I say a lot of stuff in this blog that's meant to motivate both my readers, and myself. It sounds great when I write it, and often I'm really excited to put things into practice. But then I realize that it's bedtime, and by morning I've either forgotten about it entirely, or I'm too distracted by all the daily tasks ahead of me.
That's why it's important to keep re-reading the things that motivate and inspire. A few books I've read recommend that you re-read them every year or so, to keep you on track. I'm willing to bet though that most of the time they are never re-read. In fact, I'm staring at two huge bookshelves full of books I will probably never touch again.
If you can get in the routine of reading, and re-reading a few short thoughts or passages each day, or each week, I'm willing to bet it will start to make a difference. To back up this idea, I'm going to go back and re-read some old things that I wrote a few months back about changes I needed to make. Then I'm going to do it again in the morning. Then again on Friday.
I feel oddly happy having just said that...
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Save money, become homeless
The LA Times gives us this story of a guy who set out to live in his truck for a year to help reduce/eliminate his debt. You can also read his blog at: http://gotruckyourself.blogspot.com/
Actually, now that I think about it, when I lived in LA I knew a guy who lived out of a truck for almost a year. He said you really just needed a cell phone and a gym membership. He also had a dog, which I'm sure complicated things a bit more.
He'd "move" all the time...park by the beach for a few days...drive up to the mountains for a few days. It actually sounded pretty cool.
Neither of these guys are extraordinary. They both had a plan, and executed. That's something that anyone can do. I keep hearing it, again and again: the key to success is really just setting goals and then achieving them. Make them as outrageous as you want, just commit to making them happen.
The gotruckyourself guy is still in his truck, 19 months later. You have to admire people who set goals like that and achieve them. I wonder whathe'll you'll do next.
Actually, now that I think about it, when I lived in LA I knew a guy who lived out of a truck for almost a year. He said you really just needed a cell phone and a gym membership. He also had a dog, which I'm sure complicated things a bit more.
He'd "move" all the time...park by the beach for a few days...drive up to the mountains for a few days. It actually sounded pretty cool.
Neither of these guys are extraordinary. They both had a plan, and executed. That's something that anyone can do. I keep hearing it, again and again: the key to success is really just setting goals and then achieving them. Make them as outrageous as you want, just commit to making them happen.
The gotruckyourself guy is still in his truck, 19 months later. You have to admire people who set goals like that and achieve them. I wonder what
Monday, February 26, 2007
On Nothing
I'm supposed to be writing something about happiness, about the grand meaning of it all. But nothing comes.
Perhaps this is a good sign.
Some monks, for example, teach clearing your mind of all thought as the path to true enlightenment. Happiness is not thinking. It just is.
I haven't thought much about anything for the last few days. I'm not anxious. I'm not confused about the future. I don't need anything to be different.
Not thinking is much easier said than done. The easiest way is through continuous distractions from the outside world. Vacation usually seems to do the trick. Since you're in unfamiliar territory, everything is fresh and distracting, even a normally mundane trip to the grocery store.
Arrange a day of distractions. At the end, spend a few minutes reflecting on how you felt throughout the day. It might be the best way to determine your true level of happiness.
Perhaps this is a good sign.
Some monks, for example, teach clearing your mind of all thought as the path to true enlightenment. Happiness is not thinking. It just is.
I haven't thought much about anything for the last few days. I'm not anxious. I'm not confused about the future. I don't need anything to be different.
Not thinking is much easier said than done. The easiest way is through continuous distractions from the outside world. Vacation usually seems to do the trick. Since you're in unfamiliar territory, everything is fresh and distracting, even a normally mundane trip to the grocery store.
Arrange a day of distractions. At the end, spend a few minutes reflecting on how you felt throughout the day. It might be the best way to determine your true level of happiness.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Change is Happiness
There are two kinds of people in this world, those who love change, and those who don't.
Me, I love it. How could you ever possibly be bored if things are always changing? I'm in California right now, moving to a different household each night. Each place has people that I know and care about, and time seems to fly. Those "what am I supposed to be doing with my life" questions never come up.
I can understand why some people don't like change. Even though they might not realize it consciously, many of them actually fear change. They resist it at every opportunity. Rather than face change, they'll retreat to a past comfort.
The reliance on stability and consistency builds towards future unhappiness. There will be times in life when you will go through major, unavoidable change. What then? You've run from change at every opportunity, but this time you can't. You are forced into unhappiness.
We all are capable of adapting and thriving in new situations, the only thing that ever stops us is our fear of change. It's something you've set up to "protect" yourself, but will only end up hurting you in the end.
Nothing is ever as difficult as we think it will be.
Me, I love it. How could you ever possibly be bored if things are always changing? I'm in California right now, moving to a different household each night. Each place has people that I know and care about, and time seems to fly. Those "what am I supposed to be doing with my life" questions never come up.
I can understand why some people don't like change. Even though they might not realize it consciously, many of them actually fear change. They resist it at every opportunity. Rather than face change, they'll retreat to a past comfort.
The reliance on stability and consistency builds towards future unhappiness. There will be times in life when you will go through major, unavoidable change. What then? You've run from change at every opportunity, but this time you can't. You are forced into unhappiness.
We all are capable of adapting and thriving in new situations, the only thing that ever stops us is our fear of change. It's something you've set up to "protect" yourself, but will only end up hurting you in the end.
Nothing is ever as difficult as we think it will be.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Baby Steps
This blog and it's story are really amazing to me, and inspiring. If you tell the story in one sentence it's not inspirational, and sounds like luck. If you watch every step along the way, it doesn't seem so outlandish anymore. Like the guy who started with a red paperclip and traded all the way up to a house!
The great thing about the internet is that it can walk you through each step of a journey (because time and space are essentially unlimited). In the old world media, this story might be a 15 second spot on the local news, and it would have had a completely different impact.
We read about guys like Donald Trump or see him on TV. We assume there was a lot of luck and connections involved. We might want to be him, but if you look at the end result, it seems nearly impossible. BUT, if you read a blog entry of his each day from the time he started, I'll bet it would seem completely possible.
Just about anything is possible, you just have to take steps towards it, not keep wondering how to get there, or why you aren't closer.
The great thing about the internet is that it can walk you through each step of a journey (because time and space are essentially unlimited). In the old world media, this story might be a 15 second spot on the local news, and it would have had a completely different impact.
We read about guys like Donald Trump or see him on TV. We assume there was a lot of luck and connections involved. We might want to be him, but if you look at the end result, it seems nearly impossible. BUT, if you read a blog entry of his each day from the time he started, I'll bet it would seem completely possible.
Just about anything is possible, you just have to take steps towards it, not keep wondering how to get there, or why you aren't closer.
Start (spoiler) doing
While thinking and reflecting are truly important, they are nothing compared to the ultimate -ing word. I'll give you a hint, it starts with "do-".
So here are four tips to get started on the doing:
Then I made The Promise, making myself accountable to my readers that I would post every week day. Finally, I gave my email signature a new slogan: "A new post every weekday @ http://onhappiness.blogspot.com". Maybe I'm just a big dork, but even though I'm only in my third week since the promise, it always makes me smile, and I am proud to have that as a part of my signature.
I'm sure I can come up with a few more suggestions, but I don't want to overwhelm anyone. No matter what you're trying to do, it's easy to get caught up in and then subsequently overwhelmed by the details. And while this may be calling the kettle black, don't get caught in the education loop. You'll never start because you spend all your time learning about how to do it right.
Ready. Fire. Aim.
So here are four tips to get started on the doing:
- Write things down
- Make yourself accountable to someone else: just telling yourself you'll do something doesn't cut it
- Give it a name or a slogan: don't keep using two whole sentences to describe your crusade or idea, give it a name. It will start to take on a life of it's own before you know it
- Set aggressive deadlines: since you know that most things can be put off indefinitely
Then I made The Promise, making myself accountable to my readers that I would post every week day. Finally, I gave my email signature a new slogan: "A new post every weekday @ http://onhappiness.blogspot.com". Maybe I'm just a big dork, but even though I'm only in my third week since the promise, it always makes me smile, and I am proud to have that as a part of my signature.
I'm sure I can come up with a few more suggestions, but I don't want to overwhelm anyone. No matter what you're trying to do, it's easy to get caught up in and then subsequently overwhelmed by the details. And while this may be calling the kettle black, don't get caught in the education loop. You'll never start because you spend all your time learning about how to do it right.
Ready. Fire. Aim.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Dave Cheong gives us 15 Tips to Cope with a Demanding Life. After reading it I swear, it's like a summary of what I've been rambling on about for the last few weeks including:
Things he mentions that I've never talked about? Talk to yourself and Learn to Say No. The only time I generally ever talk to myself is if I am trying to figure out a solution to a complicated short term problem. Kind of like adding by mumbling aloud, but with concepts beyond addition (yes, I'm onto other things now...have you heard of this crazy thing called "division"?). (If we have any habitual self talkers, please feel free to share with us below in the comments).
Learning to say No sounds like a good idea as well. In my mind, I'd like to count it as an extension to my musings on telling the truth (examples here and here). There are lots of reasons people say "Yes" when they'd actually like to say "No" including:
Being nice to others is a great thing to do, but you don't always have to be nice...and certainly not at your own expense. Saying "Yes" that will cause you unhappiness is not a good habit to get into. Save your time and effort for a "Yes" that you will make you happy.
Trust me, you'll have plenty of opportunities.
- Reflect on what's important
- Simplify where possible
- Adopt a positive outlook and approach to life
Things he mentions that I've never talked about? Talk to yourself and Learn to Say No. The only time I generally ever talk to myself is if I am trying to figure out a solution to a complicated short term problem. Kind of like adding by mumbling aloud, but with concepts beyond addition (yes, I'm onto other things now...have you heard of this crazy thing called "division"?). (If we have any habitual self talkers, please feel free to share with us below in the comments).
Learning to say No sounds like a good idea as well. In my mind, I'd like to count it as an extension to my musings on telling the truth (examples here and here). There are lots of reasons people say "Yes" when they'd actually like to say "No" including:
- They don't want to hurt someone's feelings
- They are being too nice
- They are a pushover
- They think of the immediate potentially negative reaction form the person asking, and seek to avoid it
Being nice to others is a great thing to do, but you don't always have to be nice...and certainly not at your own expense. Saying "Yes" that will cause you unhappiness is not a good habit to get into. Save your time and effort for a "Yes" that you will make you happy.
Trust me, you'll have plenty of opportunities.
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