I’m a huge fan of the new song by Pharell Williams, Happy. I’m not sure if it’s possible to listen to the song or watch the video without a smile on your face. It’s four minutes and six seconds of pure happiness. I find it a great way to start my day…especially when I get up and do the “happy dance” while I listen.
But is that enough to be truly happy? While the song is a great mood booster and an awesome pick-me-up, it alone can’t sustain my happiness. Which then begs the question, “What will make me truly happy?”
Since I do a lot of work in the field of emotional intelligence (it’s what drives our success, growth and fulfillment in work and life) with my clients, I actually know what does sustain happiness for the long-term. In the emotional intelligence world, it’s referred to as your Well-Being Indicator. It’s your “feeling of satisfaction, contentment, and the ability to enjoy the many aspects of your life.” Sounds a little formal doesn’t it? Don’t let that dampen your spirits, because the good news is that we can learn to be happier!
- Would you like to exude cheerfulness at both work and play while participating in activities you truly enjoy? (If you said, “bah-humbug,” you really do need to lighten up!)
- Do you want to be seen by others as motivating and inspiring? (Come on, you know you do!)
- Do you want to be resilient when faced with obstacles? (Sure beats the alternative!)
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you’re in luck, because we are in charge of our own happiness. That’s not to say that we simply choose to be happy and we are. While that can help, it’s a little too simplified and won’t usually last when the sh*t hits the fan.
From the research and findings in the field of emotional intelligence, we know that there are actually four areas that most directly impact our happiness. These are:
1. Self-Regard – Happiness is a by-product of believing in yourself and living a life according to what’s important to you – your values and beliefs. Your self-regard promotes positive feelings about yourself and enhances your confidence and satisfaction.
2. Interpersonal Relationships – It should be no surprise that having meaningful and important relationships is a great comfort and joy in life. These relationships actually act as a buffer against life’s daily demands and provide support and encouragement to you on a regular basis.
3. Optimism – When you face setbacks or disappointments, your ability to rebound and reclaim your happiness is largely contingent on one thing – your optimism for the future. Being optimistic is an outlook that makes you hopeful about the future and gives you the energy to tackle whatever obstacles stand in your way.
4. Self-Actualization – Happiness is created by your willingness to grow and learn on your journey. This must be aligned with your values and what is important to you. Self-actualization is simply the pursuit of meaning. When you are doing work and living a life with purpose and meaning to you, your happiness will soar.
So the next question is obvious, how do I improve those four things that drive my happiness? I’ll share some time-proven strategies next week in Part 2 of this article.
