40% of happiness is our choice
The key takeaway from the book The How of Happiness is that we can control 40% of our happiness. 50% is determined by our genes. 10% is determined by life circumstances. The controllable happiness (40%) is about what we think and how we behave every day. In other words, happiness is a state of mind and actions that we can work on daily. It does take some effort to be happy but it is worth it. What else is more important than that?
The book offers many practical activities you can do to enhance your happiness. You can pick some activities that work best for you to practice and see what will happen. After all, happiness is a practice or a habit. I find that I have cultivated some happiness habits suggested in the book. For example, I exercise weekly and I spend time with family and friends. Express gratitude. Commit to lifelong goals. Meditate (live in the moment). Develop new hobbies. Keep a gratitude journal.
Recently, I have been keeping a giving journal. I want to jot down the small things I give to others and the great things others give to me. I have an urge to give more when I realize how little I have given. Like I have better control of how I use the money if I keep track of how much I have spent daily. The giving journal is effective to prompt me to be a more giving person. I become more aware of what and how often I give to others. This makes me happier.
How to see the big picture: Best Possible Self
The book introduces the Best Possible Self exercise to help us see the big picture of our lives. This exercise can also boost our happiness as it creates positive emotions. What’s your big picture? For me, I imagine my life in 3 years like this:
- RELATIONSHIPS: I have a loving life partner who stays with me forever and we grow together. I have many inspiring, funny and caring friends around me. My family is happy.
- HOBBIES: I travel at least 6 exotic places with surfing spots to enjoy life and nature. (i.e. Morocco, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Cuba, Bali, Philippine, Okinawa, Cairns, etc.)
- CAREER: My blog has 1,000 true fans. I read and write a lot of good stuff.
- HEALTH: I am healthy, happy and pretty.
- FINANCE: I have more than 1 million.
How about your best possible self? I would like to know! I’m sure you will be happy if you write to me. So please feel free to share it with me in the comments section now.
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Most interesting post.40 percentage is in our life.60 percetage happiness depend on our life style and our optimistic thoughts which is able to bring all happiness in our life.right?dear!!
yes, we can choose to be happy and do happy activities 😀
Wonderful.most welcome,dear!!😊
❤
We give up a lot of control over our lives and happiness. Success Principle #1 by Jack Canfield is about recognizing and taking control of what is within our power. I have worked on it, thinking about everything from the aspect of what I can do or influence. I will definitely check out the recommended book.
The giving journal is a really great idea!
Thanks for liking the giving journal idea, TMP! And thanks for telling me Success Principle #1 by Jack Canfield is about recognizing and taking control of what is within our power. Will check it out 🙂
Very interesting and true facts everything is in ones own hand can design their own dreams with own colors
Yes, true true. It’s up to us to decide and design 😉
Sounds good. I never can figure out those percentages for happiness, but certainly to do the best we can is always good.
do it for happiness ❤
Aha.
Only thing I’d add is Costa Rica to your go-to surfing places, lol! Though, you do already have 4 spots in the same general area, Cuba etc. Either way, sounds fun 😊
Costa Rica is a good idea! I would love to put it on the list too! ❤ Thanks Felipe
The others are wonderful too I’m sure; but CR’s on the top “whatever” 😊 list of world’s best surfing spots!
Interesting reading. The Quest for Happiness is what every single one of us is looking for. I spent some time looking into this and I wrote a book about it ‘ This is Your Quest – Your Mission: To experience Happiness along the way ” – http://www.authorjoannereed.net. Feel free to check it out!
we see the positive pattern in your choice of books!
Yes, mainly focus on happiness and creativity 😉
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Wonderful and inspiring
Glad that you like it! ❤