How one approaches action in life, is strongly correlated to their overall state of happiness.  Many of us wait for the stars to align, for the moment to be right, and that time when we feel 100% up to the challenge to take action.  If we live in such a manner – we’ve missed out on a huge opportunity. 

Are you looking to shift your state of happiness?  The key as you might guess, is to take focused action.  Our mood, demeanor and overall outlook improve if we assume this model for life.  Far too many people live by a incorrect assumption that happiness should precede action.  The opposite is true.  The challenge; when we are depressed or unhappy, we seldom ‘feel like it’.  This starting sentiment must be overcome. 

Those that live by the philosophy that happiness must be present to act continually struggle to create the shift in their overall state of being because they simply don’t have enough outside stimulus to instigate change.  How can one improve their mood when they are confined to the same routine that that brought them into their dismal situation in the first place?  How can one feel better when they are depriving themselves the opportunity for growth?

Its not just acting, its focused action

There’s a difference between action and focused action.  Most of us act in life.  We ‘get out of the house’ so to speak and go to the grocery store, pick the kids up at school, and live our normal routine.  Routine, required, and regular action is not what I am referring to here.  While getting out of the house can be good advice if you’ve locked yourselves into the confines of a dark room all day long, typically the mood altering affect of this single act is not going to turn one’s life around (unless you are truly living a life full of inaction). 

Focused action refers to those activities that bring you closer to attaining a relevant goal.  When I speak of relevance, I am referring to those goals that resonate with who you are as a person.  They are the goals that lighten your spirits, make your heart sing, the ones that challenge you to grow.  They are the goals that you are uncertain that you can achieve.  When we act towards these passions, although the outcome of our efforts may not yet be clear (ie: we may or may not successfully achieve what we strive for), there can be no failure as we are participating in the joys and excitement of life.  We’ve become creators of our world and our internal wiring changes.  As you can now see so clearly, action precedes happiness.

Happiness is not the goal

We are here on this planet not simply to be happy.  If this was your goal, you’d seek out the path of least resistance which you felt would bring you immediate happiness in the near future.  Those that strive simply for happiness are focusing on the small picture.  They are focusing on the present moment.  They are avoiding pain.

All of us have passions, longings, a deep seeded love for some purpose larger than ourselves.  Life is about experience.  Its about knowing the joys and disappointments that come with being human.  Its about appreciating all aspects of who we are and being able to truly say thank you for whatever comes our way.  Happiness is a fleeting emotion we experience during our life journey.  Ultimately it is this journey which provides us with fulfillment.  It is in focusing on the active creation of our journey which brings us back to true happiness.

Be Well

Related Articles:

• 10 Steps to Success
• 10 Steps to Success - Step 4 Set Goals
• 10 Steps to Success - Step 5 Take Action
• Developing Lifestyle Change Goals
• Striving But Never Arriving – Creating Long Term Goals