Let go of the 10%
| December 23, 2010 | Posted by Jodi Lee under Becoming Happier |
Make a list of what you think would make you happy.
Does your list look anything like this?
- A new relationship
- More flexibility at work
- A new job with more money
- An extra bedroom
- A more attentive spouse
- A baby
- Looking younger
- Relief from your bad back
- Losing weight
- Your child doing well in school
- Cure from an illness or disability
If it does, congratulations you’re normal. These are the most common answers given to the question what would make you happy.
Unfortunately for you, none of these will increase and sustain your happiness level. Everything on this list is circumstantial and humans are very good at adapting to circumstances. Overall these sorts of things only affect your happiness levels by 10%. Piddly stuff.
So what to do?
Consider the characteristics of the happiest people on earth:
- Devote time to family and friends, nurture and enjoy those relationships
- Comfortable expressing gratitude
- First to offer helping hand
- Practice optimism when imagining their futures
- Savour life’s pleasures and live in the present moment
- Make physical exercise a daily habit
- Deeply committed to lifelong goals & ambitions
- Have their share of crises, stresses, and tragedies, but use poise and strengths in coping in the face of challenge
All of these entail how you think and what you do. And THAT accounts for 40% of the happiness pie….
Not only will your happiness levels increase, you will be able to better sustain them. How you think and what you do.
Hey Jodi,
Great article. It is so interesting to step back and take a look at what things really mean in our lives. I believe that true joy, peace, and happiness come from our relationship with God and how we live out that relationship through our relationship with everyone and everything in our lives. If things in our lives aren’t working we need to check how well we are doing with our Father.
Thanks for inspiring deep thought that allows us to confirm and challenge our believes.
Make it a great day!
God Bless,
-ed
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Thank you for writing this. This one makes me smile – Savour life’s pleasures and live in the present moment. I’ll be coming back to this blog.
Cory Shanes´s last blog ..Twitter Facts and Figures – GIANT Infographic
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Interesting perspective. I can let go of that 10% of circumstancial items as a “need” but I will still hold them out as a preference. And they can provide a momentary sense of pleasure and happiness. The 40% of consciously enjoying family, friends, giving, optimism, physical activity and commitment to goals can really lead to happiness. But so far, you have only accounted for 50% of the pie. What is the other 50%?
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Jodi Lee Reply:
May 10th, 2010 at 8:31 am
Erica – you’re the first to notice! The other 50% is genetics.
Jodi
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Boy, This really puts it all into perspective for me, Jodi Lee!
We spend so much time and effort on the things that bring us so little benefit. My question is, What makes us do that?
I promise that I will step back and take a look at the 40%!!! I think I’ll call a family meeting and go over this as a family.
Good stuff! I appreciate you!
Mentor Mama
Nancy Burke Barr´s last blog ..START A HOME BUSINESS: Stop Reading While You Still Can!
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Jodi Lee Reply:
May 10th, 2010 at 8:32 am
Let me know how that meeting goes!
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I read everyone’s comments and I want to say ditto! Enjoyable post! What I liked most was the fact that it was packed with information and not an abundance of words! It was an easy read, full of immense value! Thanks Jodi!
Linda G. Cox´s last blog ..Create a Wonderful Life: reprogram your minds
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Jodi Lee Reply:
May 10th, 2010 at 8:32 am
Thanks, Linda.
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I’m not aware that I’m circling my aspirations around those 10%. No wonder I lack the feeling of happiness. Perhaps I should take a look at my priorities.
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Jodi Lee Reply:
May 10th, 2010 at 8:32 am
Awareness is always the first step, Walter!
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This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I enjoy seeing websites that understand the value of providing a prime resource for free. I truly loved reading your post. Thanks!
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Jodi Lee Reply:
May 10th, 2010 at 8:33 am
You are welcome. Come back again.
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I heard a great saying that really ties in with this: Success does not bring happiness…. happiness brings success.
This post really sums up how to build that happiness up! Thanks Jodi!
Paul Klaszus´s last blog ..The Sum of All Successes!
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How you think and what you do…those words are so powerful in your post. Thanks Jodi!
Michelle Shutter´s last blog ..Mindset In a Minute 42210
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Hi Jodi!
I love this post for several reasons, but I think I love it most for how you structured it. As a former English teacher, I can’t help but notice how writers develop their thoughts and ideas and this one was done so well, for my taste. I also love the content because the list of things that make humans happy are things I practice! And even though I sometimes have a down day, overall life is pretty good in my opinion. I think this post does an excellent job of showing how turning our attention on the right things will indeed increase our happiness quotient substantially.
Thank you!
Mary Lou
Mary Lou Kayser´s last blog ..How Are You Really Doing in Your Primary Network Marketing Opportunity? A Survey
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Jodi Lee Reply:
May 10th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Thanks, Mary Lou! So glad to have you here.
Jodi
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Hi Jodie:
Great post, makes me think of Walt Disney, what a dreamer that realized his dream which has enriched all the world. This is the happiest place in the world, eh?
Arlan Murata´s last blog ..Are You A Dreamer?
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Jodi Lee Reply:
May 10th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Thanks, Arlan.
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Jodi,
Thanks for reminding me of the importance of how I think and what I do. It is so simple really but often overlooked.
´s last blog ..The Law Of Laws (part 5) 
Great reminder for me! Thank you!
Venus
Venus
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Hi Jodi, reading your post reminds me of the saying “What you think about you bring about.” Definitely thinking positive thoughts and taking actions that bring out good feelings will return more of the same to you. Great post thanks for sharing.
~Kara
Kara Grabenhorst´s last blog ..Don’t like it? Change it NOW
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Aloha Jodi,
I love your step by step approach to happiness. Thank you for taking time to detail each step for all of us.
Much love & aloha,
Kellie
Kellie Hosaka´s last blog ..Are You Afraid Of How Fast Things Are Changing Around You?
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We should all read this article periodically, particularly as we go through our lives on auto-pilot. We need to be aware that happiness is not the result of what happens to us but of what we make happen for others, ourselves, the environment, etc. Thanks for your thoughts.
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Jodi Lee Reply:
April 27th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Thanks Sandy!
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Jodie,
Great point about the areas and circumstances that control your attitude. Positive thinking will bring about so many wonderful changes, I feel sad for those who refuse to open up to this fact.
Thanks so much for sharing,
Val
Val Wilcox´s last blog ..Which Bridge in Life to Use…
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Exactly! Great article, Jodi! We are what we think, and how we think and feel about the world around us creates the circumstances around us. It’s about living a life of gratitude and total enjoyment of life, no matter what our current circumstances seem to be. Focusing on the good things in life always brings more of the same. The opposite is true, as well, of course, but we don’t want to think in that direction!
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Jodi Lee Reply:
May 10th, 2010 at 8:35 am
Exactly. Thanks, Steve!
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