This subject is so very much a part of my mission and so near and dear to my heart. I love to teach entrepreneurs how to make success even sweeter!
In society, you’re often taught that we’ll be happier if you’re successful and making a lot of money. Following that logic, that means that the more money you make, the happier you’ll be.
The current formula is : Success + Money = Happiness.
I hate to break it to you, but this formula is false! I’ll bet you didn’t expect me to say that. But, it’s true.
Yet, as an entrepreneur, you often continue on the “holy grail” in search of more money and success with the belief that once you get there you’ll be happier. (Just like the person who’s overweight, puts their life “on hold” until they reach a certain dress size). You’re taught to work harder to get more success and more money…and you’ll do it thinking it will give you the happiness you’re desperately cravings. Then you get a taste of success and money, but guess what, it’s still the same. The happiness you get is short-lived and you’re back on the “holy grail”…searching and searching for that elusive happiness.
If you’re not happy now, you won’t be any happier when you’re more successful. That’s why it’s so important to change things right now!
In our culture, 1 out of 4 women are taking anti-depressants, and 1 out of 40 men are. (This doesn’t include all of the people who are depressed and aren’t taking medication).
I’ve worked with (and have friends) who are highly successful mulit-6 and 7 figure entrepreneurs and ones who are newbies. The happiness factor is the same. If the entrepreneur was stressed out and overwhelmed before, they’re still stressed out and overwhelmed even with more success and money.
Do you ever say this to yourself?
“I’ll be happier when I get this…or have that….”
“I never have enough… “(always focused on the negatives going on but not the positives)
“I’m always rushing around…” (stress and overwhelm)
“I don’t have enough hours in the day…”
One of the most important things I can teach you now is to work on your success from the inside out. As you become more confident and appreciative of yourself, the success will come to you in a much easier, more authentic way.
The Happiness Set Point Formula according to social scientists is:
50% genetics
10% external
40% thoughts and behaviors
According to highly regarded scientists, such as Bruce Lipton, PhD, the 50% genetics can be changed when your thoughts and behaviors are changed. Ergo, change your thoughts and behaviors and change your happiness set point.
If you’re happy now, you’ll be happy no matter how much money you make. If you’re not happy now, it doesn’t matter what kind of success you accomplish – your happiness set point will barely budge. In fact, you’ll often develop health or relationship problems (ie gain weight, get insomnia/ulcers, divorce).
What you want to do is start working on success from the inside out.
Here are the top 3 actions steps to start to make that happen: 
1). Keep a daily gratitude journal. The more you are grateful for all of the wonderful things (big and small) in your life, the more you will continue to receive them. Scientists have done studies and have found that within a 3 week period, peoples’ happiness set point typically rises.
2) Choose your words carefully. Think about how often you are using words, such as “ stressed out” or “overwhelmed” and instead choose more positive, empowering words. The negative words are keeping you in a negative place.
3) Change your negative thoughts and behaviors. The best (fastest and most powerful) way I know to do that is through an amazing mindset technique that I am an expert in, called “tapping”. This technique has helped hundreds of thousands of people release old core and limiting beliefs and replace them with positive and empowering ones.
Start those action steps today. The more you can start making those shifts now, the more you’ll enjoy your journey. As I always like to say, there’s no point in the journey unless you enjoy it. And, interestingly enough, the happier and confident you become, the more success (and money and clients and opportunities) you will attract. It always happens!
The way the formula should look:
Inner Happiness = Outer Happiness (and Success and Money…and all of the other stuff you want).
Need help uncovering your thoughts and beliefs holding you back? It’s often very difficult – if not, impossible to do it yourself. Apply for a complimentary 1-1 Success Breakthrough Session with me. During our time together, we’ll uncover them and get you into action. I’m opening up 7 spots on my schedule over the next 30 days. http://www.tinyurl.com/discoveryKate
Be Brilliant,
Kate Beeders
Mindset, Money & Marketing Expert
P.S. Apply for one of those 7 spots before they’re gone. A happier you is a more successful you! http://www.tinyurl.com/discoveryKate
Kate, this is so true. I had heard something similar recently and was thinking about this in my own life. I pictured my self in my twenties and thought about what I wished for. I’d just be happy if…my husband was more responsible…I owned my own Victorian house…I had a better car…nicer furniture…etc. etc. etc. I even thought I’d be happier if I could become a psychotherapist! Now I have all of those things (different husband!). But sometimes I am discontent. I think, I’d be happier if I just lived nearer to my children and my grandchildren. I’d be happier if I lived near the ocean (I grew up in California, now live in Montana…a place some people would give their left arm for)…I’d be happier if we lived in a more urban environment. When I thought about it, that’s exactly what I was doing…the playing the “if only’s.” Thanks Kate. Great post!
You’re very welcome, Linda. And, congratulations for being so aware of the “if only’s”…that’s a huge first step!
I so agree with you on this. I have to work on being more consistent with these tools. I do pretty well with step 2 (choosing words carefully). I am particularly careful of words I say, especially if they are following the words “I am.” I ok with step 3. I use EFT and Sedona Method but not as regularly as I should. I have not been consistent with step 1 (gratitude journal) at all. I feel so much better when I do it but I don’t always remember to do it. Thanks to you, I am setting a reminder on my phone to remind me to do this.
That is so awesome, Vanessa, that you’re getting back into using your gratitude journal 🙂