If it seems that some mornings you would rather just pull the covers over your head, stay in bed and forget the commute to the office for just one day, you're not alone.
Knowing how to be happy from the moment you wake up, is no mean feat.
Maybe you have been reading the recent research about genetics and happiness in recent studies, which show the Danish to be one of the happiest countries, and, you are not Danish.
Or perhaps, like most of us, you are overwhelmed by the atrocities and hate which are showcased on the front page of every newspaper.
You might be thinking to yourself "how dare I be happy" when there is so much misery in the world.
Take heart - you deserve to be happy and you can be happy...it's not a utopian dream, even if it seems like that right now.
In fact research shows us that happy people are more effective and get more done.
So, you can be a more positive force in the world and be more effective if you are happy. Think of it as the analogy of putting on your air supply mask on a plane before helping those around you.
But what is it to be happy and how can you learn HOW to be happy?
The Mirriam-Webster dictionary defines happy as "feeling pleasure and enjoyment because of your life, situation, etc."
In truth, happiness is what you want it to be. Knowing how to be happy is a lifelong journey.
So let's take a look at a 5-Step Action Plan that you can use RIGHT NOW to be happier in your business and your life:
How To Be Happy - Step 1: Know What Happiness Is For You
Be aware that you want to be happy and that happiness is a transient state....it comes and it goes. Recognize which things bring you pleasure and enjoyment and focus on adding more of those into your life.
It doesn't have to be a complete overhaul and you can take it in small steps. For example perhaps you like music and you realize that in the busyness of life you are not listening to music. So how do you add that back into your day?
How To Be Happy - Step 2: Recognise What Drains You
Be aware of what is draining the joy from your life. What can you do to change it, eliminate it, deal with it. People always tell me that there is nothing they can do....what they really mean is that there are always choices, but they are not prepared to make the hard ones, so it's easier to coast and complain.
How To Be Happy - Step 3: Practice Gratitude Every Day
Count your blessings , or in today's terminology, have gratitude. Be consciously thankful for what you have and focus on it daily. It's typical human behavior to rush to move on....if we have it then we move onto the next item on the "to do" list.
This is a little bit like a dog chasing it's tail....it never catches it.
So as we rush we never appreciate what we have. Take a few minutes at the end of the day and think through the things you are thankful for. They don't have to be big things. But they have to be specific to you.
How To Be Happy - Step 4: Pass On The Good Vibes
Pay it forward. Simple things like a smile, holding a door open, chatting with a stranger, giving directions to someone who is lost all add value to your day and their day. It's amazing how a small action has huge positive influence on how you feel.
How To Be Happy - Step 5: Reconnect With Nature
Focussing on nature is immensely powerful in improving your mindset.
In my experience few things bring me as much pleasure as taking my dog for an early run on the beach. In fact he loves it too and refuses to leave. The outdoors, nature, gardening, hiking....whatever you do takes you out of yourself and helps you to appreciate the beauty of the world around us.
The awe-inspiring grandeur of the world around us reminds us of the magnificence which we can all add to our gratitude list.
But, what do all of these things have in common..and why will they help you understand how to be happy?
The Focus is outward rather than inward.
We get so caught up in ourselves and our problems and we get sucked into the vortex of misery. Focusing outward gives you an opportunity to break that cycle and to regroup.
Now it's your turn - are there things you;ve disocvered along your journey that can show other people how to be happy too? - Share them in the comments section and tell me about it!