Jonathan and Charlotte Stebbing-Mills from The Wellness Theory Team recently interviewed Mike Jones, a former intelligence analyst and physical training instructor for the British military. He leads “Better Happy”, an organization aimed at creating healthy high-performance cultures for businesses and their leadership teams.

In this article you’ll find out:

• More about Mike Jones and the Better Happy Journey
• Powerful tools for Navigating Life's Stresses
• Importance of Self-compassion and Embracing Imperfection
• Prioritizing Well-being on workplace
• Final Thoughts

Continue Reading or Watch the video on Youtube here

More about Mike Jones, its journey

Mike Jones, a former intelligence analyst and physical training instructor for the British military. With two tours of Afghanistan under his belt, working closely with the Special Boat Service, Mike's experiences have been anything but ordinary. Following his time in the military, he embarked on a profound journey, spending two years living in monasteries in Nepal and Thailand.

This journey wasn't always clear-cut. Born and raised in the UK, he didn't initially set out to join the military with a burning passion. Feeling uncertain about his future after school, he made the decision to join the army, recognizing his affinity for fitness.

During his five-year tenure in the military, fate led him to the Intelligence Corps and eventually to Afghanistan on back-to-back tours. The high-stress, high-pressure environment took its toll, and he realized the military was not entirely aligned with his values, though he wasn't fully aware of that at the time. At the age of 25, Mike decided to leave the military and set out on an unconventional path in search of something more meaningful.

Venturing into the unknown, Mike bought a one-way ticket to Thailand, marking the beginning of a three-year backpacking journey that took him to monasteries in Nepal and Thailand. It was during this time that he stumbled upon a life-changing book, "The Art of Happiness" by the Dalai Lama.

This encounter with ancient wisdom and profound insights sparked a desire in Mike to make a positive impact on the world. However, before founding Better Happy, he embarked on another venture, owning a gym. Unfortunately, the challenges of running a business led to burnout, but it also taught him valuable lessons about mental health.

While the experience of burnout was difficult, Mike recognizes the silver lining it brought. It ultimately propelled him into a deeper understanding of mental health, resilience, and the importance of building routines. Interestingly, Mike reveals that he found owning a business even more stressful than being in Afghanistan, highlighting the need for effective coping mechanisms.

Here are a few of the mechanisms Mike’s leaned into to help him find his center point between overwhelming stress and stagnation.

Powerful tools for Navigating Life's Stresses

1. Embracing Self-Awareness

The answer to burnout lay not in external fixes like diet and exercise, but in understanding and addressing deeper self-esteem issues. Self-awareness will be a guiding light, empowering you to take responsibility for your well-being and consciously choose a healthier path forward.

2. Addressing Self-Esteem

Deeper issues tend to brew beneath the surface and there’s a significance between self-esteem and its impact on how we perceive ourselves and handle stress.

Many people overlook the root causes of stress, often attributing it to external factors such as work demands or relationship issues. However, both Mike and Charlotte believe that addressing the root level, which involves exploring self-esteem, unresolved emotions, and past experiences, is crucial for effective stress management.

3. Finding Healthier Routines

Focusing on maintaining well-being can be as easy as consistently practicing two key habits each day. By establishing healthy routines and focusing on self-care, individuals can build resilience and maintain balance in their lives.

Importance of Self-Compassion and Embracing Imperfection

Self-awareness and self-acceptance are key factors in finding one's optimal cadence and maintaining a healthy balance, inside and outside the workplace.

It's essential to recognize that everyone is unique and has different rhythms. We need to be an advocate for acknowledging and respecting these individual differences within ourselves and others.

For example, by understanding one's natural energy fluctuations, such as the 28-day cycle for women, and how they can influence and be influenced by others, individuals can better align their routines and expectations with their true selves.

In this interview, Charlotte highlights the importance of delving into the "why" behind the constant need to do more, uncovering any underlying beliefs of inadequacy or the idea that happiness is tied to external achievements.

A reminder that being kind to oneself during challenging moments and accepting imperfections is crucial for achieving long-term success and happiness. Moreover, recognizing that individuals have unique rhythms and energy fluctuations empowers them to navigate life with greater authenticity and self-awareness.

Remember, it's okay to embrace imperfection and prioritize self-compassion in the pursuit of goals and dreams. With self-awareness and a commitment to growth, you can create a life that truly reflects your values and aspirations.

By prioritizing self-awareness, self-compassion, and authenticity, individuals can navigate their unique paths towards success, embracing imperfection and finding fulfillment in each step of the journey. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a professional, or simply someone striving for a more meaningful and joyful life, their wisdom serves as a guide to create a life that reflects your truest self and values.

Prioritizing Well-being in the Workplace

Workplaces have the potential to become powerful hubs for positive change, impacting not only the well-being and happiness of employees but also the wider community and society at large.

By focusing on creating a culture that promotes health, engagement, and purpose, businesses can drive meaningful change and contribute to a happier, more fulfilled society.

The HELPS method by Better Happy, has been Mike's way of approaching this transformational work within organizations. Combining elements of well-being, engagement, leadership, performance, and strategy, it offers a comprehensive approach to creating a supportive and growth-oriented workplace.

Physical and mental health are the foundation of well-being, but engagement is equally critical. Employees need to feel connected to their work, their colleagues, and the organization's purpose. If we neglect this aspect, even the best health tips may not be enough to sustain positive change.

Leadership is another crucial component. Leaders set the tone and influence the work environment's overall atmosphere. When leaders prioritize the well-being and growth of their teams, it creates a positive ripple effect throughout the organization.

Performance, of course, matters too. It's about finding the balance between being productive and achieving goals while ensuring the work is sustainable and doesn't lead to burnout. High performance doesn't have to come at the cost of well-being; instead, they can reinforce each other.

Lastly, strategy ties everything together. When an organization has a clear and meaningful purpose that inspires its employees, it becomes a driving force for positive change. People feel motivated and connected to a higher cause, contributing to a more fulfilling work experience.

By integrating these elements and striving to improve them even marginally above the norm, organizations can experience exponential benefits. Not only will employees be healthier, happier, and more engaged, but the business will also see improved productivity, innovation, and employee retention.

The workplace, as both Charlotte, Jonathan and Mike agree, is ideally positioned to create this positive change. It's where most people spend a significant portion of their waking hours, and it offers a unique opportunity to foster a sense of community and purpose.

Final Thoughts

“Happiness isn't just about external circumstances or achieving certain goals; it's an inside job.” - Mike

Embrace the journey of self-discovery, growth, and well-being, and let experiences inspire you to find your optimal cadence towards a more fulfilling and successful life. Remember, the pursuit of high performance and happiness is not about reaching a final destination—it's about enjoying every step along the way.

Mike believes that when we embrace self-awareness, prioritize our values, and maintain a growth-oriented mindset, we can unlock our full potential and create a life that truly brings joy and contentment.

Life is undoubtedly a journey of twists and turns, and we can't control all the external circumstances. However, we can take control of our inner world, prioritize our well-being, and focus on creating a life that brings us joy and contentment.

If you're feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or overwhelmed by the pressures of modern life, remember that the power to change lies within you.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of modern life and the ever-evolving landscape of work, let us remember that happiness, fulfillment, and well-being are not elusive concepts. They are within our reach, waiting to be nurtured and embraced.

Access the full interview for free:

Watch via YouTube

Listen via Podcast

Find out more about Mike’s work here.

In the meantime, if you’d like support and guidance with stress and anxiety, take the stress less and thrive

more wellness scorecard ⁠⁠⁠and see how you can leverage your wellness and minimize stress, for yourself and your loved ones.

Or if you’re a leader looking to to get the most out of your employee wellbeing programmes by Taking the Optimising Workplace Wellbeing Scorecard.

This Scorecard has been developed to show organisations how to optimise wellness initiatives in this ever-changing landscape and provide instant, actionable steps on how to use strategic wellness programmes to:

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It's quick, free and you'll receive customised results instantly revealing how to optimise your well-being programs.

https://www.thewellnesstheory.com/

Much love and wellness,

Charlotte and Jonathan