Every personal development/self-help blog has one, the “100 ways to find/achieve (fill in the blank)” list post. Here’s mine on finding happiness:
Action x 100
I bet you thought you were getting a quick and easy list to read huh? Sorry.
No matter how many things I could come up with for my list, people would read it and then move on to something else. Reading doesn’t accomplish crappola unless you put it into action. A list is easy and usually generates more blog visitors than anything else, because people are lazy and like lists. I admit I like them too, but they rarely, if ever, have any real effect on my life. There’s nothing wrong with coming up with an extensive list of things which we think will make us happy, the problem is… it is still just a list. A list can even be a set of decisions, but unless actions are taken… well, nothing happens. A list and decisions are hypothetical, on paper or in our minds. Actions move through space and time and affect the universe around us.
Three frogs are sitting on a log. One decides to jump. How many are left? … Three, he only made a decision to jump yet took no action.
My suggestion is to make a short list and break it down into sub-lists of actionable ideas or processes. I have experienced many life changes and types of spiritual awakenings, none of which came about with intense meditation or intellectual masturbation alone. Sure some great ideas or areas of growth are revealed during these times of reflection, but unless I take action on them, they’re just that, ideas. Putting ideas into action affects the forces around me with whom I interact, thus altering my destiny.
Take for example Inner-Peace. Few will argue that happiness would certainly involve inner-peace. But how do we find it? We don’t, it finds us as a result of taking action such as those I presented in The Spiritual Serenity Series: 7 Steps to Inner Peace and Happiness.
I heard a story recently that illustrates this point. Let’s pretend I do not know how to swim and I’m driving down a coastal highway looking out at the ocean. I know that if I were to stop the car, get out, and jump into the ocean I would drown. However, unless I stop the car at some point, I’m never going to learn how to swim. Something has to change (stopping the car) for me to even have the possibility of learning how to swim. It’s like the saying, if nothing changes then nothing changes. No matter how much I think about stopping the car or learning how to swim, nothing will change as long as I keep driving.
Another great example is Derek Siver’s post that Ideas are just a multiplier of execution:
To me, ideas are worth nothing unless executed. They are just a multiplier. Execution is worth millions.
Explanation:
AWFUL IDEA = -1
WEAK IDEA = 1
SO-SO IDEA = 5
GOOD IDEA = 10
GREAT IDEA = 15
BRILLIANT IDEA = 20NO EXECUTION = $1
WEAK EXECUTION = $1000
SO-SO EXECUTION = $10,000
GOOD EXECUTION = $100,000
GREAT EXECUTION = $1,000,000
BRILLIANT EXECUTION = $10,000,000To make a business, you need to multiply the two.
The most brilliant idea, with no execution, is worth $20.
The most brilliant idea takes great execution to be worth $20,000,000.
Fortunately, great execution isn’t necessarily required to find happiness. Just do something.
My short list:
- Love Myself
Actions: Treat Myself with respect by exercising, eating right, and getting enough sleep. Do something nice for someone else… anonymously! - Want Less
Actions: Prayer and meditation. Helping others when given the chance, as a result I find I have everything I need. Show gratitude for the things I have like washing my car, mowing my lawn and telling those close to me how much I appreciate them.
What’s on your short list?
photo credit: Storm Crypt
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I love how your short list has what you want and what you will do to achieve it. I think that’s half the battle – it’s not enough to want something unless you have a plan.
I define happiness as not wanting anything…I’ve probably got a while before I get there (because I can think of a few things I want right now, lol) but I know I’ll get their eventually.
Chelle,
It really is a constant battle distinguishing between our wants v.s. our needs. I often have this, “once I get a new laptop or that 42′ inch flat screen, THEN I’ll have everything…” but then there’s always something else. Luckily my wife helps me. Although we know we don’t need a new T.V., every time we’re at Costco we look at them. Then my wife says, “wanting is a good thing.” We often have a basket full of stuff, then before we get to the checkout counter we go through everything and determine if we “really” need these things. We end up putting a lot of them back on the shelf. ;-)
Hi Jared,
Lists have never been something that I could get into. I understand their appeal for they are simple. However, people can have all kinds of wonderful concepts but if they do not act on them, they remain concepts. So I totally agree on the importance of action.
As for happiness, it is a state of mind and after years of looking for it, I am fortunate to have discovered that happiness is a matter of perception.
That said, one of my goals in life is to help people in any way that I can. Each person is important and each one has a purpose. It is my wish to help people realize how important they truly are.
Nadia,
Your comment made me think of the following quote:
“People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”
-Unknown
Which tells me that real change comes from feeling and in order to really feel something I must take some action. At least that’s been my experience. This goes right along with your purpose of helping others. That is certainly a great action! Although for me, I have to remember to help myself too.
Ohhh, what a great post. When I first started blogging, a so-called “expert” told me I had to have lists. Everybody loves a list, but like you, I couldn’t honestly put out list after list knowing deep down what I do about them. They’re pretty, easy, and expected. I’d prefer to talk about what I’ve learned in life through my own experiences, sans list style.
Now, as for what’s on my short list for happiness, I liked your list, but would have to say:
Don’t Believe My Thoughts: conscious minds have this weird way of tricking us, not unlike Lucy in Charlie Brown whenever she held the football out for him to supposedly kick. When I disregard my thoughts, especially the negative ones, I’m more content. What’s more, I allow miracles to surface.
Believe in Miracles: going along with what’s above, I’m shown time and again that the Universe never rests and is always responding to me. Good mood, bad mood, belief in miracles or disbelief… I am a miraculously magical being. Anytime I want, I can change what’s in front of me, first through thought, and then through action.
Loved this post!
Megan,
I agree, you’ll see “list” post all day long at the top of Stumble.
Not believing your thoughts is a great short list item. I call them “the committee” – the group of voices in my head. I fire them everyday and they seem to have started getting the hint I don’t want them around anymore.
Believing in miracles is a GREAT one! I see miracles everyday when I choose to look for them. Thanks for reminding me!
“Putting ideas into action affects the forces around me with whom I interact, thus altering my destiny.”
This statement tuck with me as i decided to write a response. I was always told and read that actions speak louder than thoughts and actions. Our ability take action, separated the weak from the Chief! As human beings our strengths are in our actions and appreciation for what we already have! Greeat post!
Jonathan,
Yes, actions do speak louder than thoughts or words because actions are what have lasting effects on people.
Thanks for stopping by