You get to do this…

You don’t “have to” do anything…you “get to” do those things. Some people would love to be in your position where you feel like you “have” to do something. Your “curse” might be another person’s blessing.

When you have to go to work to pay the bills…

At least you have a job, which is more than the unemployed can say…

At least you’re able to work…

At least you’re able to provide value and be compensated for it…

At least you have the physical and mental capacity to be able to complete the task in front of you.

At least you can feel like you’ve accomplished something…

It’s ok to not always be happy. But if you’re unhappy for too many days in a row, you need to make an adjustment. Is it your attitude that you need to change or your circumstances? Either might be the correct answer (or both), but instead of just being angry or sad, make a change to feel better. And don’t forget that no matter what you’re going through, other people somewhere have it worse than you.

Are you really living?

Everyone dies, but not everyone lives.

Are you living your life to the fullest? Are there things that you wish to do “one day”?

Why not make that day today? Don’t wait until you are old to truly and fully experience life. Maybe you won’t be able to enjoy it because of your health. Or maybe you’ll find out that you love it, and you wish you would’ve had more time to be able to enjoy doing that activity.

Don’t let fear hold you back. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and encourage you, read uplifting things, watch inspiring videos, and then go do it! Actually experience it for yourself by doing it, not just reading, watching, or hearing about it.

Using emotions to your advantage

Use anger and frustration to your advantage. Yelling at others and demeaning them never helps a situation. Getting so worked up that you can’t function properly never helps a situation. Even being passive aggressive toward those around you when you’re frustrated doesn’t help.

What good is you being mad at something going to do? What good is going to come from it? Instead, if or when you feel frustrated, treat it as an opportunity. How can you spin a negative situation into a positive one? Is there something that you can do to make it better? Are others feeling the same way as you?

Perhaps you can start a mastermind group to figure out ways to combat this. Or maybe you can develop an answer and monetize it. That way you are not only solving a problem for yourself, but also for others, and getting paid to do so. Maybe there is no true answer and you just need to work on handling your emotions better.

If you allow something to get you so worked up that it ruins your day, that’s on you. Either learn how to deal with it (emotionally) or create a solution for it. Whenever you’re frustrated, ask yourself, what can I do to make this better? Then go do it.

Be 100% where you’re supposed to be

When you’re at work, be at work. Have a work mentality. How can you be the best employer/employee, manager/leader, etc. Have your mind on your work. Focus on the task at hand.

When you’re at the gym, be at the gym. Have a gym mentality. How can you get better today than you were yesterday? Have your mind on the sets, reps, technique, movement, breath work, etc. Focus on the workout.

When you’re at home, be at home. Have a family mentality. How can you be the best husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, father/mother, brother/sister, pet-owner, friend, caretaker of the property, etc. Do you need to spend more time playing, reading, maintaining (the house), etc? Focus on being at home and leave the other stuff behind you.

Wherever your body is, make sure your mind is 100% there as well. Learn to compartmentalize your life. A “balanced” life is not being partially present in every aspect of life. It’s being fully present where you are and making sure you spend enough time with each aspect daily/weekly/monthly.

10 tips for a happy life

To live a happy life, you need to do the following things:

1) Live in alignment with your values…if you do something that morally doesn’t sit well with you, it will haunt you. What do you value?

2) Only worry about what you can control. You can control your effort and behavior. You can control your thoughts and actions. You CAN’T control what other people think, say, or do. If you feel compelled, try to help them make what you deem “better decisions.” But realize you only can control yourself, no one else.

3) Understand that this moment is only temporary. Whether you’re expert the best or the worst day of your life, it’s temporary. Treasure the great days. Enjoy the time with your friends, your family, and even yourself. When something bad happens, understand that this is only a page (or a chapter) in your book. Tomorrow is a new day.

4) See the positive in any situation. Even when bad things happen, spin it around – how can you learn/grow from this?

5) Develop am attitude of gratitude. What you focus on grows. Focus on being positive and on seeing the positive, and your life will become more positive.

6) Don’t take life (or yourself) too seriously. Life is meant to be enjoyed. Often, we place too much emphasis on what is happening right now. “What if I don’t get an ‘A’?” “What if ‘X, Y, or Z’ does/doesn’t happen?” In the end, you’ll realize that cumulatively, yes, it all adds up, but individually it really doesn’t matter. Will you be on your deathbed and regret not getting a better grade in 8th grade math?

7) Smile and laugh everyday. Do it as often as you can. It will make you feel better.

8) Be healthy. A healthy body and a healthy mind will help keep your mindset positive.

9) Surround yourself with others who are generally, and genuinely, happy. You are the average of the five people with who me you spend the most time.

10) Be yourself. Do what you feel is right. Don’t try to “keep up with the Joneses” or impress other people…other people will come and go. But you have to live with yourself until your dying days. Be you. Love you. And don’t care about what other people think.