Many of us put the pedal to the metal when it comes to seeking happiness. We seek new things and experiences to develop a positive outlook, thinking it will come “someday” – once we get that “must have” purse or land that new job.
It seems counterintuitive, but your happiness is just as dependent on giving up things. Our routines are so ingrained that we fail to notice the negative parts that we can already shed.
Instead of waiting, you can harness happiness and a winning attitude by giving up the negative aspects of your routine now. Take a look at these things you need to give up, and see how they impact your day-to-day attitude:
Give up FOMO
If you think being a successful entrepreneur means saying “yes” to every opportunity, you’re doing it wrong. The best entrepreneurs take smart, calculated risks instead of embracing every opportunity that presents itself.
If the idea of passing up on these opportunities fills you with FOMO (fear of missing out), just take a tip from Sir Richard Branson.
“Business opportunities are like buses,” he once said. “There’s always another one coming.”
Rather than dwelling on the opportunities that pass you by, realize that there’s another one right down the road.
Give up comparison
“Comparison is the thief of joy,” Theodore Roosevelt once said, and he made a great point about being happy. Feeling competition from others is never beneficial. Hopefully, you’re already trying your hardest, and negative thoughts will never help you perform better.
Stop waiting for praise from others
I’m sorry to be the one to break this to you, but nobody will take the time to shower you with praise. That’s why you have to do it yourself.
Most people in business will only set aside their precious minutes if they see you doing something wrong, or if they want something from you. Sprinkling your ego with dew drops of praise is the furthest thing from their minds.
You’re doing great things, so take the time to recognize it. By 5:00 every day, write down three things that you accomplished. They don’t have to be life-changing, just good things that deserve recognition.
Re-read yesterday’s entry every morning. If you’re feeling low on confidence you can read through a couple of weeks’ worth of your many successes and gain confidence and perspective.
Psychologists call this journaling, and it’s a proven way to boost your happiness. Start using it today.
Stop fearing perfection
Sheryl Sandberg once wisely said, ‘Done is better than perfect.’ She then challenges us to ask: “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”
We’re all human, and we all slip up sometimes (even Sandberg has had a few). Quite simply, perfection is an unrealistic expectation we place upon ourselves. It prevents you from growing, it imprisons you in your comfort zone, and it can eat away at your happiness.
This isn’t an excuse to make careless errors; giving up on perfection simply means you’re not afraid to fail when trying something new.
Give up on the horrendous self-talk
Studies estimate that we say 300 to 1,000 words to ourselves every single minute.
If you’re having negative self-talk, you’re throwing a lot of pessimism your way. That’s why none other than the U.S. Navy SEALs swear by positive self-talk as a way to take on a strenuous day, and to avoid negativity.
When their oxygen flow is suddenly cut off underwater, SEALs are able to tough it out by telling themselves that everything is fine and thinking positively. So you can probably also use this tip to get through a day at the office.
To start, tell yourself how great your day is going to be as you’re riding the subway or driving down the freeway. If you start encountering a rough morning, go outside for a few minutes and repeat some more positive affirmations to yourself.
Have you given up any things to be happy? We’d love to hear from you – give the LTH Tribe a shout out!
