Tag Archive | different

Probably the reason we all go so haywire at Christmas time with the endless unrestrained and often silly buying of gifts is that we don’t quite know how to put our love into words. Harlan Miller

Buying presents for other people shouldn’t be a task but it should be exciting. I’m one of those people who buy’s someone a present and can’t wait to give it to them! Each year I watch as friends and family drag their feet to the shops, without a list, in search of presents for people… this week Happiness Weekly takes the chore out of your Thanks Giving and Christmas shopping and finds the easiest way to buy the perfect presents for your loved ones.

1. Make a list of ideas for each person you need to buy for
The first step in your present shopping should be making a list of everyone you need to buy gifts for and setting a rough budget to stick to. This will also help narrow down the kind of present you can get everyone. With this list, I also tend to brainstorm a few ideas next to each name to point me in the direction of what stores or areas within stores I could look to find the perfect present for that person.

2. Consider their hobbies and interests
Everyone has a hobby or an interest. It’s human nature! Generally we use it as our outlet to express ourselves and reconnect with some time by ourselves. Your task is to find out what the person you are buying for is interested in. Sometimes this can be about asking the right questions and listening for the answer or clue to your perfect present. Get someone something unexpectedly cool, a bit different and quirky but I guarantee they’ll love it! “The gift has to be mainstream enough to be cool, yet unexpected enough to have remained unnoticed,” Jeff Wofford said.

3. Decide what they NEED
If their interest is unusual and you still aren’t sure what to get them, start having a think about what they may need. A petrol voucher, a grocery voucher, a gift certificate to a local beautician, perhaps you can’t stand driving in their car because it’s a mess… a voucher to a local car wash cafe? Think of things they will use and appreciate at the time. This is particularly good for siblings or very busy professionals that tend not to reward themselves.

4. Think outside the square
Combine the practical – the things you know they’ll use – and a hint of your creativity – with the things you know they’ll love. Everyone loves to receive a little survival box or personalised hamper from their loved ones. It’s easy, creative and shows your more thoughtful side. Buy a couple of items associated with their interest, get a photo of you with them, frame it, buy a bottle of alcohol, put it all together with some bath salts or shower gel and you have the perfect hamper for them. Even if they have a few of the items or don’t really need them, they’ll appreciate it because it’s designed especially for them.

5. Be organised!
Everyone wants something – why not take notes and pointers for things they mention throughout the year. Christmas and birthdays are inevitable and if you need to buy something for this person at some stage, this is the easiest way to do it. When it comes time to buy this person a gift, you will already have a list of ideas at the ready.

6. Take into consideration their circumstances
Take their circumstances into consideration for example, avoid buying a $50 gift certificate at a luxury day spa for someone studying at university fulltime and not working. The chances the person will use the gift certificate when it’s not on a specific product or doesn’t cover the full amount of something is not likely. Be realistic when considering the person’s circumstances. Something more practical for this person could be a book voucher, subscription to their favourite magazine or some money to spend at a big department store such as Myer or David Jones where they have plenty of selection for a reasonable price.

7. Get sentimental with older people
When my grandmother, who I was particularly close to, was really old with dementia it became impossible knowing what to get her for Christmas. The previous year I’d made her a scrapbook of the entire family but she didn’t get to look at it much, so this year I was out of ideas. I took a gamble, with nothing in particular in mind, I walked through Borders (now Bookworld) and found a food tray that you could put family photos in and personalise! What a great idea! It was perfect! Practical – but not another nightie – and personalised. Older people do require a bit more thought and care, but they will always enjoy something a bit more sentimental – pictures or even family videos. Sometimes the best, most memorable gift is something that no one else can give.

8. Search online
Still stuck for ideas? Search online – it can be as simple as typing in the person’s gender and age plus “gift ideas” into a Google search and there you have it: a list of ideas and inspiration! There are also gift generators online, so if you’re really stuck you can completely cheat using one of them, but it does take the thought and care out of it. Gifts.com includes some fantastic gift ideas from the experts! And while you’re online, spend some time searching for the gifts you had in mind to ensure they fall within your budget – if it doesn’t, adjust your budget or change the gift to something else.

9. Hit the shops
Now you’ve got the list of people you need to buy for, a list of ideas and a bit of a budget to stick to, it’s time to hit the shops and buy it! If the products you find are outside your budget or far different to what you found online, then hopefully you still have time to go home, order it online and still have it delivered before Thanks Giving or Christmas Day.

Don’t leave it until the last minute – but if you do…
Start shopping for presents as soon as possible. The closer it is to the time, the harder it is to arrange for shipping if you decide to purchase it online, find things in the stores (because they were all taken by the early-birds and the people who don’t work full-time!) and the harder it is to get motivated to actually go out there and do it! If you are shopping at the very last minute, this great Ask Men article may be suitable for you.

Great gift ideas
If the above ideas didn’t help, maybe this list will give the inspiration you need:
– Lessons in something they love: horse riding, pottery classes, cooking, dancing, a musical instrument, flying, ice skating…
– An aromatherapy massage (with a professional) – everyone loves to feel pampered
– Event/Concert tickets
– A novelty gift – something funny to make them laugh
– Something homemade: cookies, cakes, muffins, scrapbook of mementos
– Personalised coupon booklet – you could pay them back all year for being in your life!
– Journal, chocolates, gift certificates/vouchers, anything personalised, hampers/gift baskets, alcohol
– Simple but thoughtful: a poem, craft items or a performance.

December is a great time of year – I hope you have a happy and safe holiday season! Happy shopping!!

July 27, 2012

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How to have a “Can Do” attitude

The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances. Martha Washington

When applying for a job, we must all magically inherit a “can do” attitude. What on earth is that? Is that just enthusiasm? But what if you actually CAN’T do it? Are you just not meant to say anything and fake it and hope you don’t blow something up? Whatever it is, a positive attitude is vital for any successful journey.

So how do you get this positive “can do” attitude that gets you charged up and ready to tackle anything? Here are some simple tips that will help you build the attitude everyone wants, make you feel like there’s more hours in the day and give you the energy that everyone wants to be around:

Be confident
Success depends heavily in believe in your ability to succeed and having a strong sense of self-worth. You can develop your self-confidence by learning and growing at every opportunity and being aware of yourself and those around you.

Show enthusiasm
Be enthusiastic about life and all that it brings – including challenges! Think of it as an adventure and stay focussed on your goals to keep the motivation flowing.

Don’t compare
Don’t put yourself down – sometimes doing it your way will be just as good as doing it any other way! Try to learn from people around you to bring yourself up to a higher level, than be jealous. What is it they do that you could copy in order to attract the same success that they have?

Revisit your achievements
List your achievements and consider how you felt when you made that achievement, find a way to achieve something again and get that feeling back. Be aware of your values, strengths and skills and also how others view you. Seek feedback as often as you can, listen to it and focus on improving where you can.

Project your image
Select positive role models and learn from what they do. Project a confident image. Remember, negativity is like a boomerang, it always comes back to you.

Watch your appearance
Take care of yourself with a flattering haircut, manicure or maintain a healthy skin care regime. Take time with your clothes and shoes. Dress professionally.

Think positive
Focus on the things that are working well in your life and your strengths, rather than what is not working. Research has shown that 75-80% of daily communication is negative. Concentrate your energies on positive aspects of your life and move away from problems and fears.

Avoid self-criticism
Let go of the inner voice that criticises you when things don’t go well. Analyse the situation and learn from it, this will help you learn, grow and move ahead. Look at setbacks as opportunities to grow.

Challenge yourself
Step outside your comfort zone and stretch yourself to boost your confidence. Think creatively.

Chill out
Learn to relax and unwind after a potentially stressful day, with challenges that have you wound up. Meditation helps get into a relaxed state quickly.

Watch what you say
Language colours experience – speak positively because it reflects on you. Take responsibility and ownership where you can. When you start saying or even thinking you can’t do something, stop and ask yourself: what would it take to change that to can do? Focus on your answer and making it happen.

Develop your mindset
Develop a problem-solving mind-set. Challenge yourself when you think you can’t and prove why you actually can.

Motivate yourself
Look for positive past experiences when you successfully solved the same or a similar sort of problem and remember what worked for you. Solve problems by playing to your strengths.

Do something different
‘If you do what you’ve always done you’ll get what you’ve always got.’ There’s always more than one way to solve a problem.

Smile
A smile not only brightens your day, but it will brighten the day of those around you. It also changes your brain chemistry and makes for a brighter day.

Be professional
Use tact and diplomacy in the workplace and put any feelings of frustration, anger and disappointment aside. State facts before feelings and find ways to get jobs done even when it’s uncomfortable. The show must go on.

Set goals
Set goals that drive you towards results. Focus on what you want to happen ahead, not what you’re worried will happen. Set S-M-A-R-T-E-R (specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, timely, encouraging and rewarding) goals. Concentrate on getting win-win situations.

Reframe communication
If a conversation is going negatively, reframe it with a positive spin. Help the person seek solutions to their problems, avoid negative media and try to stay optimistic.

Fake it til you make it
Act like you are already achieving your goals, and you will rise to a higher level. Others will see you as achieving and interact with you accordingly.

Learn to let go
“Let it go and let go. Most of our problems and fears and worries and doubts come from clinging to people and objects and ideals and expectations and the need to control situations. Just let them be. You will clearly see things change just as quickly by being patient. Trust life’s flow sometimes. Don’t keep fighting it. Oh and let others shine and be right sometimes,” said news.com.au editor, Andrew Banks 2012.

February 12, 2012

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Eliminating the cloud of a bad mood

Bad moods become bad days, which become bad weeks, which become bad months and years. Before you know it, you’re living an unhappy life and you probably think this is normal. It’s a shame, because life can and should be wonderful. You can transcend the circumstances that are pulling you down you need only to learn how. Brenda Anderson

Everyone has good moods and bad moods. While a lot of us know it affects the people around us, not many of us are aware of how we can stop it from bringing others down around us. Research has shown that moods are contagious – but psychologists have said they don’t need to be. Let’s look at how you can prevent someone else’s bad mood from getting you down, how you can take responsibility for your bad moods and avoid getting other people down, and give some quick tips to getting out of a bad mood quickly.

How to prevent someone else’s bad mood from getting you down

Emotions are contagious. Carl Jung

Just as there’s happiness, there’s also clouds of depression that effect people and while it’s hard to watch the people we love suffer, it’s important not to let it affect us. Emotional or mood contagion is scientific theory whereby people ‘catch’ bad moods from other people. According to prominent social psychologist, Dr. Elaine Hatfield, it is impossible to ‘turn off’ the contagion effect completely, but simply being aware of the infectious nature of emotions can help you avoid undesirable moods. Remember, there is no benefit in you and your friend or lover both being in a bad mood, so here’s how to try to avoid letting someone’s bad mood affect you:

Be aware of their mood
While it can be very hard to be around someone when they’re in a bad mood, sometimes it is unavoidable. In this case, you first need to acknowledge their bad mood and accept it. Don’t talk to them about it, don’t point it out, don’t make them feel any worse than they already do … just accept it. Remember: no one actually enjoys being in a bad mood.

It’s their problem – don’t analyse it
Sensitive people tend to instantly assume responsibility, so avoid doing this. Keep the distance by telling yourself that their bad mood is their problem – then step back and let them solve it. Avoid wasting your energies on thinking about it, analysing it (or helping them to analyse it), or coming up with solutions to fix it. Anyone seeking a solution will find it themselves, when they’re ready.

Avoid reacting to it
Try to remain cheerful and reflect your happiness back onto them. Generally if we can catch a bad mood from someone, they can also catch a good mood – however, some of us are more emotionally aware than others. So if this fails, don’t take their mood personally and shift your focus to something you enjoy. Positive self-talk is particularly important in these situations, so try some affirmations to keep your energies heightened, avoid looking them in the face when they are being negative (it’s been proven that the person’s expression will impact you more than what is actually said), and distance yourself when you can.

Take responsibility for your moods: avoid getting people down

Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day. Unknown

Question your bad mood
Don’t accept the way you are feeling and ruin your day – you only live once – start questioning the way you are feeling. How and why did this mood come about? Are you doing something you shouldn’t? Did something happen that you’re uncomfortable with? By identifying the cause of your bad mood, you will increase your self-awareness, will be in a better position to address and correct your bad mood and will be able to deal with things differently in future.

Avoid other people
The best way to deal with a bad mood and not let it affect the people around you is to excuse yourself for the day and have some time by yourself. Spend the day doing activities you enjoy – watch a movie, listen to music, go for a walk/exercise etc. If you can’t excuse yourself, then try to enjoy the situation you’re in for what it is. Break everything down. Don’t think too far ahead – keep things simple. Remember: your mood will pass.

Talk to yourself
Don’t talk to others about it – talk to the person hurting and the one who matters, talk to yourself. Be aware of your self-talk. Keep it positive. Do some affirmations. Tell yourself the mood will pass. If it is caused by something that has happened outside of your control, accept it – there’s nothing you can do about it, but think about how you will respond. Be positive – focus on how to get yourself feeling good again, not the fact that you are currently feeling bad.

Take responsibility
Don’t expect someone to solve the mood for you or come up with solutions. When you’re ready to come out of the dark cloud of your bad mood, you will. Look at how you are coping with your mood and strive to find better ways to cope with it.

Watch what you say and how you act around others
You may feel lame at the moment, but this mood won’t last. As Robert H. Schuller says: “Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come.” Be open to changing your mood. Watch what you say – optimistic people act and talk in certain ways, using certain words which affects their mood and energy levels. Changing your words can actually change your attitude and feelings. It’s important to be conscious not to bring others down in what you say – because if you make people feel bad, they’ll think twice before hanging around with you again.

How to get out of a bad mood

When I wake up in a bad mood, I try not to stay in one. Learn to make the best of what you have. Faith Hill

– Take some time out to be alone and get on top of your bad mood. Use this time to get to the root of your bad mood – start identifying what has put you in this mood, brainstorming on a piece of paper may make this easier
– Acknowledge your bad mood with the people around you – don’t pretend you’re ok
– Complete this sentence “I’ll feel better when I…” and then action it
– Be proactive in fixing your mood – get outside and do something. Take a walk. Work in the garden. Play with your pets. Do some stretching. Get some sunshine!
– Listen to music that could improve your mood- Meditate. Concentrate on positive visualisation and calming breathing exercises. Spend some time reflecting and keeping calm. Add some incense or aromatherapy to heighten your senses
– Watch a comedy or look at funny/positive and distracting pictures that will boost your mood – YouTube is always a winner here or looking at pictures from happier times will always help
– Talk to someone who cares. If there is a problem – nothing will help more than a kind listening ear and a loving heart
– Make a list of self-soothing ideas and things that will make you feel better in your next bad mood. Action some of these now to assist you – never underestimate the power of self-care, we all need time to ourselves and to treat ourselves
– Consciously change your attitude – it’ll change your day
– Do some kind of exercise – star jumps, push ups, sit ups, weights or a brisk walk around the block should boost your endorphins
– Eat a small piece of dark chocolate, it’s been medically proven to act as an anti-depressant in small doses
– Once you’re open to changing your mood and feeling more social, hang around positive and uplifting people
– Change your posture to change your mood: unhappy people shuffle their feet, taking tiny steps, walk slowly and slouch – BUT! Happy people take big steps, walk faster and stand taller. They exude an endless supply of energy
– Give yourself a break. Don’t be down on yourself, you’re feeling bad enough as it is. Accept your mood – everyone has bad moods, and don’t let it wreck your day
– Sleep it off. Sometimes the only way out of a bad mood is just to catch up on some sleep
– Book something to look forward to. Maybe it’s time to plan a holiday, a nice weekend away or just a decent night out on the town. Start planning something special you can look forward to – your mood could be a result of burning out, in which case, it’s a well-deserved reward
– Get some perspective. Avoid concentrating on what you don’t have and can’t do, and concentrate on what you do have and what you can do. Look at the bigger picture
– Look after yourself: listen to your body and address those needs. Are you hungry? Do you need more sleep? You may be too hot or too cold? Dehydrated? Make yourself as comfortable as you can
– Make it a goal to live more and stress less: start actioning that
– Avoid people who add stress to your life, surround yourself with positive people that love you and who will boost you up (not that it’s their responsibility but it comes naturally to them)
– Remind yourself that you are in control. Happiness is a choice – as is this bad mood. What are you going to do about it?
– Dance like no one is watching. It may be time to crank up the tunes in your room, stand in front of the mirror and just dance like a crazy person to rid the negative energy
– Do something for someone else: donate to charity, write a letter, buy someone flowers, cook for someone, write a thank you note, send a friend an email
– Change your appearance to make yourself look better. If you look good, you’ll feel good
– Watch what you eat: avoid fatty, battered food – try to eat fresh, healthy food for the day – concentrate on what you put into your body – a healthy body equals a healthy mind. Have a seafood feast – stock up on some Omega 3s to make you feel better – eat plenty of fish. Definitely avoid alcohol while you feel like this – it’s a depressant
– Try to make someone’s day: sometimes boosting other people up around you is enough to boost yourself up. Give a compliment, tell someone they’re special to you, do something kind for someone, go out of your way for them, show someone you appreciate them with a gift
– Set out to achieve something. Set a small goal for the day and plan a way to achieve it
– Watch the decisions you make today. Anything you decide to do will either make you feel better or make you feel worse. Try to make decisions that will help you feel better – the sooner you’re feeling better the sooner you’ll be back to your usual self!

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