Practice Makes Perfect Happiness
Are you happy? If you asked me this question today, I’d say “yes.” For the past couple of years I’d say I’m a happy person. How about before a couple of years ago? I have to admit that I was not always a happy person. In fact, life threw me many curve balls, and I sometimes wallowed in my misery.
However, at one point I was tired of being unhappy, and I started to become interested in positive psychology, also known as the study of happiness. I wrote about positive psychology briefly in last week’s post. Several years ago, I realized that happiness depends a lot on our attitude and is to a degree a choice and can be practiced.
I couldn’t help but be reminded of how I got through the tougher times in life when I recently read an article from LiveScience, a quick read providing an overview of the sources of happiness and 5 research findings that improved happiness. The 5 findings from the article include:
- Being grateful
- Being optimistic
- Counting your blessings
- Using your strengths
- Committing acts of kindness
I like that the article points out that despite happiness having a genetic component and also somewhat depending on life events, happiness can be practiced and by practicing the above points, happiness can become a habit! And, looking at my own life, I’d have to agree.
Is my life perfect today? Is my career perfect? No. But by looking at the positive aspects in both my career as well as my personal life, I am much happier today. I encourage you to make happiness a habit in both your career planning and work life as well as your personal life.
Remember, happiness can be learned! You can apply the five points above to both your career life as well as your personal life.
Finally, I have to admit that I still sometimes become overwhelmed by life and forget to practice happy habits. It helps me to remind myself frequently of the importance of being positive. I do this by keeping a collection of positive quotes. Another way is writing my Wellness Wednesday posts here on Career Action Now.
Questions: Are you a happy person? If so, do you “practice” happiness? What is one habit that brings you happiness? What is one habit you can cultivate so that you can become happier when it comes to your (future) career?
Be well,
Andrea
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Such a fantastic post Andrea. I do consider myself happy, and I really do try to follow each and every one of these “steps”. I also have to say that I am lucky to have found someone that I really care about, and who cares about me. I think that is huge. My parents don’t have that, and I don’t think either of them are truly happy
Thanks, Gina! I’m glad that you enjoyed the post. I’m also glad that you find the “steps” useful and that you are a happy person!
Finally, great point about the importance of having the right partner in life…
I LOVED THIS POST. I agree with you – I am a generally happy person, but it is definitely something you have to keep working on. in fact, this week i definitely was wallowing but i’m trying to get out of it. thanks for all your wonderful advice dear andrea
Thanks, Holly! I think it’s so easy to forget that happiness in all areas of our lives does require work… I think we sometimes think it’s just automatic… Thanks for your kind comment!
I couldn’t agree more with that list! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Simply Life!