The pursuit of happiness

Aleks Psych: What area in your life do you need to change?

Smart Alek (Whispering): Communica...

Aleks Psych (pointing to his ear) Sorry?

Smart Alek: You're forgiven.

What makes people happy is learning how to thrive in times of change. Those that try to reject change will be the first to perish. If there is one thing that has been consistent throughout human history, it has been the ever increasing speed of which change occurs. People are afraid of change because the urge to feel comfortable is so strong in many of us. Others love change at the external level. Knowing the latest developments in certain technologies and fashions can be fun. However, when it comes to psychology, what makes people happy is developing the ability to openly embrace the possibility of internal change.

In regards to the psychology of happiness and health, complacency is the equivalent of slow death. Those that aim to maintain are robbing themselves of full rich lives. Refrain from the aim to maintain, for you know you must grow. If you want to know how to live a happier life, you must know what causes happiness. One answer is growth.

If you do not push your muscles, they will erode and weaken regardless of the starting point, and if you do not push your mind, you will erode and weaken regardless of your schooling and education. Growing is what makes people happy. No external challenges, not even the fear of terrible disasters or diseases such as cancer are as scary to me as self-imposed atrophy.

A key factor in what causes happiness is flexibility. What makes people happy is developing the ability to adapt to changing environments, which is the psychology of happiness and the secret of life itself. If you can develop a genuine curiosity and love of learning in regards to yourself with a willingness to experiment with new ideas and approaches in all the important areas of your life, then you will not just become more successful and happier, you will evolve.

I guarantee you that in your life right now there is at least 3 areas where you wish you were performing better in. It may be your relationship, finances, health and fitness, stress management, friendships, spirituality, child-rearing, attitude, emotional control, goal setting, purpose, career, or time-management to name several. The question is not do you want to, but are you open and willing enough to take the necessary steps required to make improvements in your preferred areas?

If the answer is no, then you are on the path of atrophy and you will not be achieving true happiness. You are not open, you are not willing, and you will not be evolving. If the answer is yes, then you understand what causes happiness and you have just planted a seed that if watered correctly will force you to grow beyond what you believed possible. The two questions that then arise are how many areas should I work on and where do I start? I recommend that you start with just one area to begin with, the one that you would most like to change. Then you must develop your love of learning by studying the area intensively and commit to apply the principles you will learn. But here is the biggest secret: find a way to learn in your preferred style and from the most credible sources that you can afford. Some people love reading, some can not stand it. Some prefer audio, or video, or teleseminars, or live seminars, or learning as part of a group or one on one coaching. Perhaps a combination of these types of learning would be most beneficial. What makes people happy when it comes to learning is utilising the right learning format. Whatever you decide, if you immerse yourself in the subject and actively apply what you learn, then you will be on the path to achieving true happiness.

What makes people happy - Thriving in times of change Exercise:Write down what areas of your life you would like to improve in. Rank them in order of importance and select the one you would most like to improve in now. In that area, briefly list what you know about the topic and what you would like to know about the topic. Then plan a budget and consider what styles of learning you would like to participate in. Conduct a local community or internet search into the area of interest, taking special care to look for credible sources by studying the reviews and testimonials. Finally, commit to set aside the time required each week to begin learning and growing by discovering what causes happiness for you.

Aleks Srbinoski is a Clinical and Coaching Psychologist, Company Consultant, Creative Writer and Author, Humorist and Inspirational Motivational Speaker.

He is the Director of Aleks inPsychology, a self-development training company with a mission to guide as many people as possible towards a life of Fulfilling Happiness. His diverse range of professional and personal experiences demonstrate a love for serving people through his extensive Psychology, Creativity and Self Development experience.

Find out more about more about Aleks' highly entertaining, informative, inspiring and comprehensive life skill coaching program Fulfilling Happiness: Preventing clinical anxiety, depression and anger whilst surging towards an extraordinary and meaningful life. Go to http://www.fulfillinghappiness.com

To access numerous FREE self-development and happiness resources, and find out more about the range of other professional individual and organisational coaching services Aleks offers, go to http://www.aleksinpsychology.com