GOMO! is a Key to Greater Personal Happiness

When you remember that joy is a state of being and happiness is a condition, it’s pretty cool to realize that both “Get Over it” and “Move On!” increase your joy and your happiness.

There’s good reason to have happiness on my mind. Gas prices shot up fifteen cents per gallon yesterday, “guaranteed” vacation plans aren’t working out after all, and my GOMO! manuscript still hasn’t found a publishing home. Tentacles of alarm, disappointment, and discouragement are reaching for me, threatening to rob me of my happiness...

A few days ago, I read an online article about happiness by Edward M. Hallowell. His definition of happiness makes a lot of sense. “Happiness is the capacity to enjoy what you have, rather than always wanting what you don’t have.”

In the time it takes for gas prices to go up again, I remember that happiness is a decision. And the more that we make a decision for happiness, the more our lives fill up with joy.

Here’s a brief story to underscore this truth. A wise tribal elder was asked about the secret to happiness by a student. A quiet moment passed and then he responded, “You want to be happy? Be happy.”

Make happiness your decision.  Choose to Get Over what's bugging you. Decide to move on and remove the obstacles blocking your happiness (and your goals as well!).

Research supports that we can learn to be happy- that’s good news for any of us who work with Charlie Browns and Eyores in daily life (Read Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman  and Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert.)  We can choose strategies that increase our personal happiness and joy with a goal of influencing others’ moods as well!

These *strategies are just five of dozens to consider for greater happiness and lifelong joy:

1. Create a personal mission statement. Identify what you believe, and what you want to achieve in your life. Your values and the principles by which you live provide the foundation for your statement. Your statement guides the focus and execution of your goals and accomplishments. (For assistance in creating your own mission statement click here or pick up a copy of The Path by Laurie Beth Jones for additional and valuable help).
2. Reflect on what you value as recognition and reward. Though many of us look to money as a reward, studies on happiness reinforce that “money can’t buy happiness.” Money is an external reward- temporal and at risk. Internal rewards such as building trustful relationships, building competencies, building faith, and enjoying healthy relationships are lasting rewards that continue to grow and bless our lives throughout our lives.
3. Extend a helping hand to others. Studies support that we experience greater happiness when we serve others. A long respected businessman and speaker, Earl Nightingale expressed, “Pay attention to your contribution and your rewards will take care of themselves.” In serving others, we make connections with others. And, connections that are based in genuine care are a key to happiness.
4. Avoid focusing on problems. Solve them, or turn them into opportunities for learning and growth. Viewing a challenge as a “problem” creates a scarcity perspective that dilutes personal power and influence. David Geer, a friend in ministry, emphasizes, “make better what is.” Let go of a “problem” in order to re-frame an “opportunity” for more creative thinking and progress. Mastery over our challenges builds competence and confidence- qualities that are transformational for motivation and personal success.
5. Avoid naysayers. Flee from others’ fears and negativism. You don’t have to flee from the people; just flee from their negative perspective. Refuse to let others rain on your parade; create your own weather for your life! Mary Andringa, President of Vermeer Manufacturing in Pella, Iowa, made this observation. “Move away from those who exude negativity; move to those who encourage and challenge you. It’s important to accept others, but if someone is not good for you, take the personal responsibility to make a choice that improves your condition.”

*You might wonder how much time it takes to follow through on these strategies. Here’s a shot at giving you that information.
#1- Creating your personal mission statement- I’ll bet you could complete an initial and meaningful statement within 60-90 minutes.
#2- This you can do as your last thinking before you fall asleep tonight. Or, if you tend to wake up during the night, give it some thought then.
#3- Take action on this as soon as you finish reading the blog!
#4- What is a problem that you are facing right now? Write it down; and take just two minutes to re-frame it with a solution or as a new opportunity.
#5. You may be the naysayer that you need to flee- I know that I have had that role in my own life. Write down the one most negative statement that you most often say to yourself. Then, in red, write, “NO MORE” over it. Post it; and use it as a reminder to build a new habit.

Photo Credit: daintytime