7 Strategies

Simply Decide

Strategy # 1 - Remember the Details with a "Happy Memories Book"

Do you remember a time, place, person, or something that made you feel happy?

Start a "Happy Memories Book" where you can write down and review these happy memories when you need them. Remember to record all the explicit details.

eart Whispers

Strategy # 2 - Shhh! Quiet Your Mind

In the quietness of an unperturbed mind, you will notice an increased sensitivity to the joys all around you.

Life gets busy

Your Mind may be Racing

Pause long enough to Listen to YOUR Heart

Schedule at least 30 minutes a day of total quiet time to listen to what your heart says. You will thank me later.

Pick a quiet location

No distractions

Lean into what you hear

You will be amazed!!

njoy the Journey & Be Present

Strategy # 3 - Practice "Free" Happiness

If you think money will buy you happiness, you will always be shopping and never be satisfied. Make a list of everything in your life that doesn't cost money, but is priceless to you, like your family and friends, kindness, walks in nature, and gazing at the stars at night.

Start recognizing everything around you and enjoy the moment you are in.

Some suggestions for "free" happiness are:

· Laughing at silly jokes with your children or grandchildren

· Walking or biking along some beautiful trails in the park

· Visiting free museums or galleries

· Sampling the latest offerings at the local farmer’s market

· Stargazing in a hammock

· Playing Frisbee in the park

· Capture beauty with photography – nature, buildings, people

· Take the scenic route to change the normal routine

· Turn off technology and spend quality time with those you love

Grateful Heart

Strategy # 4 - Gratitude Journal

When you express gratitude, it can fire up the brain to deliver happiness-boosting chemicals, like dopamine and serotonin.

Keep a "Gratitude Journal" (this can be a simple notebook) next to your bed and write down what you are grateful for before you go to bed.

This can positively impact the way your body and mind function and can promote a quality and more restful sleep to boost immunity and happiness.

When you wake up with gratitude, remember to jot those thoughts down too!

espond with Intention

Strategy # 5 - Reframe It!

Do you sometimes think a dark cloud is overshadowing you with so much negativity?

These negative thoughts lead into negative words you may say and it will hold you back and keep you from reaching your full potential. Start recognizing all the positive around you and learn the strategy of reframing the negative into positive.

Whenever negative thoughts come in your mind or negative words come out of your mouth, think of a way that you can change the thought into a positive thought.

Remember to smile each time you do this.

Practice it all the time and it will soon become automatic. This takes a lot of practice; however, once you start thinking about it and putting it into practice, you will start to see how you feel so much better and this can literally change your life.

ake Action

Strategy # 6 - 5 Second Rule

I learned this strategy from Mel Robbins.

Mel explains the rule as, "The 5 Second Rule is simple. If you have an instinct to act on a goal you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will kill it. The moment you feel an instinct or a desire to act on a goal or a commitment, use the Rule. When you feel yourself hesitate before doing something that you know you should do, count 5-4-3-2-1-GO and move towards the action."

When you take action, you start recognizing your efforts and will feel better about yourself and your accomplishments.

Create Your Happiness Roadmap

Strategy # 7 - Brainstorm What Makes YOU Happy

Grab some paper and a pen, go to your quiet place where you are free of distractions, and get ready to brainstorm what makes you happy and brings you joy.

Brainstorming can be an incredibly powerful way to break through barriers and uncover new ideas. You need to get out of your own way, so I am providing some rules before you start brainstorming.

The brainstorming rules are:

1. Don’t judge or second guess anything that comes to your mind while brainstorming. Get extreme, silly, petty, unconventional, whatever it takes to help you break new ground.

2. Write as fast as you can. The goal is quantity, not quality, as you are brainstorming ideas. Once you can get past the obvious answers, you will get to the good stuff.

3. Enjoy the process and have fun!

To start brainstorming, ask yourself what, who, when, where, why, and how questions. Here are some questions to get you started on brainstorming so you can determine what you will need in your life to create your happiness roadmap:

· What brings you joy and happiness?

· Who are you most happiness being around?

· When are you the happiest?

· Where do you find yourself being the most happy?

· Why do you want to have happiness and joy in your life?

Write as many ideas that come to mind, making sure to write down at least 50 ideas. Again, do not judge any answers. Once you are done with brainstorming, put a star next to any of the ideas that you cannot live without and put a check mark to anything that you want within 30 days.

Make a list of your top ideas from the brainstorming by choosing all of your starred items and enough of your checked items so that you have at least 10 ideas and no more than 30.

Start another brainstorming session by taking the above list and get creative by determining something that you can do each day to ensure you are experiencing joy and happiness to meet each of these ideas. For instance, if one of your starred ideas was “spending time with my kids”, you might create the activity as “fly a kite with my son”. Another example, if one of your starred ideas was “intimate moments with my husband”, you might create the activity as “surprise stargazing date night” and set up a blanket outside where you both can lay and watch the stars as you share in your thoughts together.

After you have come up with 30 different ideas or activities, schedule one per day for the next 30 days.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

YOU DID IT!

You created your own personalized 30-Day Happiness Roadmap.

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7 Strategies to Spark Your Heart & Life