My Happiness Project

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Deb Cote

Awhile ago, I started thinking about what my passion was. I work a great deal because I enjoy it, and I spend a lot of time with friends and family because I love them. But I don’t support a cause, have a dedicated hobby, or dedicate my free time to any type of sprituality or greater meaning of life.

I envy people who have those. They seem to have a purpose.

I work to live and live to work. But am I missing out on Something Big in Life?

I read articles about finding one’s passion. I talked to colleagues and friends. Nothing jumped out. Can you create a passion? What if I don’t have one?

Then I stumbled on The Happiness Project, a book by Gretchen Rubin. One day Rubin wondered if, although she was happy, she could be happier. Was she taking her life for granted? In order to determine that, she embarked on The Happiness Project, a year-long pursuit of increasing happiness in various aspects of her life.

Now here was something I could relate to. Perhaps it’s not exactly finding a passion, but what better way to take a step in that direction for a project management professional than structuring that journey as a project?!

I’m just getting started with my Happiness Project. In addition to choosing subjects of focus for each month (e.g., Friends, Work, Attitude, Love, Health, etc.), one of the first steps is to come up with overarching principles, what the author calls her Twelve Commandments. Hers include such things as:
1. Be Gretchen.
2. Let it go.
3. Act the way I want to feel.
4. Do it now.

So, I’ve started my list of personal commandments. They are not tasks on a to do list, but words you want to strive to live by. Some of mine include:
1. Simplify.
2. Appreciate what and who I have now.
3. Be present.
4. Accept what I can’t change.

I’m still refining my lists. Then I will come up with a plan, like any good project manager would, for the year-long effort. A couple of friends have agreed to join me in their own Happiness Projects.

So far, it’s been a good experience. What are some personal commandments that would be on your list?

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4 Responses to My Happiness Project

  1. Jane Brzozowski says:
    February 28, 2013 at 8:50 am

    This is a great question and a great quest!
    My list is:
    1. Live in the moment
    2. Live in the moment
    3. Keep trying to live in the moment
    4. Spend time with the people I love
    5. Be grateful for all the people in my life
    6. Align my life and work with my beliefs, including that work should (generally) be fun
    7. Live within my means
    8. Enjoy the sunshine (literally)
    9. Find ways to be creative
    10. Live in the moment

  2. Amy says:
    February 28, 2013 at 9:18 am

    You make it look easy Jane! I started my list of resolutions (many centering around living in the moment) but still need to come up with my list of commandments.

    You’re right that it seems like the perfect approach for a project manager. We need to get started Deb!!

  3. Robson Goulart says:
    February 28, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    I don’t like lists much. I wrote a personal vision for me:
    To live a life of authenticity, being true to who I am and, along the way expanding my sense of self by learning from other people and sharing knowledge with them.

    My personal mission:
    To bring joy, truth, peace and meaning to mine and other people’s lives.

    I do have a don’t do list:
    1)don’t check email all day long
    2) don’t turn computer on first thing in the morning
    3)don’t eat fast
    4) don’t be pessimistic

    Great topic! Thanks.

  4. Deb Cote says:
    February 28, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    @Robson – A “don’t” list is a creative way of thinking about it. Thanks for the tip!
    @Jane – My “Be present” = “Live in the moment” so I guess I’m heading in the right direction.
    @Amy – Kickoff needs to be scheduled soon!

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