Guest guest Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Good Morning! The Life Coach Series: Measuring Happiness What exactly makes us happy? Is happiness getting everything we want? Being rich and famous? Always getting your way? Being in a relationship? Being at the top of your game? Being healthy? What ever your idea of happiness, research has found that a great deal of unhappiness stems for negative thoughts. Life coach Pete Cohen, who co-wrote this study on happiness, developed this equation based on research done in Britain. Cohen suggest " Most people probably don't know what happiness is, they think happiness is perhaps having lots of money or a big car, or a big house. But people who have all these things are not necessarily happier than people who just enjoy their life. " This formula was worked out by psychologists after interviews with more than 1,000 subjects. Happiness = P + (5xE) + (3xH) P stands for Personal Characteristics, including outlook on life, adaptability and resilience. E stands for Existence and relates to health, financial stability and friendships. H represents Higher Order needs, and covers self-esteem, expectations, ambitions and sense of humor. Are You Happy? Ask Yourself These Questions. Each person who completes the questions ends up with a rating out of 100. The higher the score, the more happy they are. Here is how to work out the answer: The questions should be answered on a scale of one to ten, where one is " not at all " and ten is " to a large extent " Add the scores for question #1 (one) and #2 (two) together to find your P value. The score for question #3 (three) is the value for E, and question #4 (four) for H: 1. Are you outgoing, energetic, flexible and open to change? 2. Do you have a positive outlook, bounce back quickly from setbacks and feel that you are in control of your life? 3. Are your basic life needs met, in relation to personal health, finance, safety, freedom of choice and sense of community? 4. Can you call on the support of people close to you, immerse yourself in what you are doing, meet your expectations and engage in activities that give you a sense of purpose? Happiness = P + (5xE) + (3xH) Remember you do not need a formula to bring happiness into your life. Happiness is not just a life lived by accumulating moments of pleasure. Happiness is a lifestyle. 10 Tips for Happiness 1. The Power of Positive Thinking Negativity is the root that undermines our happiness. The negative ideas we think can manifest in the words we speak. The minute the words leave your lips, is the minute they manifest. Change your thoughts to positive, uplifting ones. Think hope not hopelessness. Think goodness, not evil. Think joy not despair. Energy follows thought. Program thought to be positive and your energy will reflect it! 2. Networking with those who have a good outlook on life. Do not be around others who are negative, self serving or do not know how to express genuine kindness. 3. Affirmations, are a positive word, expression or term to guide us and give us reassurance. " I am happy " , " nothing will deter my happy thoughts, today " , " I am full of joy " . These are all great affirmations to live by. 4. Happiness is a long lasting enduring enjoyment of life. It is being in love with living. Happiness is your reward for achieving good character and personal, rational values in life. Some important values are a productive career, romance, friendship and hobbies. Achieving these values requires rationality and takes effort and skill. 5. Learn Your Happiness Skills Two types of skills you can use are thinking skills and valuing skills. Learn to have confidence in your own mind and discover the virtues that make it possible for you to achieve your values, which make your life worth living, then you will experience the result. 6. The Metaphysics of Happiness has everything to do with our belief system. Belief is one of our most powerful assets. With the ability to believe, you can accomplish nearly anything! The more you believe in yourself, the more you will definitely accomplish. Happiness comes to those who BELIEVE THEY ARE HAPPY! It's just as simple as that. When we face situations that are near physical or mental impossibilities, then it is our belief system, or belief in ourselves, that determines IF it is possible. 7. Our Belief System is one of the major factors that can get us through situations or can cause our life to crumble around us! How we " program " ourselves to see our real happiness, shows us just how happy we are. 8. Our self-confidence and self-love are often the key to opening and strengthening this portion of our thoughts which in turn emanates from ourselves, which in turn allows happiness to find us! 9. Really appreciating what we DO have as opposed to what we would like to have, makes a significant difference. This is always an important element in a happy person that is often neglected. 10. Find happiness in simplicity and you will find the greatest joys yet revealed to you. Smile when you talk on the phone. Great everyone you pass by or meet today, with a smile. Appreciate the smell of the air, the warmth of the sun and the laughter in children. Make that your happiness. Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac http://www.peacefulmind.com Therapies for healing mind, body, spirit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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