This info is too true not to continue to remember. We can be happier in work and in life. And stop chasing an unattainable idea of success.

We believe that we should work to be happy, but could that be backwards? In this fast-moving and entertaining talk, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that actually happiness inspires productivity. (Filmed at TEDxBloomington.)

To watch this TED Talk, click here: www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work

Brooke Loesby, Esq.

Growth occurs outside our comfort zone. Brooke serves as a trusted ally, a resource and a sounding board for your transition. She is skilled in helping clients navigate roadblocks and keeping them focused on their path. Brooke has a genuine passion and interest in their success. Guided by clients’ inner voices, Brooke lends her creativity, inquisitiveness, and enthusiasm to help them to manifest their calling.

Brooke has assisted hundreds of clients in making important career and life transitions. Brooke’s approach is personalized and proactive; she works to help clarify their aspirations and assist them in achieving their goals. Brooke’s clients range from humanitarian activists to media and fashion professionals, to start up entrepreneurs and senior attorneys from Am Law 100 firms.

Before coaching, Brooke experienced several career transitions of her own: for three years, she worked in legislation on Capital Hill, for Senator Larry E. Craig; as an attorney, Brooke practiced Labor and Employment law at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld; she then served as Assistant Director of Career Services at Loyola Law School, for six years. Brooke earned her Juris Doctor from Pepperdine Law School and her B.A. from University of Idaho. She enjoys hiking, vegetarian cooking, yoga and meditation.

Brooke is currently taking on new Daisy Swan & Associates clients; to set up an introductory meeting with Brooke, please contact us: [email protected]

Monday, March 30, 2015 | 8-9 PM

Mimoda Studio @ Paper or Plastik Cafe
5772 W. Pico Blvd. @ Ogden, Los Angeles, CA 90019

An Introduction to Mindfulness

Mindfulness meditation is increasingly showing up in mass media as the antidote to contemporary stress. Why all the fuss? Over the past 15 years, hundreds of scientific research studies, and their published results, illustrate just how positively powerful this simple practice is for the human body and mind. Individuals and organizations are now embracing mindfulness practices in record numbers to counterbalance the non-stop demand and distraction of a world that is wildly connected via technology.

Mindfulness meditation instructor Daisy Swan will discuss some of the important research that has recently surfaced in this area and provide resources for practice, as well as lead us in several mindfulness exercises that can be incorporated into daily life.

Night School lectures are free and open to the public! Visit Night School LA for more information.

Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) II: Cultivating Positive Emotions
(formerly Finding Happiness)

(a UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center program led by Career Coach, Daisy Swan)

This MAPs II class emphasizes heart-based qualities that complement mindfulness and can be cultivated through meditation practices. We will explore loving kindness, compassion, equanimity (even-mindedness), joy, generosity, and gratitude.

We will learn new meditations to develop these qualities, tools to work with when we find them ourselves stuck and not feeling positive emotions, and practical exercises to incorporate them into our daily life. This is a helpful expansion to our basic mindfulness practice.

Each class is a dynamic, interactive combination of lecture, practice, and group feedback and discussion. MAPs is taught in a context of a supportive community environment with classes no larger than 30-40 students. Daisy Swan will be leading this class series; she has years of personal experience practicing mindfulness, and teaching it.

* Prerequisite: MAPs I or equivalent
If you have not taken a MAPs I class at MARC, please email us a brief description of you equivalent experience to [email protected] before class start date.

MAPs classes meet weekly for two (2) hours per week for six (6) weeks.

These six-week class series’ are open to the public and to all UCLA staff, faculty, and students. MAPs is helpful for people of all backgrounds and religions. These classes are suitable for ages 16 and over.

Dates / Time: Sundays, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM; Starting Jan 15th-Feb 26th, (no class on Feb 19th)

Location: Biz Haus Co-Working Space at 1730 Holly Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245

To register, Click Here >>

For more information, please email [email protected].

Daisy Swan – Career Coach
Guest Contributor for My L.A. Lifestyle

Do you love to look around to find the unexpected? Love to scour racks of clothes, or shelves of shoes, for that perfect surprise item that pulls an outfit (or maybe starts one) together…? Not everyone loves this kind of thing. Some people want the goods all laid out, put together, done. But some of us like the thrill of the adventure.

We are mystery shoppers.

Some people are actually employed as mystery shoppers…people who are planted in stores to surreptitiously shop the aisles, watching how salespeople manage patrons and merchandise. I’m not talking about that kind of mystery shopper.

I’m talking about being a mystery shopper in your own life.

Tuning into our own lives like a mystery shopper, means tuning into what’s really happening with us, and the world around us. We get to tune into the mystery of what’s coming next in our work, our relationships, our health and wellness. When we look at ourselves and our lives as little mysteries, something kind of magical happens. We can tune into the little nuggets, morsels, particles of our lives and see something interesting on a moment-to-moment basis.

What’s going on with that bowl in the sink? What is this blouse I’m wearing, imbued with…? Where are these shoes taking me? Or am I taking them somewhere new, today? What clues or dots can I connect today as I head to work, or later as I scour the aisles of my local grocery store? Who might be just around the corner as I walk my dog? What can this weekly meeting open up for me, in my career? What do I want to find? What did I not know this morning, that I know as I tuck myself into bed? What will tomorrow be known for…?

How to be a mystery shopper? Shop your life for the mystery of who you are, and what you’re intrigued with…shop your heart for what makes it beat a little faster. Shop the faces of others around you to learn what’s connecting you to everyone else.

Pay-off? Priceless.

Read this original article as it appeared on My L.A. Lifestyle.

L.A. County Has Most High Tech Jobs in Country

By MELISSAH YANG

Los Angeles has more high-tech jobs than any other metro region in the country, including its northern neighbors in Silicon Valley, according to a report released Monday.

The county in 2013 employed more than 368,500 people in its high-tech sector, defined as businesses with a large proportion of technology-oriented jobs. The biggest high-tech segments for Los Angeles were in aerospace, wholesale production, engineering, consulting and computer software development. High tech made up 9 percent of all L.A. jobs, above employment numbers posted by manufacturing; accommodation and food services; and trade and logistics.

“Los Angeles’ tech industry is now as critical to our economy as our manufacturing and entertainment sectors – and we are outperforming New York, Boston, and Santa Clara County, in the heart of Silicon Valley,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti in statement. “If we want to keep it that way, we must ensure our workforce and our students are prepared.”

High tech contributed $58.7 billion in labor income and $108 billion to regional GDP. It also generated $21.8 billion in tax revenues for federal, state and local governments.

The 2013 report was authored by Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., a nonprofit whose mission is to attract and grow businesses for the region.

—

Staff reporter Melissah Yang can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @MelissahYang for the latest in L.A. tech news.

Read the Original Article: LABusinessJournal.com

Daisy Swan – Career Coach
Guest Contributor for My L.A. Lifestyle

We are all so good at ‘shoulding’ on ourselves. So very accomplished at this. I ‘should’ get that project finished tonight; I ‘should’ go to the gym; I ‘should’ make that call, etc. Think about it, though: What’s the next word that usually follows a ‘should’? [Pause. Think.] I would assert that the next word is usually ‘but’.

‘Shoulds’ have the magical effect of eliciting a rebelliousness or irritation that keeps most of us from taking action on that very ‘should’. Not always, but often. ’But’ I have three other things to do first; ‘but’ I’m starving; ‘but’ I don’t have the information that they need, yet…you know the drill.

‘Shoulds’ are real anxiety-provoking thoughts.

When we have so many things to do, and so many options for actions to take, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. ‘Shoulds’ are real anxiety-provoking thoughts. They bring up a lot of worry and anxiety – probably because we’re then triggered to think of what will happen if we don’t do what we’re supposed to be doing. We tend to tumble down the rabbit hole of good intentions and missed opportunities. And not get any closer to reaching our goal.

How about a shift, to looking at ‘coulds’.

‘Could’, in contrast to ‘should’, opens me up and makes me feel more in charge, more creative about my ‘process’ of getting things done, seeing possibilities and options for how to make decisions – large and small – how to evaluate those options, and choose my next action.

Try this the next time your thoughts keep circling around the ‘shoulds’: Make a list of all of your ‘shoulds’. Then write down the ‘coulds’. Take note of how you feel as you compile these lists, and what actions come from them. I’d love to hear about what you notice, and what happens next…

Read this original article as it appeared on My L.A. Lifestyle.

I’m happy to be offering a new mindfulness meditation group in Manhattan Beach, beginning THIS Thursday, May 1. This group is for anyone who has completed the UCLA MAPs I class, or for those who have sitting meditation experience.

We’ll begin at 7:00 PM with mindfulness meditation; I will facilitate a discussion on a particular topic related to our practice; and finish at 8:30 PM, leaving time for casual conversation afterwards. Light refreshments will be offered.

Please join us, to meet others who are interested in living with a more mindful approach, bringing more balance into their daily lives.

Start Date: Thursday, May 1, 2014

Location: Joslyn Community Center; 1601 N. Valley Dr., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (Street parking is available.)

$125 for six (6) weeks; no meetings on Thursday, May 15 or Thursday, June 12. We have the option of continuing on into July, as well. Payment by check will be accepted at the first meeting.

If you have questions or to RSVP (requested, please!), please email [email protected].

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

April has arrived…and with it, more fresh starts. I’m excited to see how many great job openings have popped up lately, for my clients at every career level. Good news for people who are transitioning to new ways of working, and living.

I have to say, the emails that I receive from former clients are incredibly touching and exciting for me to read…people who have completely changed course, switched to a new company or a freelance status, or have even started their own businesses. I am loving my work more and more these days, having the opportunity to see women and men round out their lives in subtle ways that actually change everything – for the better.

New season, new announcements.

I’m thrilled to announce that I’m offering a new day-long program, in one of my favorite places: Ojai, CA. Just a 90-minute drive north of L.A., sits the loveliest town. On Saturday, April 26, from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM, I’ll be hosting this program which will explore transition, with ease, to make the move into an identity-changing new chapter more inviting, and less scary. For more information on this one-day event and to register, please visit: A Kinder Way Through Transitions – One Day Ojai Workshop.

Many of you know I’m going through my own transition, as my son prepares to head to college in the fall. My primary identity as ‘mom’ is shifting, as my time will be focused more on other areas of my life. Subtle and not so subtle shifts, with big impact. How is your life transitioning?

Maybe it’s not, right now…lucky you! But one thing I know for sure, transitions occur all the time, bringing new perspectives and challenges. My work is to be a strategist, a conduit and a sounding board, for those of you looking for a seasoned third party to help see the opportunities within the challenges.

Another happy announcement is that I’m involved in the birthing of a new business, one that’s well-aligned with what I value. You might know that I’ve been teaching mindful awareness classes in El Segundo, for the past number of months. Well, this spring, starting Wednesday, May 7, I’ll be teaching this same series of classes in Torrance, at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. For more information on Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) I – for Daily Living”, please click here.

And back to the new business: Beginning Wednesday, April 16, I’ll be teaching meditation at Unplug Meditation in Santa Monica. I’ll be there on Wednesday evenings starting April 16, 6:30 PM-7:15 PM, as well as at 12 noon on Thursdays, and on Saturday mornings. Check out www.unplugmeditation.com to find a time to join me, to learn to meditate with a group of people. And if you already meditate, you might just find a new way to unplug.

Meditation practice keeps me grounded and open, and helps me, and my clients, to find a new way of being with the stressors of life. We all benefit from slowing down and gaining an expansive perspective, which offers a way out of the tunnel vision that speedy, anxiety-provoking modern life brings. Just imagine yourself being better able to respond to the uncontrollables in your life, rather than just going through the knee-jerk reactions that often get us into trouble.

Need more convincing? Here’s a link to an informative article in the Harvard Business Review, about why so many people, and businesses, are embracing mindfulness to help them be more successful in life and work: “Mindfulness in the Age of Complexity”.

Want more inspiring reading? Here are some books that I’ve been enjoying:

“Love 2.0: Finding Happiness and Health in Moments of Connection”, by Barbara L. Fredrickson Ph.D.

“Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”, by Susan Cain

“Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself”, by Kristin Neff

As always, you can also find a wealth of resources on my web site like other suggested books, links to helpful sites, a Q&A with me, newsletter archives, and more. You can even sign up to receive a FREE Values Exercise; the signup box is located right on our home page. Please feel free to tell your friends and colleagues about my FREE Values Exercise, or any of our other resources, services and offerings.

And don’t forget that with my one-on-one coaching services, I’m also here for your individual coaching needs. Please feel free to reach out to us at any time with questions about any of my coaching services: [email protected] or 1-877-872-3929.

I look forward to seeing you at one of my new classes, or in my office. Until then, be well and happy.

Best,

Daisy

While having a job is obviously better than being unemployed, it does not necessarily mean you have too many reasons to celebrate. If you simply own a 9 to 5 job that does not even come close to the career field you have always wanted to work in, problems are prone to pop up. But keep in mind you are not alone. Very few people actually succeed in landing their dream job. There are several million people who are employed in the U.S. alone; you cannot possibly imagine they are satisfied with their current status. But many of the several million employees are likely to plan on leaving their jobs. So how can you simplify your search for your dream job? Try some career coaching!

Career Coaches Support People In Making The Right Calls

These professionals know exactly what sort of advise you could use to direct your steps toward the right trajectory in life. They have a trained eye and a sixth sense in discovering in matching the right person with the suitable job for him. They will tell you which are the precise steps you will need to focus on taking to meet your career goals the easy way. They can work with you on your resumes and cover letter or online profiles and help you make them sound more appealing.

You Need The Right Assessment

You might be hunting down a management position inside a huge multinational company; but in reality if you are to be analyzed honestly, your personality traits such as your shyness or lack of leadership skills will prevent you from doing that. A career coach will be quick to notice you are a much better fit to lead a smaller team, but not an entire company. Maybe an online casino affiliate program like the one developed by Ladbrokes should fit your needs even better.