Happiness Information


Dont Let Life Happen to You


Don't Let Life Happen To You

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live. - Marcus Aurelius (121-80 AD, Roman Emperor, Philosopher)

It's hard to believe that we are nearing the end of another year. As I write this, snow is falling in Colorado, the makings of a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner are in the kitchen, and our newspapers are filled with holiday ads. The end of the year always tends to be a time of reflection as we look back on the accomplishments of the past year and look forward to a new year. It's also a time to reflect on our lives and ensure that we are living the life we want.

It's easy to look at ones life and be content with where you are. You have a good job, a spouse or significant other, children, a nice car, and all of the trappings of success. Clearly you are well on your way to success. But the real question is, are you happy with what you are doing?

No, this is not an article about the spiritual side of your life. Normally these articles focus all of the attention on management and leadership concepts that you can use to shape your career, improve your performance, and move up the ladder of success. But as we enter a new year it is important to take a step back and make sure that the path you are on is the right path for you.

You see life has a way of just happening to people. Your first job tends to be the job that you were first offered, in an industry that may or may not really interest you, doing what you may or may not have a real talent in. Your career then tends to grow from there. You get promoted or change companies, but tend to stay with what you are familiar with and what you have done in the past. Months turn into years and at some point in time you find that you are on a career path that you never really intended to be on at all. It may be a great, wonderful career path doing all of the things that are important to you, or it may be a path where you have had some successes, but don't find inspiring.

In short, your life has been on autopilot. That is when you know that life has happened to you.

You didn't plan to be where you are. And while you are not unhappy with where you are, you are not happy with it either. It does not speak to your inner being.

The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose. - Richard Leider

As you sit down in the coming weeks to plan your new years resolutions, take a few extra minutes to think about where you are in your life and where you are in your career. If you have not made a life plan in the past, start one now. Identify your core values. Identify what is important to you in life and in your career. Figure out were you want to be in 10 years and make sure your current path will take you there.

Your life is a fairy tale, with the journey unscripted. Take control of your life and write your own script. Understand your desires and passions and build a plan for your life that will be a source of happiness and pride. It may be in management and leadership. It may be in the arts. But whatever it is, make sure that you control your life and that your life does not just happen to you.

David Meyer, owner of Coaching for Tomorrow, has more than 25 years of management and leadership experience, having worked for companies such as Nobil Shoes, McDonough, Allied Stores, MCI and Nextel Communications. His mantra, "You Win With People" is based on the deep-seated belief that hiring, developing, and promoting the right people can lead to organizational and financial success. As a management and leadership coach, David works to instill that same passion in his clients by helping them understand the importance of strong leadership, strong teamwork, and strong players.

David has a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Elmhurst College and has been certified by both ACTION International as a Business Coach and the Coach Training Alliance. He also has received his CTM from Toastmasters. He is an Officer in the Denver Coach Federation and a facilitator/trainer for the Coach Training Alliance and ACTION International of Colorado.

Married with two adult daughters, David is active in his local Kiwanis club and Crossroads Community Church. He enjoys reading, golf, scuba diving, and Civil War reenacting.

www.coachingfortomorrow.com


MORE RESOURCES:

For $4 a Box, You CAN Buy Happiness
Patch.com
By Rob Scott Is it simply the taste—that delicious combination of peppermint and chocolate, or (if you prefer) caramel, coconut and chocolate? Or is it knowing you're supporting a positive organization, one steeped in tradition?

and more »


Sarasota Herald-Tribune

The happiness formula
Idaho Press-Tribune
Like the treasures of the Sierra Madre, happiness sometimes seems more myth than reality. But we YOU Docs want to help you pursue the real thing. You deserve true happiness and much of your emotional AND physical health depends on it.
Dr. Oz: 7 ways to pursue happinessSarasota Herald-Tribune

all 2 news articles »


Hilton HHonors Reveals Top 10 Happiest Winter Travel Destinations in the US
MarketWatch (press release)
According to Happiness Expert Dr. Aymee Coget, traveling during the winter months can provide more than just a suntan; it can also increase personal happiness during the most depressing time of the year. To help beat the winter blues, Hilton HHonors, ...

and more »


JOHN STOSSEL: Bigger government means less happy societies
Cherry Hill Courier Post
In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson called the pursuit of happiness an unalienable right. This was a radical idea. For most of history, most people didn't think much about pursuing happiness. They were just trying to survive.

and more »


Taiwan Today

Happiness index to follow the OECD's lead, DGBAS says
Taipei Times
The nation will use an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report on happiness as a guideline when conducting its own happiness survey, which is set to be released next year, a government statistics official said yesterday.
Taiwan to follow OECD in compiling happiness index reportFocus Taiwan News Channel
Taiwan to introduce well-being, happiness indexTaiwan Today
Premier Chen Puts Forth the Goal of “Rich-People Economy”The Taiwan Economic News

all 4 news articles »


Make God part of your life, and joy will follow
Chicago Tribune
They say money can't buy happiness, and I know now that it's true, but where can I find it? -- JVR A: I'm thankful for your honesty, and I hope your letter will cause many to pause and think about the path they're following in life. Why do I say this?

and more »


Social #Intranets: Engagement, Happiness and Productivity
Business 2 Community
Andy Jankowski makes an important point in the ThoughtFarmer whitepaper about the importance of learning in employee happiness and wellbeing. He notes that learning something about your line manager, via a social intranet profile for example, ...

and more »


Newsday

Tuck's tough year ends in Super happiness
Newsday
Giants Newsday > Sports > Football > Giants Tuck's tough year ends in Super happiness Originally published: February 6, 2012 12:03 AM Updated: February 6, 2012 12:12 AM By TOM ROCK tom.rock@newsday.com INDIANAPOLIS -- An agonizing season for Justin ...
Tom Coughlin Gets Bear Hug from Flavor Flav After Giants' Super Bowl Win [VIDEO]International Business Times
Gisele rips Patriots, gives Brady a passBoston.com (blog)
New York Giants are Super Bowl champions, a Giants' fan perspective of an ...The Star-Ledger - NJ.com (blog)
Jerusalem Post -Giants Gab (blog) -Stony Brook Statesman
all 20,847 news articles »


Ventura County Star

"Happiness and Well-being in Times of Uncertainty" Public Talk by Venerable ...
Ventura County Star
Buddhism offers meaningful perspectives for making sense of the circumstances of life, and accessible methods for cultivating attitudes and capacities to solve life's problems. Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi will illuminate basic concepts of Buddhism and ...



The Pursuit of Happiness: Eliminating Bureaucracy
Georgetown University The Hoya
An unfinished version of the 2012 Student Life Report released to the press Sunday analyzes the effectiveness of the university's funding boards and the state of campus organizations, focusing on the levels of bureaucracy facing student groups.

and more »

Google News

home | site map
© 2007