I’ve referred before to the book I’m (still) reading, Millionaire Success Habits, by Dan Graziosi.
Sometimes it pushes me; sometimes it affirms things that I’ve been teaching, myself. Sometimes both—at the same time.
That happened in the chapter “The Power of happiness.” (Those who’ve read this blog for any length of time know that I believe happiness is a decision, not a response to circumstances.)
In the chapter, Graziosi lists 10 “happiness habits.” Developing these habits, he says, will help one to be a happier person, and that will lead to greater success in life. I think the ten happiness habits apply to anyone, regardless of whether or not they’re entrepreneurs, whether or not they aspire to millions of dollars, and whether their current circumstances are favourable or desperate. They apply to me, and likely, to you.
So I list them here, with a few comments:
1. Define what happiness looks and feels like to you
2. Make the present your friend
Get rid of the “when/then” phenomenon (as in, “when such and such happens, then I will . . .). “All you are doing is putting happiness on hold,” says Graziosi. “How many of us are waiting to be happy until that one certain thing happens? . . . What if we just threw away that mindset and just made today our friend? . . . You can decide to do this; it’s your choice.”
I couldn’t agree more.
3. Stop over-thinking
4. Focus on a positive outcome
Every situation has both negative and positive aspects. The same holds for every anticipated or desired outcome. Some people focus on what the problems could be, and lie awake at night wondering what could go wrong. I’ve done some of that, myself. But most of it never happens. Anticipating the positive in a future situation, or identifying and appreciating the positive aspects of a current situation, no matter the weight of the negatives, make for a much more pleasant disposition.
And leads to greater success emerging from the current circumstances.
5. Let go of specific outcomes
This one really challenged me. We may expect and plan for certain outcomes, but opportunities and detours arise along the way. Do we embrace those opportunities or stubbornly resist the slight detour they may entail?
6. Don’t be afraid to fail
To quote Graziosi again: “Usually, if you’re not failing, that means you’re not pushing yourself hard enough and you’re not trying new things. It means you’re stuck in a rut and you’re just going with the flow . . . But, here’s the thing, you’ll never achieve your goals on autopilot.” . . . So I say fail often and change the meaning of failure that is in your mind. . . . Embrace failure as a necessary part of success . . .”
7. Let go of grudges
8. Be grateful for what’s in front of you
Regardless of our circumstances, there is always something that we can be grateful for.
As I’ve watched the interviews from people displaced by the current fires, I’ve noticed two responses. Some are morbid about their situation. Others are amazingly upbeat, despite perhaps having had their home go up in flames. They point out that “at least we made it out alive,” or some such thing. I admire them. They demonstrate so well this happiness habit and inspire me.
9. Don’t settle for “good enough”
Strive for greatness in every part of your life, says Graziosi. “Good enough,” is really just a way of saying “I’m not good enough; I don’t deserve more.”
“You don’t have to say, ‘My life is perfect right now.’ You could just be honest and say, ‘It is okay today, but I’m going for more.’ ”
10. Be part of something bigger
So there you have it: ten habits to make a happier life that impels one to greater success. Implementing just one of them (that I’m not currently doing well) should make me a happier person.
Practicing all of them should quickly get me to, “This is the best day of my life!”
At least, that’s how I see it . . .
Quote of the Week
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. – Albert Schweitzer
