Weekly: Change is coming
Old Happy: It hasn't happened—I should give up.
New Happy: It hasn't happened—I'm going to keep doing what I can.
Voltaire wrote, "We never live; we are always in the expectation of living." Our eyes are trained ever forward, waiting for something to happen—dreading the bad, hoping for the good—and as a result, we miss the joy that's possible in the here and now.
And it's no wonder. Waiting is hard. Not only is it frustrating and difficult, it also engenders a sense of helplessness within us, as though we have no power over what happens next.
If you're feeling that way right now, and you're looking for a way to boost your motivation, there's a handy little science-backed trick that can make a big difference.
For there is a state very close to patience—one where you are still waiting for something to happen—that has a completely different emotional tone. That's the state of anticipation.
Unlike patience, anticipation is colored with excitement: something good is going to happen; there's joy just around the corner. In fact, some studies have found that anticipating an event can sometimes even be more enjoyable than the event itself.
Today, try this: consider what it would look like if you waited with anticipation instead of patience.
If you were anticipating... you would believe that good things were coming, and you'd feel excited and hopeful.
If you were anticipating... you would trust that changes were occurring, even if you couldn't see them quite yet.
If you were anticipating... you would enjoy the process of waiting rather than simply rushing to get to the end.
And wouldn't that be so much more enjoyable?
Tips and Tools
1. How to feel your feelings — This week's animation.
2. Watch out for these — On hollow goals.
3. The wave of emotions — The right time to act.
4. How will you meet it? — Try kindness instead.
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 kind of person do you want to be?
"A confident, creative, loving and present partner and friend."
"The kind of person who creates positive changes to the world, no matter the scale."
"Better than the person I was yesterday!"
"Self-possessed; cool, calm and collected."
"Powerful & genuine."
"A physically, mentally and emotionally balanced personality who is hard working."
"A loving, caring and inspiring person. My partner recently called me all of these things and it makes my heart soar to know my energy is being reciprocated this way."
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.
No spam, just joy.
