Much has been written on happiness in recent years, and although I'm fully prepared to admit my bias I know I'm not alone in thinking that most of it is fascinating stuff. However, it can also be quite academic and at times overly theoretical; most of us just don't have the time to do all the things we're supposed to do to live a happy and successful life!
My latest book has been written to bridge the gap between the exciting developments in positive psychology and the everyday person who wants to tap in to the whole happiness thing without having to devote their life to the cause.
From speaking about happiness at conferences, I've realised that people are excited to hear that happiness is an achievable goal – not some vague state dependent on circumstances largely outside their control. It's satisfying to help people start to see how happiness can be created by developing certain simple habits, like meditation or a daily walk.
Some times, some people, after I've piqued their interest in happiness or positive psychology, will take the next step and dip into some of the literature available to learn more. However, I can't count the number of times people have said to me, ‘I want to be happy, but I just don't have the time.' They worry that they have to go through some complicated process to get there: spend years with a therapist; leave their wife; become New-Age; change careers. Or they think they have to understand happiness from the inside out – to be completely au fait with all the research, know how it works, why it works.
My response to this is to compare happiness to technology. Technology is part of our everyday life. We drive our cars to work, heat our food in a microwave, send emails on our computer and speak on tiny mobile phones that don't even plug into any walls or sockets! We are extremely competent in completing these tasks and using these devices, yet few of us have any real idea of how these devices actually work, and most of us don't have the time (let alone the inclination) to find out.
Happiness can be viewed in very much the same way. That is, we can ‘practice' happiness and, in the process, become happier, without actually having to understand in any real detail the underlying mechanics and without having to fundamentally change who we are. Now this isn't to say that a deeper understanding of certain variables would not be helpful but if you've never heard even a whisper about the benefits positive psychology, and you're not really interested in studying any of the lengthy texts, you can still pick up a book such as my latest “100 Ways to Happiness”, open up to a page of interest, and read about a simple exercise or practice that will help elevate your happiness levels.
Dr Timothy Sharp
Looking for true career fulfilment and happiness with a well balanced approach to work and play? Our business coaches operate their own coaching practice under The Happiness Institute business services franchise banner. They are solution focused people who value relationships, who provide outstanding customer service, who love creating change and helping people and organsiations to flourish.8-Sep-2008