Set A Happiness Baseline

Step Two:  Set A Happiness Baseline

On your own, without doing any special reading or research, think about what steps you can take and what you can do to be happy or happier right now, given who you are and where you are.  Don't spend more than four to six hours doing this.

Start a personal Happiness file or folder to keep your writings safe and  confidential.  Choose a means to retain clippings, articles, your thoughts and ideas in a way that is good for you, whether it be a manila folder, and old envelope, a netbook or pda.

Write down and record your thoughts and ideas about the specific steps you can take to be happy or happier right now in clear, simple statements and keep them in your file. Be specific and realistic. Here are some examples:

"I will be happier if I stop getting involved in family arguments."  "I will be happier and feel better about myself if I stop binging on bad foods, exercise and eat a  healthy diet."  "I will be happier if I can shake those bad moods."  "I will be happier and feel better about myself if I loose weight."  "I will be happier if I get a better job."

Your understanding of happiness, how happiness works and your skills at building happiness will expand dramatically and be enhanced as you move through the Resolve To Be Happy™ process.  This first step provides a beginning baseline to gauge your progress.

Look at your list and determine which are external changes like exercising more, eating differently, loosing weight, avoiding bad situations or learning new skills versus internal changes within you, like adopting new habits, changing your perspectives or managing your feelings differently.

Spend some time (no more than 24-48 hours) on this alone, thinking and writing about it until you have clearly recorded and stated your thoughts, ideas, feelings, goals, insights, aspirations and desires clearly and succinctly.

Then answer the question:  What are the biggest barriers and greatest obstacles to achieving these goals?  What's holding me back?  What has defeated me in the past?  Briefly state the barriers, obstacles and lapses that have frustrated you in the past.

How much do you want to be happy or happier?  How much do you want to bring greater happiness to your work or family?  How hard are you willing to work for greater happiness?  What are you willing to give up or put off to be happier?  Record you responses, put them in your file.

If you don't think happiness is worth the effort or if you don't think you can do anything to be happier, Stop Right Now.  Don't waste your time.  You don't think there is anything you can learn to make your life better and you don't want to try.  Stay stuck where you are. 

The rest of us will move on to much happier, more fulfilling, satisfying lives.

Copyright 1999-        Michele Moore. All Rights Reserved. Our materials may NOT be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without written permission from the authors. Explore HappinessHabit.com for more happiness insights!