Who doesn’t want to be happy, right?! We all do!
Happiness leads to being productive, but probably more importantly it leads to a fulfilling life where you wake up more often than not with energy and excitement about the day ahead.
In today’s episode we’re going to review research that explains what leads to happiness and then give you ten questions that are worth spending some time answering because they will lead you to a happy life.
A research study titled “The Benefits of Frequent Positive Affect: Does Happiness Lead to Success?” (2009) published in the Psychological Bulletin of the American Psychological Association explored the link between happiness and a fulfilling and productive life:
The study was a meta analysis and analyzed existing research on positive emotions and their impact on various aspects of life, including:
- Academic performance: Studies showed that students who experienced more positive emotions tended to have higher grades and test scores.
- Work performance: Research suggested that employees who reported higher levels of happiness were more productive, creative, and resilient.
- Physical health: Positive emotions were linked to healthier lifestyle choices, stronger immune systems, and faster recovery from illness.
- Relationships: Happier individuals tended to have stronger, more supportive relationships.
Key Findings:
- The study identified nine key aspects of frequent positive affect: joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, and awe.
- Cultivating these positive emotions can lead to a cascade of benefits in multiple areas of life, contributing to a more fulfilling and productive existence.
- The study emphasizes the importance of intentional practices to increase positive emotions, such as gratitude exercises, mindfulness meditation, and savoring positive experiences.
This research reaffirms the connection between happiness and a fulfilling life. It highlights the multifaceted benefits of positive emotions and encourages individuals to actively cultivate them for greater well-being and success.
Easier said than done right?! Use these 10 questions to help you baseline where you are right now and where you want to go.
Here they are and feel free to rewind when you’re at a place where you can type or write down the answers because seeing your answers will help you think about them deeply.
- If I had a more meaningful life, what does that look like?
- What am I committed to and what can I get excited about?
- If I were not at all concerned with what other people thought of me, what would I most like to do, be, or accomplish?
- If money were not an issue, how would I spend each day?
- What do I need to start or stop doing so that my daily life will be more in sync with my larger goals and values?
- What one big thing do I need to change in order to improve my chances for future success?
- In what area do I need to un-complicate my life in order to move forward with my true vision and goals?
- Am I pushing myself hard enough or am I pushing myself too hard?
- If I were to achieve all of my goals, would I be satisfied? How will I know when I have “enough”?
- Where should my attention be now?
Remember, Being happy ALL the time is unrealistic because life is’t always this crazy happy place. These 10 questions will help you get there. What you’re aiming for is to be happy more often than not…and that leads to a more fulfilling and productive life.
Your move.
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