Tag: happy

Choose your mood

“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” – Abraham Lincoln

Have you ever noticed something that triggers one person and puts them in “a mood” for the rest of the day, but a similar event has no affect on a different person? Why is that?

It seems like some people are predisposed to being angry at the smallest things – letting everything around them affect how they’re feeling at that moment. But it really doesn’t have to be that way. In most cases, it only takes a mindset shift to live a happier, less stressful life. Obviously there are things that happen to us that are very serious. Thinking positively doesn’t necessarily make the situation all better, but it’s still the better choice to make rather than dwelling on the negative. Regardless of how do you think about the situation, you probably can’t control those outside events and you can’t change the past. But you can control how you respond to them.

Choose to be happy and see the good in every situation. Why would you want to choose to be anything other than happy?

Finding Happiness

When it comes down to it, I believe our ultimate goal should be to be happy. That should be the “why” behind all of our actions. But we need to break this down further to truly understand it. We should not confuse short-term happiness for long-term happiness, or vice versa. For many people, their short-term happiness hinges on doing something that feels pleasurable at the time, but comes at the expense of their long-term happiness.

For example, going on a spending spree occasionally is fine, but doing that everyday will make you go broke in the long run and you’ll have to delay retirement.

Eating pizza or doughnuts is really enjoyable at the time, but do it everyday and you’ll likely be working your way towards all sorts of health problems.

Taking a day off from working out or reading to let your body and mind recharge is great, but to never work out or read puts your body and mind in a deficit over time.

You need to find the balance between short-term happiness and long-term happiness. The easiest way to do this is to find enjoyment in the process of everything you do. If you can find as much overlap as possible where what you want to do in the short-term is actually benefitting you kn the long-term, that’s when you’ll really feel supercharged instead of like you’re always sacrificing happiness now for happiness in the future (or vice versa).

So, what helps to shape our happiness? Usually, it is some combination of striving to be our best selves (mentally, physically, spiritually, relationally, and financially), of feeling a sense of accomplishment by doing something difficult, of contribution (helping others/volunteering/giving back), and of gratitude (being thankful for what we have and not comparing ourselves to others). Find ways to intentionally incorporate actions that push you towards this and you’ll find happiness much more often.

Risk-taking to stand out

You must be willing to take risks in order to achieve something extraordinary. Even if it is the risk of failing, of putting yourself out there, of not being accepted or of people mocking your views, if you don’t risk showing your unique self, you will never stand out.

Don’t try to “blend in.” You’re unique. You have unique thoughts, abilities, and mannerisms. Embrace your uniqueness. Follow your interests. And don’t be afraid to show your true self, or else you risk disappearing into the crowd, not standing out from anyone because you don’t stand for anything.

Realize that not falling in line and doing what everyone else says/does may make some people feel uncomfortable. Some people will dislike you for your ideas, others will be envious of your success. But if you stay true to who you are and what your values are, you can go to sleep easy at night, all while achieving great things.

Taking risks is necessary to grow and succeed.

Striving for more

“You’re really good where you are, but you’re way to good to stay there.” – Tom Ferry

Be happy with what you have, but always strive for more. There’s nothing wrong with wanting more, for wishing for a “better” life, but remember that your life is already really good!

Try to find the positive in any situation. Don’t make the mistake thinking that you’ll be happier when you have “X” or when “Y” happens. You can (and should) be happy now, and enjoy the process of trying to get whatever else you are striving for.

Optimism vs. pessimism

What you search for, you’ll find. If you’re optimistic, you will be able to see the good in any situation and be able to make or take opportunities when they present themselves. If you’re pessimistic, you’ll see the negative all around you.

The optimist and the pessimist live in the same world. It’s just that the optimist chooses to see a different reality and, as a result, will get ahead more often than the pessimist.

How can you train yourself to be more optimistic today?