Weekly: Believe in us
Old Happy: I need to do this scary thing alone.
New Happy: I can ask for encouragement and support.
In the early 1960s, country singer Willie Nelson was struggling.
For his whole life, he had dreamed of becoming a musician. But he had arrived in Nashville and despite all his efforts, nothing was working out for him. He was teaching music lessons instead of getting gigs. He was selling encyclopedias door-to-door instead of working on his songs. And he was rejected by every big record label he approached.
These setbacks were taking a toll, leading him to drown his sorrows in alcohol. One night, despairing and drunk on whiskey, he laid down in the middle of the road waiting to be struck by a passing car (thankfully, they all swerved around him.)
The next day, while nursing a hangover, his friend Paul English stopped by to check on him. Nelson told him how lost he felt, and in response, English said to him:
"I'm thinking of how these fools [record labels] are going to feel when you start having hit songs left and right. That's when they'll eat their hearts out for paying you no mind when they could have bought you for a nickel and nail."
Paul English believed in Willie Nelson, and by reminding him of that, he was able to keep going. Shortly after that conversation, Nelson got his big break when his song Crazy was picked up by Patsy Cline; it would go on to become the most played jukebox song of all time. That success led to his own debut album, which kicked off a legendary career. He is known now as one of the most successful country artists of all time (and at 92, is still playing live shows to this day!)
And Paul English? Well, he became Willie's longtime drummer, playing alongside of him for the next fifty years. As Nelson would later describe English's impact upon him:
“It was good being with someone who seemed to believe in me more than I believed in myself. He really believed in a rosy future at a time when I couldn’t afford to buy my wife a dozen roses.”
We are taught by Old Happy culture that the only belief that matters is the belief we have in ourselves. But that internal belief comes from others' belief in us: it's what allows us to take the risks and to stay the course, even when we are afraid, and over time, build our confidence in ourselves. Don't be afraid to ask for the encouragement and support you need from others.
Tips and Tools
1. The legacy we leave — This week's animation.
2. Three phrases — How to motivate ourselves.
3. What we really need — Versus what we're chasing.
4. You don't need to be perfect — Accept, then grow.
5. The ripple effect — The power of kindness.
More from TNH
Book — Order New Happy today to find true happiness.
Podcast — Get a daily morning pep talk — in five minutes or less
Speaking — Book us to speak to your team about well-being, resilience, and productivity.
Articles — Read more articles on our website.
Community
What’s something you need to hear from yourself?
"Don't count your chickens. Live in the moment and take things as they come."
"I know it seems like the end of the world right now, and I know that this is a huge challenge that may have dire consequences if it doesn’t work itself out in a different direction, but with time, it’s going to work out and be okay."
"This. Feeling. Is. Temporary."
"Slow down. You're exactly where you need to be. You are doing enough."
"We are a team."
"You’re going to be fine. You made the right choice."
"Be who you want to be with! You’re in control of your own love life."
"You don’t need permission to follow your dreams and passions. They are only yours."
Before You Go
The Definitive Guide to Happiness
A groundbreaking new approach based on a decade’s worth of research and brought to life with beautiful artwork, New Happy shows you the proven path to happiness.
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