Focusing on the better memories
Focusing on the better memories
Jan Aitken says it's been one of the toughest years of her life. So why is she celebrating?
Life Coach
Reclaiming the fun of Christmas
Reclaiming the fun of Christmas
If you get stressed out in the Christmas season, perhaps it's time to think about doing things differently, Jan Aitken writes.
Challenges of communicating
Challenges of communicating
To be human is to communicate - either verbally, with body language, using the written word or pictures, with music or with touch, writes Jan Aitken.
What are you missing?
What are you missing?
Identify what brings you joy and go with it, writes life coach Jan Aitken.
The healing power of nature
The healing power of nature
The busier we get, the more important it is to make time for nature, writes life coach Jan Aitken.
The myth of closure
The myth of closure
After a traumatic event, particularly the death of a loved one or breakup of a relationship, people often search for meaning and "closure", writes life coach Jan Aitken.
Making the most of life's opportunities
Making the most of life's opportunities
Nothing is permanent. That goes hand-in-hand with "change is the only constant", writes Jan Aitken.
Surviving the tough times
Surviving the tough times
It's so important to have a good, solid emotional first aid kit to turn to in tough times, writes Jan Aitken.
When you're down, embrace the RAIN
When you're down, embrace the RAIN
When we find our expectations have been dashed and we're left feeling disappointed, sad and angry, what do we do about it?
Managing expectations
Managing expectations
"I didn't sign up for this!", "This isn't what I was expecting!". How many of us have uttered either of those comments, asks life coach Jan Aitken.
Putting apps in their place
Putting apps in their place
We're meant to be the ones running the apps, not the other way around, writes life coach Jan Aitken.
Carrying a lighter load
Carrying a lighter load
While we are decluttering our living spaces, perhaps we should clear out some more personal ones too, writes life coach Jan Aitken.
Understanding who we are
Understanding who we are
Defining our identity is a lifelong challenge.
Remembering to look after yourself
Remembering to look after yourself
I suspect we are all fairly comfortable dealing with the physical wounds, the bumps and bruises, that life deals out. We know what to do with physical wounds, we know when to reach for the...
Dealing with life's curve balls
Dealing with life's curve balls
Two weekends ago, I attended the first conference in New Zealand on "Compassion in Healthcare", writes life coach Jan Aitken.
Is the pen mightier than the keyboard?
Is the pen mightier than the keyboard?
Does it really matter how we write, or take notes, asks Jan Aitken.
Re-framing your internal voice
Re-framing your internal voice
I often tell people to be careful with their "self-talk" and I've received some puzzled looks in response, writes life coach Jan Aitken.
Seeing out New Year's resolutions
Seeing out New Year's resolutions
Welcome to February. It's hard to believe the first month of the year has already flown by, exclaims life coach Jan Aitken.
Meeting and setting goals
Meeting and setting goals
The final column of the year is always a bit tricky, writes life coach Jan Aitken.
Making time for yourself
Making time for yourself
There can be a certain craziness present in December, writes life coach Jan Aitken.