Everyone wants to be happier, and I’m no exception. So I couldn’t resist the PBS special on the subject in which author Shawn Achor claims “happiness is a choice.”
He gave five things you can do right now to be much happier. After listening to him, I’m thinking I may buy his book The Happiness Advantage, but in order to spread the bliss, I couldn’t resist summarizing for you what he said.
Do these five things for 21 days and they will become habits, Achor said, and lead to a much happier, successful life and ultimately change the lens in which you view the world. Here they are:
1.Think of three new things you are grateful for that have happened in the last 24 hours. Repeat this for 21 days. Also you can increase your happiness by sharing your gratitude with your significant other and ask him or her to tell you three things for which they are grateful.
2. To double your optimism, take two minutes to write down your gratitude and your most meaningful experiences. Again do this every day for 21 days.
3. Add 15 minutes of fun activity to your day. This must be a physical activity like walking the dog or gardening, etc.
4. Consciously add three smiles to your day.
5. Charge your happiness battery by meaningful social connections. People can motivate you more than anything, Achor says. So take the time to encourage and motivate others and spread the happiness. The key here is to motivate and avoid being negative or criticizing.
Try all of the above and you’ll be healthier, more energetic and more successful, according to Achor. In fact, happiness is the fuel that allows us to be more successful, he says.
