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.