While I was clearing out data folders files, my life fell into place so to speak. I came across this short January 2012 article by Geoffrey James writing in Inc. Magazine. James argued that success and happiness are not measured by your bank account, length of yacht or number of awards on your CV. Happiness, he said, is measured by your day-to-day relationships and memory-making.
In order to gauge your success/happiness, James suggested you ask yourself ten questions each day. Your answers determine the advance or decline in your own DowJones Intentional Happiness Average. James's questions are:
- Have I made certain that those I love feel loved?
- Have I done something today that improved the world?
- Have I conditioned my body to be more strong, flexible and resilient?
- Have I reviewed and honed my plans for the future?
- Have I acted in private with the same integrity I exhibit in public?
- Have I avoided unkind words and deeds?
- Have I accomplished something worthwhile?
- Have I helped someone less fortunate?
- Have I collected some wonderful memories?
- Have I felt grateful for the incredible gift of being alive?
These sound like something the angel Clarence might ask George in "It's a Wonderful Life". James not Clarence writes, "These questions force you to focus on what's really important (pictures of dead presidents have never made anybody happy). Take heed of them and the rest of your life, -- especially your work -- will quickly fall into place."
I don't know why I haven't used this list of questions before or why the article was stored five folders down on my flash drive -- hey Clarence, ask Joseph about that. Perhaps, I was just waiting for the right moment or the right season or the right reason. Perhaps I was just waiting for right now. Today is a good day to make a change.
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