Happiness is a Choice     

What’s your background and what type of work do you do with people?
In business my background is in the Human Resource Management field with a broad cross section which includes recruitment and selection, learning and development, organisational development and change management. I have a Masters degree of Human Resource Management as well as a Diploma of Business Management. My 20 years experience working with people is mainly within Resources and Project Management areas and also voluntarily with community organisations.

Through the Australian Human Resources Institute Mentoring Program I have mentored people in their HR careers which give me fulfilment to share my experience and knowledge. I love to coach people to achieve their goals and my clients provide positive feedback on their success. I hold an Advanced Practitioner of Life Coaching and also practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP).

What sorts of things can people do to improve their lives?
Each of us are at different stages and places in our lives - Aspire for your dreams and goals – write them down and commit to a date and a measure – for example I want to improve my health by 1 June 2010 and the measure will be a good night’s sleep every night and I will have more energy.

Achieve your aspirations through action! I will commit to walking 30 mins for 5 days per week and I will drink 2 litres of water per day and I will daily achieve 7-8 hours sleep. Acquire the knowledge required to attain your aspirations and the richness of life will be yours in all ways. In this instance walking in nature gives you a chance to listen to the sounds around you allowing you to connect further with yourself as well as doing the exercise! Water for the body is like music for the soul – helps our brain and all our organs to function well.
What are the keys to happiness and fulfilment?

I have compiled 13 Keys to Happiness which covers a broad spectrum and each brings us closer to gaining sustainable authentic happiness. 50% of happiness is our genetic inheritance, 10% is attributable to our appearance and our financial state and 40% of happiness is a choice! Our mindset allows us to choose happiness or otherwise. One of the most important aspects to gaining happiness and fulfilment is taking action. A small step each day repeated for 28 days will allow a change in behaviour and will allow you to build on the keys of happiness.

Take an example of The Key of Generosity - not just the tangible gifts we give, this is also what you give of yourself – your talents, time and energy. Refrain from judgement of others and be generous in your assessment of interactions with others. It has been said that what we give out in life may determine what we receive in return. Commence with yourself and practice non-judgement. Remove any harsh conclusions about yourself and then look further to others with whom you interact. When we interact with pure love from the heart there is no attachment to an outcome or what we may receive in return.

Anne Poole, Director, Inspire for Life
MHRM, DipIPSA, Adv Prac Life Coaching, NLP Practitioner
An interview with Anne Poole