Elements of Happiness: #3, Focus
This article is the third in a series that discusses the essential elements of happiness.
Focus is the ability to direct your attention. Is the glass half empty or half full? You answer will depend on your focus. Anthony Robbins talks about how questions are an effective way to change your focus. Any time you are asking a question you are directing your focus. Do you ask empowering questions or disempowering questions? A common question is “What is wrong with me?” You might be constantly asking this question in your mind. Is this an empowering question? Contrast this question with “What is great about me” or “What opportunities are possible in this situation?” Notice how the latter questions are more empowering. The facts that make-up the situation are value-neutral, what is important is the question. The question sets the stage for the story that you will eventually tell yourself about the situation, the question determines whether you interpret the facts negatively or positively.
Being positive and exuding happiness is largely a function of what questions you are asking in your mind moment to moment. What am I grateful for? Who loves me? What is great about this situation? The answers to these questions are answers that will brighten your day and your mood. If you want to be anxious your can ask questions like “what is scary about this?” What is terrible about this event? If you want to feel angry you can ask, “How could he do that?” What is wrong with him? Who does he think he is?
December 11th, 2006 at 5:45 am
[...] What you think about becomes your reality. Your reality is dependant on where you focus your thoughts. The good news is that you have executive control of your thoughts. We are in control of our reality and can mold it as we wish. I talk more about these ideas in my article about focus. [...]
March 30th, 2007 at 5:19 am
Focus is a positive effort.
It can be achieved with effot and enthusiasm.