This week's Happy Maker is a live basil plant in my kitchen. I love the live plant and the taste of the basil, it just makes me happy. Have you heard the statement you are what you eat? I recently watched a Netflix docuseries, You Are What Yor Eat: The Twin Experiment. It made me actually go back and watch a 2004 film called Super Size Me. I read articles that stated the food we eat directly affects our gut health and influences the production of our body’s chemical messengers that are constantly carrying messages from the gut to the brain. The CDC released a study in late November of 2022 that stated Only about 25% of adults were aware of MyPlate – and less than 10% had attempted to use the guidance. I have concluded that our body functions according to what we eat. The food we consume is fuel for our body to function, and just like the fuel in our cars, cleaner, more efficient fuels will help our body function cleaner and more efficiently.

In the book study, The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi that I am leading it's week 5. I’ve called it Be Kind to Yourself after Principle #13. We each need to become a friend to ourselves. We need embrace that we are worthy of kindness, value who we are now, accept whe we have been, and celebrate our accomplishments.

Tune in to each episode, as I share with you tips and tricks I've learned to help you become an efficient, effective, and fulfilled human being.

 I am excited today for my first-ever, podcast guest, Amber Fladland, to talk about how she is reinventing her professional life. This week's Happy Maker is Herbalife tea from Evergreen Nutrition.

Many people find themselves in a situation where they feel unqualified or incompetent to do a task or a job but they are expected to do it. There is actually a name for this feeling, imposter syndrome. I think there are four steps you can take to work through imposter syndrome feelings and come out happier! Try employing these 4 steps: Learn the facts, Share your feelings, Celebrate your successes, Let go of perfectionism and see if you feel more at ease with your expectations.

We are in Week 4 of the free book study reading The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi I am leading. This fourth week I’ve called Essentialize. We get to name what matters, remove what is in the way, and keep only the essentials. Tune in to each episode, as I share with you tips and tricks I've learned to help you become an efficient, effective, and fulfilled educator and human being.

One of my favorite songs has the lyrics, Don't worry, be happy! Sounds pretty easy but we all know in reality it's not. Today, let's explore some tricks to being happy.

Have you ever heard the phrase, stop and smell the roses? Simple put, take the time to enjoy the little things around you. The simple act of using your 5 senses can help ground you and make you happier. My Happy Maker this week is my music playlist.

Take control of your mental state, just didn't worry and be happy! Try using the 5-4-3-2-1 method. The gist of the exercise is that you shift your focus from your stressor to your immediate 5 senses. Sight, touch, sounds, smell, and taste. Ask your self these questions and provide the answers in your head. What are 5 beautiful things I see? What are 4 things I want to touch? What are 3 pleasant sounds I hear? What are 2 things I smell that I like? and what is 1 taste I want to savor? So right now, wherever you are and whatever you are doing lets take a quick 5 senses inventory to improve our mood. Remember you are picking things that make you HAPPIER so focus on positive items not your to-do list. This third week I’ve called, A Place for Everything, of the free book study reading The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi I am leading. It is not to late to join us in becoming Lazy Geniuses. There is a link to the registration There are 6 STUFF HABITS outlined in the chapter. I was very moved by Stuff Habit #2 Know where it will go before you bring it home. So, each time I see an owl I think about purchasing I ask myself “Where will I put this when I take it home” before I buy it. I use this principle for new kitchen gadgets, pillows and accessories, clothing- which I modify the question to when would I wear this.

Tune in to each episode released on Wednesdays, as I share with you tips and tricks I've learned to help you become an efficient, effective, and fulfilled educator and human being.

Today, I want to address a topic that many of us do not even consider, passion. Passion is defined as a strong barely controllable emotion. What makes you barely controllably happy? What gets you super excited and energized? How can you harness this passion to enhance your life?

I am featuring this app as my Happy Maker this week. Artful Agenda is a website and has both an android and iphone app. Use Promo code RJ524355 to let them know I sent you!

What is your passion? Do you love reading, writing, crafting, gardening, hunting, training your dog, running, yoga, genealogy, languages, travel, charity work, or something else? Over the next couple months, I’m going to be challenging you to explore your world and find your passion. Take some time and let your brain just wonder. What is something that brings you strong barely controllable positive emotions?

Join the free book study reading The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi I am leading. Here is a link to the registration. This second week I’ve called the Magic Question. The Magic Question: What can I do now to make life easier later? This was the principle that made me stand up and shout “Yes, that’s me.” There are many things I do to make my life easier later.

Tune in to each episode released on Wednesdays, as I share with you tips and tricks I've learned to help you become an efficient, effective, and fulfilled educator and human being. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Owl.ways.podcast

Welcome to the second season of Owl Ways Podcast. The first season got off to a slow start with only 3 episodes. I’m trying a new format and I have a different motivation, and a way different schedule. This weeks Happy Makers  Tazo Glazed Lemon Loaf tea and the silicone egg poaching cups I am a recovering Agriculture teacher! I have decided to hang up my shop coat, get out of the high school classroom, and retire. I am not quitting working or giving up education but I am taking on new roles as a curriculum developer, life coach, and teacher trainer. Teaching is a work of heart and a lifestyle.  My own children are adults, I no longer have students, and I am not sure who or what I am going to focus on fixing. I have a teacher's brain! I view everything as a potential learning opportunity. I am not sure how to view the world without thinking about making it into a classroom experience. Finally, I am rediscovering how to determine and measure my success. This whole recovery thing has got me thinking about how I want to rewrite my biography or my profile. What do I want to be known for? Here is a thought for you. How do you want to be known? What is your I am statement? I have loved my career as a teacher. I still love the kids and the classroom. I have chosen my word to be REIVENTION. I am reinventing my professional, personal, and social life!

Currently, I am leading a free book study reading The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi. It is not to late to join us in becoming Lazy Geniuses. Here is a link to the registration . So, We will wrap up episode 4 of Owl Ways Podcast, the first of season 2. What are your Happy Makers this week? Join us an Facebook at Koterba-Coach and share! What is your Word of the Year? Mine is Reinvention! Do you want to read more this year? Join my free book study using The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi. This first week is named, Decide Once. Is there one small decision you can make that will eliminate stress in your life?

“Work smarter, not harder!” We often feel we have to do everything ourselves or it will not be done correctly. Remember we are striving for progress, not perfection!

How have I got your back? People, places, things and services can all provide support. You are not expected to do life alone, it is ok to enlist help. You benefit from having support in all the important facets of your life. Think of the people in your life. Who can you turn to for help, support, and assistance? If you are struggling to come up with people, check your phone contacts, email contacts, facebook contacts, or if you have a holiday card list. 

Who are my people?

My personal examples. I am going to give you titles of people as much as possible because I think that would be more useful than the actual names of my people. You will notice that some of these people are people I pay for their services. There is an exercise on my webpage that you can work through to identify your potential help!

Contact me:

owl.ways.ag@gmail.com

bit.ly/koterba-coach

facebook/KoterbaCoach

As a long-standing, self-respecting, card-carrying member of the multitasking club, Episode 2: The Myth of Multitasking is a hard pill for me to swallow. After much debate and practice I have 3 challenges for recovering multitaskers like me: 1) define your life facets and restrain yourself to stay inside them, 2) chunk and schedule your to-do list, and 3) allow yourself to enjoy your accomplishment. Let’s get started

Those items on your to-do list, are stressors. In both small and large ways, they initiate the stress cycle. 

The stress cycle is pretty straightforward. Let's look back at the early man: 

The stress- a large predatory animal, 

The emotional response- fear, 

The physical response- fight or flight: increased heart rate, shut down of immune system, shut down of digestive system

The internalization response- worry, anxiety, dread

The coping- alleviating the discomfort by running away and safely reaching your village.

SOAR Toward Summer-

Free 10 day adventure- After much thought, research, reading, and contemplation, I have created a flight plan to “SOAR Toward Summer.” Together, we will identify your Support, Optimize the use of time, Accept the things we have no control over, and Respect our limitations. By completing the registration form at bit.ly/koterba-coach you will receive the following resources on or before April 15! Soar Toward Summer Workbook self-paced flight practice, self-assessment tools, and action planning,  Access to an exclusive private coaching group through Facebook messenger, and Guided quests to apply the skills and set your personal priorities taught in the adventure