The Happiness Episode

This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.“There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way.” ~ BuddhaThe Happiness EpisodeKey takeaways:Internal and External Factors:* Happiness originates from BOTH internal (choice/control) AND external factors (events/circumstances). (see behavior model below)* Things we can control with intention and practice, better thoughts, choices, and habits. Genetics, relationships, circumstances and events are external influences.* Choosing happiness is a crucial part of the equation, even when faced with external challenges.Beyond Happiness… Contentment* Contentment is a deeper level of happiness. Happiness is fleeting, like the surface of the lake; it can be stormy or calm. However, deep down at the very bottom of the lake, the waters are still and calm; this is contentment.* Contentment is not about complacency; it’s about being confident and comfortable with who you are AND striving for personal growth, developing new skills and enjoying new experiences.Internal Factors Influencing Happiness: See “The Three Circles of Behavior Echo-System”* Positive thinking and choosing the “right” stories to tell ourselves play a significant role.* Having direction, purpose and meaning (something that you choose and evolves over time) tends to foster happiness.* Maintaining healthy habits like exercise, reading, and good sleep also contribute.External Factors:* Quality, long-term relationships: According to Harvard's research, strong, quality relationships are the number one factor.* Accomplishments, acts of kindness, and positive experiences also improve happiness.“He who is not satisfied with a little is satisfied with nothing” ~ EpicurusActions to develop the happiness habit.* Upon waking, practice reading something positive and see if you can decide to be happy for the day.* Begin tracking your habits by following The Habit Factor’s P.A.R.R. methodology. This process ensures you have direction (goals) and intention which helps to develop self-efficacy, which drives happiness.* Desire is an essential factor for habit formation; knowledge and capability are not enough.“Happiness depends upon ourselves.” ~ AristotleSummary:* Happiness is complex and achievable. It's not about perfect days or constant highs; it's about embracing both internal and external contributors and choosing to be content with who you are while still striving for improvement.* You can and should do both.Additional Notes:* References "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale and "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie.* Download the free habits-to-goals tracking template to cultivate the habits that support your goals here: https://thehabitfactor.com/templates.Finally, happiness is a journey, not a destination. Take control of what you can, appreciate what you have, and keep moving forward!Enjoy the show!~mgP.S.: From the world of statistics: All models are flawed, but some are useful.With this in mind, we asked Google’s AI experiment Bard to “break” the “Three Circles of Behavior System” model (perhaps a future post). The short story (no pun intended) is he/she/IT could not. The best Bard offered: “What about people who aren’t aware of their unconscious stories/thinking? It’s a good question and a nice attempt. However, an unconscious story is still a story (represented within the model), and that is the point of the latest book, EVERYTHING is a F*cking STORY where the latest version of the model was revealed.BTW: YOU are also invited to try and “break” the “Three Circles of Behavior Echo-System” model.If you think you can, please email or leave comments here.*Note: ChatGPT’s does not know the model yet, officially published in October of 2022. GPT’s latest update is from January 2022. ***Get the inspiring, free and world’s first HABITS to GOALS tracking template here: → https://thehabitfactor.com/templates“The Three Circles of Behavior Echo-System” / The Grunburg Behavior Model is a holistic, fluid, and dynamic behavior-change model. It’s the first behavior-change model to demonstrate how our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and even our environment vibrate (echo and reverberate) to influence each other. Hence, the “Echo-System.” Other behavior models represent human behavior in a linear-flow type diagram.Background here.If you’d like to understand human behavior at an even deeper level, learn more about the “Three Circles of Behavior Echo-System” which is featured in the book, “EVERYTHING!” I teach and coach organizations and individuals worldwide how to best utilize and leverage “The Three Circles of Behavior Echo-System” (below) and the P.A.R.R. [Plan, Act, Record & Reassess] scientifically-backed methodology for individual and organizational behavior design. Check out the latest cohort offering; the waitlist is now open: The 28-Day Breakthrough!*Recently Awarded: “Finalist: Self-help, Motivation”International Book Awards: EVERYTHING is a F*cking STORY.Visit https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesTo learn more about P.A.R.R., just Google “P.A.R.R. and The Habit Factor.”Get The Habit Factor® FREE with your audible trial! https://audibletrial.com/habits2goalsFeedspot’s “Top 10 Habit Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021”New listeners, grab your free habits 2 goals tracking template here: https://thehabitfactor.com/templatesFREE copy of As a Man Thinketh (PDF) right here: As a Man ThinkethSubscribe iTunes here! Subscribe: Android This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit habits2goals.substack.com/subscribe