Jann’s Jottings - September 2025

Newsletters

Aug 29

“The most practical pages for perusal on the web”

Jotting (defn): short details of significant events, behaviours and conversations about wellbeing, growth and education/career.

Wellbeing Jot: Wellbeing comes from…

This month I am enjoying the work of Arthur C Brooks, known as the Happiness Professor (now there is a wonderful title!), who teaches at Harvard University and has several books on Happiness and Wellbeing.

In his recent newsletter, Arthur Brooks writes: “The smarter we are, the better equipped we should be to understand that well-being comes from faith, family, friendship, and work that serves others. Our intelligence is more likely to bring happiness if we put it to use by chasing better ways to love and serve others, rather than elbowing others aside and hoarding worldly rewards.

In some ways, we can think of intelligence as a resource just like money or power. We know how to make the latter two sources of joy: Share them with others and use them as a force for good in the world.”

Ponder this: What order do you attribute to the four sources of happiness: faith, family, friendship, and work?

Coaching can help with that.

(Ref: The Art and Science of Happiness newsletter)

Growth Jot: Double minded

Second guessing and being double minded is exhausting! We do not mix unleaded and diesel fuel and expect our car to perform; we cannot listen to the AM and PM frequencies on our radios, and we cannot anchor in the harbour and sail to idyllic islands simultaneously. We need single minded clarity to make wise decisions.

When you are in a dilemma, seek wise counsel, trust your gut, and commit to the chosen way with confidence and enthusiasm.

Ponder this: Who is your wise counsel?

Coaching can help with that.

Career Jot: Beacon or Boulder Leader?

Some leaders are beacons we want to follow, others are boulders who block our growth.

💡Beacons equip, encourage and lead by example.

🪨Boulders block, burden and bear grudges.

💡Beacons see criticism as an opportunity to improve and grow.

🪨Boulders take criticism personally and go into defensive mode.

💡Beacons communicate with clarity, consistency and care.

🪨Boulders communicate with opacity, hidden agendas and contradiction.

💡Beacons are curious, seek coherence and contribution.

🪨Boulders are self-centred, scattered and wary.

💡Beacons enable accountability, initiative and action.

🪨Boulders demand accountability, loyalty and agreement.

💡Beacons think, ask questions and use unconditional positive regard in hard conversations.

🪨Boulders blame, leap to conclusions and tell, not listen, when things are difficult.

💡Beacons share, give and are happy when others succeed.

🪨Boulders use one-upmanship, criticism and seek to tear down and then wallow in regret.

🌻Where are your growth points? The good news is that all leadership and communication traits can be learned, honed and integrated. Coaching will help with discerning your blind spots.

All experience is an arch to build upon (Henry Adams)