Choosing To Be Happy

Each and every day we have a choice. That choice:

Whether to be happy or not.

This is a continuation of my examination of Andy Andrew‘s 7 Decisions from The Traveler’s Gift.  Today I Choose To Be Happy is the 5th decision. Maybe the most important.

Can You Really Choose To Be Happy?

You may be asking yourself that question. Is it really possible to choose happiness?

You can and there’s ways to make this decision easier.

But my life’s not perfect. I’ve done things that create sadness in my life. My home life is terrible. My job is miserable. There’s no way I could choose to be happy in the situations I face daily.

This is where we mess up and destroy our chance of being happy. We’ve let our circumstances dictate whether or not we will be joyful.

Create A Decided Heart

There’s been many times I’ve started a new adventure or chose to learn a new skill. Only weeks latter to see I had made no progress.

My interest had waned and I no longer pursued what I thought I was passionate about.

Why?

Because my heart wasn’t in it. My heart was undecided.

I have a decided heart is the fourth decision for success in Andy Andrews book The Traveler’s Gift. This may be one of the most important keys to success you will ever learn.

What Is A Decided Heart?

Having a decided heart is simple in theory. Difficult in practice.

You’ve come to the point of having a decided heart when your passion meets your heart. You then put forth the effort to chase after the passion with all you have.

Be A Person Of Action

Who around you has become successful? Can you name off the traits that have helped them rise above the difficulties?

If you name them off, one of the traits of the successful person is that they are a person of action.

And if you want to be a successful leader, you’ll have to learn how to take action as well.

I am a person of action is the third decision in Andy Andrews’ book The Traveler’s Gift. I wrote about the two previous decisions in previous posts. They were I Will Seek Wisdom and The Buck Stops With Me.

Each decision in The Traveler’s Gift is a decision every leader should make. From taking personal responsibility to continuing to gain wisdom to choosing to be happy. Each decision will increase your value as a leader.

Will You Seek Wisdom?

Often, after graduating school, we put our quest for knowledge on hold or kill it altogether. We feel that we have it all figured out.

Well, we need to put a stop to that line of thinking. It’s going to get you nowhere fast as a leader.

I Will Seek Wisdom

I wrote about the first decision in The Traveler’s Gift last month. The second decision for success Andy Andrews mentions in the Traveler’s Gift is I Will Seek Wisdom.

What does this look like?

  • Reading Quality Material: Seek out wisdom in great books. There’s thousands of years worth of information contained in written form. It’s there for your taking. Pick up a book and learn the story of our history, the principles of great leaders, or the adventures of heroes no longer with us.

    As you consume quality reading material, you’ll gain wisdom. You’ll see the ways others have succeeded and led well. You’ll also see the failures of great men. Learn what you can from their mistakes.

The Benefits Of Being An Ignorant Leader

Did you know you could benefit from being an ignorant leader?

It sounds counter-intuitive but it’s the truth. There’s a benefit in being ignorant.

Man staning on top of Mount Washington

Image by Izzard

What Makes An Ignorant Leader

I’m not talking about being lacking knowledge or being stupid. That won’t make you a better leader.

What I’m talking about is being ignorant of what’s not possible.

When you’re ignorant of the impossible, you’re able to lead better. You’re able to lead into the unknown.

Why Being Ignorant Makes You A Better Leader

All you need is ignorance and confidence and the success is sure.
— Mark Twain

Being ignorant can be a huge asset in your leadership. You’re willing to attempt things that have never been done.

Take the tales of leaders like:

  • Christopher Columbus: He took a route that others said was impossible. He ignored that fact and proved them wrong. Discovering America and changing the course of human history