Happy Mondays

Leading life and happiness coach

THERE is genius in simplicity. Any fool can add waffle, complicate and over embellish. It is cutting away the clutter and getting to the real meaning that is the key to clarity. Complexity is often mistaken for profundity but it’s laser-like logic that can fast-track us to success and happiness.

Simple Thinking is the title of a new book and concept of coach, leadership expert and new-wave educationalist Richard Gerber, who is urging us to de-fluff our brains and get to the point of a purposeful and creative life.

A former school principle and government adviser, Richard is on a crusade to help us get over ourselves – the tendency to over-think, procrastinate and the dismaying state of feeling “average” – by developing resilience and increasing intuition.

“Too many of us are living by the opinions and approval of others when we should be independent thinkers in touch with our inner strength and instinct,” he explains.

“We need to teach children resilience and that failure is not fatal but a part of life we can learn the best things from. Most successful people from Sir Richard Branson to Jay Z have a desire to seek self-improvement and not let knock-backs stop them, but make them even better.”

A self-confessed “people pleaser”, who thought it was his job to make everyone happy when he was growing up, Richard espouses more play time and avoiding mindless acquisition or “material obesity” as a mark of success.

Here Richard Gerber shares some top tips on simple thinking for an upgraded self:

See critical feedback as a way to learn and move forward.

Reintroduce the word “why” into your daily vocabulary. Curiosity should be a habit.

Spend time with other people who are hungry to question and disagree with you.

When you hit a tough moment ask yourself what the five-year-old you would do.

Deal with an issue right now that you have been setting aside or ignoring.

Needless to say, Simple Thinking (Capstone £10.99) is an easy yet powerful read that builds self-belief and helps you drop the baggage preventing you from reaching your goals.

Read it and then pass it on physically and emotionally to your loved ones.