Tip: Happiness is something you create

Picture by Let Ideas Compete, Flickr Creative Commons

As a Coach certified by ICF, and through both practice and observation, I've learned that happiness is not a passive thing. It is something you create, it depends on how you think and what you do.

Your hierarchy of values determine how you filter the world, how you perceive the world, ask questions about the world and act upon the world. – John DeMartini

It all comes down to your internal dialogue, the questions you ask yourself and their answers - even how you dress... Look back at how you were standing in front of the wardrobe this morning, probably you asked yourself something about the weather, and answered by choosing some type of clothes. Possibly you were thinking about the things in your agenda, and asking yourself what type of clothes would be appropriate, etc. As you see, the way you look to others is a consequence of how you think.

Only things visible to you can be challenged. The first exercise is to get a grip on your values. Tony, at tonyteegarden.com, suggests the following steps:

"Ask yourself these questions in order to discover what your values may be:

• What is the way I fill my space?


• In what ways do I spend most of my time?


• In what ways do I most spend my energy?


• In what ways do I spend most of my money?

These are all a reflection of your highest values. Have you consciously determined what you value most in life?"

I agree with Shawn Achor at Big Think, when he says:

"In order to become happier, we actually have to focus our brains down on things that actually move us forward instead of getting stagnating in the things that... for example, stressing about things that are outside of our control doesn’t move us forward at all."

Comments

[Patricia Bernardo]

This first exercise, looks that is easier to answer, but takes some reflection..about how we use our time..to create our happiness..

Thank you johan

[johanfrisk]

Patricia, the trick is to look for the 20% of your actions that bring you 80% of the way - the way leading in the direction of your values. Only by reflecting on your values can you possibly choose the actions that will bring you happiness.

But I already know that your are good at this, keep on going, show us the way!