LAUGH HARD, LAUGH LOUD AND LAUGH LONG

LAUGH HARD, LAUGH LOUD AND LAUGH LONG

Repeat as often as possible!

When was the last time you laughed uncontrollably? I don’t mean a chuckle or a giggle. I’m talking about rolling around on the floor, tear streamed cheeks, just can’t stop, belly aching laughter.

Was it recently? Does it happen all the time? Or are you struggling to remember?

Laughter, much like smiling, is one of the greatest free gifts we can give ourselves. Laughing sets off endorphins…which tell our minds that we are happy. It stands to reason therefore that the more we laugh, the happier we will be in general. Endorphins don’t have a 30 second time frame…they hang around for a while. Smiling has a similar effect but on a smaller scale, so a good laugh is of greater benefit.

An off the cuff one liner in a stressful situation can create spontaneous giggles and release the pressure for everyone involved. Why do you think speakers always open with a joke? The audience laugh, they immediately relax and become more receptive to whatever information is being delivered. The speaker also laughs, and is then in a much more comfortable frame of mind to deliver his speech. Win Win!

I have a younger brother who used to infuriate me when we were children, on a regular basis. Unfortunately for me, he was a master of laughter manipulation. I would be in full “rant mode” over some rotten thing he had done to me and he would suddenly say something completely ridiculous like “did you know elephants can pee for 20 minutes non- stop.” I would of course burst into laughter. By the time I stopped, my anger would be gone and he would be off the hook for whatever darstardly deed he had committed. Smart kid my brother. Keep that strategy in mind next time you need to diffuse a tense situation with a child of your own.

We can also use laughter on ourselves to alter our own emotional responses. Think of occasions where something has gone wrong, perhaps you slipped and landed smack on your backside, or you knocked a pile of papers off your desk and they ended up in disarray on the floor of the office….what if, instead of getting angry, humiliated, frustrated…you had taken a deep breath and laughed! Out loud! Had a laugh at yourself and what a clutz you are. Much better for you than negative emotions and chances are that others around you will join in.

I’m sure you have all heard the expression, “you will look back and laugh at this later. ” My suggestion is don’t wait for later…start now!

When people have a laugh together it creates a bond. A common amusement over something suggests to us that we think the same way. We all love to connect and a shared sense of humour certainly contributes. Teambuilding exercises often include silly activities that will generate hilarity amongst the participants and thus build on their level of connection.

Youtube has millions of hilarious video clips. (I know this because my teens are constantly forcing me to watch them). There are generations of successful comedy shows and movies, from Charlie Chaplin and the Keystone Cops to The Simpsons and The Big Bang Theory. Even newspapers run comedic comic strips. Why? Because we all love to laugh!

Laughter makes us feel good. Laughter diffuses tension. Laughter releases stress or embarrassment.

Laughter brings us closer together.

So whether it’s with a joke, a passing comment, a book, a tv show or a friend…have a laugh today…and tomorrow…and the next day…

Make it a habit.

You’ll be glad you did.

Laughter really is the best medicine!!!

If the laughter is gone from your life and you’d like to change that, we can help. Contact Be Ultimate today to find out how. https://beultimate.com.au/contact/

Be Ultimate because Ordinary is Over-rated

What Our Clients Say

I have been with the same company for nearly 10 years. Although in a leadership role and successful, I felt burned out, stressed and unhappy at work. This was impacting my work /life balance as well as my interaction with others. I needed to re-evaluate my career priorities and level up my communication skills. Cheryl took the time to listen and understand my situation. We worked together to better understand my strengths and values and how important it is for them to be congruent with my career development. With Cheryl’s guidance I focused on the steps I needed to make to remain myself, whilst becoming a better leader at work. Cheryl’s style, attitude and easy to follow steps are pragmatic and realistic. She provided me with tools I could use every day to remain focused on changes I needed to make to achieve what I wanted.This is an ongoing journey but I am now more confident, have a deeper understanding of both myself and others, have the tools to perform better at work and am maintaining a more fulfilling work-life balance.

Catherine.R – National Manager

I met Cheryl as I started a personal journey in seeking greater clarity for my career. It has turned into much more and I am most grateful to her for helping me understand myself much better as well as how to interact with those around me. Both professional and private. Cheryl has been a source of strength and insight. Her warm and friendly nature makes it easy to relate to her. She challenges the status quo and help me improve many aspects of my life. A number of my colleagues have spent time with Cheryl and all feedback has been positive. I would highly recommend her.

Ross Cartwright, Managing Director – Head of Retail Aus/NZ, MFS INVESTMENTS

We were lucky enough to have Cheryl come to our Annual Team Conference where she presented a Creative Thinking Workshop for our Team. I would high recommend Cheryl and the workshop for anyone who is looking to open their minds and expand the vision of the business. The workshop was highly interactive with the concepts and ideas being able to be implemented relatively quickly and simply into our business.

Harry, Director of Projects, PLAN ASSIST PTY LTD

I have seen and worked with Cheryl on a number of events and projects she is a part of. So when it came to organising an EA/PA Networking event, I knew she was the right person to be our guest speaker. Cheryl is an engaging, humorous and energetic presenter, who can relate easily to a room of 10 to 100+ people. She brings a world of knowledge and experience to her presentations and her real-life business examples reinforce the messages she presents. Cheryl is definitely someone I would recommend to present at any corporate workshop.

A Edmonds, Events Manager, LUNAR PARK SYDNEY

I attended Be Ultimate’s workshop on Stress Management. It was amazing! It was exactly what I needed to understand how to manage my busy days. Cheryl taught us practical, easy to implement strategies that worked for me from day 1 and I haven't looked back since. I highly recommend Cheryl as a coach, and recommend her 2 hour workshops for anyone.

C Walt, CEO, NSD DESIGN & PRINT

I have attended two LinkedIn workshops run by Be Ultimate and I have found them to be extremely informative, professional and succinct, whilst also being very personable and fun. I have already implemented new content and knowledge learned at the workshops ... starting at the actual workshops itself!

Thanks for your fun and informative workshop sessions.

David, Accountant, McSWEENEY CA CONSULTING ACCOUNTANTS

Cheryl provides an incredible bouncing board to lead you through your journey of reinvention or simply to gain reinforcement that the path you’re on is the right one. Cheryl is an awesome person who truly cares for other people, wants to see them achieve their goals, isn’t backward in coming forwards when you need the prod in the right direction and will encourage you to see the great results you are accomplishing when they may not be as obvious to you.

I highly recommend Cheryl to anyone who is looking for business advice, a change in career or simply wants to gain some solutions to taking a positive approach to life.

A.Wilson, Business Owner, CATEGORACLE

Cheryl has facilitated a number of conferences for Liquid Learning in both Australia and New Zealand and has always been a pleasure to work with! Cheryl is helpful, punctual, reliable and always professional. She is very skilled in keeping the conference running to time and lifting the energy of the room as she facilitates Q&A sessions. Cheryl also frequently runs workshops with us and does regular speaking spots which she always receives great feedback for.

Jean Young, Project Executive, LIQUID LEARNING

With the majority of delegates rating Cheryl’s keynote presentation at the IOPO Conference 5 out of 5, she exceeded our expectations! Cheryl is truly passionate about helping businesses to succeed and thrive.

Linda, IOPO Advisory Board Member, IOPO

Cheryl has been a delight to work with over the past 7 years. She has assisted our business, Independent Garden Centres, with professional development workshops, she has been of great support to me as a coach. Cheryl has emceed the last two annual IGC Retail Conferences with an engaging and fun style, and she has been one of our conference keynote speakers who held the undivided attention of the delegates with ease. I thoroughly recommend Cheryl Alderman in any of these capacities.  Cheryl is a consummate professional who quickly builds rapport, she clearly enjoys sharing her knowledge with others, and there is always an element of fun which oft missing in many professionals.

Evan Mueller, CEO, IGC

In this workshop we were introduced to a range of simple strategies that the group could adopt to manage the inevitable stress and tension experienced in corporate and every life. The cynical group loved the practical and interactive approach of this workshop and were highly engaged throughout the 2 hours. The presenters brought in lots of great exercises. I am happy to recommend this Managing Stress workshop and both presenters to other corporate groups.

L Jones, People & Culture Business Partner, FOXTEL

Working with Cheryl has had benefits that have reached far beyond me as an individual. She has helped me to become a better leader and elevate the effectiveness and potential of my entire team. Cheryl's coaching has raised my self awareness, shifted my focus to control what I can control, and given me tools to realise opportunities that I wouldn't have thought possible before our first session.

Michael, Manager of Digital Marketing, DIMENSIONAL