It’s tempting to put your head on your desk, sob, and say it’s impossible to move forward when things go wrong and seem unjust, but life is short so we can either let external pressures get the better of us or we can stand straight and learn from experience.

There’s nothing more difficult than seeing a long day stretched before us full of something that we don’t want or can’t do successfully. Equally, it’s hard when we feel that we are endlessly working and living through a life of routine that we want to change but don’t know how.

We’re all very different people in how we interact with others but we’re conditioned from childhood that saying ‘no’ is a negative and an insolent approach. However, to be in control of our lives will mean sometimes having to disagree but how can we turn this into a positive and useful situation?

Since the pandemic, the working world has shifted with many people still working from home or in a hybrid setup, this means that we’re not so focused at the start of the week on the commute but are more likely to think about how to get the most out of the hours available.

As sure as there is night and day, we all find there are times when we feel lower than at others.

It can depend on several factors, including the weather, and often we are not even aware of what is causing a shift in our mood.

Hands up who has at least one thing they wish they were better at? Is it being more organised, better time-management, clearer work-life balance, standing up and presenting without the fear of stumbling? 

We probably have lots of weaknesses that we silently berate ourselves for, some have a bigger grip on us than others but actually, it’s a good thing.

Not to be confused with circles featured in Sir Elton John’s smash hit from The Lion King, the Wheel of Life is a simple but ingenious tool that will show you in an instant if you’ve got a grip on your home and working environments.

Spring is in the air and the excitement of seeing bursts of sunshine and buds on the trees definitely lifts our spirits but winter has a way of hanging around and often we can feel more exhausted than ever in the first few months of the year.

We all have moments where having another day tagged onto the weekend would be a glorious thing but, if you don’t look forward to working most of the time. then this could be the moment to fall in love with your job again.

When was the last time you thought ‘I am just so happy to be right here, right now’ without worrying about something that took place in the past or that might occur in the future? If you do appreciate being in the present, we’re guessing it is probably for a few seconds because, unlike most other creatures, humans are not wired to just live in the moment.

There is nothing better, or more rewarding, than a great connection with someone.

Whether it be in the street, at work or at a friend’s party there is little more satisfying than when the conversation flows, and you both seem to understand and respect what the other is saying.

It is often difficult to say what we are honestly thinking or going through because we don’t want to be a burden or be seen as weak yet every person on the planet has something they are struggling to deal with at some point.

So what we can do to help others and ourselves is, to be honest, and discuss what’s truly happening but how can you help someone open up and feel more able to cope?

For most people, particularly with the new hybrid way of working, it’s very hard to concentrate when there are folders surrounding the desk or there’s washing waving to us from the corner of the kitchen. However, it’s not only the physical elements of home or work that could do with a good sort out, it’s also other areas that will lead to a more stress-free way of living.

To many, another birthday on the horizon seems daunting or we may not feel we’ll reach our multitude of new goals, money can be dwindling after the festive season, exacerbated by the current cost of living crisis we are experiencing, and so by the middle of January, it’s not unusual to start feeling down.

There’s nothing like a crisp January to press the reset button. We have 12 months ahead of us to achieve some exciting new goals so here are a few ways to make a fresh NEW START and make this year one of your very best.

We are all guilty of putting things off that we don’t really want to do however, as American author and artist Julia Cameron, said, ‘Procrastination is not laziness, it is fear. Call it by its right name and forgive yourself’.

A great way of embracing and channeling a vision is by manifesting. This is becoming increasingly popular, particularly since the early lockdowns when Google saw a huge surge of people trying to find out how to get a better life, fabulous job, brand new house, more money and so on.

A good life coach will be always be honest and realistic. They won’t encourage you to follow your dream of being a pilot if you don’t have twenty-twenty vision. They could, however, find out what it is about that role that interests you and work with you to look at an alternative job that offers similar rewards.

One of the best ways to do well in our jobs is to be in sync and harmony with colleagues. If we know what makes one another tick, and agree on what our goals and contributions are, then our working hours are naturally more productive, and we can leave each day feeling satisfied.

There was a time when the idea of having a mentor was just for those needing physical and mental endurance, such as top athletes but today, with the surge of self-awareness and appreciation, having a mentor is as normal as a trip to the dentist.