nicole bensen
Let's create your happiest life.
Invest in yourself in this virtual program, and walk out with a toolkit full of ways to be happier, more resilient, confident and calm. You’ll be better-equipped to achieve your goals and dreams without sacrificing your wellbeing. It’s time to live your best life.
Next Level You:
happier, more resilient, confident and calm
You asked; I listened.
Digital, “on-your-own-time” version coming Fall 2021!
are you Ready to change your life?
This program is for you if you are feeling overwhelmed and want someone to kindly hand you step-by-step instructions of ways to be happier and less stressed. Maybe the strain of the pandemic, working from home, missing your friends (and social hours!) have added even more to your already full plate. You’re doing your best to juggle work and home, with little to no capacity for your wellbeing needs. You may not feel you have the time or mind space to add yet another thing to your to-do list, but you know “nothing is going to change if nothing changes,” and you want help now.
NEXT LEVEL YOU:
happier, more resilient, confident and calm
My research and science-backed exercises and tools helped me get to a healthier mental place, and now I’ve had the honor of supporting people who work in tech, real estate, entertainment, education and consulting, in companies including Google, Apple, Netflix, Cisco, KPMG, Dropbox, Signifyd, and San Jose State University. I want to share these practices and insights with you too.
Learning from someone who was a professional for many years in the corporate space immediately provides common language and understanding. (Perf, OKRs, KPIs, P0s, anyone?)
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By providing you with a wide variety of tools to try. No wellbeing practice is one-size-fits-all, so you get to experiment with several, then narrow down to a few that really work for you.
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top answers from previous participants
How can “Next Level You” help you?
Product Support Manager at Google, Non-profit President for the Junior League of San Jose, Wife and Mother
– Victoria Kroll
“If you're feeling overwhelmed with no time for yourself (like I was), you're going to benefit even more by signing up for Next Level You. The workbook is still something I pull out. It’s been helpful to look at the things I was trying as part of the workshop homework and realizing six weeks later I’m naturally doing some of these things week-over-week. I want to say it’s been life-changing, and I know that sounds silly, but it brings me immeasurable joy to practice some of the things I learned. I now write gratitude letters every single week!”
“I want to say it’s been life-changing, and I know that sounds silly...”
I’m bringing my expertise as someone who worked for nearly a decade at a fast-paced, tech giant in Silicon Valley, who knows what it’s like to spend all day in strategy and planning meetings, to put out fires, to go through performance reviews, to hire the right people, to manage a team, then play email catch-up and do a fair share of my core work at night.
My last corporate role was managing a wellbeing program for executives, while I juggled life with two school-aged kids—and I ended up experiencing burn-out myself (and I loved my job!). Ironic, no?
I agree these tools are life-changing, because they changed mine.
but guess what...
Go through a “choose-your-own-adventure” style of learning. During the program you will be handed so (so!) many tools, and YOU have the power to select the one to try that week. You know your life, your motivations, responsibilities, and goals, so you’re the best one to choose the experiment that sounds fun, easy, doable and exciting.
next level you
We’ll talk about how sharing accomplishments can be helpful for your career and personal life, and we’ll flip it around to talk about failure, values and uncovering core beliefs and fears to understand drivers behind seeking accomplishments.
The practices in this module have been helpful for those who lean on external rewards or accolades to determine self-worth.
worthy beyond accomplishments
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Imposter Syndrome, or having an Imposter Experience, is one of the most common challenges I hear from friends, peers and participants. We’ll dig deep on this topic, talking about how and when this tends to show up, and learn different practices to overcome those moments.
We’ll also spend time examining common cognitive distortions and learn ways to become aware, first, and then how to develop more realistic thoughts.
overcoming
imposter syndrome
SECTION 3
One of the most powerful ways we can build resilience is by offering ourselves compassion. You might be wondering, “What does compassion have to do with resilience?” Self-compassion is strongly-associated with emotional wellbeing, ability to cope with challenges and lower levels of anxiety and depression.
We’ll also spend time on overthinking or ruminating thoughts, and various ways to stop those spirals to view things more objectively. One participant said using these tools to get out of an over-analyzing loop has helped her sleep better!
building resilience
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Increasing happiness with mindfulness and gratitude is intentionally the foundation for this six-week course. The tools we’ll practice are simple yet powerful, and the benefits continue to grow over time, so I want you to have these first. We’ll do an exercise to boost your mood in one minute, and we’ll talk about things to do to increase your level of happiness for the rest of your life.
If you’re hesitating at the words “mindfulness and gratitude,” that’s great because you’re leaning into the uncomfortable, but I also want you to know there are no guided meditations or floor cushions needed here. The things I share are super practical and simple.
Increasing happiness
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Here’s What You’ll Learn
LET’S BREAK it DOWN
I’m on a mission to spread sprinkles of happiness around the world, and I would be honored to share these accessible practices with you because you deserve to live your happiest, most-fulfilling life too.
I’m taking my lived experiences, my corporate knowledge, my research, my training background, my passion for positive psychology, and I’m sharing the tools I personally used to get to a healthier mental and emotional place, so you can have my blueprint to living a more meaningful, connected and happy life too.
We all deserve the chance to pursue our best life. I’m not saying I’m perfect, or that I have it all figured out, but I know these practices create continual improvement in my wellbeing, as well as for those who've learned them, so I'm passionate about teaching these science-backed, simple ways to be happier, more resilient, confident and calm.
I used to wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. My hands would shake, and my heart rate would increase when I thought about work (a job I loved!), or my ever-growing, never-ending to do list in life. I chipped two teeth, and my dentist told me I was too stressed out! I went to a therapist, a psychiatrist, and then to another therapist. I read books; I went to retreats; I took courses.
I know how you feel...
Your future self is going to thank you.
— Ashley Mills, Management Consultant in Healthcare Technology
“Next Level You is a way to connect with other people, learning how to take on life’s challenges, or even your own, personal, internal challenges, and from a research perspective hear, ‘This is why this may work for you,’ or ‘This is why THIS one might work for you.’
It’s a course that is grounded in facts and research and also has a community aspect.”
“The most valuable thing you presented for me today was actually the thing you said about, if ruminating/over-thinking was actually working, you would have solved the problem by now. That was such a simple concept, but my mind was blown. The overall value I think your program offers is showing how, as humans, we are very much alike. We are biologically wired and have evolved to perceive certain things as a danger to us even if it really is not something life-threatening. And that even the highest achieving people can feel like frauds and make mistakes. So much good stuff that your program puts out.”
sabrina was already experienced in MBSR and still “learned so much.”
“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend your sessions. The information, practical tools, and connection with the other ladies was exactly what I needed at this point in my life. Thank you.”
michelle called the sessions “a gift.”
“I am a senior program manager for a large Bay Area tech company. That means that I live in meetings, and finding time to dedicate to this workshop (without checking email or slack or texts) felt impossible. I took the leap, moved meetings, and made the commitment and although I had some busy days while taking the training, the reward was worth the time investment for sure!
Next Level You is an intimate workshop with Nicole and a very small group of soon-to-be friends where you learn about why your brain does some of the things it does and how to stop it from doing some of the things that make it harder to enjoy yourself, your job, and your loved ones.”
erin is falling alseep easier by implementing some of the tools she learned.
“I’ve picked up so many tools to level up my self-confidence! I loved being a part of this. This couldn’t have come at a better time. Also learned different practices on how to stay calm—which I need because school starts next week!”
JUNE’s RELATIONSHIP WITH HER KIDS IMPROVED BECAUSE SHE’S MORE PRESENT.
Yes, It Really Works
take my hand.
Let’s do it together.
Everything you know has gotten you this far, and let’s be real—you have gotten far! You’re a successful person who has overcome challenges and celebrated career wins. But if you’re anything like me, you could use help to get to the next level without losing yourself.
The next level for you might be a promotion, or spending more time with your family. It might be a career change or picking up that hobby you used to love.
When I think of next level, I think of enjoying whatever it is I’m doing. Being present, being grateful, and yes, still being driven. My program helps you with those core life goals, so you can pursue whatever comes after.
You just want someone to tell you what works. To hand you some proven ways to thrive, to get space to breathe and make intentional decisions.
You’re ahead of the game by even being on this page. You’ve taken the first step. It would be my privilege to hold your hand on the next step.
You’re in the right place.
25+
~45
12
Uncover core beliefs that are holding you back from achieving your goals.
Have tools to get happier in one minute, and to increase happiness over your lifetime (!).
Use meditation and mindfulness to build your ability to see things from new perspectives.
Have a simple, actionable plan in place for getting over an Imposter Syndrome experience.
Be more aware of when you fall into an overthinking trap and be able to quickly get to productive thoughts.
Know what an Amygdala Hijack is and three steps to to stop it in its tracks.
By the end of the program, you will...
Senior Program Manager, Bay Area
– Erin Watson
“Nicole is amazing. She is well-researched and experienced and besides being an absolute delight of a human being, she really offers so much. Treat yourself to some long-term strategies. One of the most notable impacts is my ability to break out of spirals. I am a chronic overthinker and over-analyzer. The workshop helped me to stop the spiral and move out of it with several different methods—I’ve used a bunch of them at different times. I fall asleep easier by shutting these spirals down!
“Nicole is amazing...an absolute delight of a human being.”
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband, two daughters (+ a baby on the way), and two cats. I love animals, the sound of rain, red lipstick, baking (especially macarons), Redwood trees, and rocking a themed circle skirt (bring on the quirky, holiday prints), and I’m thrilled to support you in becoming the Next Level You.
YOUR NEW HAPPINESS AND WELLBEING COACH, SUPPORTER AND FRIEND
I'm Nicole
– Brené Brown
“To love ourselves and support each other in the process of becoming real is perhaps the greatest single act of daring greatly.”
“We don’t have to do all of it alone.
We were never meant to.”
You’ll go through a “choose-your-own-adventure” style of learning. In each module you’ll learn about a few tools, and then YOU have the power to decide which one to try that week.
Participants have raved about the number of options and have loved the freedom to choose. You know yourself, your motivations, your obligations for the week, and your life the best; you’re the best person to choose the experiment that sounds fun, easy and exciting.
The program works if you do the work, and you’re more likely to do the work if it’s something you think you’ll enjoy. If writing in a gratitude journal isn’t your thing, maybe taking a walk in the woods is. You might choose to spend 5 minutes once that week, 5 minutes per day, or 1 hour once during the week; again, it’s all your choice.
I’m here to be your guide, to give you the choices and the research, and to support you in getting happier, more resilient, confident and calm.
IT’s a “tasting menu” of wellbeing activities
What makes the Next Level You program special?
In Next Level You, you’ll learn about many (25+) science-backed tools and exercises, so you’ll have a variety of items to choose from, experiment with and incorporate into your life for mental and emotional wellbeing. It can partner well with both therapy and coaching, or stand alone.
Adding a coaching package is a great way to include accountability and a chance to ask live questions one-on-one.
Example: “Here are 12 ways to increase happiness. Which one sounds like the most fun to you?
Example: “Here are 15 common cognitive distortions, or filters, we might unconsciously use as we view the world. Do you recognize any you have used? You can use this STAR worksheet to help you examine and challenge those thoughts.”
Coaching is a personalized approach, where we may acknowledge your past stories (especially looking at moments of strength), but it’s predominantly about looking at your present state, your desired future, and having a coach ask pointed questions (and at times offer ideas) for you to create your own next steps and path forward. We’ll work together on what’s most important to you that session.
Example: “What is a goal you’re working toward? What strengths do you have to help you get there? What action will you take this week?”
Therapy is when a licensed therapist works with you to examine and break down your past events to heal trauma, clear the way, and support you to take a positive path forward.
Example: “Can you think of a moment from childhood where you felt this same way? How did your relationship with your mother influence the way you raise your own children?”
How is this different from Therapy or Coaching?
This is for you if...
YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO experiment with tools that sound silly or too easy to make a difference.
YOU want to go deep on one tool/AREA. (Next Level You is a "tasting menu" of wellbeing resources.)
You’re looking for a spiritual or meditation program.
It’s probably not for you if...
YOU’re committeed to showing up for yourself and trying new wellbeing practices.
YOU’RE TIRED OF SPINNING IN OVERWHELM AND STRESS.
YOU’RE READY TO PUT YOUR WELLBEING AT THE TOP OF YOUR TO-DO LIST.
How different could your life be?
How to feel worthy outside accomplishments?
How to change your mindset about “failure?”
How to beat Imposter Syndrome?
Which cognitive distortions are impacting your emotions every day?
How to stop over-thinking and over-analyzing?
What core fear is holding you back?
What *actually* makes you happy (might not be what you think!)?
What *actually* makes you happy (might not be what you think!)?
What core fear is holding you back?
How to stop over-thinking and over-analyzing?
Which cognitive distortions are impacting your emotions every day?
How to beat Imposter Syndrome?
How to feel worthy outside accomplishments?
How to change your mindset about “failure?”
What if this is your opportunity
to finally figure out:
