7 Tips on how to navigate the maze of life

This is the time of year that students are getting their results from exams and they're at a crossroads. But many people might be at a crossroads so my podcast today is not just for students but for everyone who may find themselves not sure what to do next - so here are some tips on how to move forward and take the next step forward. Just remember no matter the decision, there are no right or wrong answers. If the path you take does not work out as planned treat it as a learning curve. Get out of your comfort zone, you never know where it will lead. Any path you take may lead you to brighter places, and open doors that you perhaps never imagined existed. Listen to my tips and what important questions you have to ask yourself. Remember you only get one life and it is your life to live the way you choose. Enjoy the journey. Remember to smile and laugh they cost you nothing. Virtual hugs to you all

This is a short podcast but still offers 7 tips on how to cope with life in a more fulfilling way. I hope you not only enjoy listening but use the tips and your journal or diary to move forward in a more positive way. It's coming up to the summer months (albeit it's very cold here in Scotland!) but I will try to do a longer podcast in July - until then, remember to smile and laugh they cost you nothing

Here are 5 tips on how to stop beating yourself up – sometimes also called self-bullying. It’s great to have goals. Yes you need to have things in life you want to achieve. But you don’t have to constantly seek perfection in everything and then beat yourself up for everything not being perfect or making mistake or not achieving your goals when you wanted. It’s ok to critique yourself and learn from mistakes because this helps you to be more self-aware and find new ways to improve. However, if you constantly beat yourself up, criticise yourself then instead of helping you reach your goals it erodes your confidence and your peace of mind. Take a moment to think about some questions.....

You might not believe it but when you’ve been through the ringer, in other words, through so many challenges, you might feel defeated but you can rise stronger. You can be like the Phoenix, someone who is ready to rise above the troubles of the past and take on new opportunities. When you change your mindset you find that you have the power to build something better, even spectacular. You probably don’t realise it but you have immense power within you. It’s never too late to turn things around. Don’t be afraid of change, rise above your challenges, learn from them and see them as opportunities. Of course you need tips and my ABC are the go-to for bringing balance into your life and improve your overall wellbeing

Be more like water – be flexible, uncompromising and persistent in overcoming challenges and obstacles just like water finds its way. You might be wondering what water has to do with exploring your emotions but life is ever-changing like water. Bottling up your emotions, usually due to past conditioning, impacts negatively on your health. Take time to confront, embrace, and understand your feelings, let them flow smoothly rather than bottling them up. You and only you are in control of your emotions – they are not in control of you. Remember changes are a natural part of life. Learn to accept change. Use your journal to write down your feelings.

Many of you may be reeling from a difficult year and are still finding it challenging going into a new year. This is why it is vital to have easy to use tips to help not just kick start your new year but motivate you to change your mindset to be more positive no matter what challenges you face. Remember only you can change you but it's never too late to start. Quick tip as always - smile and laugh, they cost you nothing. Thank you for listening. Virtual hugs to all.

Many people find thoughts their head, so many that they are overwhelmed, anxious, irritated, frustrated, so much that this impacts on their overall mental, emotional and psychological wellbeing. It can become worse as we approach holidays, and festivities of any kind. So it is important to have tips to hand, that are easy to use yet proven psychologically effect. The hard bit is to repeat the techniques so that they become your good habit. I's never too late to start so START NOW. Remember too to smile and laugh, they cost you nothing. Laughter is the best medicine. I would appreciate comments on this podcast format as I have not put my music at the start or end - do you prefer it this way? Go to my website MindCircles and you can contact me. Why not join my MindCircles Community - it's free.

If you've been feeling overwhelmed, having low energy, over-worrying and anxious, particularly over the last few weeks, you are not alone. It is important to stay calm, not over-think, not over-worry but can sometimes feel impossible. It is vital to be calm when times are tough. Listen to my tips as they are proven psychological tips for improving your overall wellbeing. Also smile and laugh they cost you nothing.

Like many of us you may or do experience negative emotions, like guilt but when you do it brings you down and stops you from moving forward positively. In this podcast I also include one of my MindBites mindfulness meditation called 'Letting Go'. Please listen, close your eyes, and relax into the meditation which is psychologically effective for helping you let go of negative emotions of any kind so that you can move forward with a positive frame of mind. Use my ABC proven psychological techniques too which help improve your mental, emotional, psychological, and overall wellbeing. Virtual hugs to you all.

This is the second of two episodes on controlling relationships. Before you take action you need to recognise if you are in a controlling relationship so I recommend you listen to the first episode 40A. Once you know the signs you can take action. Every situation is different but I know from experience that controlling behaviour, whether it's emotional, mental or psychological is abuse. Everyone accepts that physical violence is abusive but the 'unseen' emotional and mental manipulation is destructive abuse. Many people experience emotional, mental and psychological manipulation and have suffered for many years until it seems the norm. It is not, it is abuse and you need to take action. I hope these tips help you make a decision. I wish you well on your journey of taking back control of your own life. I know from experience and although life was challenging, taking back control brought peace, calm and happier times. My MindCircles ABC helped me improve my confidence and self-esteem. Please practice them regularly so that they become your friend on the shoulder. Virtual hugs to you x