OK, why are you constantly being interrupted? The response is usually a form of, “we have an Open … Read more