Finding happiness and balance in life

Kiwis who inspired us in 2016 share their advice on how to help make the world a better place. Today,

to even get out of bed.

‘‘I was working 12 hour days, skipping meals, sleeping at my desk, in a bid to make deadlines and get noticed at work. One day I literally couldn’t stand up, I was physically paralysed and couldn’t get out bed, let alone get dressed and get to the office. I was diagnosed with anxiety, depression and adrenal fatigue (burnout) and was ordered to bed rest for six weeks, unable to work.’’

Service began making ‘‘small changes’’ to her life, and sharing her tactics on a blog, ‘‘to help other people who may be experiencing the same thing.’’ The blog grew into a business – Happiness Concierge – which sees her travel all over the world to ‘‘help people ace work and life, with workshops that give people tactical tools to avoid burnout and get noticed at work’’.

‘‘When I changed my perspective from ‘what could work give me’ to ‘how could I help others’, my work really started rocking my world.

‘‘Seeing them have that ‘aha’ moment and get clarity by talking to someone with an objective perspective makes my heart explode a little bit.’’

Looking to the new year ahead, Service has her own resolutions at the ready. ’’Do less with more impact. Speak up more. Learn to empathise with those I disagree with to open a conversation which shares a different perspective. Work less.’’

Her advice for others looking to make the world a better place for themselves and others? On a practical level, she suggests creating an ‘I want’ list.

‘‘Ask yourself: how do I want to feel? What do I want to achieve? What do I want to have? Then nut out small habits you can start to get you on your way.

‘‘You can do this as many times as you like throughout the year; the idea is that you tick off your small steps and create long lasting habits that get you closer you how you want to feel, what you want to have and what you want to achieve.’’ Service says good communication is also key to those looking to improve life in 2017.

‘‘I think the biggest thing people can do is make small, brave decisions every day about communicating the behaviour they will and won’t accept.

‘‘That starts by telling people if you feel uncomfortable or disagree with their opinion or telling someone else about it so they can support you to challenge it.

‘‘Learning how to communicate your boundaries or challenge an opinion in a constructive way is not something we’re taught.

‘‘Having brave, calm conversations with one another could solve a lot of frustrations in the world.’’ – Josie Steenhart