The 4 ‘P’s for a Happy Life
Prioritizing
It all starts with prioritizing.
We are constantly bombarded with endless things we could have, should want, or need to do . This can create pressure— on our time, our resources, and our money, to do/get/accomplish those things, and can create comparisons and feelings of inadequacy. But hold on. Are those things actually important to you?
The first step to living your happiest life is to get real with yourself about what matters most to you. This requires deep self-exploration, and throwing some social norms out the window.
Planning
Most problems can be solved with a good plan.
Thinking about our challenges this way, as a puzzle to be solved, helps remove some of the feelings associated with them. When our problems are clouded with layers of emotion it can be hard to see them clearly.
Whether it is how to stay on top of your laundry, get your finances in order, or maximize your time— you need a good plan. Bringing more intentionality into our lives allows us to have more control over the outcome and can prevent problems from spiraling out of control.
Positive Mindset
Our thoughts dictate our reality.
You will find more in the world of that which you are focused on. Focus on the bad, and you will see the bad. Focus on the good and you will attract more good.
We don’t need to bury negative emotions or be unrealistic about the problems in our world, but, we can build an undercurrent of optimism, resilience, and gratitude, empowering us to respond to challenges more skillfully and with more grace.
Play
What are we doing if we aren’t having fun?
Life is too short to waste it away by not enjoying it. We need to be intentional about creating fun. Sure, sometimes good times occur on their own, but more often than not our lives can be pretty hum-drum if we aren’t creating the fun ourselves. Creating play in our lives could look like putting on music and dancing while we cook, making more plans with our loved ones, or something more substantial like taking up a hobby we enjoy. Additionally, we can learn how to appreciate all the wonderful things in our lives and find beauty in the here and now. By being more present and actively making our lives more fun, we can make each day more enjoyable.