Not long ago, a friend sent me a link to a video wherein jelly beans are used to depict and categorize the days of a normal human life span. 28,835 jelly beans/days to be exact. The premise is simultaneously clever in its simplicity and spot on, not to mention colorful and quite provocative. I encourage you to check it, and it will only require approximately 1/1000 of one jelly bean to watch.
After watching the video, as is my nature, I began dialing in the minutia; quite literally, as in how many minutes in a typical day does one spend sitting at stop lights? How many minutes waiting on/in line, on hold, frustrated or anxious?
While these things are annoying for both their inconvenience and inevitability, the most important consideration is: how many minutes per day do you feel anything less than content?
Stress, anxiety, pressure, all of which come in a wide variety of applications, take a serious toll on every aspect of our health. Exposure to that on a prolonged basis can and usually does throw the human psyche out of balance, and becomes more and more difficult to re-establish psychological and emotional equilibrium. In other words, all of us habitually form habits: some of them good, others not so much.
"Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.” Henry David Thoreau
But will it really? I understand the meaning of that comment, but personally, I’d rather not wait. Especially on a state of well-being that is most often described with a word rooted in a seemingly random set of circumstances [happen]. Moreover, I don’t believe, from my own experience, that is necessary.
You may be asking what in the world does this have anything to do with entrepreneurship, innovation or intellectual property? The short answer is everything! There is another one word answer for the foundational aspect of accomplishing this: discipline.
If you have experienced success as an entrepreneur, CEO or in any leadership capacity, you are probably nodding your head right about now. The rest of you; please continue.
In taking same time to meditate on the Ideashares® system; how and why it applies and to what level and purpose, it occurred to me, as in all things, a solid foundation needs to first be in place, to afford and allow an optimal environment for success. Considering innovation is born either of inspiration or desperation, our state of mind/body/spirit is absolutely fundamental to outlook, and ultimately success, as measured in/by multiple genres of life.
No matter what direction you turn, you will find all nature of self-help and “how to be happy” advice. Just follow these 5, 10, 12, 20 steps….whatever.
I think it was Bob Dylan who once said “Beware of enthusiasm, its only temporary” I interpret that more as a helpful warning, than a cynic’s view.
All I can tell you is what works for me, and how it has, and continues to impact my life and career.
Listen: Be a champion listener. Hearing is the first characteristic of this habit, but comprehension is its twin sibling. Ask as many questions as necessary to fully comprehend the subject matter. Remember, retention is an indivisible facet of comprehension.
R&R: Take Time for Yourself: Downtime is essential and mandatory for productivity and success. Just as an injured or overworked body heals much more rapidly while sleeping, these metaphysical properties are as just as relevant and vital to our brain.
Recognition: Learn to recognize what happiness and contentment look like in others. Not just the physical manifestation, but what it “looks” like to them from their perspective, and why.
Selflessness/Compassion: Give back. Pay it forward. Give of yourself. Share your success. There are nearly an unlimited number of ways to do this, with infinite potential positive results. If this an area of weakness for you, no worries; it is definitely something that can be learned and changed. If you are unsure where to begin, here’s a hint: Authenticity and genuineness.
Focus: In any leadership role, planning and projecting/forecasting are mandatory, but for everyday practice, focus on the tasks in front of you by their most immediate need and impact. Worry is a worthless and counter productive state of being. I could write this a thousand ways, but no more succinctly than the following verse:
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Excellent advice is excellent advice.
And the most important element (drum roll please) It’s a CHOICE! While happiness is dependent on life’s circumstances, as they occur, contentment is not. Life’s circumstances can and do range from harsh to wonderful and everything between, but none of that is ultimately relevant to actual contentment. It is as simple as choice, or more accurately, a continual stream of choices.
No matter how successful you may be in certain pursuits, you likely do not feel that way about other areas of/in your life. So, different results require different methods. What is your disposition to change?
Research in human behavioral science pertaining to the establishment of habits and patterns, found that it takes 21-40 days to either eliminate or create new habits and patterns. My personal “sweet spot” is 30 days.
Everything we do involves choice and action. Just because something, whether it be action or perception, does not immediately align with what you are consciously choosing to change or revise, does not make it a reality you are stuck with. Don’t’ believe everything you think.
Be committed and relentless. 21-40 days may seem like something just south of eternity while you are in the heat of battle, but it is still after all, just 21-40 days. If you cannot muster the strength and determination (and discipline) to see it through, entrepreneurship may not be your forte.
The Harvard Business Review conducted research that included the analysis of hundreds of relevant studies pursuant to happiness. The results: 31% increased productivity, 37% higher sales, and three times higher creativity levels.
Take 10 seconds, and allow that to sink in.
Remember, there is no black and white in this particular venture. We are all concurrently exactly the same and completely different. There are no diplomas or certifications in this endeavor; only pass or fail (continually).
It is plateau after plateau of self-awareness and accomplishment. If done correctly, you will learn a lot about yourself. If done with a genuine desire to progress, your results, both personally and professionally, will not only be an evolution of development, but serve as the engine that drives you to continue the quest.
Failure is unavoidable; quitting is not.
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