12 Keys to a Happier Life

The World Book of Happiness puts forward substantial evidence for 12 key factors that determine one’s degree of happiness. It follows that the most effective way to lead a happier life is to embrace these factors and put them to work for you.

Here’s a short summary of the twelve keys to a happier life and my own take on them:

1. Accept what you have

Happy people appear to have more modest levels of expectation, are more content with, and less likely to complain about, what they have.

I don’t believe that happy people are any less driven or motivated to achieve things. I think they are far more in touch with their goals thanks to an ability to visualise and set \’stepping stones\’ or clear \’pathways\’ towards their achievement. As a consequence, things seem more realistic and achievable to them.

2. Enjoy what you do

You may think this is a ‘no brainer’!

In truth though, a great many people have been programmed to believe that you have to earn the right to happiness.

In other words, you need to be prepared to endure many years of hard work and sacrifice, putting up with a job or people you don\’t necessarily like, to reap the rewards of a happy retirement.
I think this factor is is intimately connected with the next one …

3. Live for today

Happy people live for the present day, realising that if they can\’t be happy today it is unlikely that they will be happy tomorrow.

In my opinion, a huge barrier to happiness for many is a predisposition for worrying about what has happened in the past and/or about what might happen in the future.

On both accounts, the worry is misplaced. We cannot change the past. We can certainly influence the future, not through worrying about it, but by taking inspired action in the present.

4. Choose happiness

Happiness is, after all, a lifestyle choice!

Some people have become so used to being unhappy that they have forgotten that happiness is simply a state of mind, or state of being over which they have complete control.

Why not wake up in the morning and make that simple conscious choice to be happy?

5. Nurture your relationships

It would be impossible to be happy in a world in which you were completely isolated or totally alone.

Individual happiness is fed by positive and constructive relationships with others. And it\’s very much a give and take because we are all \’others\’ to someone else.

6. Stay busy

Happy people tend to keep their minds and bodies active and have rich social lives that are rewarding, meaningful and fun.

In my opinion, variety is, indeed, the spice of life. Without the occasional change of scenery, new experiences and even new challenges, life will become repetitive, monotonous, dull and boring.

On the other hand, constant, significant change can be overwhelming and very stressful.

It’s important to find the right balance. That said, it’s better to err on the side of being more active than less.

7. Avoid comparison with others

Ambition is healthy. Envy is unhealthy.

Comparison with others should be avoided unless it is done with the aim of learning something useful and growing as an individual.

As the saying goes, you won’t have to look far to find someone richer, slimmer or more good looking. Remember that to some others you are that someone. Refer back to point 1.

8. Be who you are

Happy people don\’t worry unnecessarily about what others think or say about them. They are more spontaneous and more natural. They enjoy the personal freedom that comes from being true to what they expect of themselves rather than what they believe others expect of them.

I suggest you think about how often you say the words “I really ought to …” or \”I should …”. These are clear indications of giving priority to what you believe others may think, above what you really want for yourself.

Put yourself first. If you are not happy, how will you make others happy?

9. Stop worrying

This may seem obvious and – to the worriers out there – easy to say but difficult to do.

However, worry is a destructive waste of time and energy that could otherwise be chanelled into constructive actions that can lead to a state of happiness. Refer back to point 3.

Learn not to take life – or yourself – too seriously!

10. Get organised

Consistently happy people generally know and understand their purpose in life. They set goals that are aligned with that purpose.

They are well organised without being slaves to organisation for organisation’s sake.

11. Think positively

An optimistic outlook is a great self defence mechanism against depression. Learn to cultivate a \’glass-half-full\’ outlook rather than a \’glass-half-empty\’ one. Set modestly positive expectations and celebrate when they are met or exceeded.

12. Adopt happiness as a core value

Really happy people understand that being happy adds years to their lives through adding life to their years. They go out of their way to find purpose and meaning in what they do, knowing that happiness is the outcome.

When you consciously choose happiness as one of your top values, you will begin to align your goals, actions and behaviours such that happiness is an assured outcome.