subject: How To Discover What Makes You Happy [print this page] Whatever it is that you are seeking in your life, the starting point is understanding what really makes you happy. Quite simply for you to really succeed you must be passionate about all that you do. This may mean your job, your business, what you do in your leisure time, or your relationships. So now is a good time to take a step back and ask yourself a couple of questions:
"Am I happy with all aspects of my life?"
"Do I really enjoy what I do?"
Here's a quotation for you to ponder by Albert Schweitzer (Theologian, Physician, Philosopher, and Musician):
"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."
At first glance that may seem obvious but it is only when you really think about it and compare it with how you live your life that it takes on real meaning.
Sadly the fact is that as adults, although we tell ourselves that we are looking for happiness, we lose focus on actually being happy. Instead we become obsessed with all the perceived priorities in life - getting good grades at school or college; finding a good job; getting married and raising a family; buying a nice house; going on holidays; and earning the money needed to do all those things. But in reality these so-called priorities actually get in the way of doing what truly makes us happy.
In fact it's often true that until we genuinely take the time to think about it, we don't even know what will make us happy!
So take a little time today to consider your own happiness and what it really means. These few tips will help you:
- Clear your mind and think about those specific moments in your life when you were truly happy. Write them down and then think about the feelings you had at the time and write them down too.
- Think back to your childhood years and recall all the things you did that brought happiness. Write them down too.
- Consider all the things you do in your life at present that are genuinely enjoyable. This may be those little indulgences that you can only find a few moments for in your busy life and that you may even feel guilty about. But they are important so write them all down.
- Think about the things that you have always said you would do if you had the time, or the money, or the qualifications. Add them to your written lists.
- Picture in your mind your ideal life doing all the things you enjoy and feel the emotions created. Write down what that ideal life would be and how it would truly make you feel.
- Then start to piece all these things together and see how they can be incorporated into your life today. What simple changes can you make so that you can start to live your ideal life?
If you truly want success then you must first be able to create happiness in your life. By working through these steps and acting upon what they reveal you will discover just where you need to begin to do so.
