We all go through various phases in life and it is up to us to manage these phases in the best possible way.

Whether we perceive everything is amazing in our life and we have learnt the art of romanticising our life or if we currently feel overwhelmed and exhausted with what seems to be never-ending challenges.

As we know, life is full of surprises and constant change therefore we have to learn the best strategies to manage our rollercoaster ride called life.

No matter where you are at this moment in time or how you are feeling, it is time to find the MAGIC in life again by following my 5-step model outlined below.

1. Movement

This is the most important step for me personally. I cannot recall a time in my life when I was inactive.

I started off as a child with tons of energy, dancing, singing and taking ballet classes. As I got older, I moved into boxing, gym, pilates, yoga and walking 20 kilometres a day. I will never forget being rugged up like an eskimo in winter and getting up anywhere between 2am and 4 am to walk 20 kilometres even on weekends. My mum and I were highly motivated however when I reflect upon this time, I realise how crazy, cold and dangerous it was walking on a highway in the early hours of the morning. We were fortunate enough not to run into trouble along the way. However, our motivation to continue walking in the freezing cold without coffee was tested.

On the positive side mum and I were super fit and were able to eat lots of protein, vegetables and enjoy treats without putting on any weight. I enjoyed the incredible feeling of satisfaction having stayed consistent with walking. Still to this day, I walk long distances in fact it was the one factor that helped me get through the Covid phase. I missed the gym like crazy and ended up hiring my amazing girlfriend to give me a PT session in the park. This woman is no ordinary personal trainer; she challenges you beyond what you believe is possible. She shows you what you are made up and trust me you are terrified of not doing what she says no matter how tired you feel.

My point is we go through phases with movement, I believe the most important factor is to enjoy it otherwise what is the point. I thoroughly enjoy movement and cannot live without it. It makes me feel amazing inside and out, what is not to love!

2. Ashwagandha

According to Superfoodist: “Ashwagandha is described in Ayurvedic medicine as a powerful rejuvenating herb, adding to life longevity. It has been used in India, Middle East and some parts of North Africa for more than two millennia. Ayurveda is the traditional system of medicine practiced in India. It can be traced back to 6000 BC.”

I take this herb every day by adding it to my coffee. After Covid, I like millions of others experienced heightened levels of anxiety, so I use this herb to decrease my anxiety. It can also assist with sleep issues which is another concern I have experienced since 2018. This herb is available in powder and tablet form and has no taste. Speak to a Medical professional prior to taking the herb.

3. Gratitude

Gratitude is about focusing on all of the blessings in your life, what you are appreciate of and grateful for. The idea is to focus on all of the positive people, events and things in your life.

The most important part of being grateful, is the emotion that is tied to it. When you think of what you are grateful for, what emotion is present? Some people prefer to write down what they are grateful for, others think of the things they are grateful for and some may write a thank you note to someone in their life that they appreciate. I highly recommended writing down what you are grateful for daily and listing the reasons why as this helps you connect to the emotion you are feeling. Thus, making your gratitude practice far more powerful.

The list is endless as to the many benefits of practising gratitude. According to VeryWell Mind, the benefits include: improved sleep, higher levels of optimism, lowers anxiety and depression, improves relationships, decreases stress levels and leads to greater life satisfaction.

To attest this point, Oprah explains: “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”

4. Inquisitive

This step is my favourite. Dictionary.com defines inquisitive as “Given to inquiry, research, or asking questions; eager for knowledge; intellectually curious.”

I love asking questions and have always been interested in learning about other people, places and things. It is fascinating to learn about other people’s habits, challenges, lifestyle choices, and career opportunities etc. I am always wanting to know more and learn more all of the time about a variety of topics. My interests are vast and constantly changing. That said, it makes sense I have spent my career in learning and development empowering others personally and professionally as well as coaching.

I am bewildered to learn that others are not that way inclined from job interviews, dating to family affairs, the lack of questions or interest in others in these scenarios and life in general astounds me.

  • How can one go to a job interview and not want to ask questions?
  • How can one go on a date and talk incessantly about themselves, and they say the like you and want to see you again however they did not ask one question about you!

The point is aim to be more inquisitive in your life and it is amazing what you will learn, what you can adopt into your own life, what you could change as a result of one conversation where both parties are engaged. One disclaimer, I have sometimes showed so much interest that the person felt like they were in an interview!

5. Colourful

This step is a fun and easy step to adopt once you become more conscious with your nutrition. I will say that I am guilty of having the same meals for weeks on end as it met my nutrition goals and because I enjoy eating healthy foods. Believe or not, I do get cravings for certain vegetables such as cauliflower or brussel sprouts. However, whilst eating the same meals is a valuable habit for maintaining your weight, it can become a little boring.

Now, I am more conscious of making my plate more colourful, so I change the type of green salad I eat, recently switched from orange sweet potato to purple sweet potato (whilst challenging to find!). At present, I enjoy adding cucumber and pink ginger to my evening meals. Prior to that I was adding beetroot and sauerkraut. It can be as simple as adding yellow or red capsicum to a meal or changing the types of vegetables you buy. There are many ways to add colour to your meal, and it makes eating far more enjoyable.

According to the Wellbeing magazine, “A colourful diet is antioxidant rich. Different colours in fruits and vegetables often signify the presence of various antioxidants. For example, red foods such as tomatoes are high in lycopene, while orange and yellow produce like carrots and peppers are rich in beta- carotene. These antioxidants combat oxidative stress and help to neutralise free radicals, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases and aging.” Other key benefits include increased range of nutrients, boosts your immunity, mood and mental clarity.

Let me know your thoughts on the MAGIC model and what step you could adopt into your daily routine. If it all seems overwhelming, simply choose one step to focus on before moving onto the next small change.

I will leave you with this beautiful quote by Leo Tolstoy: “True life is lived when tiny changes occur.”