Are You Happy?
by Lisa Marie Platske

“Happiness doesn’t depend on what we have, but on how we feel toward what we have. We can be happy with little and miserable with much.” This quote by William Hoard is a wonderful reminder for all of us to examine what has real meaning, purpose, and enjoyment in our lives, for happiness is sure to follow.

This shouldn’t be too surprising because we see it around us all the time – talented, successful, and driven people who have accumulated much in possessions and even more in their quest to obtain the next level within their business or organization but who are miserable in their personal and professional lives.

I have a friend who works for a major consulting firm. She is a brilliant person who has excelled in helping companies become higher-performing by focusing on strategic execution. She is widely respected by her peers, sought after by clients, and has made partner through determination and drive that only champions possess. Yet, during our rare bit of quiet time when I can get her to “turn off” the obsession with clients, strategy, and professional perfection, the tears well in her eyes as she explains that she is unfulfilled in her work and failing as a wife and mother.

My friend is not alone in her struggle with work/life balance and the establishment of foundational underpinnings that guide professional goals. Too often people get on the accomplishments and perfection treadmill, becoming wildly “successful” in terms that society, the media, or successful friends have defined, but years down the line they experience a crater of emptiness and regret.

My foundation is faith, family, and profession, in that order, and I’ve used it as one of the foundational principles of Upside Thinking, Inc. Resting upon this foundation is a structure of health, happiness, meaning, and success, again in order. Whenever I start to stray from these principles, the accomplishments and possessions become empty and my life seems as if it has been hijacked for an agenda other than my own.

Do you have a foundation that your life is set upon, one that you can clearly articulate and are committed to, or are you running aimlessly on the hamster wheel towards a set of goals or expectations that are unfulfilling? If you don’t, then I encourage you take some time out of your schedule – time that will truly be well spent – to identify these aspects. Happiness and success are not mutually exclusive, and the principles of each can and should be integrated into your life – just don’t leave it to chance!

Lastly, remember that you are where you choose to be. Choose happiness, success, and meaning for your life. If you need help identifying what this means to you, ask someone close to you to brainstorm with you or hire a coach. You are creating your amazing one-of-a-kind life. What could be more important than that?!? May who you are be so memorable that everyone you meet wants to join you on your upside journey!

Lisa Marie Platske is the President and CEO of Upside Thinking, Inc., an international leadership development company that wows audiences with inspirational seminars and workshops and provides coaching/consulting to change the way leaders approach their personal and professional lives.
To more about Lisa Marie Platske and her list of articles