If you still believe that happiness is the proverbial butterfly that comes and sits on your shoulder when you are not looking for it, then, I simply want to ask you — how is it going so far?
It took me a while, but I finally realised that nothing happens on its own. I believe in the garden of life. You have more chances of catching the butterfly if you go after it rather than waiting for it to come to you. Here are some quick tips that you can try to increase your existing levels of happiness.
Find what you love to do: Happiness lies in being sorted in your professional life. There are just two ways to be happy — do what you love and love everything you do. Ever wondered why most people are sad in their current jobs like they were in their previous ones? They changed the job or the boss but never changed their own attitude. Financial success and a lot of money may or may not make you happy, but lack of it will make you miserable.
Be selective about your network: Unhappiness in your life often comes in the form of people. Surround yourself with the achievers, doers and the positive thinkers. Get rid of complainers, blamers and those who like to play a victim.
Focus on the daily rituals: I feel my day is complete when I invest it on the rituals of meditation, reading, exercising, working, learning new skills, writing and spending quality time with nature and my family. Find out what matters to you the most and ritualise it. A daily ritual of gratitude and meditation can do wonders to your life.
Beware of what you consume: Do not let the social media mass marketing feed garbage into your head. Likewise, do not put any chemicals in your body that can mess with your health. Happiness resides at a place where mind and body operate in peak state.
(Siddhartha Sharma is the bestselling author of Love Your Mondays and retire young, 60 Keys to Success with NLP and many other books)
