From Gretchen Rubin’s site:

A “happiness project” is an approach to changing your life. First is the preparation stage, when you identify what brings you joy, satisfaction, and engagement, and also what brings you guilt, anger, boredom, and remorse. Second is the making of resolutions, when you identify the concrete actions that will boost your happiness. Then comes the interesting part: keeping your resolutions.

I already have my “2011 goals” post to refer to—but part of that post is to create my own happiness project.  Let’s get started!

Okay, so, what brings me joy, satisfaction, and engagement?

(in no particular order, brainstorming!)

clean clothes, a clean house

a fresh pile of books to read, reading those books

my cat

planning a vacation, going on a vacation

calendars, making lists, checking things off lists

relaxed time with friends

rehearsals that make me feel like my education was worthwhile, being asked for new gigs

teaching students who practice, who enjoy and love music

moving money from checking to savings

trying new restaurants

working out with my trainer, my spinning class, new workout clothes, following my workout schedule

a fresh pot of coffee

cooking new foods, baking new goodies

 

Next, what brings me guilt, anger, boredom, and remorse?

staying up too late, wasting time

too full trashcans

forgetting to bring something to read

procrastinating

buying stuff I don’t really need

spending more money than I should

eating junk food, eating too much fatty foods

not preparing for classes enough

forgetting to return phone calls in a timely manner

snapping at Chris

not being “friendly enough” at parties or other events

not practicing enough

using too much paper

having to cancel or reschedule appointments

being afraid to drive in the snow

getting sick

biting my fingernails, picking at my cuticles

 

So, do most of the things on my 2011 goals/resolutions post follow these guidelines?

I think they do!  I guess I know myself pretty well.