Pat Armistead talks about her quest to find joy and share it around- a worthy goal .
Hometown - Camden NSW, where McArthur bought the first sheep
Hobbies - Avid reader 100 books a year Swimming, Kayaking, painting, writing, doll making,
Background
· A registered nurse with 16 years Nurse Education and Management roles
· Director of Nursing 79 bed hospital/60 staff
· Then first marriage breakup and burnt out
· I left nursing and went on 5 year work holiday around Australia where I managed a wildlife Sanctuary, worked for the make a wish foundation, and worked on the set of the popular TV series the Flying Doctors. The most amazing period of my life where I experienced a better lifestyle and more abundance than perhaps before or since.
· In 1989, by default ended up with my own Video Production studio and in 2.5 years built that to full broadcast standard, achieving the goal in half the intended time frame! Produced 10 documentaries, many promotional videos and TVC’s. Won 11 advertising awards including the NSW Tourism Award – Media Section, first time ever for video. My best selling production generated over 5000 sales, a half hour newsreel of the Grafton flood.
· During this time I also freelanced for 20:20, 60 minutes and all the networks news as camera operator and journalist; called a Stringer in OZ
· In my current role for the last 8 years I have been presenting a selection of programs that use humour and positive psychology to empower others to transform their lives.
· I have been conducting Stress Management Programs at Auckland University for 5 years now and deliver programs into health and business on :-
- Stress Management & Resilience Building in Tough Times
- Humour, Engagement & Wellbeing for a Productive Work Force
- Building Learned Optimism into Winning Teams
- Empowering Habits to Manage Grief and Loss
My Favourite Time of the day is...
Late afternoon and after 9pm. I enjoy the close of the working day and the quiet time for reflection, walking or otherwise communing with nature. I actually come alive after 9pm.
I really enjoy...
The company of my son who is a joy with his irreverent humour and his love of life. He is the most generous person I know. I also love good company, good conversation, lots of witty repartee. A perfect evening would be friends to dinner and the joy of camaraderie and fine food and music. I love Improv theatre and was the Covert Theatres biggest attendee and promoter!!
List a few of your recent accomplishments that you are proud of:
· I was part of the art group TAFI, that raised $360,000 and converted the old KFC building in Orewa into an art gallery in 2007
· I self published my First book “Humour works”
· I founded the Humour in Business awards now running for 4th consecutive year and developing to take to Australia
· I toured with Patch Adams through Russia
· I presented at the first Humour and Wellbeing conference in Australia
· I am presenting at the Humour conference in LA in 2009
· I am co-authoring a book with a friend with breast cancer
· In my Good grief programs I have supported many people to create new lives after loss
Did you celebrate them? How?
I create events that celebrate all stages of progress….I conduct regular Gratitude and Abundance dinners and use these to support others by gifting back my own success and the success of others.
Why should we laugh when there are so many reasons not too laugh around the world?
Laughter is an innate & natural way of achieving connection, clarity, health, harmony & lightness by rebalancing the chemistry of tension, stress & pain, and having fun doing it.
The average child laughs 400 times a day, The average adult laughs 17 times a day .There is no reason for this deterioration in frequency, except that we as adults choose to be more serious, thinking it adult to do so.
What happens when you laugh?
Laughter activates the chemistry of the body…in particular Seratonin and Endorphins, which create the feel good effect….and increases our capacity to fight disease. Laughing relaxes the body and reduces problems associated with high blood pressure, strokes, arthritis, and ulcers. Some research suggests that laughter may also reduce the risk of heart disease. It also has a high social context!
A good hearty laugh can help:
- reduce stress ,lower blood pressure ,elevate mood,boost immune system ,improve brain functioning ,protect the heart ,connect you to others ,foster instant relaxation ,make you feel good.
How do we teach each ourselves to laugh when there are many reasons to be serious in our lives?
“ We swing between grief and joy most of our lives as we respond to and deal with the life events that ultimately shape us. The trigger for hope as we move through those times that test us, is laughter . ”
Fake it till you make it is rule number ! There are now over 4000 laughter clubs around the world who yogic laughter exercises….
I also think the decision to laugh and be good humoured is a choice we make. And the more we do it or choose it, the more we receive! So it is a matter of discipline or choice at the outset. Gratitude, and being in service also create goodwill and this too contributes to the positive feelings. I think to be good humoured is to be appropriately responsive.
I am busy at the moment doing:
· Completing book on the 2 pilot programs – go into health sector- Jollifying an aging society
· Co authoring with friend breast cancer – A breast of our times
· Writing my own story – title coming!
· Preparing to write a book with Patch Adams
· Preparing the Humour awards to go international
· Preparing for the US humour conference in July
What drove you to become involved in your industry?
In 1999 I had my production company in Oz. A similar downturn in the economy occurred and I did not have the dollars to wait out tough times. I did not go bankrupt but closed the doors and moved here to begin again with my ex husband and business partner. His family were here and it was a “soft” place to fall. The first 18 months I was here I had 10 car accidents, none my fault. Honest! My sister had aids ( 24 years now) , my family did not speak, I had lost my first child, I had cancer ( and survived as you see) I owed $80,000 ( which I repaid in 2 years ) . The worst came when my partner of 20 years came home one night and said I have met a woman like no-one I have ever known before. 6 months later he was gone. He said to me during that time that he did not love me and had never loved me. In that moment I was shattered, thinking if that is true then everything I have ever known is not true.
My doctor said I should be on anti-depressants but I said no…help me deal with my grief.
I attended a grieving seminar at Starship and on that night met the father of a young boy who had died as a result of a fall at the Imax cinema. It was a defining moment for me as I felt his pain like I had never before felt anothers. On the same day I received an email from Peter Salerno, a South Australian magician.
In those 2 encounters the term Joyologist was born.
I knew I was onto something when:
Mike Hutcheson who has been mentor and friend for 8 years said “They told Disney he would never build a business by making people laugh. “ To have his encouragement and support was just what I needed back then – from a financial perspective I was totally under-resourced.
My secret for getting things done is to:
· Begin with the end in mind
· Use my circle of influence
· Do at least one thing a day to get there
· When I entered the NSW Tourism Awards the first thing I did was write the speech I would give on Awards Night. Then I looked at who would work with me to get there and I did a backward plan committing to one thing a day to get me there. I asked myself one question about every contract that I got and that question was “how does this link to tourism?”
· The last 15 years I have been writing 7 intentions every week on Sunday night
My darkest hour was when:
My Partner of 20 years left.
Choosing not to be medicated and looked for another way. Laughter and being of service supported me to be in a space to heal. I committed to always take on any challenge from that point. In that space I encountered so much synchronicity and felt reconnected to my purpose. I learned to live in the moment and not the past. That took some doing as I was caught for a long time in a space of not feeling worthy or good enough.
What would do if you were not joyologist
I asked myself that a year ago. I have really connected again with my creativity and wondered …am I an artist who speaks or speaker who paints? …the answer came when I found an old lecturn and painted art on it. Very Picassoísh! It signifies the relationship between the 2. When I speak I find great joy when the lights go on for some-body, and then when I paint there is just me and the canvas and I don’t need anybody else. These are my 2 absolute moments of joy.
What do you do to cope with stress?
I am naturally calm…but I do stress from time to time. I like punctuality and others being late has been a stressor for me Now I am very aware of my patterns. I used to retreat and now I seek the comfort of friends and family – I walk – play music and I meditate. I have an amazing one minute meditation!
How many hours do you work each week?
Include writing probably 60 …sometimes more. But it is not work to me. I love my life and all it entails. I do aim to get to bed by 9 at least 3 nights a week to get my full quota of Seratonin.
What do you do when things aren't going your way
I have had to develop patience over the years. I am patient with others but if I want to do a thing I want to do it now. Sometimes the universe does not work that way. My current level of optimism is a reminder that any current challenges are just that – current challenges - and not likely to be permanent. I am aware of my old tendency to retreat so seek out friends who are an ear for my concerns. I think women do this very well.
What is the most important piece of advice you'd give to people who are struggling to create a positive change in their lives?
I would advise them to shift their thinking as it is the thought they have – or the perception they hold – that is affecting their current view. When you shift – the universe shifts.
What is the hardest lesson you've had to learn in life?
Not to take things personally – how others are is not about me. I used to be very vulnerable and sensitive to the comments form others. Now I am not affected by their view and can sustain my own viewpoint without external validation.
What separates successful people from unsuccessful people?
The picture of success varies but assuming we are in the world of business then it has to be Vision and Persistence and adhering to your values.
Do you have any daily rituals that help you keep focused and in the right mental state to succeed?
I would be telling a big fib if I said I adhered to this all the time but I do regularly :-Walk 30 mins, one minute meditation, Living into my 7 intentions, and I work to a 90 day schedule so staying on the page each day is the main thing.
Do you have any school/study qualifications?
- I am a Registered General Nurse with post grad Dip Ed, Peter Drucker Management Certificate , Conflict Resolution trained, Project Management, Train the Trainer and Advanced Train the Trainer, Myers Briggs.
· I am also a Milliner, Film and TV Make up Artist, Scriptwriter and Journalist, Photographer and Camera person and Film producer. I have 2 acting qualifications as well.
· This combination is a perfect mix of creative and analytical skills to serve a multitude of organisations to develop productive individuals and teams.
What are the three most important personal qualities you've had to develop to become a leader?
· Focus – to be single minded in what I desire and not waver
· Patience – to harness chaos and create order
· Confidence – to use my signature strengths
Do you have a formal goal setting process?
I combine my top 5 signature strengths with my top 10 values. I have a wellbeing plan up to 2020. It was begun with Dr Frances Pitsilis in 2004. I revisit 6 monthly and use my 7 weekly intentions and a diary and a 90day planner to create flow.
What comes first...success or confidence?
I think confidence, we are born with it and as we grow adults throw caution and fear at use and we learn what is safe and what is not. Positive psychology and the Virtues Project are 2 ways of building young people who will be confident and resilient adults. Success in its many forms then can manifest.
The Parting Shot:
I believe you are here to bring joy. Not just into your own life but the lives of others.
10 years ago I started sending what I call Glad Mail. I send 3 pieces a day honouring, acknowledging, personally congratulating what I see in others. That’s over 10 thousand pieces of mail.
Catch people doing something right!