noticed I gave others time , resources and value more than I did for myself . I easily bought friends and family expensive gifts that I would feel a ‘ pinch ’ or an ‘ Ouch ’ or second guessed myself if the tables were turned and I needed to gift myself . I felt that other people deserved and not me . Spending time growing and building other people ’ s capabilities while finding it difficult to invest in myself ! Sacrificing on opportunities that would lead me closer to achieve my goals and dreams thinking that someone else is better , denying myself the chance !
By prioritizing myself , what this means is that I will invest on both tangible and intangible things that make me happy because I enjoy doing them . Investing in a transformation class , working out and paying gym subscriptions , investing in books and finding time to read them , spending time in nature , going to the movies , inspiring and building others , acts of service among others . These give me fulfillment and it is one thing to know them and another to prioritize and create time for them .
A wise man once said , you only know what is important to you by knowing where you spend your time the most . Where do you spend your time the most ? Is it on family , self , friends , places , work ? And secondly do they make you happy ? If not , then you know what to do , it is about time to re-prioritize !
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Are we consistently satisfied , content and fulfilled ? Are we always content with our career or position at work , always fulfilled with the amount of money we have ? Is our satisfaction in direct co-relation to happiness ?
Then place value on them .
Something that you value and treasure you will always move things around to accommodate , find resources to make them better , pull resources to make sure that you give the very best , however expensive , unattainable or out of reach .
Create value for things and people that make you happy ! By the way , if someone does not create time for you , just know where you stand in their lives ... It is as personal as it can get . One man ’ s meat is indeed another man ’ s poison , and unless you want to keep poisoning yourself , keep eating meat that that doesn ’ t belong to you . But who wants this kind of life ? Quite temporary , I must say .
One last tip that defines happiness as personal is for you to know and understand your season in life . We all agree that there is a time for everything . Know your season so well that you will create priority and value for what is attainable within your reach . There ’ s never a perfect time or situation , we only know what is priority for us and make them work !
So there you go , my very personal take on happiness . It is as personal as it can get , not universal , and indeed one has to place value to it in order to bring feelings of satisfaction , contentment and fulfillment . Thank me later !
Susan Atieno is an Account Director at Havas Media Kenya and a seasoned marketing and communication strategist . You can reach her via email at : Suezanatieno @ gmail . com .