Yes, we all aspire to attain greater happiness and success in life! Happiness and success are natural desires, and the mere thought of having both simultaneously is exhilarating. The good news is that we can maximize our happiness and success by exploring our life values. These values directly influence the amount of joy and achievement we create in our lives. Let's explore some of the most important life values that enable us to maximize the value of both.
18 Life Principles for Happiness and Success:
- Subjective Definition of Success:
One of the most important life values is understanding that success should be subjective, meaning it is something you create for yourself. One of the major causes of self-discontent and lack of fulfillment is pursuing an incorrect definition of success. We often fall into the trap of believing that success has certain standards, usually financial ones. This makes us easily susceptible to comparison, assuming others are more successful simply because they excel in these standards. The problem with this perspective on success is that we all prioritize different things. While money may be a determining factor for some, others consider time, freedom, or other criteria as measures of success. If you want a surefire way to attain more happiness and success, start by defining what happiness and success mean to you personally, and then pursue them accordingly. - Patience as a Virtue:
In our fast-paced, achievement-oriented society, the value of patience has been overshadowed. We all want everything and we want it now. However, life doesn't always work that way. While you may experience quick victories and successes, true success requires persistence. Let me be clear, patience doesn't mean sitting around waiting for success and happiness to find you. Successful individuals take substantial action to achieve their desired success. Yet, genuine happiness lies in the journey, and patience is an essential part of crafting the life you love. When you combine patience with strategic action, you establish the foundation for immense happiness and success. - Honesty in All Things:
One of the most impactful lessons I learned during my personal growth journey is that "your words are your bonds." This simple yet profound statement has set the tone for how I navigate myself and others throughout life. Being an honest person makes you someone others want to be around. Establishing these stronger connections allows you to find greater levels of success and happiness in life. - Embracing Personal Responsibility:
Personal empowerment is a prerequisite for a fulfilling and joyful life. In other words, if you want to live a life of happiness and success, you must learn to take responsibility. Personal responsibility is the key that unlocks your personal power. Many individuals carry a victim mentality, believing that life happens to them. By adopting a victim mindset, one essentially admits to being powerless over the circumstances of their life. On the other hand, by taking responsibility for every aspect of your life, you unleash your power and make it better. So, if you desire more happiness and success, the value of personal responsibility must be reflected in your life. - Embracing Failure as Growth:
Happiness and success seem to be at odds with failure. But what if failure didn't exist? While it may sound extreme, failure can indeed be eliminated from your life. One significant difference between successful and unsuccessful individuals is that the former are more adept at reframing failure. For most people, failure is viewed negatively. However, for successful individuals, failure is redefined as a positive learning experience that teaches them what not to do. If you find yourself constantly fearing failure, learn to reframe it, and you'll immediately witness an increase in your levels of happiness and success. - Starting Before You're Ready:
In life, we waste too much time trying to have everything perfectly aligned. Going back to the first value listed above, we often live in fear of failure and judgment from others, so we tend to wait until everything is "perfect." However, perfection is an illusion. Those who achieve more in life, creating greater happiness and success, are those who understand that starting before they feel ready is necessary. The truth is, you'll never truly be ready. So, simply start! - Striving for Growth over Perfection:
You've probably heard people say that there's no such thing as perfection. Well, they have a point, and it's true. One of the biggest hindrances to attaining greater happiness and success is the desire for perfection. In fact, pursuing perfection is just another form of procrastination. Often, our pursuit of perfection stems from a fear of judgment by others. The longer you chase perfection, the longer you hold yourself back. If you want to elevate your levels of happiness and success quickly, shift your focus from perfection to growth. When growth becomes the standard, your definition of success changes, and you start experiencing more achievements. - Embracing the Power of Saying "No":
Time is our most precious resource. Unlike other commodities, it's something we can never get more of. However, most people act as if they have an unlimited supply of time. This is where the power of saying "no" comes into play. This short yet impactful word is your ability to regain control of your time. For various reasons, we spend too much time on things we don't genuinely enjoy. By doing so, we set ourselves up to live a life that we don't truly love, dictated by others' terms. So, create a list of your life priorities and evaluate where you're wasting time. If an area doesn't align with what you genuinely need or bring you closer to the life you desire, say "no" to it. - Embracing the Present Moment:
Sadly, we live in a society that glorifies achievements, and everyone is constantly striving for the next level. While this may imply creating a lot of success in life, it often comes at the expense of living in the present. The saying "stop and smell the roses" exists for a reason. It's because we're meant to enjoy what we have in life and be with the people who matter most to us. As mentioned earlier, we can't reclaim our time. So, if you want more happiness and success, learn to cherish the present. - Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude:
Gratitude is an emotion that, when practiced regularly, can transform your life. Life can be challenging, and it's easy to become a victim of the negativity around us. However, just as happiness is a choice, opting for gratitude instead of focusing on negativity is also a choice. Making gratitude a core value in your life undoubtedly leads to more happiness and success. - Quick Forgiveness:
Forgiveness is crucial. When we hold onto something, it becomes a heavy burden that weighs us down. It also occupies our mental and emotional space, preventing us from living our best lives with those resources. Remember, forgiveness is for yourself, not the person you're forgiving. When you forgive, it's like removing a heavy vest you've been wearing since long after your workout ended. Learn to forgive quickly, free yourself from the burden, and you'll achieve greater happiness and success in life. - Respecting Yourself:
Undoubtedly, we are social beings. A significant part of a happy and successful life is having meaningful relationships. To establish genuine connections, you must learn to be authentic. In a world dominated by social media and immense societal pressure, it's easy to lose ourselves. Being true to yourself is important for your own happiness and success. Connect with yourself from a values perspective and what matters most to you, and show up in that way every day. - Embracing Discomfort:
As a self-proclaimed fitness enthusiast and athlete, I adopted the mantra, "No pain, no gain," during my early athletic endeavors. As I've aged, I realized that this statement applies not only to the gym but also to other aspects of life. I also recognized that there's a great truth in it: to succeed, one must embrace discomfort. Just as achieving physical health goals requires enduring discomfort, any goal in life demands stepping out of your comfort zone. When you learn to appreciate the discomfort and consider it an essential part of your growth process, you open yourself up to more happiness and success in life. - Happiness as a Choice:
Believe it or not, happiness is indeed a choice. Aside from the potential health issues that can result from a lack of happiness, unhappy individuals are so because they choose to be. The decisions you make regarding what you do and who you spend your life with directly affect your level of happiness. However, ultimately, whether you're happy or not depends on whether you choose to be happy. Every morning, as you wake up, you make a simple choice – "Will I choose happiness or unhappiness today?" Make the wise choice. - Keep Your Circle Small:
In many aspects of life, the old adage "quality over quantity" holds true, and this applies to your sphere of influence as well. As Jim Rohn famously said, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." This means that your social circle greatly impacts your happiness, success, and life. If you want to experience more joy and success in your life, surround yourself with happy and successful people. Often, we allow individuals with different values to enter our lives, but this negatively impacts our outcomes. To prevent this, you can shrink your circle and be selective about the people you allow into it. Life is short, so avoid spending time with those who cannot contribute to your dreams. Instead, spend time with like-minded individuals who share your values. - Embrace Your Fears:
As Jack Canfield once said, "Everything you want is on the other side of fear." Many of the life values listed here, as well as the activities required to achieve greater happiness and success, involve confronting your fears. Fear is an integral part of life that can help us live better. However, it shouldn't control you, hindering your path to a life of happiness and success. In fact, if you desire that life, start embracing your fears, just like Tony Robbins did. - Find Your Purpose:
I firmly believe that each of us comes to this earth for a reason, with unique abilities to make an impact that only we can. However, most people live without purpose. In fact, the fact that 85% of people dislike their jobs is a clear indicator. It's the sad reality of the world we live in. While your career isn't the sole part of your life purpose, it's a significant component. If living a life of happiness and success matters to you, connecting with your true purpose is one of the most vital life values you should possess. - Embracing Authenticity:
Undoubtedly, we are social beings. A significant part of a happy and successful life is having meaningful relationships. To establish genuine connections, you must learn to be authentic. In a world dominated by social media and immense societal pressure, it's easy to lose ourselves. Being true to yourself is important for your own happiness and success. Connect with yourself from a values perspective and what matters most to you, and show up in that way every day.
Many factors determine the amount of happiness and success one creates in life. The key is understanding that these things are created, which means you have control over them. Most people feel as though life is happening to them. However, the truth is that we all have the ability to take charge of our lives. To do so positively, you must identify and set your life values. Whether it's the listed values or the ones you hold dear, I want you to understand what matters most to you. By incorporating and adhering to these values, you will find more happiness and success in life.
