How Can I Be Happier in My Life Now?
Is happiness a random thing or can it be cultivated with intentional activity? I get these two questions frequently. The latter is advocated by both spiritual traditions such as Buddhism and cutting-edge modern positive psychology. Leading psychologists say that our happiness level is determined as follows: 10% by circumstances, 50% by genes, and 40% by intentional activity.
Personally, I think that 40% number is total bullshit. I believe the % that is based on your intentional activity is MUCH higher than 40%; closer to 90%.
I don’t believe God curses anyone with unhappiness based on genes. This “theory” from psychologists may explain why psychologists have among the highest suicide rates in the world.
Personally, I chose to believe that choices lead to consequences. Bad choices = bad consequences (unhappiness). Good choices = good consequences (happiness).
The following choices will help you lead to the consequence of being happier in life.
6 Strategies on How To Be Happier in Life
1. Practice being satisfied and grateful
How many times have you heard someone say, “If only I had a few more dollars, then I could…” or “As soon as I get through this week….”? Many people don’t know how to be grateful or even satisfied with what life gives them. This scarcity mentality prevents people from experiencing abundance.
If you wanna know how to be happier in life, appreciate the small things. A great technique I use is when I start to feel bad about something, I stop and come up with 5 small things I’m grateful for…. these can’t be the easy ones like health, wife, etc…. They need to be more like the hug my daughter gave me this morning or for the advice a friend gave me. Appreciate these small things and happiness will follow.
Excuse the type-o. I found this on the internet…. the message is more important than the spelling. Wanna be happier, don’t care if it’s spelled “hapier” or “happier”. Whoever created this image just wanted to make you hapier! 😉 Now laugh! LOL
2. Live and let live.
Is it really your concern what the lady sitting next to you is saying to her friend on the phone or if she’s annoying? You can get up and move. When we stop judging others, life gets so much easier. If you want more happiness, learn to see the beauty in others and let go of the little things. Learn to live your life to the fullest and let others live their life to the fullest.
3. Immerse yourself in activities that use your strengths and passions
Don’t be one of those people who thinks personal development is always improving your weaknesses. We are who we are….. we aren’t going to be the best at everything. However, you can be the best you that you can be.
Lose you on that one? Let me explain. I suck at details and organization. I spent years trying to improve on these weaknesses. Today, I accept them and focus on motivating people and driving change. I love that I’m a visionary. And I work with people who are strong and passionate in organization and details. It’s a happiness win/win for all of us.
So stop trying to be someone you’re not. If you’re a motivator, hone that skill. Get into activities that allow you to shine as a motivator, not struggle as an organizer! I bet you’re relaxing just reading this one!
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously.
Goof off! Be silly! You only get one shot at this life, so make the most of it. As a parent, I know I can forget to have some fun some times. I find myself wanting to say, “Be careful” on the playground when I should be saying, “Way to go. Swing higher”. Are you being more careful when you should be swinging higher? Lighten up!
You may find you add years to your life, not to mention a ton of laughter! You really wanna know how to be happier in life, stop being so boring and act like a kid – blow bubbles, watch funny videos, roll in the mud, jump off a diving board, make silly faces at the dog! Do something silly for no reason!
Makes me wanna go to the nearest swing set. Look at that smile. Pure happiness.
5. Beware of indecision.
Don’t be a pro at crastination. Nobody likes making tough decisions but we all have to make them. Never put off a decision that you can make today. You may miss some of the greatest opportunities in the world simply because you didn’t make a decision. Successful people make decisions and get it done! The indecision eats at you . . . and is caused by fear.
Fear is temporary, regret is forever. How to be happier in life.
6. Forgive yourself.
Stop beating yourself up over things that happened in the past. Oooo, this is a tough one to master but well worth it. Many of us find it easier to forgive others than ourselves. One of the most proven ways to be happier in life is to forgive yourself. It’s such a shame that you could choose to spend a lifetime living in the past and never make it to your full potential in the future. It’s a choice. A very important one. Let it go.
“Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” – Abraham Lincoln
Make up your mind and put some of these strategies to work today in your life. I’m going to the playground with my kids. I think I’ll go down the slide a few times and roll around in the dirt! 😉
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