For the past few years, there have been dozens of books,
seminars and websites dedicated to the topic of happiness.
I've studied happiness and several of my MasterMind partners
have encouraged me to write my own book or lead a class on
it. So far I've resisted.
The research suggests "happiness" is a rather elusive thing.
At the level of scientific research and psychology, it seems
most people have a "set point" for happiness and things
that can be measured by science don't respond very well to
simple interventions. In many ways, promising folks that
they can dramatically increase their happiness by reading a
book or following a program is not usually true.
But there is good news! My experience and my reading suggest
that while it may be difficult to increase your over-all
level of "happiness," being HAPPY is pretty easy! Who would
have thought that little distinction could be so important!?
I've joked for years that I may not know much about living a
"great life," but I do know some things about having a
"great day!" And I've always figured that if I have several
thousand great DAYS in a row, one after another, that may be
pretty darn close to living a great life.
Something like that seems to go on with happiness, too.
Being happy for 10,000 days in a row seems pretty darn close
to being a happy person and living a happy life!
Helping someone find joy and satisfaction, and feel happy at
the end of the day turns out to be pretty simple. I think we
can actually do that in a pretty significant way!
Here are some suggestions:
First, list 20 things that make you happy. Don't stop until
you have at least 20 specific items! List all the things
that make you giggle, smile, chuckle, celebrate or feel
good. List the things that make you proud, relaxed,
satisfied, or confirm that you are loved by others. Don't
stop until you have a list of 20 things that make you happy!
You'll need that list! Then . . .
1. Do five of those things every single day. Give a hug.
Get a hug. Kiss a child, read a book, play a practical joke,
or sing in the shower. Eat a cookie, exercise or meditate.
Whatever makes you happy, do five of them every day. Without
fail. Sure, it takes some discipline, but you're worth it!
2. Be productive every day. Do some actual work -- not just
"effort" or "trying" or that "busy" stuff. Do some
productive, meaningful work every day. Get things done. If
it's related to your career and makes you money, great! If
it's cleaning the house or watching your daughter's soccer
game, fantastic! Do something productive, important, and
meaningful. Make a difference. Every day.
3. Do a good deed. Give someone a hand, or make a phone
call. Send a thoughtful card or an encouraging email. Help
an old lady cross the street or help a child with their
homework. Give of yourself in a way that makes the world a
better place for someone else.
4. Laugh out loud. Life's a crazy, ridiculous affair and
there is certainly much to laugh about. If nothing else,
just look in the mirror! Tell a joke or hear one. And don't
just chuckle politely. Be insane! Be daring and actually
laugh. Put your whole body into it. If you need help with
this, get a puppy, or a kitten -- or a get around a child!
Laugh out loud! I think you'll enjoy it.
5. Be grateful. Everyday, write a few entries in your
gratitude journal. Before bed, take a moment to notice what
went right, what you're grateful for, the good luck or
blessing or joy that touched you during the day. Write it
down in a notebook so you can keep track. Master the
"attitude of gratitude." You'll be happy you did.
Whatever goals you have already set for 2013, add one more:
"I will be measurably and demonstrably happy on a minimum of
364 days in 2013." (Give yourself some slack -- allow one
day to be cranky, if you wish.) I can't make any promises
about that elusive thing called "happiness," but if you make
it a goal and take the steps to be happy for 364 days in
2013, I think you'll like the results.
Happy Christmas, everyone!
seminars and websites dedicated to the topic of happiness.
I've studied happiness and several of my MasterMind partners
have encouraged me to write my own book or lead a class on
it. So far I've resisted.
The research suggests "happiness" is a rather elusive thing.
At the level of scientific research and psychology, it seems
most people have a "set point" for happiness and things
that can be measured by science don't respond very well to
simple interventions. In many ways, promising folks that
they can dramatically increase their happiness by reading a
book or following a program is not usually true.
But there is good news! My experience and my reading suggest
that while it may be difficult to increase your over-all
level of "happiness," being HAPPY is pretty easy! Who would
have thought that little distinction could be so important!?
I've joked for years that I may not know much about living a
"great life," but I do know some things about having a
"great day!" And I've always figured that if I have several
thousand great DAYS in a row, one after another, that may be
pretty darn close to living a great life.
Something like that seems to go on with happiness, too.
Being happy for 10,000 days in a row seems pretty darn close
to being a happy person and living a happy life!
Helping someone find joy and satisfaction, and feel happy at
the end of the day turns out to be pretty simple. I think we
can actually do that in a pretty significant way!
Here are some suggestions:
First, list 20 things that make you happy. Don't stop until
you have at least 20 specific items! List all the things
that make you giggle, smile, chuckle, celebrate or feel
good. List the things that make you proud, relaxed,
satisfied, or confirm that you are loved by others. Don't
stop until you have a list of 20 things that make you happy!
You'll need that list! Then . . .
1. Do five of those things every single day. Give a hug.
Get a hug. Kiss a child, read a book, play a practical joke,
or sing in the shower. Eat a cookie, exercise or meditate.
Whatever makes you happy, do five of them every day. Without
fail. Sure, it takes some discipline, but you're worth it!
2. Be productive every day. Do some actual work -- not just
"effort" or "trying" or that "busy" stuff. Do some
productive, meaningful work every day. Get things done. If
it's related to your career and makes you money, great! If
it's cleaning the house or watching your daughter's soccer
game, fantastic! Do something productive, important, and
meaningful. Make a difference. Every day.
3. Do a good deed. Give someone a hand, or make a phone
call. Send a thoughtful card or an encouraging email. Help
an old lady cross the street or help a child with their
homework. Give of yourself in a way that makes the world a
better place for someone else.
4. Laugh out loud. Life's a crazy, ridiculous affair and
there is certainly much to laugh about. If nothing else,
just look in the mirror! Tell a joke or hear one. And don't
just chuckle politely. Be insane! Be daring and actually
laugh. Put your whole body into it. If you need help with
this, get a puppy, or a kitten -- or a get around a child!
Laugh out loud! I think you'll enjoy it.
5. Be grateful. Everyday, write a few entries in your
gratitude journal. Before bed, take a moment to notice what
went right, what you're grateful for, the good luck or
blessing or joy that touched you during the day. Write it
down in a notebook so you can keep track. Master the
"attitude of gratitude." You'll be happy you did.
Whatever goals you have already set for 2013, add one more:
"I will be measurably and demonstrably happy on a minimum of
364 days in 2013." (Give yourself some slack -- allow one
day to be cranky, if you wish.) I can't make any promises
about that elusive thing called "happiness," but if you make
it a goal and take the steps to be happy for 364 days in
2013, I think you'll like the results.
Happy Christmas, everyone!
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