Money Can Buy Comforts But Not Your Joy

In the day to day shuffle of juggling balls to keep your company running, it is easy to neglect your personal life. We often hear people use the excuse, “when I get the promotion,” “when I graduate from college,” “after I quit my job,” and “when I retire” as reasons to put off happiness in the present moment. Research shows postponing joy until conditions are perfect is a losing game. How often have you had a “perfect” life? And how long did it last before you had to adjust your course?

Despite popular opinion, contentment is not dependent on a set of external factors, such as wealth, the right job, a fancy car, the ideal weight, a beautiful house, expensive clothes and exotic vacations. Happiness is an inside job. It doesn’t happen when certain conditions are met; instead, it appears when you cultivate it. The first step is deciding happiness is a priority, then taking the steps to make it happen.

The pursuit of joy is considered, by some, to be a trivial or even selfish goal. However, studies show that being happy not only benefits the individual but society as a whole. Unhappy people are less likely to volunteer in their communities and more likely to be self-absorbed, isolated, angry and combative. Consider this quote from Robert Louis Stevenson: “There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy. By being happy we sow anonymous gifts upon the world.”

If your goal is to experience joy, feel at peace and live a full and exciting life, I am sharing some tips below (previously published on Inc.)

It’s Not All About the Money

Having the finances to support your family, afford adequate nutrition and live in a safe community is important to most people. Once your income reaches a particular level, it becomes a tradeoff and you may experience diminishing returns. Studies have found that day-to-day happiness is related to income, but only up to a certain point (approximately $75,000 in the U.S.) This amount helps cover life’s necessities and comforts, but other stressors come into play, such as demanding hours, compromised time with family and friends and additional pressure and responsibilities. This particular study found no evidence that happiness declines as income increases.

Invest in Relationships

Enjoying strong bonds is the single most significant factor in overall happiness levels. The Harvard Study of Adult Development, which has followed the same men for nearly 80 years to monitor their physical and mental well-being, found close, positive relationships to be the biggest influences on happiness and even physical health. Study participants flourished in life when they had strong ties to family, friends and community. In their later years, study participants reported that the most meaningful parts of their lives were the times they spent with others.

Make Physical Health a Priority

Many studies link unhappiness with poor physical and mental health. Sadness and stress negatively affect your body’s immune response. Which is another reason to place a premium on cultivating a positive state of mind. Also, happy people are more likely to take care of themselves by exercising, eating well and getting enough sleep. Some activities involve a financial investment and the need for boats, skis and air travel. But there are plenty of other options to stay physically fit on a tighter purse string. Strap on your tennis shoes and take a walk. Make a date to play tennis at your local high school or organize a weekly walking or running group with friends.   

Look On the Sunny Side

Entrepreneurs often have a stubborn streak of persistence, tenacity and focus. It’s an overall belief that positive outcomes are within reach. Having an “I can do” attitude will program your brain to respond positively rather than negatively to any given situation. Negative thoughts become a self-fulfilling prophecy and you will limit yourself from experiencing endless and abundant opportunities. Plenty of successful people have failed, but they don’t give up.

Clean Your Closet and Make Your Bed

It may not seem significant in the grand scheme of things, but cleaning your desk and decluttering your home and office can positively impact your joy, energy, and productivity. Happiness researcher Gretchen Rubin maintains that “outer order contributes to inner calm”. There’s a sense of peace, freedom, and ease from having orderly surroundings. So take the time to tidy up and organize. Get rid of items that no longer benefit you (or bring you joy) and keep only things you love. That includes getting rid of clothes that don’t fit in the hopes of losing weight someday. Be selective when acquiring new things that will start to clutter your home, desk and mind.

Retired Navy SEAL and former Texas University Chancellor extols the value of making your bed. Starting the day by making your bed will give you a sense of pride. Encouraging you to do another task, and another – reinforcing the fact that the little things in life matter. According to the Chancellor, making your bed has the power to change the world. If you haven’t watched the commencement address yet- don’t delay.

Find Your Peace

Whether you practice an organized religion or are on your own spiritual journey, connecting with a higher power can produce a deeper sense of meaning and well-being. The 2017 Harris Poll Survey of American Happiness found that 71% of Americans say their spiritual beliefs added positivity to their lives, up from 66% in 2016. If you don’t already, devote some dedicated time and thought to your own personal belief system. Even a few minutes of quiet meditation each day can significantly impact your peace and ability to handle life’s challenges. Countless research findings suggest meditation can relieve anxiety, ward off depression, and minimize pain.

Embrace Kindness

People reap a multitude of benefits when they help others (bring joy to someone else), from reducing depression to lowering blood pressure. People who make charitable contributions are happiest overall, according to a Harvard Business School survey. Being kind to others engages the brain’s reward centers, which means generosity to others is actually a gift you give yourself.

You may also like Celebrating Fall by Doing Good for Someone Else. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest,  Instagram and Twitter.