Short Bio on Speaker

Educated in Human Resources and with post-graduate qualifications in personnel management, Gary has spent 13 years in the Australian Army facilitating leadership programs and training officers and soldiers in motivation and development.  In recent years, Gary worked as a senior consultant to one of Defence's highest profile simulation projects and was awarded a letter of commendation from the Office of the Chief of the Defence Force for his achievement and expertise. 
 
Since leaving the Army, Gary has worked for Coles Myer improving efficiency and improving a range of people issues through motivational programs and one-on-one, solution-focused sessions with employees. Drawing on all his experiences and knowledge Gary was able to achieve significant change to the cultural and operational environment of Coles Myer. 
 
Having already penned 'The Happy Little Yellow Book' (Lulu Books, 2007), a summation of his favourite motivational and happiness points learnt through his studies and experiences, and having always believed that "life's too short not to be happy", Gary was drawn to The Happiness Institute in which he saw a wonderful opportunity to apply the powerful principles of positive psychology in a variety of settings.
 

TOPIC: HAPPINESS

TOPIC Title: Strategies for a Great Life!

Target Audience: All

Level of Sophistication: General/Basic/Intermediate/Advanced, Duration: Up to 60minutes

The presentation presents The Happiness Institute’s strategy for a great life as something we CHOOSE.  Taking attendees through the 6 strategies for authentic happiness, including thinking more optimistically, enjoying the present moment more, improving our relationships, maximising our strengths, and clarifying our life direction and goals.

Who Should Attend :
(Please specify the target audience for the talk, eg. Management, General Public, Specific Genders)  All

How you will benefit :
The attendees are provided with a summary of the 6 strategies and some basic tips/tools to apply each of these effectively and practically to their daily lives and be happier now.

Classification :
Business/IR, Business/HR, Personal/Health
 

Topic: Happiness

Topic Title: Building Positive Relationships

Target Audience: All

Level of Sophistication: General/Basic/Intermediate/Advanced, Duration – Up to 60minutes

There's no doubt that happy people have both more, and better quality relationships. Specifically, there's no doubt that the quality of our relationships with family, friends and colleagues impacts (positively or negatively) on our happiness and wellbeing.  The presentation focuses on the key principles in our SUPPORT model - including strategies such as communication skills, identifying strengths in others and positivity in relationships.

Who Should Attend :
(Please specify the target audience for the talk, eg. Management, General Public, Specific Genders)  All

How you will benefit :
Attendees will learn practical but powerful strategies for improving the quality of any and all their relationships.  Specifically, they’ll learn how to communicate more effectively, interact more positively, appreciate the qualities of others more easily and generally, contribute more to and receive more from each and every relationship in their lives.

Classification :
Please specify here how you will classify this seminar
Business/IR, Business/HR, Personal/Health
 

TOPIC Title: Building Positive Relationships

Target Audience: All

Level of Sophistication: General/Basic/Intermediate/Advanced, Duration – Up to 60minutes

There's no doubt that happy people have both more, and better quality relationships. Specifically, there's no doubt that the quality of our relationships with family, friends and colleagues impacts (positively or negatively) on our happiness and wellbeing.  The presentation focuses on the key principles in our SUPPORT model - including strategies such as communication skills, identifying strengths in others and positivity in relationships.

Who Should Attend :
(Please specify the target audience for the talk, eg. Management, General Public, Specific Genders)  All

How you will benefit :
Attendees will learn practical but powerful strategies for improving the quality of any and all their relationships.  Specifically, they’ll learn how to communicate more effectively, interact more positively, appreciate the qualities of others more easily and generally, contribute more to and receive more from each and every relationship in their lives.

Classification :
Please specify here how you will classify this seminar
Business/IR, Business/HR, Personal/Health
 

TOPIC: HAPPINESS

TOPIC Title: Identifying & Utilising Your Core Strengths

Target Audience: All

Level of Sophistication: General/Basic/Intermediate/Advanced, Duration – Up to 60minutes

Identifying and utilising strengths is fundamental to everything we do at The Happiness Institute.  The presentation focuses on helping you identify where your talents and attributes lie; and more importantly, helps you clarify how to maximally use them. Imagine how much happier and successful you could be if you spent more time working with your strengths than fighting your weaknesses. Imagine how good it would feel if you spent more time "going with the flow" as opposed to "swimming upstream". The presentation covers how to make better use of your core strengths is one of the most effective ways to be happier and more successful - in your personal and working life.

Who Should Attend :
All

How you will benefit :
Although working to improve weaknesses is a common strategy used by many those who’re really happy tend to spend more time focusing on and utilizing their core strengths.  This session will help attendees identify where they’re already doing really well and how they can use their talents and abilities even more to live an even happier life.  From this, they’ll gain energy and experience more flow, both of which will significantly increase their chances of happiness and success.

Classification :
Business/IR, Business/HR, Personal/Health
 

TOPIC: HAPPINESS/PRODUCTIVITY

TOPIC Title: Resilience

Target Audience: All

Level of Sophistication: General/Basic/Intermediate/Advanced, Duration - Up to 60minutes


It's not what you've got, it's what you use that makes a difference.  Psychologists have defined the "hardy personality" as the type of personality that is most suited to the rigors of the , modern business world. The hardy personality, the personality you need to develop, is resilient, optimistic, tough, strong, and capable of bouncing back continually from temporary disappointments and defeats. This presentation highlights essential skills required to be more resilient at work and during set backs in our daily lives.

Who Should Attend :
All

How you will benefit :
Attendees will learn how and when to use the proven and effective strategies we know enhance people’s abilities to bounce back from adversity, work through difficulties and cope with troubled times.  None of us can avoid stress or difficulty but after completing this session attendees will be fully equipped to deal with almost anything that comes their way…effectively and quickly.

Classification :
Business/IR, Business/HR, Personal/Health

TOPIC: GOAL SETTING

TOPIC Title: A Clarity of Vision

Target Audience: All

Level of Sophistication: General/Basic/Intermediate/Advanced, Duration – Up to 60minutes

The presentation focuses around the premise that ‘you can’t hit what you can’t see’.  A goal that is well defined is half accomplished.  The presentation emphasizes that if we don’t make clearly defined plans for our lives/careers we will merely fit in with other peoples plans; and that’s not much!  It highlights essential processes and steps to follow to develop SMART goals and plans for the future and how to achieve them.

Who Should Attend :
(Please specify the target audience for the talk, eg. Management, General Public, Specific Genders)  All

How you will benefit :
Attendees will learn how to clarify their life purpose, direction and goals all of which are essential for living a happier and more successful life.  Simple but powerful exercises will help attendees design and plan for a great life with clarity and meaning.

Classification :
Business/IR, Business/HR, Personal/Health