I always like to surround myself with happy, positive people – I have enough pragmatism for us all! – you should see the people I work with – it’s like one big happy convention everyday at work. Which is great for pick-me-ups, not so great if you’re just having a bad day and need to punch someone! It’s not say everyone is happy, every second, but I think when you search out happy people, for the most part – they are usually happy. I going to list 12 things that Happy HR People do more than non-Happy HR People – see if you see yourself in any of these –
1. Express Gratitude – When I let someone know how truly thankful I am for what they do, or did, it makes me feel happy, and I’m sure it makes them feel happy.
2. Cultivate Optimism – I start everyday truly believing I can accomplish anything I set out to today. Not in a naive way, but in a way where I don’t feel anyone is going to put up a roadblock in front of me – except myself.
3. Avoid over-thinking and Social comparisons – I know so many people that struggle with this one. I’m truly one of those people who feel so happy and excited for others when they find success. I always think that they finding success will have a positive impact to me finding success – so let’s just all be successful together! To many people think the opposite.
4. Practice Acts of Kindness – Just yesterday I almost let someone cut in front of me in traffic! Oh wait, that probably doesn’t meet this criteria! So, I struggle with this – I like to think I’m a kind person, but I see so many people who are so much more kind than I am – I know I can do better!
5. Nurture Social Relationships – This is why I love HR! We are put into a position within our organizations where this is/should be the majority of our job description. We get to build relationships everyday, and we are getting paid to do it – isn’t that wonderful?!
6. Develop a Strategy for Coping – I’m a move forward person – this isn’t to say I’m going to forget about what just happened – I learn from it – but I move forward. My organization needs me to do this – you take a step back on a Monday – it’s my job on Tuesday to take a step forward – not stand around and laminate about Monday. That’s how I cope.
7. Learn To Forgive – I think my wife would say this is by far my greatest strength – I Forgive – don’t hold grudges. It’s just not something I want to carry around – there is too much great stuff in my life not to forgive and move on. Again, I don’t want to confuse forgiving someone vs. forgetting what someone did – I can move forward, but it just not might be as it was before – that life. But I won’t be carrying around your issues anymore!
8. Increase Flow Experiences – Flow is a state in which it feels like time stands still. Watching my sons play sports, listening to my son read aloud to me, laughing with my wife as we sleep in on a Sunday morning, hearing my sons laugh as they tickle each other. In the end of life – you will never feel like you had too many of these experiences – you will definitely feel like you had to many “work” experiences.
9. Savor Life’s Joys – I love lying in bed, with the windows open and listening to it rain. Sitting on a perfectly still, calm lake and seeing the ripples of the water. Watching my sons concentrate when they are writing or doing art and seeing their tongue move around in their mouth, without them knowing they are doing it. And Diet Mt. Dew – that’s pretty good to!
10. Commit to Your Goals – Have you talked to someone recently who set out to run a marathon or lose so much weight – and they did it!? Talk about happy! Committing to, and reaching your goals drives happiness beyond that which you can imagine.
11. Practice Spirituality – I’m not a church goer, but I know there are forces in life bigger than myself. Being able to understand we are just one small little piece of what’s really going on, helps put life into perspective.
12. Take Care of Your Body – It’s crucial to your well being – and I know most of us can do much better than we do – but don’t ever underestimate how important this is to the over scheme of your happiness. Energy is such a critical part of maintaining long-term happiness, and picking yourself up when we hit rough patches. It’s just that they keep making these stupid restaurants that prepare such wonderful food! 😉
(adapted from 12 Things Happy People Do Differently – by Jacob Soko)
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I think your point 3 is critical. It is essential that you not beat yourself up because you think someone has achieved something that you have not yet achieved.
Great article Tim, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and agree with every point you have made. When people ask me how I am, my typical (and sincere) response is “I’m great” – its amusing but also somewhat sad how many people are taken aback or surprised. That said, what often I then hear is “thats a really good response”. The reality in my mind is everyone can have that response; to me happiness is a choice and the points you make so well in your article are key ways of fulfilling that choice. I particularly enjoyed your descriptions of laughing with your wife and watching your kids draw. I’m also blessed to be in a great marriage with awesome kids that make me all mushy every day. Thanks again 🙂
What an awesome column! Everyone should print this & hang it by the bathroom mirror as a reminder. Happiness is a choice we can make, & this list reminds me that I need to step outside myself and appreciate all the little things that create happiness. Thanks Tim!
This is good but who wrote this and where is Tim Sackett?