It’s Friday…for some it is another long weekend because Monday is Martin Luther King Day. For me it is the first Friday I am off – the first weekend of no part time job. There are a lot of mixed feelings but I have faith it was the right decision at the right time.
So, let me ask you – were you born a happy person? I mean the person who always has a smile on their face, and never seems to let things bother them? Did you know half of your happiness is genetic, attributable to your personality and temperament while about 10% is due to circumstances. The rest is about YOUR intentional choices. The ones you make every day. You all know I LOVE Valerie Burton, right? She shared in one of her books about the habits happy people have in common. The best part is, if you practice these habits, chances are you will see a boost in how you feel every day.
Here are five things happy people do daily:
1. Spend time with people they enjoy.
Did you know you are as happy as your relationships? We need people to be happy because we were made for connection and love – and it happens through relationships. When you serve people, connect authentically and allow others to impact you, your life is richer and more meaningful. Let’s practice being intentional by having a conversation, look the friend or co-worker in the eye and really listen. Are your relationships filled with turmoil? Make a plan to calm the drama. The stress is a threat to your health and your happiness.
2. Focus on what’s right in front of them.
Are you a multi-tasker? Are you always on your cell phone – Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, or texting? Chances are you are NOT living in the present moment. Happy people don’t dwell on the past or get overly focused on the future. They value the power of the present, which means they have fun. When working on a task, they get into the “flow,” and time seems to fly by because they are engaged in what they are doing. It is no wonder people who love their jobs are twice as likely to be happy than those who don’t, according to a Gallup poll. Are you doing what you love or do you love your job?
3. Do something to help someone other than themselves.
Doing a random act of kindness isn’t just a trendy suggestion, it is a way to be happier. Serving others is a happiness trigger. Whether you believe it or not, it is the core of what we are all here to do – love. When we focus on helping others, it redirects our focus from our own problems or challenges, and helps put our lives into perspective. Check out our Give Back with Me page.
4. Express gratitude.
Gratitude is powerful. It keeps you from taking things for granted. Let’s be honest, we all take something for granted even if we don’t mean to. Gratitude strengthens relationships. It feels good. So say thank you and mean it. Why not add to your “thank you” why the other person’s gesture was meaningful to you. When you count your blessings, write them down or share them with a loved one. And reflect on why you are grateful. It expands the positive emotion you feel when you are grateful. I have started a gratitude journal. Every night before bed, I write one specific thing I am grateful for so I go to bed with happy positive thoughts. It has made a difference on how I feel when I wake up in the morning.
5. Redirect their happiness-sabotaging thoughts.
How often do you beat yourself up for something you did – not sticking to the diet, forgetting to do something or maybe you broke something? Negative thoughts bring more negative things. The reality is happy people don’t dwell long on unhappy things. Yes, they do acknowledge their negative feelings but they are also less likely to dwell on them, wallow in self-pity or blame others for their misery. They slam the door on Negative Nellie and Doubtful Debbie. Instead, they ask, “What’s within my control to change?” They change what they can and do their best to work around the things they can’t change.
Do you do these things every day? Why not pick one of the habits you don’t do every day, and try it every day for a week. It takes 21 days to form a habit so if you can do it for a week, them keep going. I know you can do it….
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 