Welcome to reThink Your Perspective’s blog. To listen to this episode as a Podcast, click here!
This blog is dedicated to finding, sharing and discussing a variety of topics around the struggles our clients and audience go through. Each episode we will discuss a key concept that many humans struggle with and give you a variety of perspectives for you to see the concept through so you can find one that makes it feel easier to deal with.
We hope that you get some benefit from these blog posts, and we would love to hear your thoughts! Don’t hesitate to like, share and comment at the links.
This instalment features a book which was first suggested to me in several of the ‘Thinking Into Results’* lessons created by Bob Proctor and Sandy Gallagher at the Proctor Gallagher Institute, as well as in many of the live calls, mentoring sessions and other videos I have been watching during my journey and is one that I highly recommend on all of my own live sessions.
It is a truly revolutionary book.
Considering it was first published in 1960, it is astounding to me that it has not become a key text in schools around the world as the information contained within would make every single human a better and more productive person. Not only for the good of our species but for them as individuals as well.
The book is available in most good book shops, online and in person, and I highly recommend you get yourself a copy if my write ups resonate with you. I hope they do the book justice but they are only small snippets.
Stay tuned for my reviews over the next couple of weeks as I re-populate and update these blog posts which were originally written in 2022. My version of the book has space for reflection on each of the chapters so I have included my thoughts at the bottom of each of the chapter summaries.
* – Thinking Into Results is a life altering program that opens your mind to the limitless possibilities you have within you. Using 12 lessons ranging from adjusting your self-image, through leadership qualities and praxis, to the knowing-doing gap, this program is designed and proven to change your life in every way in your relationships, finances, careers, wellbeing and many other areas of your life. Get in touch if you want to know more about this program!
Chapter 7 – You Can Acquire The Habit Of Happiness.
Chapter 7 of “Psycho-Cybernetics” by Maxwell Maltz is all about how we can make happiness a habit in our lives.
Imagine happiness as a special power that we can practice and get better at, just like playing a musical instrument or a sport.
In this chapter, Maltz explains that happiness is not something that just happens to us by luck. Instead, it is a habit that we can develop by changing the way we think and act. He suggests that we can train our minds to focus on positive thoughts and feelings, just like training a muscle to get stronger.
Happiness is a mental habit or attitude.
We think better, perform better, feel better and are healthier (all our internal organs function better) when we are happy. There is also data that indicates that we can also see, smell, hear, taste and feel better when we are happy, and our memory improves.
Immorality, hostility and all psychosomatic ills are brought about by unhappiness.
Happy people are never wicked.
Dutch Proverb
Happiness is not earned or deserved, it is not a moral issue. ‘Be happy and you will be good / successful / healthier’, it is not a reward, and you will never be happy if you wait until you “deserve” to be happy.
The pursuit of happiness is not selfish and it does not lie in the future. Live and enjoy life now, not when *insert thing you think will make you happy here* happens.
Be happy full stop, not happy because.
Happiness is a mental habit, produced by thoughts, ideas and attitudes which can be developed and constructed by an individuals own activities, irrespective of the environment.
Dr. Matthew Chappell
Happiness is Habitual
We react unhappily to petty annoyances habitually! We interpret them as a blow to our self-esteem. But we can choose not to.
We can choose to not react, to see the facts and be indifferent to them.
We only become unhappy when we feel we have been wronged, that feeling is a choice. Choose not to feel wronged! Just let it go.
We can be happier by not adding opinion to facts, not adding resentment or self-pity to our misfortune.
Men are not disturbed by the things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen.
Epictetus
A human is a goal striving being, functioning naturally and normally when orientated towards a positive goal. Happiness is a symptom of striving towards a goal. Form the habit of keeping goal-orientated and reacting positively towards threats and problems.
Choose to think pleasant thoughts regardless of what is going on outside of you.
Our self-image and our habits tend to go together, change one and the other automatically changes.
Habits are literally garments worn by our personality. They fit us, are consistent with our self-image. Habits are merely reactions and responses we have learned to do automatically; they are how we behave in certain situations as we have learned that that is the appropriate behaviour.
We can change our habits by making conscious decisions and then practicing or acting out new responses or behaviours.
How To Integrate This Chapter Into Your Own Life
One tip from the chapter is to start each day by thinking about things that make you happy or grateful. This could be something simple like enjoying a tasty breakfast or spending time with a loved one. By starting your day with positive thoughts, you set the tone for a happier day ahead.
Another tip is to practice smiling more often. Smiling can actually trick your brain into feeling happier, even if you weren’t feeling that way initially. So, try to smile at yourself in the mirror or at others throughout the day to boost your mood.
Also, Maltz suggests that we should focus on the present moment and not worry too much about the past or future. By being mindful and fully present in what we are doing, we can find joy in the little things and appreciate the beauty around us.
By incorporating these tips into your daily life, you can start to make happiness a habit and enjoy a more positive outlook on life. Just like any skill, it may take time and practice, but with patience and determination, you can acquire the habit of happiness and live a more fulfilling life.
21-Day 8 Step Challenge To Change Your Habits
Another thing you can do to boost your happiness and success is this 21 day challenge.
Consciously decide that throughout each day for the next 21 days at least:
- I will be as cheerful as possible.
- I will try to feel and act a little more friendly toward other people.
- I am going to be a little less critical and a little more tolerant of other people, their faults, failings, and mistakes. I will place the best possible interpretation on their actions.
- Insofar as possible, I am going to act as if successes are inevitable, and I already am the sort of personality I want to be. I will practice “acting like” and “feeling like” this new personality.
- I will not let my own opinion colour facts in a pessimistic or negative way.
- I will practice smiling at least three times during the day.
- Regardless of what happens, I will respond as calmly and as intelligently as possible.
- I will ignore completely and close my mind to all those pessimistic and negative “facts” that I can do nothing to change.
Please download an infographic of this challenge by clicking the image below to either print and stick on your wall next to your bathroom mirror, or to save on your phone, tablet or laptop as a daily reminder to follow the challenge.
The copy of the book I have has spaces after each chapter to write and reflect on an experience from your past that is explained by the principles given in the chapter.
This is what came up for me:
On reflection, I have always been more happy, on task, productive and motivated when working towards something such as, planning to go round the world, deadlines at work, creative projects.
When I have not been sure of where I am going or what I am working towards, I feel lost and wonder what is missing. When I aiming at a goal, I feel enthused, on purpose and fulfilled.
What Do You Think?
What is coming up for you after reading this summary? Comment below or send me a message. Share with us the goal that is keeping you on track to your success and how you will boost your happiness every day.
To your success,
Jaiye
