Less Stress, More Fun

In the spirit of “more fun”, I wanted to share the Four Tendencies framework developed by Gretchen Rubin. My heartfelt wish is that you’ll use this information to develop a more loving connection with yourself and the people in your life. In this episode you’ll learn: About the Four Tendencies framework developed by Gretchen Rubin The tendencies, stress, and fun How to love the other tendencies Re...

Improv and coaching are complementary skill sets. Powerful change can happen in your life when you see external circumstances and your internal ones - like your thoughts and feelings - as something to play with rather than something to be conquered and molded. Would you like to hear how improv can teach you to play more? Yes, please! In this episode you’ll learn: Basic tenets of improv How practic...

Maybe you’re someone who exercises consistently. Maybe not. Today I’m going to take a new approach to the topic of exercise and stress. Instead of telling you all the physical benefits, I talk about the interesting way that your exercise history and goals reveal amazing opportunities to improve your relationship with yourself, today and in the future. In this episode you’ll learn: Surprising ways...

People come to self-improvement and coaching with a hope that they can feel good most of the time. They want to “fix” their thinking and behaviors - finally! - to get what they want in life. And sometimes the best way to get the forward motion you seek is to actively choose to put your mind in neutral…  Listen to learn how “shifting into neutral” can totally transform your life. In this episo...

Self-confidence is one of the benefits of the “less stress, more fun” life. One way to enhance your self-confidence is to actively create belonging for yourself. But what does that even mean? What does that look like for you? Let’s talk about it! In this episode you’ll learn: How to define the concept “belonging” from the perspective of self-confidence  How creating belonging can unlock your...

“I’m feeling so overwhelmed…!” Sometimes, our minds simply feel like they can only deal well with so much. Yet have you noticed that sometimes you’re overwhelmed and sometimes you can handle it all…what accounts for the difference? In this episode you’ll learn: The surprising causes of overwhelm Incredibly effective suggestions for handling overwhelm Resources mentioned: “Why the modern world is b...

Today we’re going to talk about electronic communications from the “less stress, more fun” perspective.  In this episode you’ll learn: A brief history of electronic, “anytime, all the time” communication Connecting to why electronic communication can be biologically stressful Suggestions for developing electronic communication habits to amplify you joy and performance Resources mentioned: “Be...

The topic of friendship has been on my mind for the past few months, especially with changes in my own friendships as the result of the pandemic. How you think about friendships can have a big impact on how you feel about your life…so let’s explore it! In this episode you’ll learn: How the state of friendships has changed in the past few decades Three types of friendship styles Deciding how you wa...

Who are your role models for a fun, playful life? I often talk about managing stress as a path to a more fun life. But today’s episode is focused on FUN, specifically your models for a fun life. In this episode you’ll learn: How you think about the phrase “fun life” What to consider when choosing your role models for “fun” Practical ways to choose more fun every day Resources mentioned:  “I’m...

A few weeks ago, I became reacquainted with a childhood favorite artist. As I explored his works again, I was curious about the man and the habits behind such a prolific career. This week, I’ll be sharing my observations about the artist Richard Scarry and the worlds he created. In this episode you’ll learn: How the world of Richard Scarry came onto my radar in 2022 What I notice about the work of...

When you put the words “freedom” and “control” together in your mind’s eye, what thoughts come up? Some of my clients have shared a desire for “freedom” which, upon excavation, is a word that describes a desire for control, or at least self-control and autonomy. Let’s explore these concepts in this week’s episode! In this episode you’ll learn: My perspective on control and freedom, and why I think...

This episode is for you, whether you crave or avoid being in the spotlight. Today we’ll talk about the concept of being ‘the center of attention” and how your preferences connect you with your practiced feelings.  In this episode you’ll learn: Ways to explore your beliefs about visibility and self-trust What it means to be admired, respected, leave a legacy and other forms of measuring your c...

One of my greatest joys as a coach is helping people redefine their relationship to time, which is a wonderful way to improve your relationship with yourself.  In this episode you’ll learn: Commonly held assumptions about time Suggestions for seeing your own thoughts and beliefs about time Ways to appreciate time the “less stress, more fun” way Resources mentioned:  “The Tail End” ( Wait...

My inner life has evolved from having a mean inner critic to having a calm, fair judge.  This technique has stopped ruminating and otherwise “wasteful” thinking in its tracks, and today I bring it to you! In this episode you’ll learn: How having an inner judge can be a wonderful way to use your eager-to-please mind How to raise OBJECTIONS, your honor Suggestions for when to SUSTAIN your objec...

Part of the “Less Stress, More Fun” lifestyle is to connect to your physical self. In this episode, we’ll talk about our default thoughts about clothing. Is learning to play with how you dress yourself a path to more fun in your life, without adding more stress? In this episode you’ll learn: Ways to unpack your thoughts about clothes/fashion (pun intended) How the way you prefer to dress uncovers...

Uncertainty is at the base of a lot of peoples’ stress. The human brain tries to solve the puzzle of uncertainty, and it can sometimes generate a lot of creative thinking to enroll us to find certainty. Let’s have a playful conversation about the brain’s quest…for certainty, huzzah! In this episode you’ll learn: The benefits and challenges of a “certainty seeking” brain How to find sneaky ways you...

Perhaps you have a corporate job or run a business with employees. How does the “performance review” factor into your year? The annual work performance review process can be considered the source of stress for both employees and the managers who serve them…but there is a less stressful, more fun alternative! Whether you have influence over the process or not, this episode will make the performance...

Is “busy” a status symbol in your social circles? Today, Coach Lisa talks about how “busy” is not actually a real thing. In fact, “busy” is in the eye of the beholder.  In this episode you’ll learn: What modern writers have to say about “busy culture” Ways to think about “being busy” Tips for making decisions about how you want to think about “busy” as you are living your very limited, one-ti...

There is a wide range of feeling labels to describe the human experience, but most of us dabble with a limited emotional palette.  In this episode you’ll learn: How to observe your top feelings, the ones you “go to” regularly The benefits of expanding your emotional range What do do if you’re not really a feelings person Resources mentioned:  Feeling Wheel printable, The Gottman Institut...

Fake it ‘til you make it? There might be something to this. A key aspect of having more fun while managing stress is to connect with your body. Also, remember to join the “Less Stress, More Fun” Facebook community group for more information about the techniques taught in this video. In this episode you’ll learn: Current science on the importance of body posture How to combine body movement with st...

You know that saying about how you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with? Regardless of whether you agree with that thought, it is helpful to pay attention to the people you list as your friends and family.  In this episode you’ll learn: How to take an objective view of the people you spend the most time with What attracts people to each other Tips for cultivating a gro...

As a coach, I have worked with over 1,000 unique human minds. And most of us humans seem to have something in common: an inner critic. Rather than fight this mental process, I suggest we work with it. In this episode you’ll learn: How the inner critic is developed and why Strategies for managing your inner critic the “Less Stress, More Fun” way Resources mentioned:  “How to stand up to your i...

Good or bad. Positive or negative. Happy or sad. Safe or risky. Our brains are on a quest for certainty. However, “his or that” thinking can block creativity and increase stress. Let’s talk about what to do about it! In this episode you’ll learn: Why the mind prefers “this or that” thinking Unexpected ways this can show up in your life How introducing “and” and “what if” can open up your creativit...

We make decisions constantly. Sometimes these are large decisions, perhaps goals, projects or commitments. But the goal is not, well, to reach the goal. The “Less Stress, More Fun” approach to goal is to make the journey the very best part. In this episode you’ll learn: Evaluating how you typically travel to your goals (default mode) Consciously choosing to make the journey the best part The power...

In her book “The Way of Integrity,” Martha Beck writes, “Integrity is the cure for unhappiness. Period.” When it comes to decision making and follow through, part of this means coming face to face with the truth of yourself. Are your choices in integrity with what you want and who you want to become? In this episode you’ll learn: The value of self-honesty when it comes to making decisions for your...