Happiness@TheSpeedOfLife: I CAN MAKE IT SIMPLE BUT NO ONE PROMISED YOU EASY

Published: Thu, 09/26/19

Edition 171: I CAN MAKE IT SIMPLE BUT NO ONE PROMISED YOU EASY

SEPTEMBER 2019

577 words of content, including Ten Tips to increase Happiness and Trust in self and others. Approximate content reading time: 2.31 minutes. And isn't your Happiness worth it?

This newsletter speaks to Leadership, Happiness, and Coaching in your life and work.

WHY YOU? You're on this list because you said it was cool to send you updates, thought provoking articles, and more information about my work. If you forgot you joined this newsletter, no worries, it happens. You can unsubscribe anytime at the link at the bottom (yes, more scrolling!) But I hope you'll stay and keep learning and growing with us.

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I. I Can Make It Simple But No One Promised You Easy.

After last month’s long, deep reflection on Death And Happiness, I decided to go lighter this month; but don’t be deceived – simple does not mean easy.

Five Simple Things You Can Do Right Now To Be Happier

Why do we make Happiness feel so damn elusive and unavailable? Why is it always about the pursuit of Happiness? Can we, for just a moment, notice that it is sitting RIGHT NEXT TO US and all we have to do is turn to it, say “Hi!” and enjoy its company for a moment?

Breathe deeply, on purpose, and enjoy a moment. Not to go all personal on you, but my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer, and right now breathing is hard for her. Really hard. So, fill your lungs and for a few seconds Appreciate that you CAN take a deep breath. Isn’t that nice?
Make a list of 10 things that delight you. DELIGHT. Read it aloud to someone. Sharing good stuff is called Savoring, which is also a thing.
Write down what you have accomplished/completed instead of (or in addition to) what you still have to do. When you pause to give yourself credit for progress instead of always staring at the mountains you have yet to climb, you nurture Satisfaction and Pride, which support more Happy.
Accept a flaw or imperfection in yourself or in someone important to you. When you stop arguing with something that “should be” different, you reduce the obstacles to feeling happy in that relationship (yes, you have a relationship with you!)
Be Kind. Offer a compliment to a stranger or praise to a coworker. Give that harried person your place in line. Hold open the door just a moment longer. These cost nothing but your attention, yet they raise your positive affect and create space for you to feel better about you.

And isn’t that what Happiness is all about?

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Seeking more support for your Happiness? Grab this summary of The 13 Principles of Happiness and post it on your refrigerator or workstation to remind you that every day, you have options.

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II. In The Workplace: Build Trust

Five Simple Things You Can Do Every Day To Build Trust With Your Team

Practice Humility. Admit when you don’t know. Own it when you’ve made a mistake. When you let others see how you can embody confidence even as you confess fallibility, you give permission for them to take bigger risks, fail, and feel safe.
Demonstrate Competence. Be good at what the team needs to you to do well. If you’re a coder, write flawless code. If you’re an HR pro, know the law and keep confidences. And if you’re a leader, it matters less that you understand THEIR job than if you can inspire, communicate well, coach, and get the team the resources they need.
Keep Your Promises. When you make a commitment, do it. Consistently and over time.
Walk Your Talk. Demonstrate honesty and integrity and behave in alignment with what you say is important.
Care. Prioritize relationships with your team members, as people. No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care about what’s important to them.

People will work with those who are incompetent, unreliable, insincere, uncaring, and/or self-centered. But not very well, and not for long.

Remember, Leadership is not about a title. Anyone can be a Leader who models trustworthy behavior AND makes the workplace a little safer and happier for others.

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III. The Executive Happiness Coach®

Jim Smith, PCC, is The Executive Happiness Coach®, a global player in the space of Executive Coaching, Keynote speaking, and rapid culture change.

For more tips on Leadership, Coaching, and Happiness, visit JimSmith.Coach and download my report on "The Ten Terrible Habits That Undermine Leadership...and what to do about them before time runs out."

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