Happy People Make People Happy

I wrote a few weeks ago about Cary Cooper’s happiness-at-work habits.

Here’s a list of nine things I know about happiness:

1. Progress towards meaningful goals contributes significantly to happiness.
2. Happy people take time to do things that give them pleasure.
3. Quality time with friends and family is top of the happiness list.
4. Doing altruistic things for others creates enduring happiness.
5. Expressing gratitude enhances your own wellbeing and the recipient’s.
6. Regular exercise increases happiness.
7. Positive experiences provide more enduring happiness than purchases.
8. Beyond satisfaction of needs, more money does not make people significantly happier.
9. We get no enduring pleasure from short cuts.

And a 10 point quiz for you to take to check out your own happy life.  Vote – yes/no/sometimes:

1. My days are filled with fresh new ideas, sights and experiences.
2. I am able to try out different activities to learn and grow.
3. My life gives me the opportunity to be curious, inquisitive and amazed.
4. My days are filled with meaningful activities that I love doing.
5. Most days I feel productive and proud.
6. I am able to take time to be proactive and choiceful about my goals.
7. My life provides me with time to care for other people.
8. I have a beautiful blend of work and life.
9. I am happy about the amount of time I spend on Family, Friends and Me.
10. I review my activities constantly, eliminating those that don’t make me happy.

7/10 and above – Happiness Runs.