How to Take Control of Your Own Happiness

Hello, how’s 2019 treating you? We are over six weeks into the new year, are you still on track for your resolutions? Have you made some changes and stuck to them daily to reach your goals?

Many people begin to lose focus about this time of year. Everyday things seem to get in the way of the goals that we established at the beginning of the New Year. The dark days and cold weather tend to make people less positive here. Everyone starts to push things off, and before you know it, we will be through the first quarter of 2019.

Don’t let this happen to you! Take a few moments today to re-evaluate your goals for the year, the month, the week, and for today. See where you need to make changes to keep yourself on track, keep yourself happy and headed in the direction that you want to go.

My ‘regular’ job is in hospitality, and I had a job performance review this week. Now, I can feel the grimaces from everyone. But my review went wonderful, I scored top marks in all categories (9-10 out of 10) EXCEPT taking initiative. (8 out of ten). I received the maximum raise, as my job performance is well above average. Now, I am a motivated person, but it is not one of my goals to move up in the company. I know that sounds strange, but I really LIKE my current job, I’m VERY good at it, and can see myself doing this for the next ten years.

This may sound odd to many of you. We are trained and socialized to want MORE, to MOVE UP, to be SUCCESSFUL in our careers. It’s a competitive market out there. For me, being happy means doing something that I’m very good at, a job that I am appreciated at, and that allows me to do the things in my life that make me happy. If I were to take on more responsibility at work or accept a promotion, I would limit the time and attention that I could give my family, my writing, and my little farm.

This does mean that I have turned down promotions to remain in my current job. It also means that we live below our means so that we can enjoy our lives more. One of the benefits of working in hospitality is that it allows my family to get away several times a year very inexpensively for vacation. And spending a lot of quality time with my family is ONE OF MY LIFE GOALS.

Make sure that some of your goals are for you, and are focused on your happiness. I use a planner to keep me focused on both my day-to-day life and my larger goals. I know as a parent and a spouse, my goals are often tied up with those for my family. But remember that you are a better person, parent, spouse, sibling, etc. if you take of yourself and your own happiness too.

Today’s Toolbox: