How many times have you heard people say "I'll be happy when...", whether they follow it with "I've been promoted" or "I've lost another ten pounds" or whatever their next target or goal is?
And how often do those people actually feel happy when they've achieved it? The surprising answer is very little, and that's because we're hard wired to then focus on the next thing. Goalposts move and we forget to celebrate because we're already behind, we have work to do.
There is good news though. Happiness is partially genetics, we kind of have a pre set level. But we can improve on that level by he actions we take daily. Happiness is not something you are, it's something you cultivate. So, much like a plant that you want to flourish, you need to tend to your happiness regularly.
There are a few things you can do to feel happier, and the bonus is they're nice and easy.
1. Practice gratitude. Each day find something to be thankful for. This trains your brain to look for what's good and you'll find you start to notice more of this when you do it each day.
2. Smile. Even if you don't feel like it, forcing a smile sends happy signals to your brain. Which means you won't be faking it for long. Smile at someone else and they're guaranteed to smile back, you'll fire their mirror neurons up so they won't be able to help it.
3. Say thank you. Starting your day by thanking someone else makes you happier and it also makes them happier. It builds your social connections and fosters deeper relationships.
So the question is, why would you wait to be happy when you can choose to be happy now? Start today!