1. Start each
day with expectation.
If there's any big truth about life, it's that it usually lives up
to (or down to) your expectations. Therefore, when you rise from bed, make your
first thought: "something wonderful is going to happen today." Guess
what? You're probably right.
2. Take time
to plan and prioritize.
The most common source of stress is the perception that you've got
too much work to do. Rather than obsess about it, pick one thing that, if
you get it done today, will move you closer to your highest goal and purpose in
life. Then do that first.
3. Give a
gift to everyone you meet.
I'm not
talking about a formal, wrapped-up present. Your gift can be your smile, a word
of thanks or encouragement,
a gesture of politeness, even a friendly nod. And never pass beggars without
leaving them something. Peace of mind is worth the spare change.
4. Deflect
partisan conversations.
Arguments about politics and religion never have a
"right" answer but they definitely get people all riled up over
things they can't control. When such topics surface, bow out by saying
something like: "Thinking about that stuff makes my head hurt."
5. Assume
people have good intentions.
Since you can't read minds, you don't really know the
"why" behind the "what" that people do. Imputing evil
motives to other people's weird behaviors adds extra misery to life, while
assuming good intentions leaves you open to reconciliation.
6. Eat high
quality food slowly.
Sometimes we can't avoid scarfing something quick to keep us up
and running. Even so, at least once a day try to eat something really
delicious, like a small chunk of fine cheese or an imported chocolate. Focus on
it; taste it; savor it.
7. Let go of
your results.
The big enemy of happiness is worry, which comes from focusing on
events that are outside your control. Once you've taken action, there's usually
nothing more you can do. Focus on the job at hand rather than some weird
fantasy of what might happen.
8. Turn off
"background" TV.
Many households leave their TVs on as "background noise"
while they're doing other things. The entire point of broadcast TV is to make
you dissatisfied with your life so that you'll buy more stuff.
Why subliminally program yourself to be a mindless consumer?
9. End each
day with gratitude.
Just before you go to bed, write down at least one wonderful thing
that happened. It might be something as small as a making a child laugh, or
something as huge as a million dollar deal. Whatever it is, be grateful for
that day because it will never come again.
