You went to work today dreading it. And what happened? Did a magical unicorn drop a bomb of happy on you?
No.
Your boss had you jump on a Zoom call first thing in the morning and asked why you made that decision last week. He proceeded to reprimand you, so before you got off the call, you were left feeling even smaller than you did when you sat down on your couch to kick off the morning.
Maybe you got up on the wrong side of the bed (because, hey, that happens every other day), went to the fridge and noticed that you would have to eat dry cereal because someone had finished the milk, and then discovered you were out of coffee too. And thus, the tone of the day was set.
Regardless of the outcome, it’s your outlook that matters.
Your Mindset Can Change Everything
If you see rain as bits of life enveloped into a tiny drop, then that’s what it is. If you see it as a barrier to watching your favorite band in the amphitheater, then that’s what it is.
The person who sees it as bits of life is going to be happy when it rains. No matter what. They see opportunity. They see growth. They see newness.
The person who sees it as a roadblock is going to be frustrated and aggravated. No matter what. They see struggle. They see inconvenience. Advertisement
The fact is, it’s going to rain. And the person who opens their eyes to the positive side of that rain isn’t going to suffer. They aren’t going to be troubled by it. They’ll welcome it. No matter what.
And that’s why they’ll stay happier. That’s why they’re more content in their jobs, have more friends, and don’t let a little rain stop them from living a good life.
Happy Starts With You
You want more happiness in your office or on this planet? It too starts with you.
Start with your vision of this life and the obstacles that come with it. See happiness and there will be happiness. Then what you will attract is more of that goodness. And who couldn’t use a better office environment or happier people to hang with?
If you’re not usually the rose-colored glasses type and you struggle to see that sunshine, it’s going to be difficult to shift your mind. But it can be done by changing your habits.
1. Acknowledge the good stuff. Regardless of the bad that’s around, stop to pinpoint some of the silver in it. Did your boss write you up? The good part about it is you’re closer to success because you now know what they expects. Did your car break down on the side of the road? No worries. You have a chance to spend some extra time with your significant other while they cart you around for a little while. Every storm has its benefit.
2. Start your day with the good stuff. Look past the frustration of yesterday to see what’s beautiful today. Did you sleep well? Do you have a roof over your head? Are you breathing? Look for every positive thing, no matter how small. You may choose to write them down. You may choose just to acknowledge them. Either way, give them significance.
3. End your day the same. Reflect on your day and look for every tiny victory. Did you get out of bed when you didn’t want to? Did you enjoy the leftovers your spouse packed for you (even though you’re not a fan, but they were busy and took time to squeeze in something for you instead of making you go through the drive-thru again)? Total up all the goodness for the day and sleep on them.
4. Never let an opportunity to praise someone pass you by. When you give others props, you open the door for your success and theirs. Spit it out. Give compliments. Make them feel good. It’ll make you feel good.
You are the captain. No one can give you happiness. It doesn’t come from money. It doesn’t come from fame (ask Zsa Zsa Gabor or Elizabeth Taylor). It doesn’t even come from closing deals.
You’re the only one who can cultivate a mindset of happy that will allow you to see the good in the bad, to feel the positive with the negative, and, more importantly, help you live a life fit for Pharrell.