How to Change Your Mindset for a Happy and Successful Life

Today we want to share with you a special post:

10 Secrets to a Happy and Successful Life

Being happy and successful is something we all aspire to. It is very likely that when asked "What is your purpose in life?" most of us would answer: be happy. But some days, that "small and modest" goal seems light years away.

The good news and the bad news are these: it's all in our heads. Even when it seems impossible to see the bright side of things, it is actually 100% within our reach to transform the way we see life.

This article compiles 10 ways to change the way you think and go from being unhappy or just "okay" with your life to feeling (and discovering) that you're already pretty successful.

Count your blessings

In the 21st century, we tend to always want more and strive to be better. However, sometimes we just have to appreciate what we already have, and suddenly a different world opens up before us.

Changing your mindset to be grateful is truly one of the most powerful insights. It may seem too simple to be that effective, but you should practice it every day and in everything you do.

If you really put your mind on gratitude, you will stop paying attention to small annoyances and negative situations. Instead, you will begin to focus on the good things that happened and the lessons you learned from the unpleasant events or encounters.

Start by doing this simple exercise every night before bed:

Write down 7 happy things that happened that day that you can be thankful for.

They don't have to be big things: in a few days, you'll jot down little happy moments like having a delicious latte in the afternoon or receiving a friendly smile from a colleague.

As you practice this technique (over and over again!) over several weeks or months, you will find that you begin to appreciate these little joys of life the moment you experience them.

Find your purpose

Spend a day alone and think honestly about what you want to achieve in this life. This notion may seem a bit vague at first glance.

For example, most of us will probably say that we want to be happy and successful. But take the time to dig into what these concepts mean to you.

Your purpose could be to do something meaningful every day or to make the world a better place by doing what you love. Your goal may be to grow each year, personally and professionally.

You can also set more specific goals for yourself. For example, spend every weekend with your family, get a promotion, or take an eye-opening trip to an exotic land. If so, try to set specific time frames for reaching those milestones.

Seek fulfillment, not happiness

Instead of striving to simply be happy, you should aim for continued satisfaction.

More and more psychologists and thinkers emphasize that happiness is not the product of getting what you want, but the result of the different challenges you have overcome and the milestones you have reached to achieve them.

In other words, happiness alone is not enough without going after things, competing, and fighting.

In fact, the constant pursuit of happiness and worrying about not feeling happy can make you feel even more unhappy and stressed.

Remember: happiness is not destiny, it is a side effect of living your life to the fullest.

Cultivate various areas of life and interests

The more diverse and meaningful the areas of your life, the more fulfilling your life will be. People who are invested in many different things are much less likely to become depressed and burnt out than those who have few interests in life.

A psychotherapist shared a technique to nurture various areas of life and avoid burnout and depression. She suggests dividing a list of items into 9 sections for different parts of your life, those that are individually important to you.

Some examples might be family, work, friends, hobbies, travel, volunteering, sports, alone time, etc.

Once you've determined these important domains, be sure to nurture and develop them. For example, spend a certain amount of time on each of them each week.

Love yourself

Some people put others before themselves and know how to give better than they receive. If you are one of them, it is time that you start thinking more about yourself.

As with many things in life, the key here is balance. Here are some ideas on how to start loving yourself more:

• Spend at least one day a week doing what you love.
• Learn to say no. Try this the next time someone asks you for a favor that you really don't want to deliver.
• Listen to your body. If you feel too tired to go out or even work, skip it and don't feel bad about it. If you work hard, chances are you deserve a day off.
• Turn off your phone for an afternoon or a whole day. Show people that you need some alone time and that they can't always trust you.
• Try being selfish for a change. If you're normally the obedient type, try telling others what you prefer or how you want things to turn out.

Try a new vocation

It's easy to get caught up in everyday life, work, and family tasks. If you've been running the same rat race for years, it can be hard to even imagine living any differently.

But surely you've heard of people who keep striving, trying new things, and finding their passion even when they already have stable jobs and families.

Perhaps your entry-level job brings you a steady income, but your side project is one that brings you additional satisfaction and income, or perhaps you found your happiness and purpose later in life.

It's never too late to try a new hobby or even a new occupation. If you don't want to change your life right away, start by doing something small, like a side business.

Today there are countless online jobs and even businesses that you can start from your computer.

Alternatively, try a new hobby (like playing tennis or learning to sail), a craft (like painting or knitting), or volunteering for a cause that interests you.

If you are really dedicated and interested in your hobby, it can give you a new perspective on things and even give you new ideas for your professional life.

Remember: it's never too old or too late to try something new!

Manage your expectations

Having high standards is essentially not a bad thing. But it can become harmful if you overdo it.

If you are too hard on yourself, you can suffer from depression and burnout. If you expect too much from other people, they may get bored, fear you, or even avoid you.

Remember: loving someone genuinely, this also applies to yourself, can only start when you stop expecting a certain action, behavior, or result from yourself or someone else; and when you allow yourself to embrace and love the natural flow of events.

Don't be offended

Taking offense is one of the greatest thieves of happiness in our lives. Being offended robs us of the precious and genuinely happy moments that we could spend with our loved ones.

It also links to the previous point: when your expectations of others are too high and you feel that they owe you something. Here's the hard truth: Nobody owes you anything

You should be grateful for all the good things, kindness, and love that you receive from other people. And never assume it's something that should be there by default.

So the next time you feel offended, ask yourself this question and answer honestly: Isn't it just my hurt ego? And why do I assume that I deserve the help, attention, and love of this other person?

Give and Contribute

Life satisfaction comes in large part from a sense of contribution: the feeling that your life and work matter. Doing something of value to your local community, your business, or society at large can give you a sense of mission or cause.

Here are some ideas on how you can contribute:

• Sign up to volunteer at orphanages, nursing homes, or animal shelters.
• Join groups or initiatives at your workplace, such as office event organizers or charity groups.
• Join an organization that fights for environmental issues, defends animal rights, etc.
• Be proactive in your neighborhood. Join local initiatives to give during Christmas and throughout the year.

Look at your partner with new eyes

If you have been with your partner for many years, you surely know that relationships have ups and downs, and they are never roses and violets.

Many people find it difficult to accept that they have become too used to their other half and that being together no longer gives them the good butterflies and chills.

The good news is that it is in your power to change it and give your relationship more color.

Here are some ideas to bring back the spark:

Try to do something that neither of you has ever done

It could be a new sport, a hobby, a new way of traveling, or anything else. Going through new experiences together will bring you new enthusiasm and you can share how it felt to do so.

Try to touch yourself more often

This may seem like overkill at first if you're not the typical sensitive couple. But there is evidence that hugging and touching your partner plays a crucial role in nurturing the relationship and helping you avoid and deal with conflict.

Give yourself free time

This does not mean breaking up or pressing "Pause" in your relationship. Only further your partner's other interests, even when they don't include you.

For example, support your special hobby or encourage a night out or even a trip with your friends. The other person will surely appreciate your respect for their interests and will have the opportunity to miss others.

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