I am in my early 40s. The milestone of 40 brought meaningful changes to how I think, where I spend my time, and made me think about "spontaneous" happiness (see Spontaneous Happiness (Part 1). I've been a heavy thinker since my childhood - thinking to the extent that, sometimes, there was more thought than action. I've reined that in over the past few years and focused on the most important ones. Today, we'll talk about core values and why knowing them is important to a fulfi

This week, we'll focus on successful goal setting. Goal setting is often not paid the attention it deserves. As a result, mo st resolutions are unsuccessful. A Forbes survey shows that only 1% of New Year's resolutions last for 12 months (source: https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/new-year-resolutions-survey-2024/ ) As always, let's start with "Why" Most resolutions fail due to the following reasons: You don't have a strong "why" (see: Why asking WHY matters ) You did not rev

I've always been inspired by first ascents and discoveries that were driven by a desire to stretch the human imagination. Back in 2012, I read "Annapurna", a book by Maurice Herzog that documents the first ascent of an 8000+m mountain that is also known for a higher fatality rate than Mt Everest. I was so inspired by the book that I did a ~200km hike around the Annapurna range in Nepal. This area includes four peaks, designated Annapurna I through IV, and the Annapurna Circu

We've all searched for cheap flights with long or multiple layovers, hoping to save a couple of hundred dollars. We endure the discomfort of extended travel because it seems to be worth the money saved. However, in the corporate world, where vacations are typically limited to around 20 days a year, does this approach truly make sense? I'm not just talking about flights; I'm referring to the tendency to hunt for discounts, ultimately trading our valuable time for a few extra b

Learning is key to growth. And, the motivation to learn can wane over time. I've been researching ways to keep up the momentum. Here's what I've learned that might be helpful for you: Why is learning important? You must have heard the term "Neuroplasticity" of the brain. It is a scientific term that means that the brain is malleable; it can rewire itself. Learning not only strengthens existing neurons but also helps create new connections. The article at the link below explai

I've had multiple periods of being too comfortable in the "comfort zone," and each time that happens, I tend to disturb the status quo. Back in 2013, I was doing well in the corporate world in Singapore, and I chose to quit my job and head to the Himalayan mountains to find clarity and perspective. The same thing happened last year when I ventured into Coaching. Since that time, I've been gradually overcoming my limiting beliefs, one at a time. I wanted to share my journey to

I completed my coaching training at Erickson International , an International Coaching Federation (ICF)-accredited institution, last year. The past twelve months have been quite busy. I want to take a moment to reflect on this journey, focusing particularly on awareness, presence and listening skills. Awareness When I began my research on brain function, the first thought that came to mind was "Mount Stupid". I read about this in Adam Grant's "Think Again" - this is called t

We've all feared something at some point in our lives. And, there is always a lingering fear, however small it may be, about the future. In this blog post, we'll talk about an example and explore ways to handle fear

Over the past few months, this topic has come up multiple times in my conversations with clients. I wrote a broader blog covering the high-level differences among Coaching, Mentoring, Counselling, and Consulting ( here ). Image created with Canva AI In this blog, we double-click into Coaching and Mentoring. Similar to how I outlined the use cases in my blog on Human Coaches vs AI Coaches , we'll review the use cases with respect to Coaching and Mentoring here: Use Case Typic

Setbacks are part of our lives. There is little value in trying to avoid them. The real question is - How do you deal with them? In Buddhism, this idea is captured in the teaching of the two arrows . Each time we face a setback, two arrows fly our way: Arrow #1 (inevitable) : Represents physical or emotional pain. This cannot be avoided - it is part of being alive. Arrow #2 (optional) : Represents the story we tell ourselves. We blame ourselves, dwell in emotional distress or

There are tons of mindfulness apps out there. Some are preachy, some are practical and a few are transformational. As part of my work, I review tools that help my clients observe themselves more clearly, enabling them to chart their own path with thoughtful guidance and support. "How we feel" stood out amongst the ones I reviewed. Let's start with my favorite question - " Why " Why this app? It's an app created by scientists, therapists, designers and engineers operating as a

In my quest to make myself more productive, I've been experimenting with multiple apps over the years and finalized a select few which I intend to review on my blog. I've written about creating new habits , sustaining them , and Goal execution - all of these require us to track ourselves, observe behavior and make tweaks to stay aligned with our goals. As you look at the examples below, try to identify the common underlying thread: When a child does something well, we reinfo

OK, let's talk about the elephant in the room - AI Coaches. The questions are great and well aligned with what an effective coach would ask. However, what you miss is the live dialog with a human who can see you, realize where you are at right now and prioritize what would be most beneficial right now. Does this mean that AI coaches are not useful? - Absolutely not, they are highly effective and evolving rapidly. Here is a breakdown use cases:

When you know why a goal matters, it becomes more than a checklist item; it becomes a compass. The how—the actions, the habits, the daily choices—then follows naturally. Curious to know your why?

Coaching for execution of New year resolutions

If you've faced any of the below, this blog might help: I struggle to workout consistently I lack the motivation to work on the body I start fitness routines but I am never able to sustain I used to think that people born with will power (remember Habits | Genetics vs Environment ?) are the ones who can exercise regularly. I couldn't have been more wrong. Over the years, I’ve read extensively about habits and behavior, and I’ve learned something important: you don’t need to

This is the second part of Spontaneous Happiness . If you’ve landed here without reading the first part, I’d recommend starting with Spontaneous Happiness (Part 1) —not mandatory, but it may add helpful context. In Part 1, we briefly explored what happiness means. Here, we’ll go a little deeper. The word happy comes from an Old Norse root meaning chance or luck . When we contrast this origin with our modern desire to be happy all the time, an interesting dichotomy emerges—

How can I be "Happy"? I know this is clichéd but it is an important question to understand. And, I am sure that this question crossed your mind at some point. It has crossed mine many times. If you are looking for a definitive answer, sorry to disappoint you - I don't have one ready. However, if you are open to a new perspective, read on. This blog is inspired by Don't believe everything you think by Joseph Nguyen and Spontaneous Happiness by Andrew Weil (inspiration for th

Our parents are not perfect (let's keep this between us!) — and neither are we (no need to take that too seriously!). Any assessment of our habits should include an understanding of both our genetic traits and the environment in which we were raised. Only then can we identify the most effective path toward lasting, sustainable success. For example, I know, with genetic testing that I did many years ago, that I am more prone to a certain disease - so, I tune my environment, th

James Clear outlines several powerful strategies in his book Atomic Habits . I’ve summarized a few of them below—methods that have proven highly effective for me. Remove the cues from your environment If you want to reduce binge eating, start by buying smaller quantities and keeping them out of sight. Over time, this simple step can help you regain control of the habit. It’s worked well for me. Remember the saying, “Out of sight, out of mind”? Make it unattractive Focus on th