Category: Success

Staying motivated in the midst of a challenge.

On By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn community, empowerment, health, Inspiration, motivation, Optimal Performance, positivity, Student Motivation, Success, Thriving60 Comments

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Today’s story begins in the middle of my kickboxing class. The point in time where you feel like giving up the most.

Because the middle is always the hardest. Whether it be the middle of a semester, the middle of a week, or the middle of a dentist appointment. Ugh!

It was thirty minutes into class, and we had just finished a really tough round. I wanted to celebrate how far we’d come, so I began clapping and cheering.

Despite my excitement, my instructor gave me a curious look and said: “Why are you clapping Andrea? We are far from being done.”

She was right. We still had a significant amount of time left in our workout. But I wasn’t clapping because we were finished. I was clapping because we had hit the wall and survived. I was clapping to energize!

CHEERING in the MIDDLE

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A cheering strategy that I often use in my own classroom. Students are geared up at the start of the semester and pumped up at the end. It’s in the middle that their commitment starts to falter.

This is when I clap wholeheartedly simply because students show up to class. A fun gesture underscoring how much I value their commitment to education. And they love it!

Today I am reminded how small gestures energize big time in the midst of a challenge. Be it a high five. A wide smile. A kind word. Or calling students by name.

Because beginnings have their own ticker parades. And endings take care of themselves.

It’s in the middle of a challenge where we need positive energy the most.

What keeps you motivated in the midst of a challenge?

Related Post: What's your why?

Laughter saves the day.

On By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn Affirmation, Happiness, health, Inspiration, positivity, Stress Management, Success34 Comments

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What consumes your mind – controls your life.

We live in a world weighed down by disaster, debt, and divorce. So it’s no surprise that we’ve been conditioned to believe that tragedies require tragic mindsets. That serious issues demand serious attitudes. That hardships necessitate hardened spirits.

Thankfully we also live in a world overflowing with abundance, joy, and love. Same world. But we can’t see the good when we’re overwhelmed by the bad.

From overwhelmed to OVERFLOWING.

Making the shift from stress to strength can happen in a number of ways.

Laughter is my favourite instant stress reliever. Taking a long deep breath runs a close second.

Laughter breaks the panic spell. The not enough mindset. The woe is me attitude. The negativity downturn.

Laughter is an instant vacation to a better place – without the travel bills!

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Today’s challenge / opportunity:

  • Today’s challenge is to lighten up. To breathe deeply into what stresses you. To leave room for grace. To respond with a light heart and an open mind. To dance a little dance. To laugh with friends. To nourish your soul.
  • Ultimately to remember who you were – before life weighed you down. For it’s in our joy that we find our voice. It’s in our abundance that we embrace our authenticity. It’s in our laughter that we save the day.

Who are you?

On By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn Emotional Intelligence, Intrinsic Motivation, Personal Growth, Personality Assessment, psychology, Self Esteem and Empowerment, Strengths Assessment, Success51 Comments

Self-awareness is the starting point for personal success. Until you know who you are, how will you know what truly motivates you?

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Reawaken your passion for life by reflecting on “Who you are“.

  • How would you describe yourself in one word?
  • What are 3 of your strengths?
  • What are 3 of your challenges?
  • When do you feel most alive?
  • What is your favourite movie? Book?
  • What is your dream job?
  • What is your dream place to live?
  • If you could have 5 minutes alone with anyone (dead or alive) who would that be? What would you ask them?
  • Do you prefer being indoors or outdoors?
  • What is (was) your favourite subject in school?
  • If you could own any car, what would it be?
  • What character trait is most important to you?
  • What makes your heart sing?
  • Do you prefer spending time alone or with people?
  • What is your favourite ice cream?
  • Are you a morning or a night person?
  • What is your favourite song? Band?
  • Finally… How do you define yourself at the very core of your existence?

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5 Ways to Embrace Change.

On By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn Change and Transformation, Coping Strategies, empowerment, health, Interview, motivation, Optimism, Resilience, Self Actualization, Strengths, Success, Video41 Comments

I love new beginnings. The start of a day. The beginning of a week. A brand new month. A whole new season.

All are perfect times to begin anew.

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“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”

Need help embracing change but don’t know where to start?  In this  8 minute CBC-TV interview below, I share 5 stategies for embracing change.

What are your strategies for embracing change?

Visit my YouTube Channel for all my positive psychology videos.

Celebrating Female Mentors and Visionaries.

On By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn Gratitude, Inspiration, psychology, Purpose and Meaning, Self Actualization, Success, Thriving17 Comments

‪Happy International Women’s Day!

I am grateful for all the women in the world who paved the way.

Including my mom. The first psychologist in the family.

A role model, mentor, and encourager. Today & Always.

Who are you grateful for today? ♥️💃‬

You are more powerful than you’ll ever know.

On By Dr. Andrea DinardoIn Affirmation, Emotional Awareness, empowerment, Hope, Inspiration, Mental Health, Mindfulness, motivation, Resilience, Strengths, Success, Thriving14 Comments

This moment.

This day.

THIS LIFE.

Is yours for the taking.

Don’t be afraid to step into your power.

It is you.

And you are it.

Empowerment is the reason you were born.

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