Busy being happy!

May 30

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I can’t believe how long it has been since I have written here. I have been busy doing the things I love to do; working with women seeking to empower themselves and visiting beautiful places in Ireland. It really is true that happiness lies in doing the things we enjoy doing and doing them often.

I plan to take time this summer to write another book. I will keep the Facebook page live for readers so you can connect with me there, but this site will be coming down in August. Thank you all for taking the time to stop by.  Copies of the “happy” book will still be available on http://www.martinebrennan.com

I hope you are enjoying your weekend! Once again please connect with me on Facebook, click on the button on the side, and keep in touch.

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I am so happy these days,

Apr 28

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and so busy! My new website is up  http://www.martinebrennan.com

Bookings have begun to come in from some amazing powerful women (though I suspect some of them don’t know how powerful they are yet!)

The excitement is building and sometimes I can’t sleep because I am absolutely buzzing.

Over the next few days, look for the one thing that really gives you that feeling and make it grow!

I know you can!

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Breakthrough in Business for Women May 22nd

Apr 12

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Sorry for my long absence friends. I have been busy creating material for businesswomen who want to make 2010 their best year yet. The event will take place at the Parknasilla Hotel in South Kerry, Ireland on May 22nd. Susan  Odev, co-author of Mum Ultrapreneur will be opening the event.

Here is a preview of the day http://www.parknasillahotel.ie/news

I hope you enjoy the views!

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Feeling overwhelmed?

Mar 26

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I am a great believer in the old fahioned method, take pen and paper and make lists (with a few twists!)

I really like to make a time-line! I put the “event” date at the top of the page and work my way backwards, filling in the tasks on the date by which they need to be completed. I always leave wiggle room because I have children. This works for the BIG things in my life.

Then every Monday morning, I make this weeks list, make an appointment with the dentist, fill out the insurance form, phone the bank etc. As I complete the tasks I tick them off. This way I feel a sense of achievement. As the week goes on other tasks get added to my list but at least some of those go onto next weeks list. If I complete them earlier, then that is great but if I don’t that is ok as they belong on next weeks list anyway! The best thing about this list is that I no-longer need to hold the tasks in my mind and REMEMBER them I just need to check my list.

But what happens when I have what I call intrusive thoughts?  Sometimes, I am bothered about something and it won’t go away. If something is really bothering me, I sit down and scribble all about it. Why is it bothering me? How am I feeling?  What could I do about it?

If I am worried about a friend, sometimes it is enough to remind myself that  maybe all I can do is send them a note or an email to say I am thinking of you.

If I am worried about myself or something in my own life, I ask myself the reliable coaching questions.

Have I faced this challenge or something similiar before? Clearly I managed because I am stilll here! What worked then that might work now? What didn’t work then that I will definitely not do again?

Is the challenge something I can change and if not what do I need to accept? What is difficult for me to accept right now?  What am I really afraid of? What support or safety measures can I insert in this situation which would make my burden lighter? If I cannot see a way out, who do I know with whom I could discuss this challenge? Who could make useful suggestions?

Then, if I have done all I can, sometimes I just need to keep on reminding myself that I HAVE DONE ALL I CAN!

And sometimes, there is no replacement  for closing the door on the dirty house or the messy office, and going for a long walk by the sea, an icecream cone, or a long bath and a good nights sleep.

Tomorrow is another day!

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Courage

Mar 23

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Some of you are probably wondering what courage has to do with happiness!

The truth is that sometimes it takes courage to reach for our happiness. Sometimes deep inside we know what it will take for us to be happy and we also know that those we love may have difficulty with our choices. Sometimes we know that we will have to let go of that old familiar, comfortable rut. We know we will have to throw our hat over the wall and go on in after it. We fear the monsters we believe to be hiding behind that wall.

Sometimes we are right and there really are monsters behind that wall. Sometimes it really will take every ounce of courage and perseverence we have to make that leap.

Sometimes we are pleasantly surprised to find that there are no monsters, that the new way is far easier than we anticipated. 

But there comes a time in each of our lives when there is no going back or when  there is no getting away from the changes that have occurred inside us. 

So if today is such a day for you, take heart, you are not alone. Life will always bring you companions to share the journey with you. You are far more capable than you know. So today, if you are taking that leap of faith in yourself, take courage and I’ll meet you on the other side!

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Trust your intuition

Mar 19

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There are many times in life where we “get a funny feeling”, or have “a mad idea” about something.  Sometimes our intuition is at work telling us in a quiet voice what we need to know.

Today, if you have a nagging feeling that you should do something (or not do it), contact an old friend or offer someone a helping hand then go with that feeling. Trust your intuition…. you are more wise than you know!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crNaJjfY57g

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

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St. Patrick’s Day

Mar 16

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Let’s celebrate all that is good about being Irish!

Our sense of humour

Our generosity

The welcome we give

Our music

But most of all let’s celebrate our tenacity and perseverence in the face of hard times.

 Enjoy the “Galway Girl” performed byLegend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8gLuaiVP50

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On Mother’s Day some of us are sad ….

Mar 14

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We are sad about the children that will not be with us today. Each new life is a miracle, and we are never ready when that life ends too soon. Life never feels the same again.  Old truths feel like lies and old foundations unsteady. It takes a long time to claw our way back. Sometimes we feel as though we never will. There are so many of us and no answers that make any sense. And yet… the love we have for our sons and daughters  is real…. and they are real and still living in our hearts. We remember them, not just today but every single day of our lives.

Today we remember each other too. 

If you are grieving a son or daughter, there is a powerful book called The Death of a Child by Elaine Stillwell which is a comfort and a guide.

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The joy in figuring things out..

Mar 12

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Have you ever had a time when something was troubling you and you just couldn’t figure it out? Oh the joy,then, when “the penny drops” and all becomes clear.

Sometimes. I think this is the joy of being a Business Coach. I get to be present at these “aha” moments or as Oprah calls them, the “lightbulb moments”. I see the joy and delight on peoples’ faces. Sometimes, I help to facilitate those moments.

It always amazes me then when I see the energy that just flows in the person. Suddenly everything begins to move easily, previously “impossible” obstacles are overcome.

But how do we get to that “lightbulb” moment? Sometimes it is as if the answer percolates up from the deepest part of us. Other times it comes like a lightening flash. Sometimes we are alone, others we are in the company of a good friend or a skilled Coach. However, when the moment happens it is truly a joy!

This weekend remember you are a treasure worth finding!

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Featured in Mum Ultrapreneur by Susan Odev

Mar 10

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I finally got around to reading Susan Odev’s book Mum Ultrapreneur this morning. I am honoured to be featured in it along with many other Irish and English mothers who run their own businesses. Being interviewed by Susan gave me an opportunity to reflect on my experience as a writer and a publisher.

I can’t believe that this time last year I was so excited and so scared as I began the process of bringing Happiness it’s just a habit to life. It seems like such a long time ago now. I have learned so much in this year; about running a business, about myself, about what is possible when we decide to commit ourselves to a task even when we don’t know exactly how we will complete it.

We are all capable of so much more than we realise…… at least until we make a decision and a commitment to ourselves and our dreams. So if you are a woman out there with a great idea, start to explore that idea… you’d never know you may end up with a business or a book!

Susan’s book  Mum Ultrapreneur is available at http://www.amazon.com and on her website http://www.mum-ultrapreneur.com

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