There are dozens of researchers
all over the world. People like Seligman who have studied the art and science
of happiness. I’ve dived into the most interesting habits of the happiest people in the world and decided to share them
with you here.
1. They enjoy the moment
It turns out that taking the time to “smell the roses” truly
does enhance happiness in life. When you enjoy the small moments- good or bad-
you’re more aware of what’s happening around you.
The happiest people focus on what they can control and it’s
possible to choose happiness in the moment, no matter the struggles you may be
going through.
2. They have a growth mindset
In the book Mindset, Carol
Dweck explains that the most
successful and happy people have what she calls a “growth mindset” compared to
a “fixed mindset.” A fixed mindset seeks success as affirmation of intelligence
or worth; a growth mindset thrives on challenge and sees failure not as
evidence of unintelligence or unworthiness but as a catalyst for growth and
stretching beyond existing abilities.
After twenty years of research, Dweck concluded that those with a growth mindset had
happier relationships, achieved more success in the classroom, and were much
more persistent through challenges.
3. They surround themselves with other happy people
As Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people
around you.”
Who we surround ourselves with has a huge impact on how we
think, feel, and what direction we head in life. It may sound harsh, but
cutting out the negative people in your life is necessary if you want to be
happier.
You won’t have to confront them personally about this; it could
just mean spending less time with them gradually so you can focus on improving
yourself.
4. They have a dream
Without a future to look towards, the past is the only thing we
can look back on.
Whether your dream is to travel
the world, start your own
business, or learn a new language, having a dream is one of the most
important things in remaining optimistic when things get tough.
This concept of having a purpose is especially prevalent in
Eastern Asia. In Japan, there’s an actual term called ‘ikigai’, which is
translated as “the reason you wake up in the morning.” When some of the
happiest and longest-living people were studied, they all had such a reason.
5. They can wait
The bigger the dream you have, the more patience you have to
practice.
Happy people are willing to wait for the rewards and focus on
the journey, how far they’ve come, and what’s ahead for them.
They understand that the best things in life come to those who
are patient and can stick it out for the long run, whether that’s a job
promotion, relationship, or a new
skill they’re learning.
6. They schedule “me” time into their day
Saying “yes” to everything puts you on the fast track to being
miserable.
Giving is important, but if that means taking up “your” time to
relax, wind down, and learn new things,
then you’ll have nothing to give over time.
You can’t always be agreeable; that’s how people take advantage
of you. You have to set clear boundaries.
7. They spend money on experiences- not material things
That car that you just bought diminished in value the moment you
drove it off the lot, but experiences are memories that will stay with you for
the rest of your life.
The happiest people would rather go on a backpacking trip around
Asia instead of buying a flat-screen TV that they’ll seldom use. According to
Marc and Angel:
“Experiential purchases tend to make us happier for
two key reasons: 1. Great experiences improve over time when we reminisce about
them. 2. Experiences are often social events that get us out of our house
and interacting with people we care about.”
8. They give more than they take
Since happy people live in a world of abundance where there’s
always more opportunities to be had, more money to be made, and more love to
share, they’re always giving when they can.
From raising money for a charity they care about, offering a
dollar to a talented artist playing in the subway, to giving their precious
time to mentor a mentee, they’re always giving.
As ironic as it may sound, happy people understand that this
will actually make them happier in the end.
9. They embrace discomfort
According to psychologist Peter Kramer, resilience is the
opposite of depression. Happy people know how
to bounce back from failure. Resilience is a padding for the inevitable
hardship human beings are bound to face. As the Japanese proverb goes, “Fall
seven times and stand up eight.”
Struggle is the evidence of progress, and happy people
live by this. Why? The rewards of becoming
great at a skill far outweigh the
pain they have to endure in the process.
10. They are always learning
Despite his ASL, Stephen Hawking has made prominent scientific
discoveries. What is more, he has found the words to tell the world about his
findings.
Like Hawking, the happiest people all have one thing in common.
They are lifelong learners, constantly reading new books, exploring other
cultures, learning new languages,
etc. It is an ongoing process because without growth there’s no life.
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