Episode 208
Cultivating Your Hidden Talents: How Slow Growth Leads to Extraordinary Success
This is the Mindset for Life podcast, a place for personal stories, coaching, neuroscience and my favorite positive psychology tools to master life, relationships and work.  I'm your host. Bethanie Hansen. Read on for an episode summary, action items from the episode, and coaching tips. A transcript is available in the podcast player tool. And, if today is the right time for you to work with a coach, the contact form is available on this page.
Episode Summary:
In this episode of the Mindset for Life podcast, I'm diving deep into the beautiful journey of developing your unique gifts and talents. I'll share an inspiring story about Jorge Cocco Santángelo, an artist who discovered his true artistic style later in life, to show you that greatness isn't about instant recognition. It's about consistent, faithful work. You'll learn how neuroscience supports the idea that showing up for your passion actually rewires your brain, and I'll walk you through a powerful guided coaching exercise to help you identify and nurture your special talents. By the end of this episode, you'll feel motivated to trust your gifts, understand that slow growth is still growth, and realize that you're already becoming something amazing - even when the world isn't watching. Get ready to shift your perspective and embrace your own unique path of development!
Actions to Try It Out
Alright, here's your game plan! First, try "Nourish the Gift," an exercise I share in this episode.

* Take a moment to identify that one thing you do with ease and joy - maybe it's writing, listening, organizing, or something totally unique to you.
* Next, get clear on why this gift matters and who it could potentially help, even in a small way. Picture someone being inspired by your talent.
* Then, set a direction for the next year - not a rigid deadline, but a gentle path of growth.

Want to make this personal? Adapt the exercise to fit your life. If you're a creative, visualize your art touching someone's heart. If you're a problem-solver, imagine how your skills could make someone's day easier. The key is consistency and belief.

As a daily action, do one small thing each day that honors your gift. Write for 10 minutes, sketch a quick design, practice a skill, or simply reflect on your potential.

Remember, you're not waiting to become great - you're already becoming great. The world might not see it yet, but your heart knows. Trust the process, keep showing up, and watch how your unique gifts slowly but surely bloom.

You have gifts and talents, much more than you realize, and this podcast is your roadmap to unlocking it. So take that first step, be kind to yourself, and watch how you start showing up differently in your life.  Here's to your greatness!

Ready for Your Own Coach?


 




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This episode's theme song is "Take It Up A Level" by Bethanie Hansen and SUNO AI. Used with Permission. An additional mid-episode song used is "Scottish Sunrise" by AG Music and licensed through MelodyLoops.

Like what you read here? In this podcast, I’m sharing some core principles I’ve learned in coaching that have completely changed my life.

Episode 205
Resilience Mastery: Transform Stress into Personal Growth
This is the Mindset for Life podcast, a place for personal stories, coaching, neuroscience and my favorite positive psychology tools to master life, relationships and work.  I'm your host. Bethanie Hansen. Read on for an episode summary, action items from the episode, and coaching tips. A transcript is available in the podcast player tool. And, if today is the right time for you to work with a coach, the contact form is available on this page.
Episode Summary:
Hey there! If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just want to level up your mental game, this episode is your lifeline. I'm talking about resilience - not just bouncing back, but bouncing forward. You'll learn the science behind why we get trapped in negative thought patterns and discover practical techniques to rewire your brain. I'll walk you through mental reframing, share insights from top researchers like Brene Brown and Martin Seligman, and give you three powerful positive psychology exercises you can start using today. Whether you're dealing with work challenges, relationship struggles, or just want to become more adaptable, this podcast will help you transform setbacks into opportunities. By the end, you'll have actionable strategies to build resilience, mental strength, reduce stress, and approach life's challenges with courage and creativity. Ready to become a more resilient version of yourself? Let's do this!
Actions to Try It Out
Alright, here's your game plan!

* First, grab a journal and start your gratitude practice - but make it real. Not just "I'm grateful for toilets" (though that's valid), but look deeper. Maybe you're grateful for a colleague who supported you, a small win you achieved, or even just surviving a tough week.
* Next, find just 5 minutes daily for mindfulness. No fancy meditation cushion needed - just sit, breathe, and watch your thoughts float by without judging them.
* And for the reframing exercise, pick a recent challenge that's been bugging you. Write down that negative thought, then challenge it. What evidence proves that thought wrong? What have you actually done well? Rewrite that narrative to highlight your growth.

The magic is in making these exercises your own. Customize them to fit your life, your style, your challenges. Some days you'll nail it, some days you'll struggle - and that's totally okay. Remember, you're building a resilience practice, thought by thought. You're not just surviving your challenges; you're learning to transform them.

You've got more strength inside you than you realize, and this podcast is your roadmap to unlocking it. So take that first step, be kind to yourself, and watch how you start showing up differently in your life.  Here's to your resilience!

Ready for Your Own Coach?


 




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This episode's theme song is "Take It Up A Level" by Bethanie Hansen and SUNO AI. Used with Permission. Like what you read here? In this podcast, I’m sharing some core principles I’ve learned in coaching that have completely changed my life. And I share them in workshops with my clients. With a personal coach, you can take it deeper, to make these changes a lasting part of your life. You can figure out where to start and how to get the changes you really want. 

Episode 204
3 Priorities: Your Roadmap to Professional Clarity and Getting Things Done
This is the Mindset for Life podcast, a place for personal stories, coaching, neuroscience and my favorite positive psychology tools to master life, relationships and work. I'm your host. Bethanie Hansen. Read on for an episode summary, action items from the episode, and coaching tips. A transcript is available in the podcast player tool. And, if today is the right time for you to work with a coach, the contact form is available on this page.
Episode Summary:
Hey there! If you're feeling overwhelmed, scattered, and struggling to stay focused, this episode is your lifeline. I'm going to walk you through a game-changing approach to managing your day: focusing on just three key priorities. You'll learn how to cut through the mental clutter, reduce decision fatigue, and create a more purposeful, productive workflow. Whether you're a professional feeling constantly pulled in a million directions or someone who wants to bring more intention to your work and personal life, I'll share practical neuroscience-backed strategies, a real client success story, and simple positive psychology exercises that will help you transform your approach to getting things done. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clear roadmap to reclaim your focus, boost your creativity, and start designing days that feel more like a "well-orchestrated masterpiece" than a chaotic scramble.
Actions to Try It Out
Ready to Transform Your Mindset?

Here are three simple exercises you can start today, no matter your work style or schedule:

* First, grab a journal or open a notes app and do a quick morning intention setting. Write down your three must-do tasks and – this is key – why they actually matter to you. Don't just list tasks; connect them to your bigger goals and values.
* Next, build in a mid-day check-in. Maybe it's during lunch or a water break – just take five minutes to reflect on your progress. Are you moving toward those priorities? Do you need to adjust anything? This isn't about being perfect, it's about staying intentional.
* Finally, try micro-break meditations. Between tasks, take 2-3 minutes to breathe, reset, and reconnect with your priorities. Use an app if you want guidance, or just close your eyes and take some deep breaths.
The magic is in making these work for YOU. Maybe your morning check-in is while drinking your first glass of water. Maybe your meditation is a quick walk around the block. There's no one-size-fits-all approach.

You've got this. Small, consistent steps create massive transformation. Your future self is going to thank you for starting today. So take that first step – your more focused, purposeful life is waiting.

DOWNLOAD the handout here: DOWNLOAD

Ready for Your Own Coach?


Martin, L. M. (2020). Uptime: A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing. Retrieved from https://a.co/d/6a0zWJE 

Miller EK, Cohen JD. (2001). An integrative theory of prefrontal cortex function. Annu Rev Neurosci. 24, 167-202. doi: 10.1146/annurev.neuro.24.1.167. PMID: 11283309. Available at: https://www.annualreviews.org/docserver/fulltext/neuro/24/1/annurev.neuro.24.1.167.pdf?