How you answer this question will reveal much about your Core beliefs, passions and principles.
A former CEO and friend of mine, Doug Smith, got what he later termed “a gift in an ugly box” when he learned at the age of 57 he had an aggressive form of cancer. His was a kind of leukemia that based on known treatments might give him 5-10 more years.
Today, he is on year 11 and drug infusion number 57 and a student intent on mastering the art of living. Not just a student, he teaches university classes at a business school which get closed out every time — his class is called “Happiness” and he just finished his book by the same title. It is loaded with wisdom and all the profits go to fight cancer at the James. Last week, Doug graciously came to speak to a group I facilitate every 7am Wednesday where 25-30 marketplace leaders come to grow deeper together in gaining clarity, understanding, and alignment of their faith in work & life.
Our forefathers deemed happiness right up there with the pursuit of life & liberty. Many of us view happiness as a feeling state based on our circumstances, which we seek to engineer and control to produce the desired set of emotions. It’s what 70% of parents say they want MOST for their kids.
It was the opening topic of the first 9 statements of the most famous sermon in history, and its message about who is TRULY happy (also translated “blessed”) couldn’t be more opposite than what the world tells us about who is happy and why.
I agree with Doug. Happiness is a SKILL. There are some principles you need to KNOW, and then you will be BLESSED if you PRACTICE them. Those who are happiest have (1) made peace with their past, (2) have confidence & hope in the future having let go of the notion you can control it , and (3) are free to live with JOY, fully in flow with the present.
Give yourself the gift of 3 minutes and click here to learn more on YouTube. And then to learn even more, order his book. Like BUILT TO LEAD, it’s “faith-friendly” but not “faith-based”, AND it will challenge you to think through more deeply what you believe and why. Remember, leaders ARE believers.
Together We Improve.
BUILT TO LEAD 