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A few weeks ago I went to the hairdresser.I was pretty unsure of what I wanted, (not such a good thing when you are in someone else’s hands!) After a bit of a chat, my hairdresser suggested a different style, I readily agreed, after all, I’m ok with change… or so I thought!

Until 2 years ago my biggest adventure had always been the travelling we (my hubby and I) had done on our big OE 27 years ago. I’m sure you know how it is; you finish your training, or study, save like crazy and sell everything off and away you go. Off to see the world. Generations of kiwis have done it, and plenty more will continue to do so, almost as a rite of passage.

Every now and then it is helpful to go back to basics.It is so easy to get caught up in the cycle of rush rush rush with no time for yourself, no time to plan, no time to relax, no time for anything except the hurly burly rush that is life in our busy world. Meeting everyone else's needs at the expense of your own, is often part of the psyche for women in our society.

We all face challenges in our lives which, when we look back, we realise with the benefit of hindsight, that they were defining moments. Moments which shape us into who we become, and where we learn important lessons about ourselves and how we respond to circumstances.

You know what it's like when you meet someone who you 'click' with? You feel at ease, relaxed and almost immediately you relate to them? You understand 'where they are coming from', and you are 'on the same page'. Sometimes this feeling is spontaneous,it seems to just happen.I bet you also can think of times when you have had the opposite feeling? There may be people in your life that you really cannot seem to relate to in any way, shape or form. This feeling or lack of it,is called rapport.

It is a brand new year, and traditionally this is a fabulous time to create some inspiring goals! You feel inspired and motivated and then, something happens and after a few short weeks you let it all go. You just can't seem to maintain the momentum! It is very common. How do you keep inspired and motivated? It is very easy if you follow some simple rules. You need to create 'Stickability' to your goals so you will be more likely to achieve them.

With the end of the year coming up extraordinarily fast, I am reminded again of the huge stress that this time of the year often brings to families who live day to day with a child or young adult with autism. Instead of a relaxing refreshing holiday, families are often faced with increased anxiety,tantrums, tears, and incredible amount of stress as they try to navigate the long holiday season. I wanted to share a few tips I have learnt as the parent of a young adult daughter with autism.

I love personal development books, you could say I have 'wee' bit of an obsession with them - judging by my bulging bookshelf! Some of the criteria I use choosing these books are, they must be practical, easily implemented and have plenty of good examples to illustrate the concepts.

We all tell ourselves stories to keep ourselves 'safe, often however, the stories keep us in the same place, when we could be moving ahead.

Sometimes it can be hard to maintain your enthusiasm and keep your eye on the goal, here are some great tips to give you instant motivation so you will be highly energised and more focused on your way to achieving your goal.

What does success mean to you? Is it being the best at what you do in your career, in your life? Maybe it is having a fabulous house or that amazing car? Being wealthy or maybe being happy?

By examining your beliefs about certain aspects of your life you can expose ones which hold you back and stop you from pushing yourself ahead and reaching your goals and aspirations.

The first step to getting what you want out of your life is to create the space for it! Here are a few tips to help you do just that by slaying the energy drainers in your life once and for all!

Pick up any book on personal growth, self improvement or successful thinking and you will find one of the first concepts is usually to ask clearly for what you want. That is assuming you know what you want in the first place!

Living your life around your highest values can allow you to be fulfilled and focused, giving you the tools to choose easily what is important to you, based on those guiding values.

What's so good about developing an attitude of gratitude? Check out the bottom of this article for the answer.....

Imagine how your life would change if you were self assured, confident and at ease in all situations, however challenging! Being confident and outgoing is a skill you can learn, and there is no better time than now to get started!