Zest – approaching life with excitement and energy – is a crucial component of happiness. It encourages us to engage with life as an adventure and to embrace curiosity, novelty, and enthusiasm, ultimately enhancing our happiness and wellbeing.

In this final episode, Anya and Mark discuss zest as it relates to happiness and overall life satisfaction. They explore how engaging with life as an adventure can infuse our lives with energy and enthusiasm, and delve into the connection between zest, physical and psychological wellness, and the virtue of courage.

Three prompts

1. What puts a spring in your step?
2. Where can you be braver in your life?
3. How can you cultivate more Zest in your life?

Resources

• Good Time Journal
• Designing Your Life, by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
• The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness, by Pema Chodron
• The People Pleaser’s First-Aid Kit
• Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing, by Bronnie Ware
• The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, by Julia Cameron
• Accidental Creative, by Todd Henry
• How to Begin: Start Doing Something That Matters, by Michael Bungay Stanier
• The 5 people every creative needs on their team – Morning Creative
• Isolation is the dream-killer, not your attitude – Barbara Sher, TEDxPrague
• Connect with Anya via LinkedIn
• Loving-Kindness: May All Beings Be Happy
• Anya Pearse, Intuitive advisor and her An Hour of Kindness
• Mark Steadman

Saying "yes" can open us up to new possibilities, shift our perspective, and help us find humour and creativity in challenging situations. It’s all about being open to experiences, being curious, and embracing a mindset of possibility. By saying "yes" to ourselves and being willing to explore new opportunities, we can discover our upper limit behaviours and break through self-sabotage.

In this episode, Anya and Mark explore the relationship between saying yes to oneself and saying yes to others, as well as the role of humour and shifting perspectives in finding the funny and possibilities in challenging situations.

Three prompts

1. What are you not saying ‘yes’ to in yourself?
2. What stops you from saying ‘yes’ to others?
3. Are you listening to the Universe?

Resources

• Yes Man, by Danny Wallace
• Network (1976)
• The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level, by Gay Hendricks
• Saying “Yes” – Meeting Your Edge and Softening – Tara Brach
• West Covina (Final Reprise) – Crazy Ex Girlfriend
• Big Magic: How to Live a Creative Life, and Let Go of Your Fear, by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Anya Pearse, Intuitive advisor and her An Hour of Kindness
• Mark Steadman

Accepting where we are in life and finding meaning in our circumstances can lead to greater happiness and fulfilment. We’re always presented with opportunities to reframe our perspective and embrace the present moment, even when faced with challenges. And incorporating love and kindness into our actions and interactions will have a positive impact on ourselves and those around us.

In this episode, Anya and Mark explore the symbolism of the letter X and discuss the concept of being exactly where you're supposed to be. They delve into the idea of acceptance and finding meaning in difficult circumstances, as well as bringing love into what you do.

Three prompts

1. What if you're exactly where you're supposed to be right now?
2. How can you bring more love into what you do?
3. What small action may bring you huge benefits?

Resources

• The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level, by Gay Hendricks
• 10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less, by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy
• The Power of Now, by Ekhart Tolle
• Atomic Habits, by James Clear
• Anya Pearse, Intuitive advisor and her An Hour of Kindness
• Mark Steadman