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… Read More
Daisy Swan & Associates
Welcome Daisy’s New Associate Coach: Brooke Loesby, Esq.
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… Read More
An Introduction to Mindfulness – FREE Lecture with Daisy Swan
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… Read More
January 9-11, 2015: New Year, New You ~ Cleanse and Visioning Retreat in Ojai
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… Read More
Think You Have to go to SFO for Cool Work? Think Again.
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… Read More
SHOULD VS. COULD
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’… Read More
NEW! Manhattan Beach Mindfulness Group – Starts Thursday, May 1
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,… Read More
Spring’s Transistions
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… Read More
3 Actions To Get Over Who, Or What, Is Driving You Crazy At Work
Boss driving you crazy with micro-managing, irrational, controlling behavior, or not giving you the support and direction you need? Co-worker stealing your ideas and taking credit for work that you did? Mind-numbing, repetitive work or projects making you feel like quitting your job, right now? Or do you feel intimidated and under-qualified for the job…not talented enough, not smart enough, and generally overwhelmed? You’re in good company. These stress and anxiety-provoking thoughts and feelings induce a kind of tunnel vision. We hyper-focus on what’s not working, and often our conversations and thoughts keep coming around to the same points of dissatisfaction, and how we’re wanting to get rid of the problem. Here are a few actions that have worked for my clients and have created some mental space, to alleviate some of the anxiety: 1. Take some time right now, and consider what your boss – or other annoying… Read More
How Long Does It Take To Make A Career Change?
I’ve done a lot of things in my life, lived in many places, and have gone through multiple personal transitions – some of which have been easier than others, while some have taken longer than others. Sometimes it seemed as though things had changed overnight, but really, the changes that occurred took years of marination…kind of like what they say about an “overnight success story”: They take 10 years. So how long does it take to make a real career change? Four years. In my experience, it takes four years to enter a new field, to (re-)educate, to develop a new network in that field, and to gain meaningful experiences that introduce you as a player – which then leads to gathering credibility and accessibility to your new work and new career. Of course there will be exceptions to this rule, but I do believe that even if someone… Read More
