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What inspired you to start “Happy and Successful”, and what were your beginnings in this field?
I have been in the entrepreneurial space since I was 18. Each version of business I have participated in contributed to helping women, especially those with big visions and goals, to feel more comfortable and confident in themselves so that they could get their work into the world. I chose a career path in social work which I worked alongside my businesses for several years. I created “Allison Fab” where I worked as a coach focusing on mindeset, messaging, and marketing. During the pandemic, I realized that I needed additional tools and resources to help myself, my family, my social work clients, and my coaching clients. When I stumbled upon the Science of Happiness, I was hooked! I went on to become certified as a Happiness Trainer and Chief Happiness Officer. As a lifelong learner, I also pursued a Quantum Numerolgy Certification. It was through numerology that I learned that my Ideal Client (according to my Sun Card) has a drive to become successful. And thus, “HappyandSuccessful.org” was born.
How do you define success and happiness in the context of professional and personal life?
That is a great question. Success for me equals forward movement. There have been and will continue to be times in both my personal and professional life where things take a turn and it feels like I am moving backwards. Each time that occurs, I stop and evaluate what has been working, what isn’t working, and what do I want to do differently. Taking personal responsibility and celebrating the small success – whether they are my own or those of my clients or loved ones – creates a version of success that I love.
There is a quote I love from one of my happiness mentors, Dr Tal Ben Shahar, that says, “Happiness is life’s ultimate currency.” Most of what we do- both personally and professionally- is because we somehow believe that it will make us happier in the end. If I do not feel the emotion of happiness, which happens often because I’m human just like the rest of the world, I aim for gratitude. When I feel grateful, it brings me joy and equals happiness.
What challenges did you face on your journey to creating this project, and how did you overcome them?
As I mentioned, the pandemic was particularly challenging for me. I was on the edge of extreme burnout from my social work job, I had come to the realization that my 19-year marriage needed to end, I was dealing with anxiety unlike anything I’d experienced in over a decade, and I was still trying to run my business and stay visible online. I allowed myself the grace to process what needed to be done in private and chose to share and stay visible with lessons and encouragement that was helping me in each moment. I basically became my own coach and cheerleader, while really taking the time to ensure that I was being intentional with each of the 5 elements of happiness and success.
Can you share a story of a client whose life was transformed through working with you?
The most common thing I have heard from my clients over the years is that I give them permission to be themselves. Now we both know that I don’t actually “give” them permission, I just help them see themselves and their circumstances through a different point of view. And from that less-intimidating point of view, they are more willing to try new things and new ways of being in their lives and businesses.
This testimonial from one of my clients, Liz, really embodies that: I cannot thank you enough Allison for your program and your coaching. I’ve been “stuck” for years it seems. Trying different things on but ending up in the same place. Overwhelmed and stuck. With your program and coaching I feel like my spirit has expanded so big that I want to share my message with the world. And I have a blueprint of resources to keep me on track. I have a plan and I have the support and more then that. I have the confidence to be seen. To know that the right people will see me regardless of how I look, how old I am, what I
weigh… my imperfections are my super powers and make me relatable and attack my audience. Thank you so much!
What habits or routines do you recommend to people who want to build a happy and fulfilling life?
One of the best habits to get into is a weekly check-in in five areas of your life that are the keys to happiness and success: Spiritual Wellbeing, Physical Wellbeing, Intellectual Wellbeing, Relational Wellbeing, and Emotional Wellbeing. Start with evaluating what is working in each area, what is not working, and then lastly what you would like to do differently. When you make each of your lists, pick on small area to focus on each week as you start to develop the habit of creating change and forward momentum.
How do you deal with stress and pressure in both your personal and professional life?
I stop and breathe. I tend to get overwhelmed and go into “fix-it” mode when I’m stressed, with a million and one things I need to change. And then I get so overwhelmed that it turns into analysis paralysis. The easiest way to combat this is by breathing. Sometimes I turn on my favorite song and that changes my breathing. Other times, I turn to EFT Tapping (the Emotional Freedom Technique) because it gets me out of my head and breathing in a rhythmic way. II also love a good brain dump. It helps me recenter, get out the overwhelm out of my head, and create a list of at least one or two things i can do to start taking action right away.
What role do relationships play in achieving happiness and success?
Relationships are the number one predictor of happiness. There are a few different studies on it that you may want to research. The biggest factor that I have seen in my work is when people don’t feel like they can truly be themselves and have to hide or put on a mask. It often holds us back and we end up sabotaging our success. It doesn’t just
apply to romantic relationships, it also includes friendships, colleagues, and even people we see in our everyday lives like at the coffee shop or gas station. Practice being yourself as much as you can and watch how much better you feel.
What are the most important values you follow in your work?
Following the 5 Keys to Happiness and Success mentioned above and working on authenticity.
How have your personal experiences influenced the way helping others has become your mission?
I have seen too many people I care about get stuck on the pendulum of perfection. That paired with my own challenges with anxiety and depression since I was a young teen and the way I’ve been able to manage them in the midst of some significant personal challenges, gives me hope that all humans can strive for more happiness and success in their lives. I want change makers to be able to confidently make the world a more FABulous place.
What are your future plans for “Happy and Successful”? Are there any new projects you’d like to undertake?
I would eventually like to run retreats for entrepreneurs where we can really break through the confidence pieces that are holding them back and then create practical action plans to move them forward all while getting a little break from reality. All in due time 🙂.