How to be Happy

It's the start of a new year and 2009, along with any other good start to the year, is destined to be one filled with discovery, changes and improvement.


You see this year my focus has been on figuring out who I am, which by and large has been figured out by knowing who I'm not!


It staggers me that so many of us continue to carry on in life, 80 or even 90% happy. Now by no means am I discrediting even getting to this level of happiness, yet no matter which way I look that still means that you are 10 - 20% unhappy.


And the question that really sits with me is

What impact is this 20% unhappiness having in your life?

It's strange how most of us are conditioned to think that the goal is to simply be happy most of the time. But I don't buy it. You see I think that happiness is a habit, a habit that requires constant conditioning and reinforcement.


Sound like hard work? I can tell you, from experience that so is being unhappy! And in fact I'd wager that being unhappy is a lot harder.


You see I figure that you are either happy or unhappy. You cannot be somewhat happy, because that means you are still unhappy. So if you are not 100% happy, then part of you is unhappy - Long story short - YOU ARE STILL UNHAPPY!


So if you are unhappy, it's great. You should start celebrating because awareness of where you are at is the first step. You know you're unhappy, now all you need to do is figure out why and one way is to ask a powerful question that gets you to focus on finding a solution. So you could ask questions like:

• What do I need to do in order to be 100% happy?


• What can I do today that would make me even more happier than I am right now?


• What else could I do to be happier?


• If I had the courage, what would I do that would make me 100% happy?

Your brain is simply a machine and if you ask it a question, it will spit out an answer. And if your brain is one of those tricky brains that keeps telling you "I don't know", just keep asking yourself the same questions day in day out - your brain is a problem solver and is designed to come up with an answer.


Your answers to these questions should give you a good base to start exploring the areas in your life that are out of kilter or are simply not working as well as you want them to.


So what are some of the reasons that might have an impact on your happiness?

1. Number one is often your level of self confidence. Perhaps it's the nagging voice in your head that tells you that you can't do it, you're not good enough, or the voice that says, don't worry, it doesn't really matter. Either way, that voice and your lack of confidence is likely to be having a huge impact on the way you feel and behave. Do something about it. Read a book on emotional intelligence or download a learning package. You can even get free self confidence tips online at places like www.freeselfconfidence.com so there's no excuse!


2. Is your fitness or lack of fitness getting in the way? The simplest approach to getting fit is to just follow a program that works. There are many around including programmes that allow you to workout at your own home using your own body weight, programmes that are designed based on a set timeframe such as 4 weeks, 8 weeks or weeks, or if you're game or simply mad, my favourite - boot camp programmes.
   Your level of energy and wellbeing has a direct link to the endomorphines (which affect your happiness levels) that are in your body. Exercise helps you to release these 'happy feelings' and not only that, you'll look a lot better, which will increase your self-confidence.


3. Is it your health that's getting in the way? Are you constantly sick, or feel depleted of energy or on the other side, don't know how to relax? Both can be a major cause of unhappiness and until you address the underlying issues it may be a case of "it gets worse before it gets better". Try meditation, seeing your doctor or alternative therapies. The important this is that you do something.

So with all of that, here's my number one summary on How to Be Happy -

If you are not 100% happy, part of you is unhappy. Figure out what part of you is then go about and fix it!

Sounds simple but many of us either don't know how or don't have the emotional intelligence to follow through and do what's required to be done.

Keep posted for my next update and I'll share with you the tips, insights and strategies that I'm using, what works, what's not working and what I'm learning in the process.