More Happy Life with Andy Proctor

Latest Episodes:

117: The 5 Components of Change with Dr. Adam Moore Oct 11, 2019

Show notes

Today I interview the very knowledgable Dr. Adam Moore. We talk about how we go about making a change happen in our life. He relates changing to launching a rocket into space to escape the world's gravity. The elements are:

Institute a unique approach
Believe and Hope that you actually can change.
Create Traction with Small Wins and ritualize it so that it sticks
Acknowledge and celebrate that you have made the change
Make it social so you stick to the change

He also gives some key advice on how to be happier today:

Find one or two people that you really connect with and invest in those people
Everyday make a meaningful contribution in the life of one human being.

This is a great episode. Don't miss it!

Find Adam here:

https://adammmoore.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dradammoore/

116: Your Permission To Be Happier - Personal Bill of Rights Sep 27, 2019

Show notes

Today I just wanted to share something one of my therapists shared with me years ago that has helped me. It was what they called my "Personal Bill of Rights". It has helped me over the years to remember that I have permission to be human. Often we don't give ourselves this permission and we need to remember this more. So this is me giving you permission today, to be happier.

115: Empowering People to Empower People with Louis Alloro, MAPP Sep 16, 2019

Show notes

How do you empower people to empower other people? The more I talk to people about positive psychology, the more I realize that the thing that most people want to know is how they can become a change agent themselves. In this episode, I interview Louis Alloro, an shining star in applied positive psychology who I had the honor of learning from for 7 months during my time studying at The Flourishing Center in Los Angeles.

Louis and I talk about how to really create sustainable positive change in an organization through systems. We also talk about the following topics:

Listening to what your heart and body need.
Being the change is starting with yourself
The best way to help others is by starting by helping yourself
Self care is health care and it is not selfish
Fill your cup, have fun, be still
Louis' focus on integrity and how important it is to be true to yourself first "the universe hears what you mean, not what you say"
Give yourself permission to be human and be present with what is.
As a leader, we should envision the best possible futures for our people and remember the people in the middle as integral agents of change. The best leaders see others as co-leaders and the boss doesn't have all the answers.
Don't wait for something to be different to be happy now. Your happiness will boost you along the way to your goals.

So much goodness came from this episode. It was an amazing conversation that I wish could have only been longer. Please listen and share with your friends!

114: Eleven Science-Backed Ways to Boost Energy Without Caffeine Sep 08, 2019

Show notes

Do you want to boost your energy without having to pound another RedBull or go for the afternoon cup of Joe? This episode is for you.

A lot of people struggle with fatigue, or are just sapped of energy on a regular basis. I believe that increasing energy is one of the most powerful ways to have a more happy life and I want to share things that can help you boost your energy without caffeine.

First, a word on caffeine. I don’t have anything against caffeine other than that it was the stimulant that triggered my first panic attack ever. So ever since then, I have chosen not to consume caffeine to boost my energy and I have had to find other ways to keep me awake when I’m having a tired day. The other thing is that caffeine doesn’t actually produce energy in your body. It is a stimulant. It basically tricks your brain into thinking that you have energy, but it doesn’t actually have the building blocks of energy that your body needs.

So here are some ways to boost energy without having to rely on that cup of Joe every day.

1. Hydration

2. Move more

3. Eat smaller meals more often

4. Optimize your Breathing

5. Sleep better

6. Eat things that boost your energy

7. Decrease your Allostatic Load

8. Connect to Your Purpose and Values

9. Rock Out to Your Favorite Songs

10. Connect to People You Love

11. Look Forward to Something

113: Make Your Commute the Best Part of Your Day, Backed by Science Sep 03, 2019

Show notes

Studies show that our wellbeing can be greatly impacted by our commute, but that it's what we believe about our commute that makes the difference. Here are 8 tips that can help you tell the right story and make your commute the best part of your day.

Mindfulness -

don’t close your eyes, connect to yourself, connect to God, get in touch with your body.
Engage in loving kindness meditation,

Education-

Millionaires read more than anyone else. Constantly educating. Create an education program that gets you excited.
What are you interested in? Create a playlist on podcasts, audible, Libby or get a subscription to Blinkist and learn like crazy.

Dealing with road ragers-

Make the good assumptions
Tell the right story.
It doesn’t matter to them anyway.
Here are some good stories:
- wedding night
Hospital pregnant
Kids in trouble

What’s your story of the commute?

What story are you telling yourself?

Savor the good stuff

architecture
Nature

Change it up

don’t go the same way every time. Our brain thrives with variety. Get playful with it. If you ride a train, sit somewhere different

Dance party

make an amazingly energizing playlist
Be that guy who you see rocking out in their car
Be the girl in the train with headphones who is so into her playlist that taps her foot and would be dancing if there were room

Connect

Look at your friendship wall each week and decide to connect to someone during your commute
Connect with a family member on the phone during the commute. If you can’t talk, leave them a Marco Polo or a voice message

Use it as a transition to boost energy

We lose quite a bit of energy through our day because we don’t transition. So take advantage of the time you have during your commute to transition from work to home or home to work.
Inhale, release tension, exhale, set intention

Here is where I found the studies: https://www.forbes.com/sites/amymorin/2014/12/07/want-to-be-happier-change-your-commute-or-change-your-attitude/#7daa21e77417

112: The Science of FUN with Mike Rucker, PhD Aug 27, 2019

Show notes

When was the last time you felt overwhelmingly happy? When I have asked this to people in the past, it has almost always paired with a time when they were having fun. We have talked about play before (episode 105), and in this episode Mike differentiates play from fun and shares some great tips on how we can fit more fun into our every day life.

He tells the story of how he got into researching fun in the first place and talks about how fun can really have an impact on our wellbeing. He expounds on his play model (found here: https://michaelrucker.com/having-fun/optimize-having-fun-play-model/) and shows us how we can optimize the fun that we are already having.

Find Mike here:

https://michaelrucker.com

https://twitter.com/performbetter

https://www.facebook.com/mike.rucker.phd

https://www.instagram.com/thewonderoffun/

Dr. Mike Rucker is a charter member of the International Positive Psychology Association, as well as a member of the American Psychological Association. Mike is a frequent contributor to national press such as Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and CIO on topics related to well-being. Mike has spent the last few years studying the construct of fun and is coming out with a book on the subject in the summer of 2020. He has also published in peer-reviewed journals covering topics from employee well-being to ethics.

111: Making Sleep Cool Again With Julie Flygare, J.D. Aug 06, 2019

Show notes

In this episode we talk about all things sleep and much more!

How does sleep impact our energy, mood, and clarity?
How much sleep do we need each night?
How did you discover your Narcolepsy?
How can we improve our sleep patterns?
Should naps be allowed and supported at work?
Let's talk about dreams and remembering dreams
What would you tell people who just found out they have narcolepsy?
Find your self affirming voice within all the voices in your head. This will make you happier.

More about Julie:

Julie Flygare, J.D. is an internationally recognized patient-perspective leader, an accomplished advocate, and the award-winning author of Wide Awake and Dreaming: A Memoir of Narcolepsy. Since receiving a diagnosis of narcolepsy with cataplexy in 2007, Flygare advanced her leadership in the sleep and healthcare space through speaking engagements, publications, earned media, collaborations, and advocacy and awareness initiatives. Currently, she serves as President & CEO of Project Sleep, a non-profit organization raising awareness about sleep health and sleep disorders. Prior to accepting this role, Flygare served as President of Project Sleep’s Board of Directors, while also gaining invaluable experience in marketing and philanthropy at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and City of Hope. Additionally, she served on the National Institutes of Health’s Sleep Disorders Research Advisory Board from 2012 – 2015. Flygare received her B.A. from Brown University in 2005 and her J.D. from Boston College Law School in 2009, focusing on health law, policy, and rare disease drug development.

Where to find Julie:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remrunner/
Website: http://julieflygare.com/
Project Sleep: https://project-sleep.com/
Find her book here: Wide Awake And Dreaming

110: Blanketing 1,000,000 Homeless with Bob Dalton from Sackcloth & Ashes Jul 10, 2019

Show notes

Have you walked down the street and seen a homeless person and thought: "they just need to get a job"? You're not alone. Bob Dalton also thought this before his well-educated, hard-working mother became homeless in 2013. It was at this time that Bob decided he needed to do something not just to help his mom, but to help the homeless. This episode is the story of how Bob founded his company Sackcloth and Ashes that gives away tens of thousands of blankets to the homeless each month. Bob is an inspiration because he has used his strengths of creativity and entrepreneurship to fighting against an injustice in the world.

We talk about how he was contacted by Instagram - YES Instagram - to feature his Instagram account, gaining them 20,000 followers overnight. This launched his business to the next level. For Bob it was bigger than just selling blankets or giving blankets to shelters. It was about building a legacy of something bigger than himself.

What can you do to build a legacy bigger than yourself? Listen to this episode to be inspired to grow, to work hard for something you believe in and to make the world a better place.

Find Bob here:

https://www.instagram.com/sackclothxashes/

https://www.instagram.com/bobxdalton/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBiQYL1aIWqdTkk0NBcG2g

https://sackclothandashes.com/

109: How to Create Life-Changing Insights with Craig Case, Coauthor of BIG IDEAS Jul 02, 2019

Show notes

"Insight never comes to a fatigued mind" - Helmholtz

When was the last time you had a big idea? Not just any idea, but a life-altering breakthrough that carried you through the next year (or five years) of your life? Today's episode features Craig Case, the Coauthor of the book Big Ideas: How To Unleash Your Creative Self and Have More Aha! Moments. In this episode we cover the difference between random daily ideas and big ideas. We talk about the correlation between awe experiences and aha moments. We talk about the brain science in the difference between being busy and being innovative. We talk about why insight is critical for a more happy life. We also talk about how anxiety is one of the natural brain responses to cognitive abuse. We talk about the difference between motivation and inspiration and which one carries us further in terms of inner drive and implementation.

So many amazing nuggets came from this episode! This is not an episode to miss!

Where to find Craig:

Big Ideas Website: https://bigideastraining.com/

Buy his book here: https://amzn.to/2XBmltw

Find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-case-14995229/

Like the book on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigideasbook/

Join the Big Ideas Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/bigideasbook/

108: The Life Changing Power of Radical Motivation with Allie Gardner Jun 26, 2019

Show notes

In this episode we talk about the amazing power we all have to climb out of the depths of trauma and misery using what Allie Gardner calls "radical motivation". Allie Gardner is a highly acclaimed musician who, in 2017, lost 14 of her dear friends and family to death. Can you even imagine?! She shares how she was able to climb out of this by remembering her strengths and then using them to benefit the lives of others and lift those around her.

Where to find Allie:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliegardnermusic_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMGMusic101/

Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4eBcboxYI0

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/AllieMGardner

Website: https://www.alliegardnermusic.com/

More about Allie

Allie Gardner is a recording artist, vocal coach, studio musician, composer and public speaker with no shortage of personality and enthusiasm. She has been a musician since she was in her high chair when her family called her the “opera baby” because she would mimic her next door neighbor who was an opera singer.

Allie was vocally trained by Dean Kaelin & Glory Naylor. She now works as a vocal coach at Dean Kaelin Vocal Studio, as well as The Piano Place in Draper and Lehi, Utah. She also teaches online songwriting & voice lessons.

She is a member of BYU Noteworthy, BYU's Premier Female A Cappella Group and was featured as a soloist in their latest music video ' I Can Only Imagine' that has reached over 800,000 views on Youtube alone. Allie has recorded many other music videos that have reached viral status on facebook and Youtube.

Allie is currently working on a full length album, and several new recordings in the Spanish language that are projected to release later this year. On a personal note, she has a passion for working with individuals with disabilities. One of her best friends is BJ who has Downs Syndrome who she loves and cares about very much.

This episode talks about how music is a universal language, how exercising your strengths is a powerful way to get through the most difficult and traumatic experiences of your life and how sometimes you need to exercise what Allie calls “radical motivation” to push through isolation and helplessness.

I’m excited to bring on Allie Gardner!

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