Happiness is a State of Mind
Happiness is a state of mind.
You can be happier now, if you agree to control the content of your mind.
Happiness is a state of mind based upon directing your mental focus towards one of three things:
- Your goals for the future.
- An optimistic vision of the future, as being better than the past.
- What is happening in your present environment, right now.
On the other hand, unhappiness is the opposite state of mind, which is the product of focusing your mind onto a different list of three things:
- How the past has been bad.
- How the future is likely to be bad.
- How the past was better than the present: how life was better "in the good old days".
People who are NOT happy, are unhappy, because they continually fill their mind with unhappy thoughts: thoughts about the bad past, the bad future, or how the past good times are gone forever.
People who ARE happy, are happy, because they continually fill their mind with optimistic thoughts: thoughts about how the future can be made to be better, goals for the future, or what they can do right now, in the present moment, that will improve upon the current situation.
You are the sovereign of your soul, the master of your mind, the director of your thoughts, and as such, you have the unalienable right to choose the content of your mind.
If you want to be happy, then check the content of your habitual thoughts and check the content of your habitual conversations. Notice whether the thoughts and conversations you have are on the happy or the unhappy side of this diagram:
If you discover that you are spending too much time on the wrong kind of thinking, then it is up to you to make some conscious decisions about how you are going to invest your mental energy.
You can invest your energy into the happy side, to any degree you wish, from 0% up to 100% happy.
Remember, "It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing, that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it." Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People
Definition: happiness mindset
In personal development coaching, a happiness mindset is a mindset that keeps thoughts on clear goals, spots good things now, trusts the future will improve and refuses to dwell on sad memories or fears. Lose any one of these four habits and the mindset is no longer happy.
Show CG4D Definition
- Directs daily thought toward specific goals
- Frames present moments in a positive way
- Holds a steady belief that the future can improve
- Avoids dwelling on negative past events or worries
Article Summary
Happiness is not a gift from outside; it rises from the pictures you play in your head. Focus on clear goals, the good you see now and a bright future, and your mood climbs. Dwell on past hurts or fear the future, and it drops. Each day you pick the channel. Train your mind toward hope, and you build lasting, self-made happiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What does “happiness is a state of mind” actually mean?
How can I control my thoughts to feel happier?
Why does thinking about goals boost mood?
Is it bad to remember the past if I want to stay happy?
How often should I check my daily thoughts and talk?
Can small daily habits really lift long-term happiness?
What should I focus on when I feel negative thoughts creeping in?
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Did You Know: Key Statistics
In the 2024 World Happiness Report, people who say they can steer their thoughts toward the positive rate their life at 7.2 out of 10, while those who say they cannot rate it 5.4 – a 33% gap. The UK Office for National Statistics 2024 survey shows adults who often look for the good in daily events are 31% more likely to report “very high” life satisfaction (score 9–10) than those who rarely do.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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Further Reading in Positive Thinking
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Happiness is a State of Mind
Learn how a happiness mindset forms when you focus on goals, present joys and an optimistic future. Simple thought shifts raise life satisfaction. Start today.
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The Importance of Resilience in Modern Life
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How to Deal With Covid Lockdown Emotions
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How to Use Your Imagination
Learn how to use imagination under the lead of intellect to curb fear, control emotions and make better decisions. Simple top-down thinking boosts growth.
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