Did you know the first ever international day of happiness was celebrated on March 20th 2013
It seems strange to think that something essential to our very being was a relatively recent conception
At Altrincham HQ we use social media for good and try and focus on the positives in life
Despite what you read – Social Media is neither good or bad, it’s the people that use it who are either good or bad
Here is our guide to a happier life
1. Do Something You Love
You spend the majority of your waking hours working or running your business
Make sure you do something you love
When I look back at my life I’ve made my passions at the heart of everything I do from music through to technology and helping people
I want to get up and really enjoy what I do whether the hours be 9-5 or 7-7 or even 7-11 on some days
Passion or interests alone won’t make a successful business, but half the battle if won if you do something you love
2. Do Something That Has Impact & Purpose
In the grand scheme of things I’m self aware enough to know that a Social Media Marketer isn’t up there with a nurse, doctor, fire fighter, policeman and so on
But it doesn’t mean my job doesn’t have impact and purpose
It’s far removed from the sort of careers listed in in the book “Bullsh*t Jobs: A Theory by David Graeber”
As well as helping small businesses grow and the usual stuff you’d expect a social media marketer do, I also see close up the very human side of what I do
Mums entering the workplace for the 1st time in years, families being able to spend more time together because a phone doesn’t interrupt them all the time, small businesses being saved via social media, businesses still thriving when owners have serious illnesses
Find the purpose in what you do
3. Setting Goals
Setting Goals gives you direction
And most people feel happier when they know which direction they are heading in
I remember I 1st started setting goals 7 years ago in 2012 and my life has improved beyond belief
The happiest people I know have a clear vision of where they want to be in every aspect of their life from business to health to relationships to money and all aspects of their life
They put a pin in the map and the work every day towards that goal
And that pin keeps moving every year as they keep progressing with life
Without direction you have nothing to wake up for in the morning
4. Money
Money won’t make you happy. Money won’t you unhappy either
This week is also National Conversation week and this years theme is all about money
“Talking about our money (or lack of it) is almost as taboo as talking about politics.
When we surveyed 1,000 people in the UK, we found that finance is one of the nation’s biggest worries with nearly 40% of people admitting that finance worries them more than anything else in their lives. However, worryingly only half of people said they would actually seek professional advice.”
So no money alone won’t make you happy
But energy flows where attention goes. … Whatever is the focus of attention becomes more prominent
If you talk and think about money then you work towards gaining the money which allows you the freedom to pursue those dreams, goals and passions you love
5. Music
I’ve never quite believed someone who says “I’m not a big music fan”
And as you’re reading this you’re probably thinking about what you’re passionate about and thinking “I don’t understand why people don’t like football, rubgy or so on”
What I’m trying to say is find something in live you’re obsessed about and that fires you up
Something that everyone else in the circle thinks you’re crazy about
In the last year I played 18,834 tracks (an average of 51 tracks a day) and spent 45 days, 19 hours listening to music I also attended an average of about 10 gigs a month
To the outside world that’s pretty crazy – but it makes me happy
6. Quality Time With Friends And Family
You are the average of the 5 people you spend most time with
The friends you spend most time with will affect your overall happiness so choose them wisely
Your best friends aren’t the ones who have been around the longest – they’re the ones that make your life absolutely worth living
Keep on to the good good people and make sure you don’t fall into a routine
And make time for family as well It’s easy for life and work to take over
Whether it’s once a week or once a month make immovable time that is family time that nothing comes inbetween
You don’t want to grow old and realise you didn’t make time for your family
7. Avoid The News
I haven’t read a newspaper in years and I never watch the news on TV
I reached a stage in my life where I the constant deluge of bad news was draining and wasn’t adding anything to my life
You have to ask yourself does the news make you a more rounded person and is it worthy of 30 minutes to an hour of your day every day
I don’t think it is
Hours before I wrote this blog The Times tweeted “News doesn’t tend to be very happy, but seeing as it’s #HappinessDay, we’re going to start a thread of today’s happiest news stories”
There are countless happy and positive stories that happen every day that the newspapers refuse to print so why support a media with the agenda tuned to negativity every day
8. Reading
I read enough. I don’t read enough
It’s a internal dialogue I go through I think these lists and daily schedules of what business leaders and entrepreneurs do stunt people a lot
People don’t have time to read a book a day or a book a week if they have a other interests
Back at school I hated reading due to a restrictive curriculum, but as an adult I read for absolute joy
Over a year I get through 12-15 books a year that cover all my interests Libraries gave us power
9. Exercise
Years ago I used to weigh nearly 20 stone. I didn’t exercise and I didn’t eat well
And i’m not going to lie. I didn’t feel unhappy. It was just a combination of bad habits
Fast forward to now and I’m a healthy 11 stone 11lbs and exercise 5 times a week
I found my sweet spot and I enjoy running and work hard at that each week
The sense of joy and the mental state exercising puts me for the day is huge
Running isn’t for everyone, but some form of exercise will certainly release those positive vibes
Always make time for exercise whatever your schedule
10. Breaks & Holidays
Whether it’s a 2 hour museum visit on a work trip away or a full 10 day holiday
Make time for breaks and holidays
Uninterrupted breaks from work for me time are 100% non negotiable
That’s often why businesses outsource their social media to us
Even when you love your work like I do having those down time moments do simply do nothing are absolutely bliss
Book those holidays and breaks early so they don’t slip by as business meetings get in the way
NEED HELP WITH YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA?
Chat to us about Social Media Marketing for YOUR organisation , so we can better understand YOU and what will grow your organisation
We can only find out what is unique to your business by chatting with you
Look at our Social Media Training and Social Media Management services
Or
Please call Alex on 07806774279 or email alex@altrinchamhq.co.uk
