{"id":4206,"date":"2016-02-16T19:22:13","date_gmt":"2016-02-16T19:22:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theexecutivehappinesscoach.com\/?p=4206"},"modified":"2018-10-02T15:26:25","modified_gmt":"2018-10-02T19:26:25","slug":"13-principles-of-happiness-redux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theexecutivehappinesscoach.com\/2016\/02\/13-principles-of-happiness-redux\/","title":{"rendered":"The 13 Principles of Happiness, Redux"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/a> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/span><\/p>\n The 13 Principles of Happiness<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/span><\/p>\n If Happiness is a Choice, these are some of the Tools<\/span><\/strong> ~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/span><\/p>\n The 13 Principles of Happiness<\/a><\/strong> will remind you, every day, of things you can start, stop, and do more of to live a healthier, happier life. Download a copy<\/a> today and post it on your cubicle wall or fridge at home. Think happy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A few weeks ago I delivered one of my core talks, \u201cFive Prescriptions for Living and Leading in a Turbulent World\u201d to an enthusiastic audience. One of the participants approached me after the program to say, \u201cJim, I\u2019ve been a subscriber for over a year, and I\u2019ve never read anything about these 13 Principles of … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5789,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[119,34,274,40],"tags":[146,252,51,416],"yoast_head":"\n
\nA few weeks ago I delivered one of my core talks, \u201cFive Prescriptions for Living and Leading in a Turbulent World\u201d to an enthusiastic audience.<\/strong> One of the participants approached me after the program to say, \u201cJim, I\u2019ve been a subscriber for over a year, and I\u2019ve never read anything about these 13 Principles of Happiness that you refer to in the handout. Can I learn more?\u201d
\n Her request led me to review my archives.<\/strong> About 18 months ago, a minor format change deleted a longstanding link from my template, so nearly 1\/3 of my subscribers have never seen reference to this essential document around which I launched this newsletter.
\nI have to fix that! This month we revisit the principles that started it all<\/strong> (see below for a link to a pdf version):<\/p>\n\n
\nWhen you take care of yourself first, you build a foundation for stronger relationships with others, increase your capacity, and reduce doubt.<\/li>\n
\nIdentify and proclaim your personal values through the way you live and work. You are more likely to spot opportunities when you know what they look like.<\/li>\n
\nLet go of possessions, roles, lifestyles that others and a marketing-hyped society impose on you; focus instead on what truly brings you Joy.<\/li>\n
\nWhether it is project deadlines, appointments, or learning opportunities, get there before you are expected, and watch your stress load decrease exponentially.<\/li>\n
\nIdentify what worries you, and work to create extra in your life, whether that is money, personal space, or extra toilet paper in the cabinet.<\/li>\n
\nContinually identify and eliminate all the little \u201cstuff\u201d which causes you friction and drains your energy.<\/li>\n
\nWhat happens is going to happen, regardless. Accept constant, discontinuous change as reality and instead of reacting, respond with curiosity.<\/li>\n
\nSurround yourself with environments and people that continually challenge you, energize you, and literally pull you forward. Have adventures.<\/li>\n
\nWhen we are on auto-pilot, life just happens around us. Look. Listen. Notice. The sunset in your own backyard can be just as wondrous as the one at the beach.<\/li>\n
\nAutomate, delegate, or eliminate tasks or goals that complicate your life. Being content with simpler pleasures increases your opportunity for awe.<\/li>\n
\nStop playing games. Recognize that though the truth may sometimes sting, it is the starting place for all progress. Challenge others to see the truth.<\/li>\n
\nWaiting for something to happen \u201ctomorrow\u201d in order for you to be happy is like watching yourself in the mirror and saying \u201cYou go first.\u201d<\/li>\n
\nBe yourself, not somebody else. Happiness is a Decision, not an Event. How will you choose today?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\nA common theme in my writing is Practice.<\/strong> To become a better leader or coach, you must practice the skills of conversation, listening, letting go, and many more. To live a happier life, you must exercise the positive emotional \u201cmuscles\u201d such as gratitude, joy, mercy, forgiveness, optimism, zest, calm, contentment, and many more. And Happiness, of course!
\nThe 13 Principles offer you tangible practices that encourage that muscle-building and make it easier for you to make the choice to be happy, right now.<\/strong><\/p>\n