The Secret to Happiness
Who really wants to talk about change…? The reality is, not many. In fact, only ten percent of people truly embrace change, another ten percent accept it, and the last eighty percent do nothing at all.
The reality is that change is inevitable! Without us even noticing or realizing it, things around us are constantly changing: the seasons, our occupations, our body weight, our families grow, home’s get bigger or sometime smaller, our bank accounts swell and contract, and inevitably our bodies change with age! Change, whether we want to accept it or not, is automatic.
Progress on the other hand is not automatic, it has a certain aliveness to it! The definition of progress, is a movement toward a goal, to a further or higher stage. Progress implies a forward action or momentum to something ahead or higher.
Think of a time in your life when you were moving forward or progressing… It may have been the progress to a new step in a relationship, a career, or a great new opportunity. Take a moment and try to recall how you felt… chances are if you were truly progressing, you would have felt elated, alive and ultimately happy!
Progress = Happiness.
Happiness is ultimately achieved when you are moving forward on regular basis, and you feel your life is making progress! When I analyze my life’s happiest moments, its apparent that I was moving forward in some way. Some of these moments included the natural progression of my relationship with my wife, and recently the addition of our daughter. Both of these areas have had me moving forward and thus brought me extreme happiness.
Similarly, the progress of my career and the transformation & development of the culture at our company has brought me much satisfaction and happiness!
The key to note here is that while the things in our life like a new job, a career, money and even a relationship can bring us excitement for a while; the challenge is, if you don’t continue to grow, then it won’t remain exciting.
Change is inevitable, Progress is not!
Change will happen whether we want it to or not, and ultimately doesn’t require any work. Progress on the other hand is a choice! People often confuse the two, but the clear difference is that one is automatic and one requires a conscious effort!
The good news is, when you take control of your life, set a path for what you want it to look like, create a crystal clear vision for the future, and attack it with a vengeance, progress can be achieved!
“Change is automatic, progress is not!”
– Tony Robbins
Still think change isn’t automatic? Still think you need to work on change?
Around the globe In the past hour: 14,708 babies were born, 3,480 flights have taken off, 7000 people got married, 680,000 parcels have been delivered, 83,340 Uber rides have occurred and 62,785 Big Mac’s have been consumed!
Change is inevitable! Progress Isn’t!