Much has been written about what might seem like a modern indulgence: the aim of being happy. I have previously added to the many, many articles online. And I enjoy (!) researching the topic, including articles on what makes us unhappy.
But, did you know that quite simply there are just 4 G’s in “happiness”?
First, Give: the importance of performing acts of kindness for others actually helps us be happy too. I was reading recently of a local recording of the TV show “DIY SOS” where volunteer tradespeople give their time to help a family facing difficult circumstances. For this episode, they needed 100 people over 9 days. Nearly one thousand plumbers, electricians, carpenters and gardeners applied to give their time and talent. Week after week the volunteers say how working on the project has been the most enjoyable initiative of their lives. Many organisations have schemes to encourage staff to give to local initiatives or charities. These have spinoff benefits for both staff and employer wellbeing. This blog explains a bit more about giving.
Second, are you Grounded, with realistic expectations? Mo Gawdat has written how manging our anticipation in situations is the easiest way to create joy.
Thirdly (and two G’s in one here), do you have clear goals for growth? One client I am working with is investing in helping all individuals (in all teams in all of their distributed locations) be really clear on their chosen goals and their plan to achieve them during 2018. They believe this will promote role and life satisfaction.
Finally, Gratitude: the importance of counting our blessings. Watch this space. My festive Business Briefing due in a week shares the twelve things I am grateful that 2017 has brought me. What are you pleased for? How do you keep focused on the good things in life, even when the journey is a bit rocky? One colleague regularly, even religiously, completes the journal book Two Minute Mornings. It asks you to jot down what you are grateful for (as well as what you will let go of and focus on) each day. She loves the impact it has for her. Leading speaker Michael Heppell shares how his Grateful List of 5 things to be thankful for each and every day is his most important ritual in life.
So, the 4G of happiness. Do they work for you? Does it give you the bandwidth for the life you want to live? So much better than GPRS (grumbles, pessimism, rumination and shame), I reckon.
