Very Happy Phil

Hello!

There are 3 main ingredients that influence our happiness; our genes (50%), our circumstances (10%) and our mental and physical habits (40%). The later is within our control. Therefore our happiness is in our hands and in our heads.

“Three primary factors that influence a person’s current happiness level: the happiness set point, life circumstances and intentional activity”
- Achieving Sustainable New Happiness: Prospects, Practices and Presciptions, (Sheldon and Lyubomirsky)

The happiness set point “is genetically determined and essentially constant. The set point is not really a set point but rather a set range….unwanted effects of genes could be minimized by active efforts to steer yourself away from problematic situations or avoid maladaptive behaviours”

Life circumstances “refers to demographic variables such as age, marital status, employment status and income. They also refer to geographic and contextual variables such as the home and region in which the person lives, the conveniences a person enjoys and the persons possessions.”

Intention activities “may be cognitive (i.e. regularly adopting a positive attitude), behavioural (i.e. regularly being kind to others or regularly engaging in physical exercise) or volitional (i.e. identifying and striving for meaningful goals.”

There are two different types of happy habits, routine happy habits and varied happy habits. Some routine happy habits will lose their happiness boosting impact. I will give you an example, going for a walk in nature everyday is a proven happiness booster (as well as beneficial to physical and mental health). However this habit could become boring and routine if the route, pace and timing is never changed. However this habit could remain enjoyable if the route, pace and timing is sometimes changed. Sometimes, variety is the spice of life happiness. Some routine happy habits WILL consistently boost happiness. I’ll give you an example; daily meditation! Everyone that is mentally fit and able to meditate will find it boosts their happiness. And the more we meditate the more happy we become.

Here are a few of my favourite quotes which inspire me;

“There is an expiry date on blaming your parents for steering you in the wrong direction; the moment you are old enough to take the wheel, responsibility lies with you.” - J.K. Rowling

“A person’s chronic happiness level is governed by 3 major factors; a genetically determined set point for happiness, happiness relevant circumstantial factors, and happiness relevant activities and practices” – (Lyubomirsky, Sheldon, Schkade) ‘Pursuing Happiness: The Architecture of Sustainable Change’

“Like swimming, riding, writing or playing golf, happiness can be learned.”
-Boris Sokoloff

“Happiness is a skill.”
-Shveitta Sethi, Happiness Coach

“Happiness may come as a natural by product of a life well lived” Achieving Sustainable New Happiness: Prospects, Practices and Presciptions, (Sheldon and Lyubomirsky)

‘Happiness depends upon ourselves’ –Aristotle

Wishing you a joyful, meaningful and love filled life full of challenges,

Keep positive!

Love & hug
Very Happy Phil McNally, Author of ‘Winning Mentality’
:)

Remember,
“Our mental and physical habits have the biggest effect on our long term happiness. Happiness is in our hands and our heads!”
– Very Happy Phil

PS Buy my book and if you are unhappy with your buy I’ll give you your money back;

“Hi Phil, Reading your book at the moment find it very useful. Mike.
Regards,
Michael Davidson
Danestone Learning Services Ltd”

© Very Happy Phil McNally 2008
Creative Commons
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/