When it comes to happiness, some things will make people happier than others.
The same is true for success, which is unique to every individual.
Some people will define success through business acumen and achievement, while others search for satisfying relationships on their path to a successful life.
Likewise, happiness can be derived from a plethora of sources – from a funny movie to a beautiful spring’s day.
While there are differences amongst us all, there are some things that are likely to make us all happier and more successful.
So, today I thought I’d outline some of the ways that you can take control of your happiness and your future success – every single day of your life.
1. Don’t waste energy on hate
Hate is an emotional parasite that eats away at your energy and health.
If something is wrong with the world and you can change it, well, you should take action, but if you can’t take action, it’s always better to forgive and forget.
Positive thinking is a skill that can be learned and it’s one that can change your life.
2. Don’t take yourself so seriously
The ability to laugh at yourself not only makes you happier as a person, but also makes you more powerful, more influential and more attractive to others.
A good belly laugh also improves your mood, even if it’s at your own expense!
3. You don’t have to win every argument
Some battles aren’t worth fighting and many people are easier to handle when they think they’ve won an argument.
What’s important isn’t “winning,” but what you, and the other people involved, plan to do next, including moving on from a disagreement.
4. Assume people have good intentions
Since you can’t read minds, you don’t really know the “why” behind the “what” that some people do.
Imaging supposedly evil motives for other people’s weird behaviours just adds extra misery to your life, while assuming good intentions leaves you open to reconciliation, which is always a much better outcome.
5. Avoid using negative words
Stop using negative phrases… such as “I can’t,” “It’s impossible,” or “This won’t work.”
What comes out of your mouth programs your mind, so if you think you can’t, well, you probably won’t.
6. Avoid spending time with toxic people
You may not realise it, but your physiology is programmed to mirror the physiology of those around you.
So, in other words, you can “catch” stress or toxicity from other people.
And while it may not be possible to always stay away from stressed people all of the time, try to avoid them as much as possible.
7. Begin each day with expectation
If there’s any big truth about life, it’s that it usually lives up to (or down to) your expectations.
Therefore, when you rise from bed, make your first thought, “Something wonderful is going to happen today,” and you’ll probably be right.
8. Breathe deeply
Breathing deeply calms you down but, most importantly, it helps ensure that plenty of oxygen is getting into your lungs and into your bloodstream, where (among other things) it helps your brain work more efficiently.
9. Drink more H20
Even a tiny amount of dehydration can “drain your energy and make you tired,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
It’s recommended that men drink roughly three litres (about 13 cups) and women 2.2 litres (about nine cups) of total beverages every day, and this should be mainly water.
And the best part about water is it’s free!
10. Eat a hearty breakfast
There’s truth to the old saying that you should eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a merchant and supper like a pauper.
Fuelling your body early makes you less likely to need that extra jolt of sugar at about 10.30 am and sets you up for a productive day.
11. Finish each day with gratitude
Just before you go to bed, write down at least one wonderful thing that happened that day.
It might be something as small as making a child laugh or as huge as a million-dollar deal.
Whatever it is, be grateful for that day because it will never come again.
12. Exercise your eyes
While working at a screen, which unfortunately many of us do for long periods every day, regularly stare at something that’s far away, like out of the window.
If necessary, get up and find a window or at least a hallway so that you can focus at a distance, which will keep your eyesight from degeneration.
13. Publicly announce your goals
To provide extra oomph to your efforts, make a formal public commitment to your goals.
For example, you might want to sign up for a charity race that you couldn’t possibly run without first getting yourself in tip-top shape.
By publicly announcing your goals, you’re giving yourself an extra chance of achieving them.
14. Make peace with your past
Focusing on past mistakes or wrongs inflicted on you is like driving a car while looking in the rear-view mirror.
You’ll keep heading in the same direction until you collide with something solid.
There is nothing you can do about what has happened in the past, but there is plenty you can do about making your future happier and more successful.
15. Keep your goals in sight
Post your goals everywhere that you spend time.
So, consider posting them on your bathroom mirror, right behind your computer screen and even on the dashboard of your car.
The more you can see your goals, the easier it will be to achieve them.
16. Monitor your progress
Keep a record of what you’ve already accomplished.
Review this when you’re feeling discouraged or unsure – it’s an instant confidence booster and helps you focus on the positive.
It’s important to remember that goals and dreams usually aren’t achieved quickly.
They take incremental steps – sometimes tiny steps – which over time will move you closer to the finish line.
Keep an eye out for the next blog in this series, where we’ll outline some more ways that you can live your life with more happiness and success.
And remember, that each one of us can choose to be happier every single day if we really want to.
