Goal Blog

Taking a leap

2012-02-29T14:07:00.000+02:00

Each day we wake into our normality, our domain of existence that we consider to be our life as we know it. We take comfort in the familiar and the routines of our day. The danger of this comfort is that over time it becomes a comfort zone and slowly our sense of vitality and aliveness is lost. We may also fall into the trap of doing something new and then feeling exhilarated, and then we keep doing that same thing... for a while it works and then doing that thing becomes a comfort zone too. The art of living fully is being aware of this invisible barrier that is our comfort zone and to break through it daily.

Each day find one thing to do that is new, different and energizing. It can be choosing a different walking route, speaking to someone at the office you have never spoken to, building sandcastles on the beach, anything that inspires you. Keep the mind engaged, each day ask yourself what could you do today to step out and step up. Our life is filled with days like today, and each day we break out of our comfort zone is a day we can bank and build on as living a fuller, more joyful and creative life. In the spirit of the leap year, and leap day, take a leap!

An aside: This morning a friend and I built a sand labyrinth on the beach, this is our way of doing something different and a great way to start the day; and to celebrate our leap day and leap year. The symbol of labyrinth shows how as we move through life we are on a course to come to our centre and our hearts deepest knowing. May beach day brings you closer to you and your heart.

Wishing you love and laughter

Zane

Ps. If you do something different today and have fun as a result please share it with me, I love getting feedback!
PPS. If you haven't liked Happivate on Facebook yet then I consider it a personal rejection :), please do so now by going here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/Happivate

2012-02-23T11:07:00.000+02:00

I am in a constant and eager enquiry on how to best use my skills and energy to support a vision of prosperity for all South Africans and human beings.

This morning I got to hear some insightful commentary at a breakfast focused on community development (http://www.saubuntu.co.za/), here are some of the juicy bits I got:

It it takes time, focus and commitment, more than just writing a cheque, we need to shift our thinking from charity to involvement, from giving to developing, from rescuing to partnering... A member of the audience that does sustainability for large corporate shared how they ran many CSI initiatives but failed to make real impact. They decided to rather focus on 3 core areas and go for long term impact and real engagement. They now work "hands on" in rural communities to engage in reconciliation and collaboration between the poor and the wealth, this models a "hands on" approach!

If we create greater economic growth it will not necessarily address poverty, there is high probability it will simply increase the divide, with the rich getting richer, and the poor getting poorer. Our rich (a generalisation, I know) need to seriously reconsider their spending priorities’. Less fancy cars, more robust public transport, less fancy holidays, more community support, less holiday homes and grandiose houses, more schools, less eating, more food gardening, less TV, more conversation and engagement, less spoiling children , more teaching them the value of contributing and embracing humanity, community and greatness. Perhaps the thing we seek by eating at fancy places, buying expensive goods and living in large homes will not be found by this, but rather in engaging and supporting our communities. Less is more.

Get involved, love your neighbour, be curios.
With love
Zane

Common Purpose

2012-02-21T20:41:00.000+02:00

Today I started (as a participant) a 6 month program on senior leadership that focuses on leading beyond authority. I got to connect with 40 South Africans of all colour, culture, gender and profession. As we explored topics of leadership in a very fun and engaging way, there was one distinct presence in the room... A common purpose, a sense of shared humanity and a passionate intent to understand each other, the world and city we live in, and what practical steps we can take to support a better city, a better nation and a better world, as a citizen and human being.

I am deeply grateful for this experience and so excited to be connecting with my community this way.

"In every society, there is an invisible, vital 'space'. It lies between the individual and the state, between the immediate responsibilities facing each individual and the institutional responsibilities of the government. It is a place where people come together and act for the greater good. And it is open to everyone, from every sector of society." http://www.commonpurpose.org.za/

What I see is that it doesn't matter who you are or what you do, you have a role to play, something to contribute the the whole that is "us", and that in doing so, we reconnect with the wholesomeness inside us.

We are one.

with love
Zane

What is love?

2012-02-20T09:17:00.000+02:00

Last week I was NOT feeling the love... So I did some research and re-connected with this wisdom...

I saw that a lot of the time I give love if a person acts a certain way, and I only allow love in if a person acts a certain way. So I see that I (my ego and attachment to things being "my" way) get in the way of me experiencing love fully.

I started looking at what conditions I put in place before I allow or give love. For example, I love if you do as I do or think as I think, or do things that I think show love. I started looking at these conditions with love and then started letting them go. I don't just mean this flippantly, I mean I took a hard and honest look at my judgements and little "self defense" criteria, and how they are linked to me having to have things be a certain way. I saw these fixed perspectives and let them go, and in that moment I became aware of more love around me, and in me, and felt a sense of inner spaciousness...

And, it is amazing how much noise and inner conflict simply disappears the moment I allow love in!!! :)

Let there be love and have a super week.

Zane

Life Energy

2012-02-16T11:16:00.001+02:00

Hi All

Had to share this piece by Marc Steinberg ( http://www.marcsteinberg.com/ ) , a key mentor in my life...

"As human beings we need life energy to live, like our body needs the air to breath. As babies we are naturally fully connected with the source of life energy. With the indoctrination of Identity (age 16-20 months) we get gradually disconnected from the source, the Whole, Consciousness. This forces us to unconsciously, but inevitably start taking life energy from other life forms - preferably human beings.

Attention is the transmitting life energy media for human beings. To whatever we pay attention to, receives our life energy (i.e. plants we pay attention to grow faster and bigger; pets are more happy; human beings feel strengthened). In order suck another's life energy we need to get their attention. And we all learned cunning, well refined strategies to get others attention and their life energy.

The world we have created and live in every day is a world of life energy takers, not life energy givers.Only love gives life energy, no other state can. So, what you are existing in day-in day-out is an invisible war about life energy. You know, the secret of service is: to take your attention off your Identity and let yourself be carried by the Whole.

a) Identity gets taken off the life line (by You directing your attention towards the Whole, instead of your ego center)
b) You become familiar with being connected to the source of life energy: the Whole / consciousness."

Being strong

2012-02-13T11:42:00.000+02:00

A lot of the time I find myself masking my sensitivity. I don't like to admit I am sensitive, that I take things personally and often "feel" and experience emotion more than what "seems" normal. I am scared people will laugh at me and see me as weak if I show my real emotions and vulnerability. And at times scared of what will happen if I really let go...

I also see the that being strong and masking what I really feel depletes my energy and creates distance between myself and others. So how do I navigate through a world where looking good and being strong is the game so many people play?

Do I take a risk and show how I really feel?

Do I dare to allow myself to be fully open and moved by the world around me, or do I carry on settling for mediocre numbness that dulls my life and has me pursue intense thrills and experiences to remind me how to feel again?

When I allow myself to really feel all that I do, I am overwhelmed by the pain, violence, joy, beauty and turbulence of my life. A gentler approach is needed, this gentler approach enriches the intensity of life as it really is, and I need so much less of everything to fulfill me.

If we are to consume less and find balance and peace in the world, then perhaps its starts with us acknowledging and allowing our own authentic vulnerability with out moving to hide it, lash out from it or numb it out by more consuming...

Making happen and letting happen

2012-02-09T13:31:00.001+02:00

Today I am reminded that there are to two aspects to embracing life and living our purpose. Yes, we have to work at it, hone our skills, put ourselves out there, risk failure, judgement and rejection, and be in action. That said, a big lesson for me has also been learning to stop, to stop "making happen". To stop trying too hard, to pause, to reflect and to give space so that I can see past my own activities and be open to my environment and possible opportunities I may miss if I am too "busy" to notice them.

Its like running around the house looking for your car keys when they have been in your hand all along. Sometimes what we most need to happen, hear, learn or experience is right in front of us if we just stop to look!

So this week is a theme of letting happen. If you find yourself in "busy" mode, then take a nap. Rest more. Do less. Walk in nature. Give up TV and spend more time in stillness, do something fun for the sake of playfulness, have another nap. Surrender to just being alive. Breathe out fully. Trust that "stopping" gives space for what you most need to be noticed. Let go, and see what happens.

Wishing you more magic, mystery and adventure. And as always, please feel free to share any magic moments from practising this "letting happen".

With love,

Zane

A vision of school at the centre of our community.

2012-02-02T12:13:00.000+02:00

Hi Folks

I share this vision to inspire, stimulate thought and debate. I would be so very grateful if you commented below, what you like/ don't like/ would add etc.

Schools that source their own food and energy needs.
• The have food farming and renewable energy sources integrated into their facilities.

• The maintenance of farm and renewable energy equipment and the collection and processing of food produce is managed within the staff, teacher and child curriculum.

• This means staff and children will learn how to be implement, managed and produce energy and food as part of their curriculum.

• Balanced and healthy breakfast and lunch is prepared and available for all staff and children.

Schools that have global experts in every class room.

• Teachers support and facilitate learning with more emphasis on experiential exercises and workshops.
• Digital documentaries, workbooks and experiential learning become the key focus of learning.
• Digital allows the world greatest presenters and best experts on each body of knowledge to be presented directly to children.
• Workbooks offer a guide and space to complete questions and further integrate the learning.
• Experiential exercises and projects re-enforce the application of lessons offering best possible knowledge and its application.

Teachers that coach and facilitate rather than tell and instruct

• In our age, knowledge and information has become over saturated.

• Our children need support to learn what and how to access credible information and then how to apply it.

• Being true to ones values and cultivating self esteem and authentic confidence come from supporting children to discover their own solutions.

• Our new teachers will be trained to coach, probe, guide, listen and facilitate emotionally secure and confident learners.

Schools that fully embrace our children’s lives and take the after school burden off society and parents

• School will cater for all children from age 3 months to 21 years.

• School will have an additional year added to offer more in depth job shadowing and life skill development.

• School times run from 07h30 to 18h00 every week day.
• There is more time for integration of work covered and to explore topics in depth.
• Sport, art and music can be mainstream for all children.
• Farming and preparing food will also form part of the standard curriculum.
• Every child will participate in one artisan skill development such as woodwork, electrics, metal craft, building, mechanics etc.
• All children will do one year of community service on completion of their normal schooling as alternative to military training.

Schools will offer life skills at a whole new level
• Life skills will be subject that children also have to be examined on and must pass.
• Topics will be explored in depth with a high focus on role play and practical application, such as:
o Relationship and conflict management
o Sex and physical health
o Food and wellness
o Attitude and positive mind sets

o Wealth and money management

o National vision and citizenship

Teachers will be lead and valued in a new way

• The requirements and training to become a teacher will be raised and deepened to cater for the above vision, such as:

o Coach training

o Life skills program

• Teachers will need to demonstrate wisdom and ability in their own lives as part of becoming a teacher.

• Teachers will earn competitive salaries and earn commission based on the value of their contribution and proven results.

It is not up to us to create the future, but rather equip our children as best we can so that when we retire we have sown seeds of respect, wisdom and prosperity for all.

Today I am grateful for people that go to their edge

2012-02-01T11:01:00.000+02:00

It can be as radical as base jumpers and skydivers, or it can be the gentle and determined discipline of producing a creative work, or it can be the energy, effort and pain of delivering a dance performance.

To all the people that have toiled, laboured and navigated through their darkest moments and fear, and risked rejection and failure, putting themselves out there in some way to bare their heart and soul. And to share with us the beauty, awe and magnificence of their expression...

To the hours of practise, failure, crafting, giving up and coming back, the pain, the breakthroughs and the breakdowns. To all these people I am grateful, you call me forth, you dare me to be more me, you challenge me to dig deeper, play bigger and express my fullest me.

Thank you for shining your light!

Everyday we are faced with the choice of normality, doing what we always do status quo, or we can choose to step out, step up, risk, expand, grow. Normality becomes autopilot, autopilot becomes death. Stepping up and risking becomes growth, growth becomes vitality and self expression. Be all that you are!

With love.
Zane

Our heart and planet is one

2012-01-31T17:51:00.000+02:00

Our heart and planet is one.

Our humanity has one heart.

We are out of balance and our heart knows it.

Each of us that dares to listen and answer the call of our hearts is compelled to act.

Each in our own way we search and enquire as to how to correct this balance.

Education : Sustainability : Organic : Abundance : Sharing : Uplifting : Unifying : Environment : Health : Love : Happiness : Balance : Nourishment

In our hearts there is a right way, if we look and see.

As knowledge and awareness of our world expands exponentially our mind and heart struggles to comprehend a new way forward that undoes the damage done... Restores the balance lost, in our minds, of our resources and in our environment...

What brings love and peace to the violence and wars?

Our heart seeks to feel at home on Earth, it no longer does.

We can plan, act, strategize, lead, motivate, but unless we come to love and heal the darkest parts of us, and come to act from whole love and wisdom, any new way forward will just cast more shadows, more things to fix...

Each day we can choose to educate, learn, engage, share and most importantly, we can listen to and act from our hearts deepest knowing.

Then will we make real in the outer world, what always already exists within us, the peace, the harmony, the abundance, the love.

Other posts: Dont-ask-me-why-but-i-have-noticed-that...

It's funny how it works

2012-01-27T15:09:00.000+02:00

In a moment of frustration, petulence and profound wisdom I committed to only having fun goals and doing fun things! In sharing this with a client he responded, saying he had lost his fun in life and wanted a coaching session.

"Yikes", I thought. Here I am struggling to reconnect with fun in my own life and now I am supposed to support my client.

Two great things came from this:
1. Instead of having the session in an office we went for a walk on the beach, this was fun.

2. In listening and supporting my client through the coaching process, he got great clarity and felt much more positive.

This reminded me that often fun is the result of committing to something, rather than just waiting for it to show up. And it also reminded me that I "get" what "I give".

So if you want more fun, give more fun.

Wishing you a funfilled weekend.

Zane

2012-01-25T15:06:00.000+02:00

Don't ask me why but I have noticed that I often pick goals I don't like. Very odd. Lose weight, go to gym, more money etc its all a bunch of hard work and feels kuck.

No surprise then that I often resist writing my goals down. Sometimes I just can't be bothered, other times it some sort of commitment issue, and other times I don't want to admit to myself that I am not totally clear about what and I want, or even worse, other times I am too afraid to go for what I really want as I am afraid of failing or being disappointed.

So this year I am bring in the "Fun Police" - all my goals have to be fun and exciting, if I cant find something fun and exciting about my goals then I am letting them go. If my goals don't energise me and make me smile then I am scrapping them.

So I invite you to set fun goals only, take some time and think about what goals you could set that would make work, relationship and healthy living more fun for you. The more fun you have, the more likely you are to succeed; and of course, the probability of you achieving your goals is increased radically the moment you write them down. Even if you only get half your goals, that a lot better than not achieving any. So go to https://www.happivate.com/form1.php to complete this free online goal assessment...

FOR A FUN FILLED 2012

Managing people and a business can be challenging at the best of times.

2012-01-23T13:06:00.000+02:00

"Managing people and a business can be challenging at the best of times. Often business owners/ leaders get to a point where their value is not enough to address the challenges of a growing business.

The business potentially begins to idle or remain in a rut, people issues start to fester and the value and excellence of the offering to the market starts to falter, and so competition or internal conflict put the business at risk.

Zane at Happivate works with business owners and their teams to explore current paradigms and obstacles and then clarify a way forward that causes the next level of success for the business, and growth of its people. Better, Stronger, Faster...and they key here is that when a shift in paradigm and perspective occurs as a result of personal insight, the power to create new and sustainable changes is exponential”.

What we do?

Zane Green, founder of Happivate, works with entrepreneurs, leaders and organizations that are passionate about life, expressing their full potential and making a difference. He designs and facilitates highly effective processes for individuals and teams in the areas of team building and performance coaching, leadership development and personal mastery.

What others say?

We have worked with MARS, DATACASH, SANTAM, 4WARD DESIGN, DESMOND TUTU HIV FOUNDATION, CITY OF CAPE TOWN, AMY BIEHL FOUNDATION

■The Happivate coaching was the highlight of the year. I personally learnt a lot about myself and my colleagues. I am looking forward to your insight and wisdom next year and would like to get more of our staff involved specifically JHB. Darryl Katz (Co-owner and Sales Director) http://www.4ward-design.com/

■This leadership program helped me gain insight into myself and make shifts in my personal and business life that have transformed my leadership capabilities. Lisa R (MARS R&D Manager Food) http://www.mars.co.za/

■I have been taught a technique and have been able to apply it immediately which has great power. Simple ideas with mammoth impacts. I just wish I had started sooner… Richard Hardiman (KFM Radio DJ)

>>> If you or someone you know is ready to address their current challenges or take things in their business to the next level, contact me so we can explore a way to create success and value.

PS. We also work with individuals that are stuck in life and get them unstuck, clear and inspired.

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Who wants more love and happiness and wellness? Me me me! :)

2012-01-19T08:05:00.000+02:00

There is a saying " we are what we repeatedly do, so excellence is a habit".

With this in mind I wrote these this morning and wish to share them with you, find some quiet time in the morning and set these intentions, if you choose. Setting and living by these intentions on a daily basis is like cultivating and fertilizing a veggy patch. The more you water and attend to these, the more you will cultivate inner joy and happiness. And if you neglect them, they can dry out, or get eaten by worms :)

INTENTIONS:

I let yesterday, last week and all the past go.

I completely forgive myself and others and let go of all guilt, blame, anger and resentment towards myself and others.

I am present to the reality and is-ness of now, and this day.

I am clear and inspired by my life purpose and visions.

I am present, gentle and pace my actions with flow and well being.

My heart is open and I give and receive love and support freely.

I see and am connected to flow and am open to universal love, healing, support and abundance, this day and every day.

I choose to see and experience the perfection of this day and each moment.

There is nothing wrong, nowhere else to be, or go, nothing else to do or fix, I engage and enjoy each unfolding moment.

I choose to be grounded, focused and in inspired action of my vision and purpose.

I am light, unattached and choose to be consistently connected to inner peace and joy this moment, this day, today and everyday and every moment.

I am aware of my Self and self today, i love and respect my Self and self and let go of inner conflict.

I love and accept myself as I am.

All actions and being arises from an overflowing cup of wellness, vitality, love and humour.

I am contained, present, connected, alive and alert.

Each day my inner and outer health, wealth and wise action strengthens and grows.

NOTE: As you read these you may feel some are not true even though you would like them to be, that is ok, it is setting the intent that matters.

Best
Zane

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RelationShit!?

2011-01-31T13:34:00.000+02:00

Yes, that is right, in my circle of friends we often refer to relationships as "relationshits". And as a life coach I observe like myself, many of my clients find relationships to be a primary source of frustration and challenge...

Yes, relationships are supposed to be a place of growth and challenge and yes, they are also supposed to be a place of love, intimacy, passion and nourishment, and yet so many of us struggle with this. Further, if we consider relationships in a global context, we can see that much of the worlds problems also seems to be connected to our (in)ability to create and maintain healthly relationships.

So how many of us had relationship training at school?

How many of us actively seek out and participate in relationship training or relationship coaching?

We learn to drive a car, work a pc, manage a business and neglect relationship skills. Strange but true!!!

I recently came across these 3 articles that really hit home for me and gave me new insight and fresh perspective. Check them out:

1. On forming romantic attachment:
http://www.truthaboutdeception.com/relationship-issues/forming-attachments.html

2. On ways we attach:
http://www.truthaboutdeception.com/relationship-issues/attachment-styles.html

3. On healthy relationships:
http://www.truthaboutdeception.com/relationship-issues/healthy-relationships.html

Wishing you healthier happier relationships,

Zane

Affirmations - It's like the placebo effect, only better!

2010-10-06T16:21:00.000+02:00

ARTICLE: “Affirmations” by Zane Green

Many of us have heard about it but may not know how it actually works, so here is a brief and practical guide!

How affirmations work and how to work with affirmations: A practical guide

Our total consciousness exists of our conscious mind and our subconscious mind. We have the parts of ourselves, memories, emotions, and beliefs that we are aware of; and then there is a much larger part of us
which we are not aware that sits in our subconscious mind. And the mind is the source of much of the power that has us manifest the life and circumstances we currently have in our lives. Experts suggest that 10% of our mind is conscious and 90% is subconscious, so if we have a belief in our subconscious mind, for example “I DON’T deserve success”, and in our conscious mind we tell ourselves “I DO deserve success”; then 90% of our power is working against us without us even knowing it!

So what now?

We need to weed the garden of our mind. Yes, that’s right, by gently sifting through our own awareness of the beliefs in our consciousness we are able to unearth and dislodge hidden beliefs, trace their source and change them. And just like a weed, if you only pull the top of it out then the weed will grow back, so a gentle full rooting out is needed. The steps below will take you through a practical guide on how to do this in a gentle and effective way.

Steps:

1. Put aside 5 -15 minutes each day, preferably at the beginning of each day.

2. Be sure to first take a few moments to create some stillness and quietness, such as stretching, meditating, prayer or some deep breathes.

3. Then, read through the affirmations, out loud, one at a time, with a pause in-between each one (find a
place in your home where you feel comfortable speaking it out loud).

4. Notice what it feels like in your body and head to read them and whether you feel like you really experience the affirmation as true for you, or not.

5. It doesn’t matter whether you do experience the statement as true or not, at this stage. The key here is
simply saying it out loud and then pay close attention to any feelings or thought responses or internal vocal comments in your head that may occur.

6. Staying in a relaxed state, if you do notice some form of reaction keep observing it, do not try to avoid it or move to aggressively towards it. Observe it and see if you can identify what the source of the reaction is.

Then what?
Typically what happens is that after a few days of repeating this process you will become more and more aware of where this affirmation is “true” and “not true” in your life, and also previously hidden beliefs (or internal voice comments) will start to surface to challenge the new affirmation you are integrating.

As this occurs it is important to follow your own intuition and stay in observation of what comes up; and to focus on seeing (looking within) to see what the source of any reactions that oppose the stated affirmation is.

By connecting to the source of opposition within us, and possible buried emotions and memories, you are then able to acknowledge and accept that the opposing belief does in fact exist within you, consciously so.

At this point you can make a choice to accept it and then let it go; and re-choose the affirmation you are working with. In this way, powerful and real integration starts occurring.

It is in the practice that this becomes real, so here are some suggested affirmations:

1. I am open to life. I am open to receiving love, abundance and wealth. I am blessed and grateful for all that I have. I give myself permission to be happy and successful as I am now and today.

2. I focus my energy on what is for the greatest good for me, my family and friends, and our planet.

3. I am gentle with myself and others. I am loved and accepted. I am appreciated and nurtured. I am calm and peaceful. I love and accept all that is.

4. I savour and smell my food. I am aware of colours, smells, sensations and the pleasure of being alive. I am relaxed and open for fun. I fully allow my breath... “in”... and “out”... I am relaxed, safe, well and vital.

5. Life is simple and easy. I am clear, unattached and committed to being happy and compassionate, today! I surrender fully to this moment.

6. I relax and trust in the process of life. I am connected and present to the divine presence within me and around me. I acknowledge the divine, the rich substance of existence in this moment, as my only source of authentic power, love, joy, abundance and happiness.

7. I see, speak and act with love and truth. I love, accept and acknowledge my humanness. I let go of judgement and criticism and choose compassion. I am light and love. I choose to see and experience the perfection of this moment, this minute, this hour and day and this life.

8. I am exactly where I am meant to be, right now. All my power, happiness, joy, aliveness, fulfilment and love are within me, now, in this moment. There is nowhere to go and nothing else to be or do. I fully surrender to this moment, now, completely. This is my journey and I am on it.

9. I surrender to my authentic power, creativity and divine flow. I see my authentic purpose clearly and my choices and actions are made accordingly. I choose to express my authentic Self and creativity fully.

10. I am connected to my emotions, body, breathe, energy, creativity and vitality. I am also connected to this Earth, this place this world, now in this moment. I am fully present and I choose to fully experience this moment, with total awareness.

11. I choose to let go all that holds me back. I acknowledge and let go of all past and present limiting beliefs, feelings and thoughts. I forgive all those that I still hold as wrong and I pray for forgiveness from all those that hold me as wrong. I fully acknowledge my fear, I embrace it and I let it go. I choose forgiveness, love and acceptance of myself, others and life.

12. I see all that occurs in life as part of the divine unfolding of life. Everything is perfect as it is. I let go control and choose peacefulness, perspective and humour. I am light, laughing and celebrating the joy and adventure of life. I focus on what brings me and others joy.

13. I see relationships as a source of mutual support, love and shared celebration of life. I am clear about my relationship needs, boundaries and what I give. I love and accept myself and act and express myself accordingly. I respect and value myself, and my partner, and others; and choose to speak and act from love. I am contained, complete, whole and loving.

14. It is ok to be me as I am now, in this moment. I allow it, I feel my body and breathe fully. I choose to experience and share the joy, humour and love within me.

NOTE:

The above affirmations are suggested ones, feel free to create your own! If doing so, remember to frame them as positive statements in the present tense.

To discuss your life goals and explore life coaching please contact zane@happivate.com today!

Happiness for Everyone

2010-09-09T11:04:00.000+02:00

WOW.

I just watched this inspiring and well presented speach. It really is worth watching.
http://www.ted.com/talks/nic_marks_the_happy_planet_index.html

One of the key things that came through were the TOP 5 ways to increase your happiness:

Connect - with family and friends
Be Active - take a walk or do a sport.
Take Notice - be aware of you environment as it changes, notice the weather, your friends faces etc
Keep learning - stay curious and learn new things by reading, going to class or teaching yourself.
Give - share and give to others, it can be money, your time, or whatever you have to give.

So take a moment now and commit to doing one of these things each day more so that you currently do, and see what happens.

Wishing you a super month ahead!

Zane

Sometimes its about being grateful for what doesn't happen!

2010-08-24T21:47:00.000+02:00

This early evening as I was leaving the house on my bike I bumped into a neighbourhood friend. He noticed I was going out on my scooter and I was wearing mostly black - So I was not very "visible" in dusk and night time wearing black and riding on a black bike. He had a spare safety apron, the ones that have night reflectors on, which he gave me to wear.

They don't look so cool on, but I figured the universe was probably looking after me and I would be pretty silly not to accept his offer. So I wore it. As I rode off I thought nothing will probably happen now that I am wearing this. And I was right. Nothing did happen. And that is the point.

The neighbours act of care for me made me even more present to my beautiful sunset cruise. As I rode I was very aware of how grateful I am to be able to enoy this simple pleasure. How grateful I am that I have my health and wellness, my eyesight to take in this lovely evening. Each day that nothing bad happens is in itself a MASSIVE blessing.

So take a moment now and think about how much you could do and have and experience today.

This coaching stuff really does work!!!

2010-08-02T11:46:00.000+02:00

I have been going through a bit of a rough patch... Work has been really slow post the soccer world cup, and my motivation and finances are feeling it. And just generally I have been in a slump!

So I had to ask myself the question...
Why is my life is so hard and why is everything is not “all amazing” if I am such a good life coach?
(I think this is a fair question!)

So I decided to get back to basics and try and see where I am off track and what is going on.

Here are the 3 things I did:

I started giving pro bono coaching as a means of giving back and keeping myself “coaching” fit – this energized me!
I went back too meditating and created quiet time for myself so I can reflect and increase my mental clarity.
I refocused and ensured that I was doing my power “half hour” each day and indentifying the top 5 things I need to do each day as well as take time to plan and reflect – this helped me focus and track my real progress each day.

WOW – between using my standard coaching tools and these 3 steps above, I saw a dramatic turnaround in the space of 2 weeks... Last week, I can honestly say I had a week where 85% PLUS was exactly what and how I would wish it to be, in case you are curious here is some of what I did:

I hit my earnings target for the week by only working 12 hours.
In that time I got to work with individuals and with groups and had a great time and made a difference.
One group I worked with used the Aquarium as a venue so I even got a free tour there.
Part of the 12 hours also included some pro bono work – a guy that really is benefitting from coaching and just can’t afford it right now. (If you know someone who really wants coaching and can’t afford it, get them to contact me.)
On Monday I went for a run at lunch time in the winter sun along the sea point coastline, breathtaking.
And that night I played ten pin bowling with a bunch of great people and we all had a super time.
On Tuesday I went to Bikram yoga which was amazing and left me on a awesome natural high.
And that night I had some drinks and a lot of laughs with the guys in my book club as we planned our annual book club holiday.
On Wednesday I had lunch with one of my best friends and then that night I had another friend hypnotize me for the first time and I recalled the first time I walked as a baby - and in the session I was overwhelmed by the delirious joy I felt at being able to do that – what a cool and novel experience.!
I watched the sunrise from the top of lions head with a good friend and drank warm milo (yum) on Thursday.
That afternoon I fetched my kids early from school and we hung out a bit and had a nice dinner together with my folks.
Over the weekend I played field hockey for the first time in 4 years – and had such a good time. And my one boy, Mathew, came with and he helped me warm up and it was a great father son moment.
I also read Dr.Seuss and some other stories to my kids which we all thoroughly enjoyed – and we really connected.
And I went to a close friends housewarming and we all created good vibes and laughed the night away over the “30 seconds” board game.

In a nutshell - I hada full and amazing week – for which I am truly grateful!!! (And remember, this is in a week where I decided to, and yes, actually did do less, meditate more and plan more!)

So no, this is not me bragging, or me saying I am super or anything. It is me saying this:

I can only feel and be successful if I have defined it, acted on it and then given myself the time to reflect and recognise when I have achieved it.
Success can be whatever you choose it to be – covering all areas of your life, maybe the week I had does not appeal to you at all – then create one that does Inspire, Move and Touch you!
If you wish to get more out of your life today, now, this moment, this week, I invite you to stop, and really ask yourself what is needed to get you on track!
If you need support, use coaching - it works – full stop!

With love,

Zane

A new way of schooling

2010-07-22T19:11:00.000+02:00

I recently visited this primary school as I may send my kids there... I was blown away.

Many schools market and convey a message of excellence and unleashing your child’s potential.

So what makes Synergy School (http://www.synergyschool.co.za/) different?

How many of us struggle with motivation or find ourselves pursuing success in fields that don’t really even interest us – surely we want success for our kids doing what they love?

They foster internal motivation within your child(ren)

By linking their individual interests to the required curriculum outcomes.
By taking a facilitated based learning approach where your child learns to manage themselves within a learning environment.
This is proven to ensure your child will develop their personal interests early on and be internally motivated to grow, develop and excel.
Children experiencing this approach have been shown to much better academic scores when studying at university level.

What would it be like to know what your child is actually experiencing on a daily basis at school verses reading a quarterly report card?

They communicate daily with the parents.

Each day you will receive (via email) a summary of what happened in class that day with pictures.
This opens up a whole new level of dialogue, affinity and relationship between parent, child and teacher.
We can even include grandparents, aunts, uncles etc on the email lists and so your daily child education and development becomes part of your greater family community – as it should be!
This creates a bond and inner confidence and strength which gives your child a rock solid foundation for taking life and its challenges head on.

How can you be sure you are giving your child the best care possible when training to be a parent is not normally available?

They equip parents with new skills too.

Yes, every parent is invited (read “required”) to attend an “effective parenting” program that empower the parent to build self esteem and confidence within their child.
It also bolsters the value and work done in the class room so your child experiences greater alignment between their home and schooling environment.
Parents will get insights and feel more fulfilled and empowered in parenting and enjoying their children.

How can teachers teach our children to reach their fullest potential if they are striving to reach theirs too?

Their teachers get trained to a whole new level.

Each teacher undergoes over 130 hours of additional empowerment and coach training that enables them to develop your child at a whole new level including Consciousness Coaching(R) training.
This training in “life and business” coaching is internationally accredited and deals with skills such as goal setting, empowerment, leadership, listening, really “getting” another, forgiving and relating to others in a profound way; that will give your child the very best possible foundation for creating success and fulfilment in their teen and adult lives.
Our teachers are developing themselves on a ongoing basis too, this role models the kind of ongoing dynamic approach to life that a child will need to master life in this fast evolving world.

The enhanced confidence and strength your child gains from this will give them a substantial advantage in creating success in all aspects of their life!

2010-07-22T09:51:00.001+02:00

Wow. Just gave an incredible coaching session. I was reminded how others and the universe treats me the way I treat myself. If I make promises to myself and then let it slide, others will too. I really got that the degree to which I love, respect and care for myself, so too will others and so too will I attract that into my life. What you "be" is what you attract!!!

Houston we have a go!

2010-07-12T14:14:00.000+02:00

Hi

Since this is the very first post I thought I would start off with something really big and crazy...So enjoy.

The purpose of this post is to outline a vision for Earth and Humanity that addresses the current social and environmental challenges as well as creates a space for a humanity to live in love, peace and celebration of life, and offers some exciting challenges and possibilities.

PS. Yes, I put some silly humour in here to keep it light, but the points I make and call to action is meant with total sincerity!

A very big picture perspective...

• Current scientific thinking and research reckons that at some point the sun will die. Yes, it is a very long way off (about 5 billion years) and hardly seems worth worrying about right now.

• There is also the possibility of Earth being struck by a large meteor that destroys all life. We should be ok with this one though, I saw a movie on how to handle this involving some guys on a oil rig.

• And finally there is the possibility that we wipe ourselves out before any of this due to war, tampering with genes and viruses, global warming or just total consumption of all resources.

• And of course there is the x-file view that we may be annihilated by aliens.

The bottom line is: Earth will be destroyed in the next 5 billion years or so, if not sooner. Bummer.

Some big questions...

• Will humanity survive long enough on its own accord and be around then?

• Will we have evolved our technology to a point where humanity could not only survive but continue to live through such an event?

(Yes, this would mean finding a way to sustainably live in space or find another planet to inhabit)

Main challenges if we did make it that far...

i. We would need to find a new home, yes, source a suitable planet that we can live on.

ii. Create a means of getting there, yes, it is likely to be a long trip, considering it takes about 500 days to get to Mars with current technology. And Mars is probably not an option...

iii. Assuming we do make it there, we then need the means to establish ourselves in our new planet/ home, set up infrastructure etc.

So there is quite a lot to do and some significant innovation required to our existing technology, to say the least.

We can talk more about this exciting challenge later.

Our current world issues.

1. We need to go renewable.

2. We need to consume significantly less which means a massive reduction our global population size and a lowering of what we consume per person.

3. This has to be all or nothing – it has to a synchronized global approach, we can’t have Europe and Asia resolving their population and growth only to be receive an influx from say, Africa, who continues to populate at an alarming rate.

1. We need to go renewable.
This goes without saying, if our way of life is based on the consumption of earthly resources that are limited then at some point these resources will be depleted. Every person and organisation needs to make a shift to a new way of consuming and living. And the good news is it has already started to happen.

(Side note: We also need to consider that only making the changes once the resource(s) is depleted or very low may have negative spill over effects on other resources. Eg. If we use up all the trees this impacts production of oxygen and impacts air quality and contributes to global warming and leads to the death of other plant types and animals etc.)

2. We need to consume significantly less which means a massive reduction in our global population size and a lowering of what we consume per person.
Humankind’s rate of consumption of resources is much greater that the rate of renewal of resources. So even if we do only consume renewable resources we need to make sure we consuming and renewing at the same rate, or ideally, that we are renewing slightly more than we are consuming.

Formula = Rate of consumption of resources < Rate of renewal of resources

This seems glaringly obvious, but we are far from this formula being a reality!

So, 2 key things need to happen.

i. Reduce what we consume per person and more importantly, reduce the amount of people consuming. (We all talk about better use for resources but the reality is that we have far too many people on this planet for how we are set up.)
ii. Increase the rate of renewal – again, we need to renew faster than we consume. Whether through natural growth or farming/ harvesting.

3. This has to be all or nothing

It has to a synchronized global approach, we can’t have Europe and Asia resolving their population and growth only to receive an influx from say, Africa, who continues to populate at an alarming rate.

If we do not all collaborate and create the shift globally together, we always run the risk of some nations threatening the balance of others.

If a village upstream of a river ruins the river it affects all those villages living downstream. This principle applies to the planet Earth as whole, so we need to all work together!

KEY POINT: Most of today’s issue around global warming, poverty and over consumption of natural resources (forests, fish, oil) would disappear if we were to reduce our overall population – so point 2 and 3 are the “biggies” and do not seem to be getting enough attention in the media!

In summary four key things need to happen – with a bigger emphasis on point 2.

1. Change what we consume to things that can be replenished/ renewed. (i.e. once you use up oil it is gone, whereas we can grow more trees)

2. Reduce what we consume per person and more importantly, reduce the amount of people consuming. (We all talk about better use for resources but the reality is that we have far too many people on this planet for how we are set up.)

3. Increase the rate of renewal – again, we need to renew faster than we consume. Whether through natural growth or farming/ harvesting.

4. Work collaboratively as a global nation to ensure this happens across the planet.

PS. While we are doing all this we can either fight about religion and politics, or love each other and work together! Or we can forget about all this, not worry about the future, stick our heads in the sand and just carry on as we are.

I must say the thought of humanity being able migrate to other planets is quite an exciting challenge and opens up a whole set of new questions... and the moon is so 60’s.

So there is much more to add... but that is if for now. Comments welcome.