Every January I make a book list of everything I am going to read during that year (I like my alone time, I guess it’s the introvert in me) – and most of the time, I complete my list.
Recently I read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, and was inspired to take on my own Happiness Project. I didn’t know where exactly to start on my mission to grow my self success levels, but I knew I was passionate about improving my health, my relationships and the way I go about the ‘simple’ things in life.
So, I did what any student-at-heart would do and I went to her website and downloaded Gretchen’s suggested tools. Her toolkit was very helpful and listed tips on improving happiness in a variety of areas in life:
- Exercise (“Don’t link exercise to weight loss – exercise for sanity not vanity”)
- Parenting (“The age of Cheerios and the Tooth fairy is fleeting. The days are long, but the years are short”)
- Romantic relationships (“No carping from the sidelines. If your sweetheart made the travel arrangements, don’t criticize the flight time”)
- Remembering names (“The ‘of course I know you – in fact, I want all of your info’ dodge…”)
- 10 minutes energy boosts (“Clean up!”)
- Money (“Pay more for healthy food”)
- Keeping resolutions (“Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good”)
- Making someone like you (“Remember trait transfer”
When I first started writing as a Lifestyle Kick contributor, I knew (or I thought I knew) that self success comes from within. Now, I think about it a little differently. Ever heard the saying “you are what you eat”? Well, I like to look at self success as “you are what you do”.
So, I have decided to start my own happiness project right now. Starting in July this year, I will tackle one area of Rubin’s Happiness Project areas for 8 months starting with exercise (I’m not a parent, but that doesn’t mean I can’t work on my relationship with my parents!).
Join me and start your own Happiness Project by filling your backpack with whatever it is that is important to you, that which you wish to carry along no your journey. Join me on Twitter to follow the ups and downs of the next 8 months!
