Applied Happiness Coaching

Man, some days are just a challenge, aren’t they? It seems like you put in all the effort and follow all the right steps, and still life keeps throwing change-ups at you. Yesterday was a terrible, no good, very bad day. I woke up and watched my mind movie, got in the shower, and started my day. The cold was still hanging around, frosting the end of my nose and fingertips. I started the car and went back in with Wiley (dog).

Here’s where it went downhill – mind you, I wasn’t in a foul mood yet.

I burned a CD of indie-rock music on the advice of a good friend – a change of scene musically never hurt anyone, right? Oh boy. I have my CD in tow as I make it out to the car. The drive begins.

5 minutes into my drive, I’m cut off-almost fatally. I managed to keep the car out of the ditch, but the person driving the guilty car was just continuing on. She had a giant coffee, was on the phone, enjoying a Virginia Slim (skinny, skinny cigarette) and completely oblivious. I am now feeling a little irate.

Windshield cracks.

The cold air, mixed with the warm air blowing on it was just too much. Now I’m really feeling the anger.

The CD is unbelievably bad. Definitely music I am not into. This had to go.

Things didn’t get any better, so I left work just before 1pm and headed to the gym. I know that the treadmill doesn’t accept any excuses, and will always accept me regardless of what shape I’m in that day. I ran a little shy of four miles, all while lip-syncing with my mp3 player. I’m that guy at the gym, that runs and sings – without making a sound. I must look pretty ridiculous. I felt much better about my life after sweating out the frustrations and clearing my head.

My lady came by and I made her dinner for Valentine’s Day. I told her of my day’s adventures and just reaffirmed my belief that the biggest travesty is to succumb to the negativity. Which brings me to today’s thoughts:

Fight the temptation. We all know that life has a way of throwing challenges and curve-balls your way – in both good and bad ways! It sometimes feels so easy and comfortable to gently fall back in line with every one else and complain about life. Spreading the negativity is not a good thing at all, but bonding with people and feeling like you share ideas is. You see this every day in your office. The group of chatty Kathys that are also negative Nancys, always finding something to complain about. It’s not that they’re bad people, or that they hate their jobs or lives – it’s just so much easier to focus on the negative for some people. This is what creates column fodder. Fight that temptation and release it.

Rather than stay in my office and find more things to upset me, I chose to take the afternoon off and clear myself of that attitude. I find running, or a very intense workout to be incredibly effective. Most of you are thinking, “I can’t just take the day off and go to the gym. What do I do?” No matter what you do or where you work, you always have at least 5 minutes to get away. Take those 5 minutes and go to your car, the break room, the bathroom – wherever. I like to go to the car because I can turn on the radio (preferably a CD or satellite – commercials can make the frustration worse!) and drift into my visualizations. Older music – stuff you used to really LOVE about 10 years ago can sometimes make you smile for no other reason than it reminds you of better days. Play that CD.

No matter what you do, don’t be part of the fodder. Don’t fall in line with the negative Nancys. Close your eyes and think about all the wonderful things you have going for you. Better yet, visualize all the things you’ll have going for you in your future and make them present tense! “I am so grateful for my B-E-A-utiful home.” Walking around with a smile on your face, and feeling your heart beat with goodness is incredibly contagious. Try it out – I’m sure people around you will ask you about it! Spread the happiness! Apply you happiness, and then supply it for others!

Have a gorgeous Friday!