How to Coach Yourself and Others Happiness Is No Accident | Page 13

THE SECRETS OF HAPPINESS
By Jordan - http://jordancheng.net/the-secrets-of-happiness/
There are paradoxes surrounding wealth and happiness, which drive everyone to its pursuit. The
reality is, there are sufficient evidences to show a significant disconnect between wealth and wellbeing. Based on the research findings, you will know that happiness can be elusive and yet
attainable.
The following are suggestions on how you can increase your happiness:
Realize That Wealth Does Not Create Permanent Happiness.
People adapt to changing circumstances—even to wealth or a disability. Thus wealth is like health:
Its utter absence breeds misery, but having it (or any circumstance we long for) doesn’t guarantee
happiness.
“The mind of every man, in a longer or shorter time, returns to its natural and usual state of
tranquillity. In prosperity, after a certain time, it falls back to that state; in adversity, after a
certain time, it rises up to it.” (Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, 1759)
Be Your Own Time Master.
Happy people are master of time management, and hence often feel in control of their lives. It
helps to set goals and break them into daily aims. Although we often overestimate how much we
will accomplish in any given day (leaving us frustrated), we generally underestimate how much we
can accomplish in a year, given just a little progress every day.
Be Happy, Even Deliberately.
We can deliberately put ourselves into a frame of mind by starting it with physical action. When
you feel moody, look at the mirror and put on a bright smile to yourself. It ignites the energy of
joyful emotion, which makes you feel better and trigger subsequent positive moods. When you
meet people outside, your energy can be felt by people and brings forth mutually contagious effect.
So put on a happy face. Talk like someone with high self-esteem, optimistic, and outgoing. Once
you go through the motions, it can trigger the emotions. As Mary Kay said: “Fake it until you
make it”
Align Work with Passion.
As mentioned in my previous post Experiencing Flow State, happy people often are in a
psychological state called “in the zone” or “in the flow” – when one is completely absorbed in a
task that challenges them yet without overwhelming them. Most of the expensive forms of leisure
(such as sitting on a yacht) provide less flow experience than gardening, playing musical
instruments, painting, keeping fish, socializing, or craft work.
Be Physically Active.
It has become a known fact the exercise not only promotes health and energy, it is also an antidote
for mild depression and anxiety. Go for gym, jogging, swimming, yoga, aerobics, Pilates, and
anything that works your body and gets you perspiring. Sound minds reside in sound bodies. Read

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