Admit You’re Happy!
August is “Admit You’re Happy Month.” I’m not sure who decides these things but I like this one. Sometimes admitting you’re happy is easier said than done. Of course we want to be happy all the time, but it’s just not always in the cards. I look for tools and methods to help me in my ever-constant quest for happiness. Here’s one of those tools you can apply to your life today.
Less stress in your life allows more room for happiness, and we all have our own methods of de-stressing such as exercise, sleep, meditation, and chocolate (well, it works for me!). Did you know that pending big decisions also cause stress? And no amount of chocolate can help you make a big important decision (although in the name of science I continue to experiment with this idea).
My coaching clients often ask how I make big decisions. How did I decide to leave everything behind and spend six years sailing around the world? One word: Priorities. Because sailing around the world was my top priority, I was willing to forego my career, income, security, home, and identity. That was a strong top priority!
When you know what your priorities are, make your decisions and choices based on them. This will make your decision-making process much easier. Here’s how to do it. This is the same method we used on the boat to decide what had to be done before we could leave to cross an ocean. As you can imagine, we had list after list of to-do items and only by prioritizing them were we able to manage them all. So we categorized them as follows:
For example, having a working engine was an “A” or we couldn’t even leave the marina. Varnishing the woodwork sadly ended up in the “D” category. Now take this easy system and incorporate it into your work and personal life. What are your “A” priorities? Family? Money? Business? Health? Travel? Helping others? Becoming an entrepreneur? When you have your priorities in place, every decision you make should be automatic. And when you make decisions based on your priorities, you’ll have much less stress because you know you’re making the right decision. So if losing weight were an “A” priority, I would guess that vodka and chocolate would be in your “D” category. I know, that’s a sad example isn’t it?
Easier decision-making based on your priorities will reduce stress in your life. Reduced stress will increase your happiness. Now, join in celebrating August as “Admit You’re Happy Month!” C’mon! Admit it!
To Your Success and Happiness!
Larry Jacobson
Your Retirement Life-Style Design Coach
Larry Jacobson is America’s #1 trusted authority on non-fiscal retirement life-style planning. He is the creator of the Award-Winning “Sail Into Retirement” life-style design program; developed based on his own Retirement Transformation Experience. He retired early and sailed around the world… in 6 years. Larry is a two-time TEDx speaker, and a regular speaker at Retirement and Life-Style Planning events. Larry believes only in teaching what he knows, and he loves helping his clients turn their passion into their dream retirement. If you’d like to explore inviting Larry to speak at your organization’s next event; or if you’d like to be coached by Larry, Click HERE to contact him!
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