Ten Lesser-Known Habits to Elevate Your Everyday Happiness
Issue #118 (7 min read)
Welcome to another issue of Good Vibes, where I delve into some lesser-known habits that can contribute to a lifetime of happiness. In a world filled with hustle and bustle, these habits are simple yet impactful, aiming to bring sustained joy to your everyday life.
Stop Chasing Happiness
Happiness is often elusive when pursued directly. Instead, focus on cultivating a fulfilling and purposeful life. Happiness tends to follow when you engage in activities that align with your values and bring you genuine joy.
Consider the analogy of a gardener. If the sole focus is on the end result of having beautiful flowers, it might be tempting to constantly check on the plants, anxiously awaiting the blooms. However, the most successful gardeners understand that the key lies in cultivating the soil, providing the right nutrients, and ensuring proper care. The flowers, in this case, become a natural outcome of the overall health and well-being of the garden.
Be Keen to Help Others Always
The act of giving is a powerful source of happiness. Whether through small gestures or more significant contributions, helping others fosters a sense of connection and purpose, enriching both your life and theirs.
From a psychological perspective, research has shown that acts of kindness trigger the release of endorphins, the brain's "feel-good" chemicals. This not only contributes to an immediate sense of happiness but also promotes a positive outlook on life in the long run.
Avoid a Victim Mentality
Cultivate a mindset of resilience and responsibility. Refrain from viewing yourself as a victim of circumstances. Taking control of your reactions and choices empowers you to overcome challenges and find contentment.
Taking responsibility for one's reactions and choices empowers you to navigate challenges with a sense of agency. It involves recognising that while external factors may pose difficulties, the response to those challenges is within one's control. This mindset shift opens the door to personal growth, as you actively seek solutions, learn from experiences, and develop a more positive and proactive approach to life.
Evaluate Risk vs. Reward
Consider the risk and reward before making decisions, especially in financial matters. Assessing the potential outcomes allows for informed choices that align with your personal preferences and goals. This principle extends beyond financial decisions to various aspects of life.
For instance, before making a career move, you may assess the potential risks and rewards in terms of job satisfaction, work-life balance, and professional growth. Similarly, in personal relationships, evaluating the potential outcomes helps in making decisions that align with your values and emotional well-being.
Keep Mastering Something You Like
Continuous learning and personal growth contribute significantly to happiness. Dedicate time to mastering a skill or pursuing a hobby you enjoy, fostering a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment.
I have a keen interest in photography. By dedicating time to learn and master the art of photography, I have not only acquired a valuable skill but also experience a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment every time I go in the jungle.
The learning process itself becomes a source of joy, and as proficiency grows, so does the satisfaction derived from creating beautiful images.
Debrief Every Day
Allocate at least 15 minutes daily for introspection and self-reflection. A debriefing session allows you to process your day, acknowledge achievements, and identify areas for improvement.
Regularly Connect with Nature
Nature has a profound impact on our well-being. Take time to immerse yourself in natural surroundings regularly. Whether it's a walk in the park or a weekend hike, nature can rejuvenate your mind and spirit.
Steer Clear of Excessive Dependency
Avoid becoming overly reliant on children for daily assistance. Set realistic expectations and refrain from unnecessary complaints if they can't fulfil every task. Remember, the internet, particularly platforms like YouTube, can offer solutions and tutorials for a wide range of topics for which you are looking for help.
Excessive dependency can lead to unnecessary complaints and strained relationships.
Be Ruthless in Avoiding Negativity
Surround yourself with positivity and distance yourself from places or people that make you feel small or diminish your sense of self-worth. Choosing environments that uplift you is essential for sustained happiness.
Negative influences can erode self-esteem and confidence. Actively avoiding negativity helps you maintain a positive self-image and a strong sense of self-worth. Being ruthless in avoiding negativity is not about being closed-minded or avoiding constructive criticism. Instead, it encourages a discerning approach to one's surroundings, recognising the impact that the external environment can have on one's internal state.
Keep Off TV for News
Limit exposure to negative news by minimising television consumption. Instead, opt for reliable news sources online, allowing you to stay informed without subjecting yourself to the often distressing content on TV.
Wishing you a life filled with happiness and contentment!
All illustrations are by Kratika Singhal
In recent years, my efforts have been significantly focused towards helping people grow, by sharing my experiences, learnings, failures, ideas, and questions, whether through social media, newsletter, Space sessions, public speaking engagements or one to one coaching. All these efforts have helped me grow in many ways and I have realised that each one of us has the potential to help others grow, by sharing experiences, learnings and insights. And if more of us come forward to help others grow, not limiting ourselves by any boundaries and inhibitions, the world can undoubtedly be a better place.
This has given birth to the idea of Communion - a community of those who believe in the culture of ‘helping each other grow’. The idea is to together build unique and harmonious space which gives each one of us a unique advantage, rising above the limitations and boundaries.
The Growth Retreat 2.0 is the second event to be hosted by Communion India. It will be held at Kolkata between 8th- 11th February. Three days of brainstorming sessions on varied subjects by the industry leaders. Here's a sneak peek at the upcoming sessions. You can follow the event on the Twitter handle of Communion India
1)Symphonies by night - Mudar Patherya (Entrepreneur, Social Activist) The story of how Calcutta is being dramatically transformed against all odds
2)Zindagi ka safar - Beyond Age: Innovating for a future-proof life - Vishal Gondal (Entrepreneur / Angel Investor)
3)Why Marketing can make or break you - Abhishek Asthana (Co-founder, Zorro) & Lloyd Mathias (Angel Investor)
4)Money Talks: दिखावे पर मत जाओ, अपनी अक्ल लगाओ - Ashish Padiyar (Founder Partner, Auxano Capital) & Priti Rathi Gupta (Founder, LXME)
5)Crafting a global culture: The journey of an Indian Multinational - Shubho Sengupta (Mission Karmayogi, Gov. of India) & Nityangi Jaiswal (Director, ElectroSteel)
6)Going back to roots -Sumit Ramani (Non-Traditional consulting Actuary, Co-founder, ProtectMeWell)
7)Learning values through sports - Joy Bhattacharya (Writer/Sports Producer) & Jeet Banerjee (Founder & CEO, Gameplan Sports Pvt ltd)
8) A journey of Goodness - Arun Bothra (IPS Officer)
9) Why one should not follow their passion - Dhritiman Mukherjee (Nature Photographer) & Rohit Varma (Founder Narrative & Nature in focus)
10) Keep Calm and Enjoy Food - Krish Ashok (Techie, Author of Masala Lab ) & Sneha Singhi (Chef)
11) Indian consumer: busting myths, spotting opportunities - Damodar Mall (President & CEO, Reliance Retail)
12)What's a good life mission? - S. Sivakumar (Grp Head Agro & IT Div, ITC) & Vipul Gupta (Executive Director, Earth Focus)
13) Content, Influencers, Social Media and everything in between - Manish Pandey (Entrepreneur/Author) & Viraj Seth (CEO, Monk Entertainment)
14)Exploring different dimensions of life, health & aspirations - Sandeep Mall (Deep Health Coach, Author, Entrepreneur) & Vijay Shekhar Sharma (Managing Director & CEO, PAYTM)
15)The Critical Linkage: Energy & Geopolitics - Sudipta Bhattacharya (CEO, Adani Group North America & CTO, Adani Group)
In case you missed the previous issue on enriching and fulfilling life, here are the key highlights:
Habits Influence Happiness: Daily habits play a central role in shaping one's happiness and overall well-being.
Gratitude Practice: Maintaining a gratitude journal by regularly reflecting on and appreciating positive aspects of life can reduce stress and nurture a positive outlook.
Exercise and Well-being: Engaging in physical activity not only boosts mood but also enhances self-esteem and contributes to overall happiness, highlighting the connection between physical and mental health.
Effective Time Management: Skillful time management reduces stress and allows for more leisure, relaxation, and pursuit of enjoyable activities. Simplifying routines and focusing on what truly matters can lead to a sense of purpose and clarity in life.
The actions I undertake to enrich and fulfil my life
🌟 Delivery Started 🌟
My upcoming book "Finding the Oasis" shines a light on the true essence of holistic well-being. It isn’t just about my personal transformation; it encapsulates the valuable experiences gained while mentoring incredible individuals as their health coach and everything what science of today confirms to.
This book invites you on a transformative journey, uncovering the intricate dance between body and mind. Discover the nuances of balanced nutrition, purposeful movement, rejuvenating sleep, and heartfelt connections, all while exploring mental fortitude and our bond with the environment.
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Before you go!
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See you on the sixth Sunday of 2024. Take care!