1239 words of content including 9 Powerful Words, 7 Leadership Tools, and a chance to tell your Happy Story. Approximate reading time: 4.96 minutes. And isn't your Happiness worth it?

Welcome to my e-newsletter, which focuses on defining and applying the Principles of Happiness and Positive Emotion in your life and work.

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1. Preview: What's Your Story?
2. Feature: Nine Simple Words to Create Happiness Today
3. Happy Talk & Magic Numbers
4. In the Workplace: Easier Than You Think
5. About the Coach

I was walking up the aisle at an out-of-town conference and did a double take when I saw my 13 Priniciples of Happiness facing me from the fronts of two binders. "We talk about these all the time in our team," exclaimed the excited team members.

I've heard many stories of how you've used the principles in life and work, and they made me smile. But I never wrote them down! :-(

In advance of the 10th anniversary of the 13 Principles, I invite you to share how you've applied them in your life, your work, your family, your sanity. Will you take five minutes to write it down? Thank you!

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Does Happiness feel elusive? Do you ever find yourself thinking, "Life is fast, time feels short, and I want results NOW?"

While long-term practice is still the best path to sustained Happiness, I share here nine simple ways to be Happy, right now.

1. BREATHE. Take a deep breath, on purpose. For three full cycles (in/out) breath deliberately through your nose. This calms your brain and emotional centers and releases stress.
2. FORGIVE. When you hold on to resentment it's like traveling the airport of life with overweight baggage - it hinders progress and drains energy. When you let go of the slight, you free your head and heart to enjoy your life journey. Change your story; dump the baggage.
3. ACCOMPLISH. Nothing supports happiness like the emotions that come from completing something: contentment, satisfaction, pride, and self-confidence. If you only have Big Stuff on your list, chunk something down and finish one part. If you're stuck at work, find a home project that you can wrap up - and vice versa. Even if it's tiny, it's a start.
4. GRATITUDE. The human species is programmed to look for danger first, because that's how we survived our primal stage. Unless there's a salivating predator in the next room, I invite you to take two minutes to notice something beautiful, comfortable, fun, or delicious in your life. If you have ten minutes, make a list of all the people & things in your life that bring you Joy.
5. ABUNDANCE. If you are reading this on a computer, you already possess more than 2/3 of the world's population - do you "get" that? Flip a switch and marvel at the fact that 99.9% of the time, electricity flows. Notice your omnipresent access to drinkable clean water. Stop in the middle of any retail store and admire the plethora of options that surround you.
6. CHOOSE. When things happen around you, do you React or Respond? Whether you accept this or not, you always have the ability to step back and choose your response to any situation. When you leverage that 'superpower' you'll find yourself more often in a positive place.
7. ALLOW. In the facilitation framework called Open Space Technology, one of the guiding principles is "Whatever happens is the only thing that could have." This is also a great life philosophy. Stop fighting the current for a moment and instead flow with what is happening. You'll feel lighter as your stress drops away.
8. CONNECT. One of the five most powerful sources of happiness and well-being is a sense of connectedness. Reach out to family or friends in your community, church, or personal network. Heck, just leave your desk and eat lunch with live people instead of your computer!
9. SMILE. A smile is both an effect of happiness AND a cause. Even if you feel like dirt in this moment, stand tall and put a smile on your face, then hold that while you walk around for two minutes. Your mood will shift when you "wear" a happy body.

Bonus points when you notice that other people smile back at you, as you affect their mood, as well!

So now you have nine more quick tools for your Happiness Toolbox. Ready, Set, Happy!

The 13 Principles of Happiness offer other practices to build your long-term happiness. Download a copy to inspire you.

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The Road to Happiness: Sharon Ball interviewed me on the Reinventing Yourself Today show last week. We talked about the origin of my business and why I reinvented myself as The Executive Happiness Coach® in 2005. You can access the recording here: http://goo.gl/SKsEy or visit my Press Room.

What do the numbers 10, 13, 15, and 100 have in common?

• 10th anniversary of...
• The 13 Principles of Happiness, during...
• my 15th year of business, and...
• the 100th edition of this newsletter

I am planning much new and exciting "stuff" for my celebration next year. Stay tuned to this happiness channel to learn more.

P.S. Go here to share your story about The 13 Principles.

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Supported by 15 years' worth of workplace studies and validated countless times:

People who are ENGAGED on the job are more creative, more productive, make better & faster decisions, take better care of customers, work better in teams, are healthier, absent less often, and more likely to stick around longer.

AND... (and you've heard me say this a hundred times) calling employees "engaged" is merely a business-acceptable way of saying "happy."

Yet many organizations and individual bosses fiercely resist the notion that they are responsible for or should care about their people's happiness. This resistance comes from a belief that it is not their job to make other people happy.

I accept that as true - you can't make others happy. What you CAN do as a manager is create a culture that nurtures happiness. Then whatever positivity people bring to work on their own has a chance to flourish (versus being extinguished).

Start with how you behave. It's easier than you think.

1. NOTICE. Pay attention to people. Learn something about each member of your team each week. Your efforts to notice will BE noticed.
2. APPRECIATE. Say Thank You. (Don't assume they read your mind).
3. BALANCE. Share the good and the bad. Don't believe the stories you've heard about Gen Y only wanting praise; what they want is Instant. (Most) people of all generations are smart enough to know that they cannot improve if no one tells them where to focus.
4. GROW. A plant never watered withers; people are the same. Offer training, coaching, new tasks, rotations, shadowing opportunities, reading, or whatever you can, especially to your highest potential people.
5. ASK. You may have been promoted to manager because you knew more, but you diminish everyone when you constantly "defend" your expert status. They don't need you to Know - they need you to Lead. Use questions to draw out others and let them be smart.
6. LISTEN. Create a space where others feel heard. It's rare and it's powerful.
7. CARE. When you allow your heart and soul to show at work, it can feel risky. When you do, though, you send a powerful message to people that it is OK for them to also show their authentic selves, and you open the door to more passion and joy at work.

Remember, Leadership is not about a title: Anyone can be a leader who chooses to nourish happiness in others.

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Hi, I'm Jim Smith, PCC, The Executive Happiness Coach^®. I work with smart, successful people like you, who sometimes struggle with the relentless demands of your role. I help you dramatically improve your effectiveness as a leader, balance your life, and build a more positive workplace culture.

I have helped thousands of leaders and business owners just like you lead your organizations in new ways AND live a happier, more balanced life. Contact me to learn how you can create a less-stress leadership presence.

If you received this from a friend, SUBSCRIBE now to get your own copy in the future, plus you'll get a valuable leadership report!

All things Happiness Coach:

Blog: www.LifeWithHappiness.com. Connect on LinkedIn, Facebook.

             

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Copyright © 2012, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: "From HAPPINESS@THESPEEDOFLIFE, by Jim Smith, PCC, The Executive Happiness Coach®. For more tips on Leading with Less Stress, visit www.TheExecutiveHappinessCoach.com."

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