Jeff Hayden writes "Happiness--in your business life and your personal life--is often a matter of subtraction, not addition."
Here's a summary of 10 things he suggests people stop doing in order to be happier. Read the full post
here.
1. Blaming.
"Taking responsibility when things go wrong instead of blaming others isn't masochistic, it's empowering--because then you focus on doing things better or smarter next time."
2. Impressing.
"Genuine relationships make you happier, and you'll only form genuine relationships when you stop trying to impress and start trying to just be yourself."
3. Clinging.
"Even if you don't succeed in earning what you want, the act of trying alone will make you feel better about yourself."
4. Interrupting.
"Interrupting isn't just rude. When you interrupt someone, what you're really saying is, 'I'm not listening to you so I can understand what you're saying; I'm listening to you so I can decide what I want to say.'"
5. Whining.
"If something is wrong, don't waste time complaining. Put that effort into making the situation better. Unless you want to whine about it forever, eventually you'll have to do that. So why waste time? Fix it now."
6. Controlling.
"Still, the only thing you really control is you. If you find yourself trying hard to control other people, you've decided that you, your goals, your dreams, or even just your opinions are more important than theirs."
7. Criticizing.
"Everyone is different: not better, not worse, just different. Appreciate the differences instead of the shortcomings and you'll see people--and yourself--in a better light."
8. Preaching.
"The higher you rise and the more you accomplish, the more likely you are to think you know everything--and to tell people everything you think you know.
When you speak with more finality than foundation, people may hear you but they don't listen. Few things are sadder and leave you feeling less happy."
9. Dwelling.
"The past is just training; it doesn't define you. Think about what went wrong, but only in terms of how you will make sure that, next time, you and the people around you will know how to make sure it goes right."
10. Fearing.
"We're all afraid ... Don't let your fears hold you back. Whatever you've been planning, whatever you've imagined, whatever you've dreamed of, get started on it today ... Today is the most precious asset you own--and is the one thing you should truly fear wasting."
What do you think are things that are helpful to stop doing?
