How to Live Your Happiest Life

Happiness is not as elusive as you might think. A few simple steps will take you a long way toward living a happy and fulfilled life.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A positive attitude
• A belief you can be happy
• Willingness to work at being happy

1. TAKE STOCK. Write a list: What things are good in your life? Nothing is too small to write down. "I can see the kids play while I wash dishes," is a good-enough good thing. So is, "I have enough to eat." Find what there is to appreciate about your life. What things could be better? Write these things down on a separate list.

2. CULTIVATE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. Spend time every day thinking about the good things in your life. You will find that the more you focus on what is good in your life, the more good things you will notice.

3. HELP OTHERS. Do one thing for someone else every day. If possible, don't let them know. It doesn't need to be a grand gesture. Take your grocery cart back when you are done with it, or hold the door for someone else. Being kind brings happiness.

4. BE KIND TO YOURSELF. Every day, do something nice for yourself. Read a book, take a walk, or play with your kids. Think about something you really enjoy doing, and do that. Make time to exercise or fly a kite.

5. TACKLE A SMALL PROBLEM from the list in Step 1. Choose something you can fix easily and do it. Start small. Success breeds success. Suppose "My office is ugly" is on your list. Hang a picture or bring a plant. Take one tiny step toward making things better, and you will be amazed at how quickly things improve. Remember, baby steps are still steps.

6. START HEALING YOUR RELATIONSHIPS. Are you mad at someone but can't remember why? Let it go. Drop them a line or call to say hello.
   If you do remember why you're mad, decide what you could have done differently to make things better. Then go to that person and tell them what you did wrong. Tell them you want to do better. Then move on, regardless of what they say.

7. REST. Sleep is important; so is play. Do both. It's hard to be happy when you're chronically exhausted.

8. HAPPINESS IS A FORM OF WEALTH, like money. You have to work for it, and you should guard it like the valuable thing it is.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep at it. Happiness isn't free; it takes work.
• Do the things you love.
• Don't spend a lot of time focusing on what's wrong. Build on what is right.