The Bite-Sized Guide to Instant Happiness
I’ve had a spot on a local radio show…
and as I am learning fast, radio talk on a music station needs to be in bite-sized chunks! So in honour of bite-sized chunks, here is my guide to instant happiness…
1. Focus on what you do well
Find other people to fill the gaps in your skills and knowledge. You’ll be doing you both a favour. Many people invest too much time in the school days error of thinking you need to be good at everything.
Recognise that other people fill the gaps in your skills and knowledge. Use them and let them use you to the best of your ability. This way everyone’s a winner.
2. Energy: Notice where your energy flows
Put your attention on those things that inspire and engage you. Firstly, If you have a decision to make and you’re not sure which option to choose, try this simple exercise:
- Talk to someone you trust about ‘option 1’ and notice how you feel – inspired? Invigorated? Or pressured? Indifferent?
next…
Talk about option 2 – notice where you energy flows. Do you feel inspired, happy, enthused?
Whichever option fills you with more enthusiasm is the way forward. It’s that simple. Really. If you are unsure, ask the person listening to detect the changes in your tone of voice if you really can’t sense the best option for you.
The problem with the best option, is that it may not seem like the most obvious option, or most considered option and you’ll naturally try to make excuses. Your enthusiasm for the best choice won’t be hidden, though, I assure you. It will shine through.
2. Remove or limit access to energy vampire people. These are the people who suck the life right out of you. Some people are just not good for your health.
Minimise contact or avoid them altogether. If that is not possible, build an imaginary protective coat around yourself so that their negative vibe bounces off of you and you do not absorb any of their negative energy.
3. What you focus on expands
You have the power at any moment to increase or decrease your state of happiness. You can move anything nearer or further from your immediate attention.
Think of your biggest trouble at the moment. Put the picture of it right in front of you. Now imagine that you take that picture and condense it down into a spec of dust, then a gust of wind takes it away, far far away.
Next, think of a time when you were at your best- bright, funny, full of energy. Put that image in front of you right now. Turn that up by 50%, notice what you see hear and feel in that scene. Step into it, let that become your present state of mind.
4. Belief systems
If you are getting in your own way, examine the evidence of why something is not possible before just accepting it as true.
There is no ‘common’ reality, we create our own reality through our beliefs and values. If something is not serving you well, there is always something else that you can replace the unhelpful belief with. If you are struggling with thinking ‘what are my beliefs?’ just look around you, everything in your world is a product of what you believe is possible and true for you. If something isn’t to your liking you have the power to change it!
5. Never take anything personally
It’s never personal, ever. Other people project on to you what they believe is true (see number 4 above!) and it is in no way a reflection of you. Remove any unnecessary suffering by choosing to not take it personally.
6. Laugh at yourself
We are all human, we all make mistakes. Style it out. Laugh at yourself. Go on, start now….
Until next time…
