much time to think and as a result our mind can easily play tricks on us and create many lonely times.
When you experience these times its easy to try hard to pursue happiness as some sort of panacea or enviable solution. It can then become like a mirage in the desert and confuse your thinking.
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS #24
“The happiest people seem to be those who are producing something; the bored people are those who are consuming much and producing nothing.”
WILLIAM INGE
ENGLISH PRELATE AND AUTHOR
COACH’S COMMENTS:
If you’re bored chances are you’re spinning your wheels and not going anywhere.
This happens often to people who retire early or retire without a plan of ongoing activity.
I see it regularly with retired men who look forward each week to their shopping outing with their wife. They seem to be totally bored and probably even a worry to their wife, or worse still a burden to them.
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS #25
“To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.”
BERTRAND RUSSELL
ENGLISH PHILOSOPHER AND MATHEMATICIAN
COACH’S COMMENTS:
In other words, to dream of things you want is good for you as it gives you something to look forward to in the future.
You must have experienced the excitement of waiting for something special in your life; a holiday, a hat, a horse or a house! It’s the anticipation that gets you going and gets you excited and happy.
You see, if you had everything you wouldn’t really be happy.
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS #26
“There is no duty we so much underestimate as the duty of being happy. Being happy we sow anonymous benefits upon the world.”
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
SCOTTISH NOVELIST, POET AND ESSAYIST
COACH’S COMMENTS:
The other day I played golf with a good golfer off a 5 handicap. After he hit off on one hole, he slightly hooked his shot and smashed his driver deep into the tee.
As he walked off I mentioned I was going to a funeral the next day for a golfing friend who was only 63.
He got the message loud and clear!
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS #27
“The best way to future happiness is to be as happy as is rightfully possible today.”
CHARLES W. ELIOT
ENGLISH EDUCATOR
COACH’S COMMENTS:
Are you as happy as you can be today?
If not, take a good look at your total situation and I’m sure you’ll see something to be happy about. Once you start to feel as happy as you can, you will start a journey of happiness in the future.
You see, it’s all about creating a happy mind set that enables you to create your future happiness.
So put your best foot forward and start your journey.
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS #28
“Most happy is he who is entirely self-reliant, and who centres all his requirements on himself.”
MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO
ROMAN ORATOR, STATESMAN AND WRITER
COACH’S COMMENTS:
It’s interesting but when you need someone else in your life to make you happy, then, if you’re really honest with yourself, you are probably not really at your happiest.
Often after a death of a partner or a divorce or separation, you are forced to become more self-reliant and as a result your happiness eventually increases.
So if you are feeling down, stop and reflect how self reliant you are.
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS #29
“The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions. The little soon forgotten charities of a kiss or smile, a kind look, a hearfelt compliment -countless infinitesimals of pleasurable and genial feelings.”
SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE
ENGLISH POET
COACH’S COMMENTS:
It is said that when you smile you use over 20 muscles in your face.
In addition your level of well being rockets up the scale and you immediately change your attitude to one of happiness.
I know, for example, John Cleese and the Monty Python team were, importantly for many people, a great source of outrageous humour and happiness.
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS #30
“A man is happy so long as he chooses to be happy”
ALEXANDER SOLZHENITSYN
RUSSIAN WRITER
COACH’S COMMENTS:
What is your state of mind at present?
Are you happy in yourself or unhappy and feeling down?
Well chances are, if you are, you need to do some work on yourself and change the message in your mind.
It’s like changing a CD in your head to one that gives you positive messages and reinforcement. However, it is not easy to do this, because first you have to want to change the current feelings you are experiencing.
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS #31
“Man’s life is happy mainly because he is always expecting that it will soon be so.”
EDGAR ALLEN POE
AMERICAN POET AND WRITER
COACH’S COMMENTS:
It is said that we live in hope and whilst there’s life there’s hope!
Perhaps the three most important
