It only takes one person to make you happy and change your life: YOU.
I am endlessly fascinated by the link between the way we choose to live our lives and the happiness we enjoy on a daily basis. There are choices that you make every day, some of which seem completely unrelated to your happiness, that dramatically impact the way you feel mentally and physically.
Over the years, through our coaching practice, live events, and happiness course, Marc and I have literally spoken to hundreds of people who are struggling to find happiness in their lives. And what we’ve found is that it usually isn’t what you have, where you are, or what you’ve been through that makes you happy or unhappy, it’s how you think about it all and what you do with it.
In our daily lives it’s easy to miss the forest for the trees and completely overlook some of the small, simple things that can disproportionally affect our levels of happiness and general fulfillment.
Luckily, you don’t have to figure it out all by yourself. Marc and I have spent the better part of a decade working one-on-one with our clients and finding the right habits and behaviors that support sustained happiness. Below, I take a quick look at some of the more actionable tips that can be easily worked into your daily routine.
- Start steadying yourself with simple rituals. – When life feels like an emotional roller coaster, steady yourself with simple rituals. Make the bed. Water the plants. Rinse off your own bowl and spoon. Simplicity attracts calmness and wisdom.
- Start learning to be more human again. – Gadgets are great, but they can get in the way if you aren’t careful. Control them so they don’t control you. In other words, put down the phone. Don’t avoid eye contact. Don’t hide behind a screen. Ask about people’s stories. Listen. And smile together.
- Start filtering out the noise in your life. – Be careful about who you give the microphone and stage to in your life. Don’t just listen to the loudest voice. Listen to the truest one.
- Start choosing differently, for your own well-being. – A big part of your life is a result of the little choices you make every day. If you don’t like some part of your life, it’s time to start tweaking things and making better choices, right now, right where you are.
- Start being way more productive than you are busy. – There’s a big difference between being busy and being productive. Don’t confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but never makes any forward progress. In other words…
- Start dedicating time every day to meaningful activities. – What you do every day matters, but WHY you do what you do matters even more. So quit doing just what you’re able to do; figure out what you were made to do, and then do more of it. And if you only have fifteen minutes a day to spare, no problem – make those fifteen minutes meaningful.
- Start being present. – If your mind carries a heavy burden from the past, you will experience more of the same. Let it go. And also be careful not to dwell so much on creating your perfect future life that you forget to live today. Be here now and make the most of it. (Read The Untethered Soul.)
- Start replacing your worries with positive actions. – Most of the things I’ve worried about didn’t happen. Most of the things I’ve hoped for and worked hard for did. The same is true for the happiest and most successful people I’ve talked to and worked with over the years. So keep dreaming and keep DOING.
- Start running toward things, not away from them. – The best way to move away from something negative is to move toward something positive.
- Start letting your love overpower your fear. – There are only two energies at the core of the human experience: Love and Fear. Fear pushes what you want away from you. Love draws it in.
- Start doing what’s right, even if it’s not the easiest option. – Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Just because it’s easy, doesn’t mean it’s worth your while. Do what’s right, not what’s easiest right now. It’s a less stressful and regretful way to live in the long run.
- Start comparing yourself to yourself, and no one else. – Forget what others have and where they are. You’re not walking in their shoes, and you’ll never comfortably walk in your own if you keep comparing yourself to them. So focus on what’s best for YOU and your unique circumstances. What do you need to do next for your own objectives? Do it! You won’t be distracted by comparison if you’re captivated with purpose.
- Start being genuinely happy for others. – The more beauty you sincerely find in someone else’s journey, the less you’ll want to compare it directly to your own.
- Start being more tolerant of those who see things differently. – Remember, love and kindness begets love and kindness. The way we love people we disagree with is the best evidence of what we really believe about ourselves.
- Start letting grace have the last word. – We’ll only lose the arguments our pride insists on winning. When it’s more important to win arguments than love people, we need to start all over again with our faith and priorities.
- Start giving without expectations. – You will end up very disappointed if you expect people will always do for you as you do for them. Not everyone has the same heart as you. Which is why you sometimes must give twice as much without expectations to eventually get something better than you ever imagined. It’s about the long-term, big picture. The fact that you can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another’s, smile at someone and give them hope, is proof that generosity works wonders behind the scenes. So…
- Start being the difference you want to see in the world. – Honestly, you were born with the ability to change someone’s life. Don’t ever waste it. Be kind. Be present. Be someone who makes a difference. What you give to another person is really what you give to yourself. When you treat others with love, you learn that you are lovable too.
- Start SHOWING your loved ones what they mean to you. – People who spend all their time trying to make money, spend all their money trying to make time. Don’t do this to yourself. Put first things first. Our closest relationships are vital to our overall wealth and happiness. As we tell those we love that we love them, we must never forget that the highest compliment is not to utter words, but to live by them.
- Start being grateful for the life that is yours. – Gratitude is simply the awareness of what’s good. Count your blessings, no matter how small, and start with the breath you’re taking now.
- Start replacing the phrase “I have to” with “I get to” whenever you catch yourself starting to complain. – So many activities we complain about are things others wish they had the chance to do.
- Start opening up to new growth opportunities. – In almost every situation, a little more willingness to acknowledge that there may be something you do not know could change everything. Go somewhere new, and countless opportunities suddenly appear. Do something differently, and all sorts of great new possibilities spring up. Keep an open mind and have fun with life.
- Start letting little frustrations go as soon as they arrive. – You can’t let one bad moment spoil a bunch of good ones. Don’t let the silly little dramas of each day get you down. Happiness starts on the inside. You control your thoughts about everything. Meaning, the only person who can hurt your happiness in the long run is YOU.
- Start focusing only on what you can control. – Never force anything. Give it your best shot and then let it be. If it’s meant to be, it will be. Don’t hold yourself down with things you can’t control.
- Start turning the pages that need to be turned. – No book is just one chapter. No chapter tells the whole story. No mistake defines who we are. Keep turning the pages that need to be turned. (Marc and I discuss this in detail in the “Adversity” chapter of 1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently.)
- Start embracing the lessons life is teaching you. – Everything that happens helps you grow. Sometimes painful experiences teach us priceless life lessons we didn’t think we needed to know. If you’re having problems, that’s good. It means you’re making progress. The only people with no problems are the ones doing nothing.
- Start measuring your progress every day, no matter how small. – You are a work in progress; which means you get there a little at a time, not all at once. You may not be where you want to be yet, but look how far you’ve come, and be grateful that you’re not stuck where you once were.
- Start embracing the uncertainty in front of you. – Don’t let not knowing how it’ll end keep you from beginning. Uncertainty chases us out into the open where life’s true magic is waiting.
Afterthoughts
Today, I hope you will have a delightful day, that you will dream boldly and dangerously, that you will make something that didn’t exist before you took action, that you will love and be loved in return, and that you will find the strength to accept and grow from the troubles you can’t change. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and wisdom in this crazy world), that you will, when you must, be wise with your decisions, and that you will always be extra kind to yourself and others.
The floor is yours…
What would you add to this post? What’s something you do on a regular basis that has helped you find more happiness in life? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.
Photo by: Dada
Vishal says
You books and emails have been lifelines to me this past year! Thank you.
In this post….
‘Start replacing “I have to” with “I get to”.’
Such a lovely concept! Makes the difference between choosing to be a victim of something or learning from it.
Something similar happened yesterday. My bike’s accelerator cable snapped while I was leaving from home. My friend said I had bad luck. I said it was great luck because it happened close to home and not on a bustling highway.
Susan says
One of the primary reasons I read your blog, books, and have attended your Think Better conference, is to alleviate my attachments to various expectations that have been driving me and my husband nuts for far too long.
To live with less expectations is how I have found more happiness. One of my favorite reminders: “Is it sweeter to get what you expected or sweeter when you didn’t expect, and received?” I now understand that having too many expectations is spending too much of my time in the future and not enough time in the present. I work at this daily. Thank you for all the lessons.
Kevin Benson says
Great post filled with simple ideas that work. I’ve mentioned some of this before on previous post on increasing happiness, but I wanted to reiterate.
What I have learned during my life is that, to a degree, we have to go against this world. Because if we follow every little thing that society has told us is the correct path to follow, we will likely not succeed or find happiness. So many of us are only focused on making money and chasing the dream it buys.
This model works for some people, but sends many of us into a tailspin of confusion and depression. We spend all our time chasing things, and not enough time enjoying what we have.
Happiness is not about having the latest in cellphone, car, appliances, TV, a perfect looking significant other, etc. Happiness comes from the little things, like a sunshine filled day, the sunrise and sunset, a marvelous landscape, a great conversation, the taste of a fresh fruit, a healthy body, etc. And this in one of the reasons I fell in love with your blog, book, emails, etc. – much of your writing reminds me that happiness and success is not found in excess, but in simplifying life to focus on the essentials.
Amy says
Well said. These posts have been a light in times of darkness.
Jenna says
Isn’t it amazing that happiness is so elusive? You’ve given some wonderful habits to focus on in our daily lives to help us all maintain a happiness attitude. The ones important for me are filtering out the noise in my life, being present in the now, and being tolerant of those who see things differently. I don’t think I could add anything to your post. There are enough tips here to last straight through the year ahead. I could return to this list and act on others that will benefit me as a person and bring daily happiness. Thanks so much for your post.
Judith Bastian says
Thank you for sharing every post. Each one helps me through another difficult day/week/year.
alfi says
These tips were truly helpful. I practice a lot of them, but it’s great to be reminded of why.
Anna says
Reversing my thought processes, and focusing on what I have and knowing that I cannot be the fixer for people I love (I can love them). This has helped me find more happiness.
Tracy says
Great reminders in this article. Reminders me of why I love your 1,000 little things and 1,000 little habits books.
And one thing that has particularly helped my happiness in recent times: When someone does something foolish and I start to get angry, I imagine that they must be having some bad circumstances in their life to cause this behavior and I find sympathy rather than anger. I look around and see the reaction of others to this action and I decide that if I meet that person with an equal reaction, I am letting them control me and I will create the same reaction. In the end, nothing is better.
Isobelle says
Replace “I have to” with “I get to ”
On the chalk board as a reminder … So simple a message but we need remindings. Thank you
Kristine Adams says
Particularly during this season with expectations and eclipsing thoughts of past traditional ways to celebrate, I appreciate your reminder to find my own center. This is MY life, to enjoy and share freely.
Patti says
I loved the point that ‘not everyone has the heart (and morals) you have’. Seeing these words in print helps put me at peace with this reality so that I don’t struggle with it any longer.
Patti says
Something small I do everyday that makes a difference in my life is ‘smile’ at strangers who I encounter in my comings and goings. It’s contagious and it feels wonderful!
Lorraine J Arcand says
I too try to smile at others with my eyes as my mask covers my mouth.
Lindsay says
“You won’t be distracted by comparison if you’re captivated with purpose.”
Beautiful advice, I reread that line several times to let it sink in fully!
David says
I like the quote Susan provided. It immediately prompted a question in my mind:
Would your rather have your expectations of others met, or your dreams fulfilled?
And my quick retort was: I am not even meeting the expectations I have for myself. No wonder why I am so darn frustrated. I just need to focus on what I can control, influence, do, fix and release. Maybe I need to completely readjust my thinking first…
Ellen says
Some lovely thoughts and reminders at this time of one year moving into another. Making next year a year of meaningful, human connection, full of more ‘relationship wealth’ seems like a great ambition and a good touchstone reminder for the year. Thanks for the ideas and wishing you a wonderful holiday season.
Sani says
A potential life-changing article. I’d recommend converting the items to checklist as progress indicators to be checked off each day, week or at an interval one is comfortable with. How we live our life can be a checkable series of events against these issues, whether as accomplishments or targets to be achieved.
Thank you for this great piece annd for your Think Better Live Better recordings!
Alison Phillips says
I have been trying to tell this concept to people including my family, but the wording never really seems to come out precisely right. It’s all about expectations of others really. The trouble is, you cannot control another person, and they have the right to make mistakes and learn from them, or even not learn from them and continue to fail. They have that right as a grown person. It’s okay to be helpful but not try to pin who you think they should be, or have the capacity to be on them, because it’s not fair. We should want the best for them, we should be there for them, but never expect anything from them. Hopes are fine, but when we’re disappointed with what someone has done, we are the ones to blame. If we didn’t have expectations for them to meet that they cannot live up to, we wouldn’t be let down. It’s time to remember why we love the people closest to us in the first place, regardless of the choices they make. Our high standards are our own, nobody else should have to suffer because they don’t live up to them. THAT is huge in terms of happiness. And it’s something I will be practicing in the year ahead.
T S says
Thank you for this beautiful list as we head into a new year.
It was absolutely splendid to read and couldn’t agree more.
Should one truly care to obtain happiness, follow 5 of the 27 items of this list and well-being will be yours.
Thanks again,
Slay
lisa thomson says
Love all of these tips! I can’t think what else to add, it’s so complete. Gratitude and letting go of the past are some things I’d like to work on. Thank you for this post. 🙂
Mick says
I would add one action that is, initially, less emotional than those listed here. That is, take care of your body. Wellness and fitness lead to greater clarity of thought, improved physical health, and a general sense of well-being. Armed with these, we are better prepared to deal with the challenges of daily life and to recognize the blessings that come our way.
Cecelia says
This article was a great reminder of how we’re in control of at least some piece of our happiness. I recently journaled about what’s next on my life’s journey. I want to make sure that I’m doing what I feel is best and not what someone else feels is best for me. I’m learning the art of sitting silently and letting the answers come, and then taking small steps. Thank you.
Billie S says
Very nice. I have a Gratitude Jar and make regular deposits in it. Sometimes if I am feeling a bit off, I will spot it add add a few items. I always feel better then.
Sandy Peckinpah says
Marc and Angel, Happy early New Year 2022! Thank you for the millions of words you write in books, emails, and posts that change lives. In your post today, number 2 said “start learning to be more human again.” I’m so glad that was at the beginning because as a writer, I can easily isolate for hours and pretend that posting on social networks is the same as having human contact. I need to start building breaks into my work day for human contact. Thanks for the reminder!
Kim says
This blog made my day, thanks! Will keep your sayings for my new year’s list 🙂
David says
Your words and videos from the Think Better Live Better conference were healing tools for me this past year or so. Just wanted to leave a note to say Thank You.
Holly Cunningham says
Beautifully stated. “Happier” is my focus word for 2022 as I am sitting down to reflect on this past tumultuous year and plan for a better year ahead. Your article is perfectly timed! Choosing any one of these as a ritualistic focus would make a difference by the end of the year.
Anne says
Thank you. Thank you for this. I’m going through a very tough time in my life in almost every area and this really made me refocus my attention on things that actually matter like a cup of tea or getting/giving a long-awaited hug. It’s one thing to tell yourself to just be more positive and another to see a handful of well-stated how’s in front of you. Some of these will need to be sprinkled on the walls via post-it notes, I think.
Rojanie says
I have been reading your blog for almost 6 months now, and I already completed your Getting Back to Happiness course. And so far I felt that the teachings are helping me mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Right now I am really having a hard time in a foreign land and wanting to be home with my family but my relatives here are discouraging me but this is not what I wanted ( my mind and heart is not in tune) and I want to decide for my own happiness. Just like the other readers, my goal in the year ahead is to be happier and to be a peace with each uncertain step. I hope you will continue guidance and inspire other people like me. 🙂
Ann says
I have just started paid work after a long while unable to work because of mental illness and depression. A big part of my healing is thanks to your daily feeds on my Facebook page and daily reminders from your books. I am so grateful. When I have a bad day I turn to your words and remember how to think positively and be grateful for what I have. I am still working on on everything, it’s a daily struggle that I need reminding of every day. Thank you both for being there. And I am looking forward to a brighter 2022.
Cindie Beach says
Thank you for the wonderful guidance you share. It always brings me brevity.
Heather Crofskey says
Keeping love in my heart everyday stops negatives from creeping in. Marc & Angel confirm on a regular basis for me that the Laws of the Universe and Life if followed result in happiness. God bless you!
Jen says
How true….one can have all the money in the world…but if your other half is not around..then all that money is worthless…
So live life to the fullest..make great memories…do what you you have to do right away…life is too fragile and priceless.
Melissa says
Wonderful post!! Loved all the reminders, especially the one about being more focused so much on my goals/ purpose and not comparing myself to others. I also am trying to be more present and not compare myself to my former self! I would add the basics that I still need reminders of: 1) drink enough water, 2) get enough sleep (have a regular bedtime- that helps), and 3) do some daily exercise-at least walking or stretching. Thanks for your messages! Love your content.
Steven says
Thank you for writing and sharing this article – it was an inspiring and insightful read. And a great way to start my day.
It takes real energy, focus and effort to apply positive practices into our lives. After all, it’s easy to fall into the trap of moaning, laziness, self pity, etc. Therefore, my only real addition to this list would be to realise negative thought patterns early on and flood them / replace them with positive ones (eg. love, gratitude, determination, etc).
Thanks again and best wishes.
Janice says
I just LOVE y’all! You inspire me to be a better person every day! Please never stop! Thank you!! ?????