Define Happiness… Now Pursue It!
Throughout my world travels, I’ve come across countless individuals: cabin crew, tourists met during layovers or passengers coming from all walks of life.
It is a well-known fact that we all send out some sort of energy, a good or…not so good vibration that is subconsciously picked up by everybody we come in contact with.
Our vibration influences not only us but affects other people’s perception and our relationships with those around us and, most importantly, ourselves. That’s a fact!
One of the bigger challenges I’ve had so far has remained blocking negative energy out and maintaining my spirit and that of my crew team as high as possible.
That’s not an easy task, especially when you consider the fact that misery loves company and one negative attitude quickly drags the entire team spirit down.
If you are part of the wonderful cabin (or flight) crew population, you surely heard the usual moans and complains about how tiring the job gets, how restrictive this or that company is or how much it lacks perspective.
That expands to any other profession and, all too often, we tend to get caught up in the thick of thin things and forget the reason why we chose to fly. And that applies to all professional environments, aviation or otherwise.
On my quest for a calmer, more balanced, happier me, I’ve always tried to change my perspective and to look for opportunities to grow and evolve rather than see obstacles and reasons to moan in every challenge that comes my way.
That’s easier said than done, but how does one go about it?
Below are 10 things that I’ve adopted and encouraged my team members towards in order to stay positive, send out a positive vibe, and (hopefully) motivate those around them to do the same.
1. Define “happiness”! Ultimately, this is everybody’s aim, right? Yet the concept is different for every person. What does a happy YOU look like? What would you have to know, see, feel or have to be happy? Find that out and plan to achieve it.
2. If you are unhappy with your job, CHANGE IT! Before you do that though, make sure you aren’t just being picky or finding reasons to be unhappy. If that’s the case, you would only be dealing with the effect not the cause of your unhappiness and you will end up being just as unhappy in whatever job you might undertake next.
Remember why you wanted this job in the first place. If, along the way, you discovered it really isn’t where you want to be, move on!
3. Be culturally aware. We tend to get very frustrated with gestures or attitudes that are nothing more than cultural differences. Understanding the culture of the place you are in or the people you interact with will spare you a great deal of emotional “grief”.
4. Don’t take anything personally! What people do or say, the way they behave or treat you has no bearing on who you are as a person or professional. Be kind and respectful with everybody and don’t let negative attitudes get to you or change your own attitude for the worse.
5. Take the time to live your own experience. This is especially important when you find yourself in a new job or environment. People will rush to tell you all about this job, this company, this country or these people and, more often than not, it will be all negative.
Remember that we all voice subjective opinions based on our own experience of a place, a person or a job. You are your own person, with your personal expectations and ability to contribute, and might see or feel things very different than everybody else around you.
So listen to what’s being said, but give yourself time to live your own experience, build your own friendships and create your own memories before labelling based on other people’s experiences.
6. Do an amazingly good job! However you might be feeling about your job, colleagues or the environment, it is important that you don’t fail in completing your tasks with utmost efficiency and professionalism.
At the end, our volitions are what we’re left with when all is said and done. If you slack because you are unhappy with one thing or another, your colleagues will have to work harder to compensate and that will not make you feel any better.
7. Stay positive! After all, it is only a matter of perspective. Change the way you look at things and the things you look at will eventually change.
8. Turn obstacles into challenges, face them head on and let them grow you.
9. Expand your social circle!
10. Never stop investing in yourself in your pursuit of what you envision to be “happiness”. Learn another language, pick up another skill or help somebody get better at something that will enrich their lives. Most importantly, make sure you do something, anything, that will bring you closer to your happiness every single day!
Although there is no secret ingredient for success or a magic potion that would guarantee it will all be alright, our attitude and the way we allow people, places or experiences to affect our lives are within our control.
So don’t sit around complaining and waiting for life to happen to you. Define your own vision of happiness, understand what is it that you need to do to achieve it and make the journey notable.
Remember that one day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching!
If, like me, you’re on your own journey of self-discovery and growth, you will find a wealth of value in my new “Reprogram Your Mind For Success” and “Daily Rituals” e-books.
You can download your free copies here.
P.S. If you resonated with this article, I’d really appreciate you hitting the ❤ button.
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