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The Happiness Factor In Success
If you want to reach out for success then living a happy, resilient and
optimistic life is important component of that success goal. It is also
good for your health. Being happy actually protects you from the
stresses of life. Stress is linked to top causes of death such as heart
disease, cancer and stroke. If you are dead from the complications
brought on by stress your success will not matter much to you.
Change is one of the constants in our world today. Sociologist, Alvin
Tofler, back in 1970 wrote the book, "Future Shock", sharing his
perceptions and impact of "too much change in too short a period of
time". Change is a life stressor and a barrier to success for
many people today. What we need to understand is we have the
power to make the necessary changes and reach out for success if we
want really to. Even if we find ourselves in an unbearable situation we
can always find solace in the knowledge that this too would change.
Social networks or relationships are essential to our happiness. People
are different. Accept people for who or what they are, avoid
clashes, constant arguments, and let go of all kinds of resentments. If
arguments seem unavoidable still try and make an effort to understand
the situation and you might just get along with well. The Bible
reminds us, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at
peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18). This is great advice for anyone
looking for happiness in their success.
Finding ways to increase the happiness of others is a way to make your
life more healthy and successful.
To be happy and contented is a choice we make. Abraham Lincoln observed
that most people for most of the time can choose how happy or stressed,
how relaxed or troubled, how bright or dull their outlook to be. The
choice is simple really, choose to be happy.
There are a number of ways which you can do this as you reach out for
success.
1. Have an attitude of gratitude. We have so much to be thankful
for. Thank the taxi driver for bringing you home safely. Thank the cook
for a wonderful dinner and thank the guy who cleans your windows. Also
thank the store clerk for the speedy and efficient way they dealt with
your purchases. Thank the policeman for making your place safe and
thank God for being alive. Having a grateful heart will impact your
view of yourself and your willingness to reach out for success
in whatever form that may be.
2. News is stressful. Get less of it. Some people just can't start
their day without their daily dose of news. Try and think about it, 99%
of the news we hear or read is bad news. Starting the day with bad news
does not seem to be a sensible thing to do. Starting your day by
stressing over things that you have no control over will not provide a
healthy atmosphere for being successful.
3. Manage your time. Time is invaluable and too important to waste.
Time management can be viewed as a list of rules that involves
scheduling, setting goals, planning, creating lists of things to do and
prioritizing. These are the core basics of time management that should
be understood to develop an efficient personal time management skill.
These basic skills can be fine tuned further to include the finer
points of each skill that can give you that extra reserve to make the
results you desire. Wasted time is like turnovers in basketball.
The more you have, the more unlikely
you will be able to achieve the desired success you are looking
for. Wasted time can never be retrieved.
4. Laugh and laugh heartily everyday. Have you heard a good joke?
Share it with others. Share a smile. That frown turned
upside down will impact others in positive ways you can never imagine.
What a simple way to reach out for success! Happiness shared benefits
not only you but is multiplied over and over. Give a driver
waiting to get out of a street a chance to enter traffic and that
driver is more likely to pass the same favour on to some else. The
successful commute home is the one where everyone arrives home safely.
Reach out for success even in the small things of everyday living.
5. Express your feelings, affections, friendship and passion to people
around you. They will most likely reciprocate your actions. Try not to
harbour pent up anger of frustrations. This is bad for your health.
Instead find ways of expressing them in a way that will not cause more
injury or hurt to anyone. True success in life will only be attained as
you make the effort to reach out for success in your personal
relationships.
6. Working hard brings tremendous personal satisfaction. It gives a
feeling of being competent in finishing our tasks. Accomplishments are
necessary for all of us, they give us a sense of value. Starting
projects is good, but the prize goes to those who follow through to the
finish line. Work on things that you feel worthy of your time. Success
involves the character created and maintained through the process to
the finish.
7. Learning is a joyful exercise. Try and learn something new
everyday. Learning also makes us expand and broaden our horizons.
It helps to keep our minds active and healthy longer. This could also
give us more opportunities in the future as we reach out for success.
8. Exercise is important. Run, jog, walk and do other things that your
body was made for. Feel alive. Provide proper nutrition and exercise
for your body. If you are not feeling well your drive and
motivation for success will be reduced.
9. Spend time in prayer and meditation. You cannot accomplish
anything without God's help. Your eternal success is more
important than your earthly success. Reach out for success in the
area that matters most. Jesus said, "What good is it for a man to gain
the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? {37} Or what can a man give in
exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36-37, NIV)
These are the few simple things you can do everyday to in include the
happiness factor in your success.
And always remember the quote from Abraham Lincoln who said, "Most
people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."
By Bob McLellan
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