Anthony Robbins developed six core needs. He states that these core needs must be met and balanced in order for you to have a complete and happy life. These six core needs include:
Certainty: The need to feel sure of your surroundings, yourself and your future.
Significance: The need to feel that you matter and are significant to someone or something.
Contribution: The need to feel that your actions and behaviours are leading to a better society. Essentially you need to know that you are contributing to something outside of yourself.
Variety: The need for stimulation, excitement and interesting things in your life.
Connectedness: The need to feel emotionally connected to another person or a cause with meaning.
Growth: The need to be improving your life and seeing a more positive future for yourself.
Think about your own life and how you are currently meeting each of these needs. Chances are that one or more areas could use some improving so here are some ideas to help you meet these core needs.
Certainty
· Begin to notice the things around you that are consistent: Perhaps your home, your work or your family.
· Create a routine in your life, so each week you can become certain that ‘something’ is going to happen. It could be going to the gym, having coffee with a friend, or taking a walk along the beach. It is the routine that will create the certainty, not the act itself.
Significance
· Ask the people around you how you make a difference in their lives, ask the people who care about you and tell them it’s simply an exercise you read about online. You may find the answers surprising.
Contribution
· Find a local charity or organisation where you can donate your time, skills or money. ( http://www.schoolofstjude.co.tz is great!) You will quickly find out how much value lies in contributing to make a better place.
· Spend time with a child or friend teaching them something they really want to know. You have a wealth of knowledge; to share it is to empower yourself and others.
Variety
· Do something that you never thought you would. Take a hike in a national park or go on a whale watching cruise.
· Plan something exciting to do with a friend. Perhaps a surfing lesson or a day at the races. Anything that is new for you. It doesn’t necessarily need to be something you think you will love; this is more about doing something new.
Connectedness
· Phone a friend or family member and tell them how much they mean to you. You will be filling their need for Significance, and your own need for Connection. It’s a WIN WIN!!
· Turn the TV off and plan an activity in the evening that will bring the family together. Perhaps a board game or a treasure hunt. (No, these things aren’t just for kids ;-)
Growth
· Sign up for a course where you will learn something new. It could be African drumming, Spanish, or how to cook.
· Think about how you want your life to look in five years time and brainstorm all of the things you see.
Enjoy investigating your core needs and try to determine what areas you need to work on. Have fun with this and be ensured that it will lead to a great outcome!
NOTICES:
The Happiness Club is now in full swing! The group is filled with wonderful people ready to have fun. We meet at Green Poppy in Shellharbour Village. Please phone 0409 224 303 to book.
The first Public Speaking Course will be held on 8 and 12 February from 8.30am – 12.30pm both days. This is a two-part workshop and costs $197. Spaces limited so book ASAP to avoid disappointment.
Discovering Happiness will be the first workshop of the year. It will be held on Wednesday 24 of February at the Wollongong Golf Course. Including laughter yoga, gratitude games and loads of great info.
A free information seminar will be held on Monday 8 March at Shellharbour Links Golf Course at 6pm. Increase your confidence:Tips from 5 experts including a Beautician, Massage Therapist, Pilates Instructor, Nutritionist & Life Coach. Bookings essential as seating will be limited.
This column was written by Jodie Cooper of Advanced Coaching Solutions. Jodie specialises in assisting people to find their own brilliance, tap into it and live their lives to their full potential. Her passion and enthusiasm for helping people show in everything she does, from helping teens understand their thought processes to assisting executives to make drastic changes.
Buy her book at: www.bringinghappinesshome.com.au | 
