1596 words of content including fifteen things you can do in just a few minutes each week to lead well and be happy. Approximate reading time: 6.38 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. Feature: Nine Simple Strategies for Happiness
2. Are You Connected?
3. In The Workplace: Leadership Made Simple
4. About the Coach

If you are totally organized and always know what you need to do next, always have control of your tasks, and always correctly forecast how long something will take... I am insanely jealous of your skillset.

Starting last October, even as I started to declare 2013 as my Year of Happiness (my 15th anniversary in business, etc), I began a slow slide into disorganization and overwhelm, mostly due to over-commitment. Most people are shocked when they hear this, yet it's true. By late December I was underwater, in constant stress, worried that I was missing something important, and always feeling behind in my work.

So I did what any self-respecting coach might do: I hired myself a coach to help me return to sanity and recalibrate my broken systems. I've been working with her for a few weeks and I'm starting to feel like I'm in control once again. She helped me move my manual tracking system back into the digital world, which has been exciting. More importantly, she is challenging me to look at the STORIES I tell myself about my organizing skills, and in the process I'm learning some new things about myself.

One is this: I make things more complicated than they need to be. I often look to my own writing for coping strategies, and this time what jumped out for me was Happiness Principle #10: Simplify. I am moving from complexity back to a simpler system for me.

Thus my thoughts this month turned to "How to make Happiness and Leadership more simple?"

This month I return to basics. Everything on this list can be integrated into your life in tiny bites, with minor disruption yet with big outcomes if you practice a few of them daily.

1. Look for the Good/What's right. You already spend time every day dealing with problems. When you start that process, pause for a minute and first ask, "What's RIGHT about this situation?" or "What's GOOD about this person?" Once you answer the question, you'll notice your mood is a lot lighter as you tackle the problem.
2. Breathe on Purpose. Breathing you do anyway. So every once in awhile, stop and do it with great attention, deep and slow. When you give attention to your breath, you experience a tiny moment of Mindfulness, which drops a wee bit of stress from your system. Then, go back to what you were doing.
3. Smile. People are mirrors, and whatever you wear on your face gets reflected back to you. Any time you notice that everyone around you is grouchy, consider the common element: You. Smile and make eye contact, and notice how suddenly everyone around you is in a better mood. It's all about you! HINT: do this every day as you brush your teeth. It will add no time, yet you'll get twice a day practice.
4. Be Selfish. Being overly helpful, too generous, and what we call 'self-less' can also be an addictive behavior that is codependent and even abusive (to self) when taken to the extreme. Instead, cultivate self-sufficiency and take just five minutes every day to take your own oxygen (do something just for you). When you are healthier, your relationships also grow healthier.
5. Put on Confidence. One of the mantras I offer in my talks is to "Stand Tall, Breathe Deeply, and Smile Often." Each time you stand up from a chair take an extra second to root yourself (feet shoulder width) and extend the full length of your spine. "Wear" this body each day for a few minutes and you'll find it increases your personal strength in many difficult situations.
6. Embrace What Happens. Recognize that a lot of Unhappiness comes from arguing with reality. When something happens that makes you go a little scrunchy inside (you know what I mean), step back, take a breath, and say, "Yes. It is what it is. AND here's what I'm going to do next..."
7. Create Connections. If you eat lunch at your desk and consider talking to others at work "a waste of time," you are missing a vital nutrient in your emotional life. For five minutes each day, let go of your agenda or tasks, and focus on building a relationship through conversation - that's just 1/3 of 1% of your week.
8. Establish Boundaries. If you are a people pleaser or you dislike conflict, you may often find yourself overwhelmed and stressed. If at least once each day you say "No" to some request that you cannot handle right now, you will learn that if you declare boundaries, most others will respect them. (Note: a No can be absolute or simply a modifier e.g., "no, I can't get that to you by end of day. Will tomorrow morning at 10 work for you?")
9. Take Action. Nearly all stress is self-created, based on the stories you tell yourself. When you notice anxiety is rising about something that is on your duty list, find something - even a tiny step - that you can deliver upon. You'll gradually learn that moving forward is far less stressful than sitting in paralysis.

I might also have titled this article, Happiness in a Minute, but that's not really the point. Each of these items, practiced regularly, will strengthen your Positive Emotion muscles for a lifetime.

Don't make Happiness more complicated than it needs to be. Keep it simple.

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I created SO MANY ideas to support the celebration of my 15th year in business that I got myself into overwhelm. But that means delay, not a disappointment. Even as I was underwater, I managed to keep juggling (which is pretty tough underwater...) and here is where things stand today:

• Video clips on happiness and leadership are starting to emerge from the editing room.
• My new website is nearly converted to new technology.
• I'm finalizing dates for my live workshops (a new experience).
• My editors continue to make progress on my series of three new books!
• My Happiness App is being built even as we speak.
• My new group-coaching program is almost fully designed.

This monthly Newsletter is too small to hold all the great stuff coming out this year to support Leadership and Happiness, so I invite you to be an early adopter - join the MORE HAPPINESS conversation to get early notice, be part of my R&D group, and hear of special offers as part of a tribe of connectors.

P.S. If you are quite happy with this monthly 'zine, just ignore the extra notes.

Create Connection. Lead Well. Be Happy.

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When you are in charge (and whether you like it or not) everyone looks to you for a "mood reading" every day. What you bring into work flows down to everyone in your reporting stream. If you're having a toxic day, that affects your team - the same is true when you're having a good day.

Since the biggest excuse I hear from managers is that "I don't have the time," let me offer some quick things you can do daily to improve your leadership presence and build more positivity into your day and your team.

1. Set Clear Expectations. Wishes, hopes, or assumptions have no place in performance conversations. When you make a request, take an extra few seconds to be sure that the individual understands A) what is to be done, B) any timeframe or deadlines, and C) how success will be measured/assessed. As a matter of practice, ask people to repeat back what THEY think they have just committed to do. You will dramatically reduce misunderstandings when you pay attention to all three aspects of a request.
2. Close Loops - every time. When work gets completed, have one of two quick conversations: either, A) "Thanks" (or other form of acknowledgement), or B) "This is not what we agreed to. Can we talk?" I may risk oversimplification here, but the reality is that 90% of issues come from NOT closing loops - so if the work is not done, say so; and if the work is completed, say so. You train your team to know that when they make a commitment, you do pay attention and you do appreciate their efforts (don't assume they know).
3. Make Something Better. One of the best managers who ever worked on my team was Reggie. What made him great - and what caused his teams to adore him - was his simple mantra: "I never leave until I've made something better." Be like Reggie, and become a master of proactive improvement. If you keep your eyes and ears open you will notice opportunities every day - many of them brought to your attention by your people. Sometimes it will be a process tweak, while other days you may find the most productive part of your day is the five minutes you spent helping an associate with a personal challenge. All that little stuff adds up.
4. Expect More of People (than they do of themselves). If you are like most people, you are your own worst critic. It's the voice in your head that every day tells you you're not good enough or that you messed up. Take a minute or two every day to speak with someone on your team and remind them about something you think they do well, or a reason you're glad they are on the team. Try saying, "we could not have done this without you." It takes but a second, yet people will run thru brick walls for someone who really believes in them.
5. Inspire Someone. Inspire comes from the Latin, inspiro, v. to breathe into life/Breathe life into. Each time you communicate future news to your team (which you should be doing regularly) you offer a reason for them to stick around. Even more, when you have a discussion about their own future, you breathe life into their hopes and dreams for their career. Don't wait till the annual review - do a little of this every week, and notice how much your conversations improve the mood of your team.
6. Reminder: First, Take Care of You. Refer back to the first article in this newsletter; make sure you're attending to your own needs. If you're in a more positive mood each day when you show up, you infect others with your enthusiasm and energy, and that feeds their creativity, their connection, and their willingness to work hard. Research proves this is true, and once again, it's all about you.

Remember, Leadership is not about a title: Anyone can be a leader who practices positive leadership conversations every day.

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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.

Contact me to learn how you can create a less-stress leadership presence.

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All things Happiness Coach:
Blog: www.LifeWithHappiness.com. Connect on LinkedIn, Facebook.

                       

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Copyright © 2013, 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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