Comments on: The Science of Happiness: Intentional Activities To Be Happier http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/ Good Habits for a Great Life! Thu, 24 May 2012 15:11:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Frank Douglas http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/comment-page-1/#comment-12898 Frank Douglas Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:24:40 +0000 http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/#comment-12898 A great way to uncover activities that make you happy is to ask yourself, "What would I attempt to do if i knew I wouldn't fail?" Many times in life, it's our fears that hold us from taking action. When taking a single step in the right direction can have a profound impact on the quality of our lives. I have found that singling out the activities one wants to do but fear is holding us back from is a great starting point. Then one by one, begin challenging those fears, starting with the smaller ones. Expanding one's comfort zone is very liberating, and the more it expands, the more one's level of confidence is raised. And the more one makes room for pleasurable activities. A great way to uncover activities that make you happy is to ask yourself, “What would I attempt to do if i knew I wouldn’t fail?”
Many times in life, it’s our fears that hold us from taking action. When taking a single step in the right direction can have a profound impact on the quality of our lives.
I have found that singling out the activities one wants to do but fear is holding us back from is a great starting point. Then one by one, begin challenging those fears, starting with the smaller ones.
Expanding one’s comfort zone is very liberating, and the more it expands, the more one’s level of confidence is raised. And the more one makes room for pleasurable activities.

]]> By: 5 Myths of Happiness that lead to Unfulfillment | Todd Glassberg http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/comment-page-1/#comment-12801 5 Myths of Happiness that lead to Unfulfillment | Todd Glassberg Sun, 04 Sep 2011 16:24:49 +0000 http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/#comment-12801 [...] as mysterious as it may seem.  Scientists have compiled ample research to show that by engaging in intentional happiness activities, we can lastingly elevate our happiness [...] [...] as mysterious as it may seem.  Scientists have compiled ample research to show that by engaging in intentional happiness activities, we can lastingly elevate our happiness [...]

]]> By: Lynn D http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/comment-page-1/#comment-7356 Lynn D Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:03:12 +0000 http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/#comment-7356 Thanks Jeff...great advise! Thanks Jeff…great advise!

]]> By: Jeff http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/comment-page-1/#comment-7354 Jeff Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:41:41 +0000 http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/#comment-7354 Lynn - I'm sorry to hear about your predicament. However, I do believe there is hope. I think you will find some very helpful suggestions in The How of Happiness, but I'd also encourage you in some other ways too. First, I'd suggest spending a little time building a vision of what you really want your life to look like when you retire. Think about where you want to live, what you want to do and who you'll spend your time with. The more vivid a picture you can paint for yourself the better. Be bold and creative as you develop this vision. Let yourself daydream and don't hold back on thinking about long lost dreams. Retirement may just be the freedom you need to pursue these. Once you've done this then start trying to work toward this vision in small ways. Apply Pareto's Principle (the 80/20 rule) to slowly cut out activities at work that aren't really necessary to reduce your stress and the hours that you work. You'd be amazed at how much you can stop doing without anyone noticing or caring. Let your work life get smaller and your new, retirement life start to grow. You'll have to do this in baby steps, but you are planting the seed that will grow into a full-blown tree over the next 7 years. Along the way, practice the intentional happiness activities from the book. They really are simple, yet powerful. They will help you transform your life. If you have difficulty with this, then I'd suggest investing a little money to work with a life and career coach. They can really help you revolutionize your thinking and guide you to a greener, more fulfilling life. I wish you the best! Lynn – I’m sorry to hear about your predicament. However, I do believe there is hope. I think you will find some very helpful suggestions in The How of Happiness, but I’d also encourage you in some other ways too.

First, I’d suggest spending a little time building a vision of what you really want your life to look like when you retire. Think about where you want to live, what you want to do and who you’ll spend your time with. The more vivid a picture you can paint for yourself the better. Be bold and creative as you develop this vision. Let yourself daydream and don’t hold back on thinking about long lost dreams. Retirement may just be the freedom you need to pursue these.

Once you’ve done this then start trying to work toward this vision in small ways. Apply Pareto’s Principle (the 80/20 rule) to slowly cut out activities at work that aren’t really necessary to reduce your stress and the hours that you work. You’d be amazed at how much you can stop doing without anyone noticing or caring. Let your work life get smaller and your new, retirement life start to grow. You’ll have to do this in baby steps, but you are planting the seed that will grow into a full-blown tree over the next 7 years.

Along the way, practice the intentional happiness activities from the book. They really are simple, yet powerful. They will help you transform your life.

If you have difficulty with this, then I’d suggest investing a little money to work with a life and career coach. They can really help you revolutionize your thinking and guide you to a greener, more fulfilling life.

I wish you the best!

]]> By: Lynn D http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/comment-page-1/#comment-7350 Lynn D Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:21:09 +0000 http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/#comment-7350 I just found your web site Jeff and have really enjoyed this read. All of this makes alot of sense. I do believe my happiness set point is lower than average and I have worked at being optimist and happy my entire adult life. However, I am now in my 50's (whether this makes a differance or not??) I have accomplished a great deal...high paying job ..lots of responsibility..loads of stress along with this and I find I am unhappier then I have been in a very long time. I feel trapped in this chaos and tired of the rat race. I have a great family and include outdoor activities in my life. Any thoughts on how I cope until I retire? (7 more years of this hell) By the way, I ordered the book...it may provide some new ideas. Thanks for your help I just found your web site Jeff and have really enjoyed this read. All of this makes alot of sense. I do believe my happiness set point is lower than average and I have worked at being optimist and happy my entire adult life. However, I am now in my 50′s (whether this makes a differance or not??) I have accomplished a great deal…high paying job ..lots of responsibility..loads of stress along with this and I find I am unhappier then I have been in a very long time. I feel trapped in this chaos and tired of the rat race. I have a great family and include outdoor activities in my life. Any thoughts on how I cope until I retire? (7 more years of this hell) By the way, I ordered the book…it may provide some new ideas.
Thanks for your help

]]> By: Melissa http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/comment-page-1/#comment-6020 Melissa Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:07:43 +0000 http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/#comment-6020 Nice latest post! Love stopping by this blog. I am commenting here because I need to make a spelling correction. The author's name in my last comment should be spelled Donna and Jerry Govan. Nice latest post! Love stopping by this blog. I am commenting here because I need to make a spelling correction. The author’s name in my last comment should be spelled Donna and Jerry Govan.

]]> By: Jake | Revive Your Life http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/comment-page-1/#comment-5595 Jake | Revive Your Life Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:34:31 +0000 http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/#comment-5595 Jeff, Thanks for the good read. Happiness is soo simple, but we all lead such complex and busy lives that we struggle to find it sometimes. Keep up the good work! Thanks Jake .-= Jake | Revive Your Life´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/reviveyourlife/~3/S_gUqw-7jx0/" rel="nofollow">How Can You Be Happy in these Hard Times? Be GREAT!</a> =-. Jeff,

Thanks for the good read. Happiness is soo simple, but we all lead such complex and busy lives that we struggle to find it sometimes. Keep up the good work!

Thanks

Jake
.-= Jake | Revive Your Life´s last blog ..How Can You Be Happy in these Hard Times? Be GREAT! =-.

]]> By: Dr. Frank Bonkowski http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/comment-page-1/#comment-5343 Dr. Frank Bonkowski Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:15:51 +0000 http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/#comment-5343 Excellent article! Sonja Lyubomirsky is one of my favorite authors writing on happiness. My partner, Dr. Fred Horowitz, and I often refer to her work in writing about midlife coping strategies and being happy at http://www.happiness-after-midlife.com. Another wonderful book that I recently discovered is Ann Kepfer's "Field Guide to Happiness." She shares wonderful insights and provides practical activities for increasing happiness. <abbr><em><abbr><em>Read Dr. Frank Bonkowski´s latest article - <a href="http://www.happiness-after-midlife.com/midlife-crisis-coping-blog.html#Language-and-human-stress" rel="nofollow">Jun 11, Language and human stress</a></em></abbr></abbr></em> Excellent article! Sonja Lyubomirsky is one of my favorite authors writing on happiness. My partner, Dr. Fred Horowitz, and I often refer to her work in writing about midlife coping strategies and being happy at http://www.happiness-after-midlife.com. Another wonderful book that I recently discovered is Ann Kepfer’s “Field Guide to Happiness.” She shares wonderful insights and provides practical activities for increasing happiness.

Read Dr. Frank Bonkowski´s latest article – Jun 11, Language and human stress

]]> By: Jeff http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/comment-page-1/#comment-5341 Jeff Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:08:04 +0000 http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/#comment-5341 @Melissa - Why aren't more of us happy? Great question! I think it is because it takes effort. We believe that happiness and success should just come our way, but it doesn't. You have to put forth effort in the right way to attain these things. I'm sure you are well on your way! @Stephen - Glad you liked it! The book really is a valuable read. @Jens - Practicing gratitude is another one of the happiness activities mentioned in the book. You are obviously on the right track. I bet you'd enjoy the book. Thanks so much for your comments! @Melissa – Why aren’t more of us happy? Great question! I think it is because it takes effort. We believe that happiness and success should just come our way, but it doesn’t. You have to put forth effort in the right way to attain these things. I’m sure you are well on your way!

@Stephen – Glad you liked it! The book really is a valuable read.

@Jens – Practicing gratitude is another one of the happiness activities mentioned in the book. You are obviously on the right track. I bet you’d enjoy the book.

Thanks so much for your comments!

]]> By: Jens Upton http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/comment-page-1/#comment-5334 Jens Upton Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:23:27 +0000 http://mysuperchargedlife.com/blog/the-science-of-happiness-intentional-activities-to-be-happier/#comment-5334 All four happiness activities relate very well for me. I do like actively engaging in one or more of these. I then notice that from one arises the potential of another and they sustain each other. One activity I'm finding happiness in is thanking people with cards and small gifts. I suppose this is now popularly known as an aspect of gratitude. I'm going to check out the book as well. Thanks for this article Jens <abbr><em><abbr><em>Read Jens Upton´s latest article - <a href="http://therelaxingzone.blogspot.com/2009/06/replacing-apathy-with-lust-for-life.html" rel="nofollow">Replacing Apathy with a Lust for Life</a></em></abbr></abbr></em> All four happiness activities relate very well for me. I do like actively engaging in one or more of these. I then notice that from one arises the potential of another and they sustain each other.

One activity I’m finding happiness in is thanking people with cards and small gifts. I suppose this is now popularly known as an aspect of gratitude.

I’m going to check out the book as well.

Thanks for this article
Jens

Read Jens Upton´s latest article – Replacing Apathy with a Lust for Life

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