Happiness is a complicated topic. It’s not easy to define, and it’s even more difficult to measure.
Happiness can be found in many different things, such as success, positive emotions, and life satisfaction.
It’s also important to know what happiness isn’t. For example, happiness isn’t a state of elation that’s short-lived.
1. Define Your Values
The best way to create a happy, fulfilling life is to have an idea of your personal values. Each person’s list of core values is unique, with different amounts of importance assigned to each value.
Your core values may be learned from your family, teachers, religious leaders or society around you. You may also identify your own values by examining the actions and choices of people you admire (like Martin Luther King).
The most important step in discovering your personal values is aligning them with your day-to-day decisions. Write your list of values and refer to them on a daily basis. It’s even helpful to add your list of values to the background of your mobile phone, so it’s there for you as you go about your day!
3. Be Aligned with Your Values
When you’re aligned with your values, it feels like everything is falling into place. For example, if you value integrity, you would not compromise your work or ethics for any reason. In fact, you may even be inspired to seek out roles and opportunities that better align with your core values.
Choosing your values and learning how to live in alignment with them is one of the most important things you can do to find happiness. It’s also challenging. It’s easy to recognize the values that you have inherited from your parents and society, but much more difficult to reconstruct a life that is in line with those values.
Start by writing down your current list of values. Once you have a complete list, begin to rank them in order of importance.
4. Take Action to Make Your Dreams a Reality
No one will do your dreams for you, and they will not be realized if you don’t take action. Achieving your dreams does not mean taking away from others, just like climbing a mountain, there are switch backs to choose from as you move toward your goal. Visualize your goals, and set realistic yet ambitious plans. Practice gratitude daily, as it inspires positive thoughts and will help to overcome obstacles.
Keep in mind, you will encounter days when you are unmotivated, or when the thought of pursuing your goals seems overwhelming. When this happens, focus on your strengths and count your wins. Even the smallest accomplishment counts. Just be sure to avoid self-destructive habits, like alcohol or non-stop partying, that will only interfere with your progress.
5. Take Care of Yourself
It’s easy to get distracted by long-term goals, but remember to spend time each day on the small things that make you happy. Whether it’s complimenting a friend or taking a long shower, these habits can boost your happiness over time.
Happiness is a feeling that comes from many sources, including dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. These hormones encourage us to repeat activities that give pleasure, such as smiling and eating delicious foods.
Keeping a journal can be an effective way to track your feelings and improve self-esteem. It doesn’t have to be a novel, but writing a few lines before going to bed can help you reflect on the good and bad. It can also be helpful to write down what you appreciate in your life so that you can remind yourself of the positives when you’re down.