Who is Nerissa?
For most my story there are two principles that has been my guiding light into business, people and community and that’s always been seeking ways to "Innovate, Solve, Repeat and Punch Above My Weight."
I grew up an only child in the capital city of Georgetown, Guyana, a small city with little technology and not all that much opportunity at first glance, yet, there were two things above all that I learned early on. One: If you're willing to be curious, seek out, innovate, reinvent, perhaps even appear the fool in the process of doing something different, you 'will' find opportunity. And Two: if you're open enough to become a part of the puzzle to what make things function even if it seems a bit intimidating— there is ultimately much to be had. Suffice it to say, my curiosity about our world, how we live and interact has been woven into the fabric of choices I have made after making my home in over seven countries from Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, Mexico and throughout the great dominion I call home — Canada.

The experience of my story pulsates into the work I do today, how I lead and what I genuinely care deeply. This being, making the world a better place to live and world.

Outside of my professional life you’ll catch me practising my golf swing whenever I can. I’m a writer, podcast host of mini-motivational talks on Mindset Bootcamp and mother to two which continues to be the ever-teaching, ever-evolving journey of my life.

Describe/define your business in your own words.
I am involved in many ventures and disciplines, but the core of my business is helping people rise to their potential. It has been the nature of what I’ve done for over a decade. Today, this expands through Ignite the Human Spark, an initiative I’ve launched in the middle of March 2020 at the height of a global shutdown. Ignite the Human Spark is also a pledged member of the Global Business Collaboration for Better Workplace Mental Health. The activity under this initiative is highly research driven and aims to reengineer core frameworks of culture, talent, workplace design and employee wellbeing. It is through these pillars that the power of potential and purpose coexist.

What prompted you to leap into this?
I believe there needs to be a greater sense of responsibility to how we live, consume and coexist on an individual level. It is with this sense of responsibility as our world came to a halt in the middle of March 2020 did it become clear to me that the greatest plan, we can ever make, is to be agile enough to withstand change. It was the prompt and realisation that our world is experiencing a great reset and together we have the opportunity to do that too.
 
Personally, I’ve always been a big believer in pushing the limits of our capabilities when times get hard, the tough times, to really get out of our heads and pre-existing conditions to evolve into a line of thought of ‘what else is there that I can do, …where is the need now, how do people feel, and how can I help’? The conversations to date that have evolved since then have taken root in my own identity. My hope is, to ignite the human spark to foster better conversations, business and autonomy of self. To be a part of the solution navigating global change as I use this insight to help others discover, focus and align their resourcefulness.
 
I believe with a greater sense of self-ownership, accountability to our own actions, as well as awareness of our cultural attitudes in how we respond will be a great deal of importance in navigating through a new global order.

Social Impact
What does social impact mean to you?
Our daily actions - what we give a voice to or not, how we consume, respond, all, fundamentally shape the quality of conversations we have on a myriad of issues facing our world today with direct impacts on the lives of the many and the health of the planet. Social impact to me isn’t a you or me issue or to a select few but a ‘we’ conversation, responsibility, and accountability of both negative and positive. It isn’t black and white but lively and colourful and must be focused along the idea of ‘becoming solutions and becoming the change we seek to make the world a better place to live and work.’ As well as, sharply questioning the values and principles we endorse that frame how we think, learn, and listen to drive positive change in business and society. Today, there is a great deal of rise and activism on issues that impact every corner of our lives. This makes it even more important for us to pause, reflect and go inward in order to activate positive change in the world- together.

What does being a leader mean to you?
In its simplest form, being a leader is a guide along a pathway of purpose. The skillsets of leaders vary from person to person, and while there is much data and talk surrounding what a leader should look, sound and act like, in my opinion and experience of working with some of the best - leaders are people who show up, genuinely care and treat people like people.
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What's been the biggest lesson you've learned so far as a leader?
You have to give your people the space, trust and support to challenge themselves and get to know what they are made of.
Teams large and small all carry their own strengths and weaknesses bearing many opportunities to cultivate togetherness, success and purpose. —The greatest tragedy is believing there’s only one best way to get the job done. Trust is a core component to achieving this
 
Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you a better leader? Who is a leader that inspires you?
I’ve been blessed growing up with strong women around me and of the lot I’d have to say my grandmother. She was a leader at heart, though passed now, is someone whose memory inspires me to this day and has played a big role in the openness of thought and strength I channel and lead with today.
When I think of the challenges, experiences, paths crossed over the length of my career — they’ve been many. Yet there’s one that stands out. I’m going to take you back to a time living in the Maldives, and a conversation with a young woman working there at the time. In absolute defeat, she was in tears by how her employer had treated her: public humiliation, berating, a bully of a personality. Today we’ve become much more vocal on behaviours and cultures that encapsulate these unfortunate ways but at that time, not so much.
In the moments after listening to her story, I felt an immediate need to do something. I began reaching out to friends and alliances who could be of help to her situation. I then decided to look inward at the company I worked, the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and found what became the next chapter into a career she leads strongly to this day.
What I’ve realized most from that moment is this: listening to her story could have been one of many. Listening, empathizing and then we move on, as many encounters often do. This became an enlightened moment for me, an ‘ah-ha’ moment of sorts. When we decide to do something, get involved and extend ourselves with purpose; we are participating in changing the cycle of how things ordinarily work. We begin to change the typically accepted behaviours, attitudes, and cultures on what it means to care, help and bring about something better.
Now, more than a decade later of making my home in several countries across continents, I’ve found myself at the boundary of igniting the human spark through all that I do. This is fundamentally ingrained into how I lead.

Advice
What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
Hum…what would I tell myself? I think as young girls growing up, we aren’t often taught to lead fearlessly. And by taught I don’t only mean what we read and express in school but in our community and homes. There is a double standard with who is seen better equipped to be fearless or take bigger risks. Yes, you are capable of living fearlessly and yes you are capable of taking risks and managing risks and yes it will be alright.
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What is a mantra you live by?
Call me a dreamer, but this would be ‘Becoming Better Humans.’ If we become more invested in becoming better humans, I believe we have a real shot at creating a better world. Integrating a universal culture of hope, care and responsibility to stimulate attitudes linked through mindfulness, accountability and greater self-ownership. Areas that have been widely unrealized yet tested us the most since the beginning of the pandemic.

The blog is written by Nerissa J. Persaud, the founder of Ignite the Human Spark. Find Nerissa on: Linkedin, Website, Podcast. 

Follow @DhyanaCleaning on Instagram and Facebook for additional all-natural cleaning tips! Have your own eco cleaning solutions? We’d love for you to share them with us!
 
Join our Mindful Cleaning Movement! Click here for Emails that #RevealBeauty
Looking for a professional green cleaning service in Toronto? Contact our team for a free estimate.

Last week Sucheta and I decided we want to lean into sharing our experiences growing Dhyana Cleaning – from our hearts. One of our core values at Dhyana Cleaning is being Courageously Curious, which is just a way of practicing authenticity.
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So here goes…my first post #fromtheheart
I think saying YES to life means saying yes to a world of possibilities. Saying yes tells the universe you’re open to its continuous flow of experiences, the good AND the bad! The interesting thing is, even the bad experiences have nuggets of opportunity; opportunities to self-reflect and gain more awareness or to open to an opportunity that is more in alignment with your soul’s purpose. Its true that when one door closes another one opens!

​Saying yes expands the possibility that more opportunities will show up and unfold into a cascade of other possibilities, giving you another chance to say yes.

It was around this time last year that I decided it was time to open up my world of possibilities. I was feeling overwhelmed and isolated as we rounded the corner of month three into the pandemic. I had come across a Facebook post that was very unique – it was asking for people to join a community based on authentic friendships called Kinnd. The premise was to make friends based on what one was looking for as well as what one had to offer. To me, this was the universe tapping me on the shoulder, presenting the perfect opportunity to step into possibilities. How could I not say YES!

I immediately joined Kinnd and posted my first ask/offer. I could never have imagined what I was in for! Joining Kinnd lead me down a meandering path of beautiful experiences.

I never imagined that I would find an Operations Manager who would help us solve some challenges that were holding us back and hurting our growth. 

I never imagined that Operations Manager would become a friend for life! She is like a sister to me!

I never imagined I would join Kinnd as a moderator and have the opportunity to witness beautifully authentic friendships unfolding and blossoming beyond borders, ethnicity and gender.

I never imagined a Kinnd member’s negative experience with cleaning would propel me into developing a course on teaching people to see cleaning as a mindfulness mediation practice.

I never imagined a suggestion from Kinnd’s founder to find a mentor would lead me to reconnect with a mentor I lost touch with, who’s support these past 8 months has opened my mind to even more possibilities!
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I never imagined Dhyana Cleaning would be featured in BlogTO for our work building Clear Mind (our mindfulness cleaning course)

And the biggest shock happened this past week. I never imagined I would be a part of a CBC television series on the pandemic and the positive impact its had in people’s lives. 

I can’t imagine where I would be today if I didn’t say yes to joining Kinnd. All of these experiences wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t say yes and take consistent action and I’m over the moon excited to imagine where I’ll be this time next year! The possibilities are limitless!
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OK over to you – what have you said YES to and how has it changed your life? 

 The blog is written by Katie Shulist, the founder of Dhyana Cleaning. Image: Laura (the founder of Kinnd) and Katie– meeting for the first time in person, after our CBC interview and a year of meeting via Zoom. Laura can be found here and to join the Kinnd facebook page, click here.

Follow @DhyanaCleaning on Instagram and Facebook for additional all-natural cleaning tips! Have your own eco cleaning solutions? We’d love for you to share them with us!
 
Join our Mindful Cleaning Movement! Click here for Emails that #RevealBeauty
Looking for a professional green cleaning service in Toronto? Contact our team for a free estimate.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, its thinking of yourself less.” - C.S Lewis

Humility is being in service towards others and thinking of their needs before our own. As kids, we are taught to “treat others the way we want to be treated” and though this is considered a great way to practice humility – it combats the true meaning of putting other’s needs before your own. Humility is about reframing the intentions behind your actions and switching your mindset from “what’s in it for me” to “how can I help”.

Have you ever felt defeated or upset when someone didn’t clean up after themselves? What about when your colleague provided criticism on the work you spent hours completing? Well, it’s time to take a step back and reflect. Why do you feel attacked, discouraged, or simply under-appreciated when you have to take the lead to clean up after someone or edit the work according to the feedback provided?

The humble person is not continually concerned with self, their own ways, and wishes. They are willing to put themself in second place and submit themself to achieve what is good for others. Humility is the opposite of self-will, self-interest, and self-assertiveness. This is not a sign of weakness of character, but of strength. It requires great self-control to submit to others.

Humility is closely linked with appreciation. To be able to appreciate life, we must set our egos aside and try to see otherwise ‘aggravating’ instances as opportunities to support others. Once we can do so, we tend to appreciate life more and enjoy what is in front of us. Without humility and appreciation, we run the risk of being overtaken by endless selfish desire and aversion.

It is important to consciously choose your perception of a situation. I say this because, humility is a skill you must practice. Consciously choosing will allow you to avoid your ego to get the best of you and become defensive.

How to use humility to be a better leader?
Step 1: Get out of your own head
You are important, and your opinions are valid. As a leader, you have the ability to put your foot down at any time, and this is a fact. But leadership isn't about you, your opinions, or your wishes, it's about supporting other team members on their journey of success.

Remember, the final outcome reflects who you are as a leader. So, get out of your own head and invest your time to understand the perspective of others. Go a step beyond supervision, and do the work along with your team, and take responsibility when an error occurs. Lead with humility, and lead by demonstrating the behaviors you expect to see in others.

Step 2: Be present
What is going on around you? Once you put your own concerns aside, you can truly be there for the other person. Practice active listening, and analyzing the situation. For instance, if an employee mentions that they are stuck on a task you assigned, go beyond explaining the task again. As a leader, you need to help the other individual understand how to think, not what to think. It is easy to provide someone a solution and get the task out of the way. However, to enhance their decision-making, and leadership skills, provide the individual with support while they make the decisions. If they are still stuck, ask them how they would approach the situation and work through their logic together to collaboratively finish the task together. This practice in self-awareness is the first step in becoming an emotionally intelligent leader at any organization.

Step 3: Look at the bigger picture
Being a leader means being an actively forward thinker. Savoring the moment is important indeed, but, so is establishing an understanding of the bigger picture. There is beauty in both the positive moments in life and the challenges! Humble your ego by reflecting on the past to see how it has affected the present and how it could affect the future.

As you shift your mindset to look at the bigger picture, you will realize - we grow throughout life. This means people need space to grow, learn and push their limits. The ultimate goal is to make a long-lasting impact with the work you and your team do. However, you will only achieve this as you periodically push your team. Similar to a plant, provide your team members with support and give them the time, space, and respect to bloom on their own.

Takeaway: Change takes time and as I mentioned, we need time and space to grow. Let's focus on one act together, shall we?

1. Where do you hold a leadership role? At work? or home? Pick one!
2. Who do you lead? Have a team or specific individual in mind?
3. Simply ask this individual "how can I help?"

It is important to actively listen here - don't jump in right away with a solution. Let the other person express themselves. Fight your ego and devote yourself to the task. You'll become a stronger leader in the process.

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Sucheta Khurana is the Co-founder of Arise N' Go, a healthy snack startup and also part of Dhyana's Marketing team. She can be found on LinkedIn .

Follow @DhyanaCleaning on Instagram and Facebook for additional all-natural cleaning tips! Have your own eco cleaning solutions? We’d love for you to share them with us!
 
Join our Mindful Cleaning Movement! Click here for Emails that #RevealBeauty
Looking for a professional green cleaning service in Toronto? Contact our team for a free estimate.


References
Dhyana Cleaning Vision and Culture, Read more on our about us page. 
Osincup , P. (2020, September 21). The Art of Humility in Leadership. Whil. https://www.whil.com/insights/article/the-art-of-humility-in-leadership. 
Spencer, A. (2020, April 16). All About Others: Servant Leadership in the Modern Workplace. BizLibrary. https://www.bizlibrary.com/blog/leadership/servant-leadership/.

Happy Science: Finding Meaning to Find Happiness

In the growing field of the science of happiness, sometimes referred to as Happiness Studies, there are countless books, journals, articles, and websites dedicated to the question of how to be happy in life. Even as much as 75 years ago, Viktor Frankl, founder of logotherapy and Holocaust survivor, gave some professional and personal insights on the question of how to be happy in his book Man’s Search for Meaning.

Frankl, who was an innovator in the fields of psychiatry and neurology, developed a method that was relatively straightforward: “happiness cannot be pursued, it must ensue” (Frankl, 1946). Essentially, Frankl wrote that when you find meaning in your life, happiness will follow.

This is a deceptively simple imperative. Many people find it hard to develop a sense of meaning and purpose with all the requirements of work and responsibilities related to everyday life. Add in all the changes required to navigate the restrictions and realities of COVID-19, and many people are left depleted, overwhelmed and without the energy to take on anything new.


Cleaning and Mindfulness: Finding Meaning in Everyday Activities

One option to help manage the overwhelm and add a sense of spaciousness is to include a mindfulness practice and make it part of a daily routine. Practicing mindfulness might include a sitting practice, but it doesn’t have to be restricted to the traditional image of a meditator sitting on a cushion with their eyes closed.

Some people use movement as meditation, including walking or engaging in a series of yoga postures. Many athletes report entering a meditative state when they are truly engaged in their sport. In some traditions, meditators are instructed on being mindful and aware in the present moment, and then to apply that present-centred attention to everyday tasks such as cleaning. Katie Shulist does just that with her Mindful Cleaning Method and Clear Mind course.

Mindful cleaning serves as a vehicle to mindfulness, the practice of which has many benefits. As mindfulness and its benefits to both physical and mental health continue to be explored by researchers in a variety of fields, perhaps most specifically psychology and neuroscience, an interesting theory has emerged—the Mindfulness to Meaning Theory, or MMT.

“Mindfulness facilitates flexible attentional selection of previously unattended contextual information, promoting the ability to see alternate perspectives and thereby fluidly reconstruct meaning from the encounter with life” (Garland et al, 2015). Mindfulness serves as a tool to help a person create deeper meaning in their lives, to “fluidly reconstruct” everyday experiences to help gain a better understanding of themselves and the world around them.


Mindful Cleaning: In the Words of Professional Cleaners

At Katie’s green cleaning company, Dhyana Cleaning, she instructs her professional cleaners in her Mindful Cleaning Method. It was here that she realized that the benefits of mindful cleaning didn’t need to pertain only to professional cleaners—they were principles that anyone could access, perhaps with just a bit of guidance and change of mindset.

Natasha Agius, a professional cleaner who works for Katie at Dhyana Cleaning says, “finding Katie at Dhyana cleaning was a beautiful gift. She understands that cleaning is a moving meditation, a means to focus in and yet get a physical, satisfying outcome.”

In addition, Natasha said that in the past, she had used cleaning as a way to escape her “thoughts and anxiousness” and that Katie’s mindful cleaning method had helped her to “grow and find [her] true self within the boundaries of self love and integrity” and that the method could easily be accessed by all.

Natasha became interested in yoga as a teen and how it could help “slow the mind” and “understand [her] self talk.” As mindful cleaning is a moving meditation, it serves as an extension of Natasha’s commitment to deepening her connection with both work and life outside of work as well as coming to know herself more clearly.

Stefan Lovecchio, also a professional cleaner working at Dhyana Cleaning, says that he “gains satisfaction in seeing a space transform; cleaning is an art form, in that sense.” In addition, one of the benefits of cleaning mindfully allows Stefan to develop insights that offer a thoughtful understanding of the work and services he provides as a professional cleaner. “A clear space allows an individual to have a much cleaner focus on their personal goals.”


Fluidly Reconstructing Experiences through Mindful Cleaning

This is the kind of ‘fluid reconstruction of meaning from the encounter with life’ referred to in the Mindfulness to Meaning Theory. By slowing down and attending to our own thoughts, sensations and experiences, we begin to connect more meaningfully with whatever it is we are focusing on.

In this way, cleaning becomes a tool through which we learn about the human condition from our immediate experiences and also how those experiences exist in relation to the experiences of others.

Like Stefan and Natasha, if we can find meaning in the work that we do, perhaps this is one of the ways we may find happiness to ensue from our own best efforts. Rather than searching for happiness, as Viktor Frankl reminded us so long ago, we can look to ways we can fluidly reconstruct our experiences to develop a sense of meaning in whatever tasks we find ourselves engaged in, and as a result may find happiness waits for us there.

Adrienne Kitchin is a freelance health and education writer as well as a Liberal Studies and Anthropology Professor at Humber College in Toronto, Canada. She can be found on LinkedIn .