I was originally very unsure of whether to publish another mindset blog post. Affiliate marketing is about learning new skills, what to do technically, how to build funnels and lead magnets. These skills can be taught with step-by-step guides which I’m more than willing to help with and in due course will support my subscribers with as much help as needed. What I can’t provide a step-by-step guide for is happiness. All I can offer is real life examples to encourage you to have confidence and determination to carry on. This may not be the most valuable blog post for an affiliate marketer BUT maybe just maybe it will make someone feel happy.
Let me set the scene…..
My husband and I both work full time in high pressure jobs. Ste is going through a busy period lately and as you know I currently work for a family business so there are times that we forget about life. The saying “It doesn’t rain, it pours” has also come into our evening conversations because it seems like we also bring some sad news home daily about people we know or people we have friendships with. Needless to say, the last couple of weeks have been emotionally difficult.
As it is the Easter holiday, our daughter has spent time with her grandparents allowing a rare occasion for us to go out on a date and have something to eat. This was certainly “What the doctor ordered”.
I LOVE to people watch, let me know in the comments if you do too or is it just me?
As we settled down to our table, I looked around at the people sitting near us. There were young couples, older couples, families, and friends. All different in shape, size, and age but what they did seem to have in common was they were all smiling. I noticed it because I know I haven’t been able to smile as much as I would have liked this week.
There were 2 ladies, who seemed to be friends catching up, who had cocktails in hand laughing uncontrollably. Belly laughing, laughing like their life depended on it. I could feel my smile coming out from hibernation. It was amazing, I felt so much joy from them, but their laughing was contagious. I then smiled at my husband, who then smiled back and suddenly we were connected again.
The rest of the night was brilliant, we relaxed instantly and had a lovely time. We laughed and shared some highlights of our week and we both admitted we felt so much better. Isn’t it funny how a day can change?
Have you ever experienced this? Your mood being changed by other people? Even a stranger?
My family business is a food business and during the school holidays we feed families that are struggling. We have agreed to help 3000 people in 9 days! What an honour.
While delivering food to families, have listened to lots of stories around the same theme- people searching for happiness. Here are some tips I’ve gathered this week.
If you are searching for happiness here are 3 things you should stop doing immediately.
- You must stop regretting the past, there is nothing you can do about it. Learn from it and get batter from it so you don’t make the same mistakes, but you have to stop regretting the past.
- Stop worrying about the future, Phycologists have found that 85% of what you worry about daily will never happen. It’s a waste of your energy and a waste of your time.
- Stop looking for your happiness in other people. Other people cannot make you happy. Happiness is 100% an inside job.
Mel Robbins believes that we want to be happier because we miss being happier, we all have experience a happier time and miss this feelings. She suggests doing a simple exercise. Split you page in 2 vertically. On the left side, write all the things that made you happy in your day-to-day life, and on the right, what you do now. Compare and change accordingly.
After I did this activity for me, I asked my daughter- What makes you happy?
Here are hers
- Chilling- as a parent you often feel guilty for not taking your children everywhere and doing new experiences. Children appreciate a bit down downtime.
- Shopping
- Horse Riding – This has brought out her confidence
- Snuggles with Mummy
- Baking – if you/ your parents like baking with small children, I’d highly recommend this book
Such a lovely book about baking with the little ones and saying affirmations.
I have started affiliate marketing as I believe it will be the path to MY happiness. It will create opportunities for MY happiness. This is linked to my WHY. Everyone is different, everyone has different aspects that make them happy.
Whatever makes you happy DO THAT
Hello!
I love that Mel Robbins exercise. Very helpful.
I have an exercise I do when life gets overwhelming. I take the time to really taste and enjoy breakfast. It doesn’t actually take any extra time- I eat the same thing I would otherwise- and it sets the mood for the day.
My why is all about getting more time to be glad with my husband and family too!
Best wishes to you on your journey!
Nakina
Nakina Lawson recently posted…Creating Video on YouTube – Part One
That’s a really good idea. Thank you. I will focus on my breakfast more this week. I normally eat a bowl of cereal while getting my daughter reading for school, feeding the dog and throwing another load of washing in the machine. Maybe that’s the key to a better day! Thank you.
So so true and important!
Quick analogy: I was told at work that my “smiling and being happy all the time, was making a few people uncomfortable”….
My boss and I laughed about this so much! It’s incredible to see how many forget that smiling is contagious and it only needs to be started by someone… that someone might as well be you!
Great post and – – – keep smiling! 🙂
How can someone smiling all the time be uncomfortable? That’s so strange! I’d love someone like that in the office. Thank you for sharing
Sarah,
One thing I’ve learned is that happiness is a state of mind. Know one can make a person happy or sad. Nor is it anyone’s job to make someone else happy or sad. The only person that can make you happy is one’s self. A person regardless of the circumstances decides whether they are going to be happy or sad. Then base on that choice the body responds in a positive or negative manner.
In short happiness is a choice and I choose to be happy! How about you?
CJ
That’s a brilliant way to look at it. I think I’ll have to train myself more on not letting the environment around me affect my mood. Thank you for that x
I love to people-watch as well. It amazes me how watching others can change your mood. Children and animals make me smile. Things don’t appear sad or bad when a child is playing and laughing or a puppy is so happy to see you and wagging its tail. I tend to close myself off at times and wallow in self-pity, but I need to remember that things are never that bad, and if I just get out and be among others, it would help me to feel happier within. Thank you for a great blog post!!
Hi Sarah,
I think smiling sets your mood. My youngest son,Evan, ever since he was a baby has always 😃 all the time. Still today, he constantly has a smile on his face. I think having that naturally is a nice thing. He is a very laid back kid, and doesn’t let anything bother him. I believe what CJ said about how you react to things sets your mood, so it’s good to practice smiling, so you have a good attitude. It makes a difference.. I love to people watch too! It’s so interesting to see how people respond or react in situations. This was a great post. Thanks!
Meredith
Meredith Moore recently posted…Sneak Peek Into Affiliate System & Email Marketing Strategy
Does he? That’s wonderful. You can’t control a situation, you can only control how you react to something.
Children and animals make me smile too! Children laughing is an instant mood shifter!
Sarah,
I am SUCH a people watcher. Whether I am sitting at a table, waiting for someone, or just standing in line at the grocery store, I will watch people as I like to know what is going on around me. You will not find my nose in my phone unlike a lot of people I see. I loved you story about the ladies at dinner, as I felt myself smiling while reading this. I love a good laugh. A good laugh can make a bad day better! Thanks for an uplifting post.
Sherri
I people watch all the time, Sitting on a park bench, in a restaurant, on the bus- I’m dreadful. lol
This is such a good and happy post. I needed to read this today and I am glad you chose to talk about this subject. Thanks for the positive post! And, People watching is the best!!!
It is. I love having a narrative in my head, I guess peoples stories and everything!
Sarah, I’m simply in amazement that you actually considered NOT to post this?! I mean… seriously?! I LOVED IT! The irony is that I am experiencing something so very similar to what you’re going through… so I was simply captivated while reading your experience. You’re lightyears away from me in the US yet we’re going through what seems like the exact same thing.
In fact, I’m going to go on to say that you just inspired me to shift my future blog post…
I love your posts… keep em’ coming! Your readers (i.e. me) need it! 😛