There are 3 things you must have to be happy now and later in your life in a world that tends not to be so happy. And if you do not have them now, it is still not too late! You can actually start now to figure out how to get them.
The 3 Things
So what are these 3 things? Well, they are … a passion, a skill and a platform.
I am sorry if they are not what you are expecting. But incredibly, they are almost like air and water. Basic living criteria. Without them, you die!
And it doesn’t matter who you. Simply put, everyone needs them. A passion, a skill and a platform.
So how do all these 3 things make and keep you happy?
It is no rocket science here. But if you know what you love to do, good in what you love to do and has a place or people that welcomes you doing it, you my friend, are what we call … USEFUL! And you feel great about it!
Being useful is the most underrated, unnoticed, priceless and most needed thing in our lives.
Because not being useful makes you feel useless!
WHOA!
And if you are feeling useless, you are likely to be constantly bored, drained, directionless, de-energised, aimless and feeling … well … genuinely not so happy.
And I believe no one deserves this. You don’t deserve this!
So what can you do?
Well, change it up! It is a simple solution that requires time to unfold it.
So this is what you can do.
Continue with your day-to-day life as usual but add on 3 more things … make time to know your passion, learn a new skill and find a platform.
Be open, be patient and be doing and not just be thinking. When you put time and concerted effort behind it, I know you will get clearer on this.
Know Your Passion.
Go try some of those things that you have always been thinking about. And when you tried it, ask yourself, why do you love doing it. And if you loved it, what else would you need to make it even better? Or if you don’t, go ahead and drop it and do something else.
Learn A New Skill.
Sometimes, the problem is not with the heart (passion). But it is with the head (lack of knowledge) or the hands (lack of ability). And learning a new skill is not about becoming a nuclear scientist. But it is about being curious, open and learning something useful that you can use on something that you love. And from a biological point of view, when you are open and learning, you also tend to be more positive and happier.
Find A Platform.
People needs people. And research has shown that we are happier when we are useful to others. So take time and experiment with different avenues or people groups that may find what you do useful to them. Partner up with others who might share your interests or even look at where you are currently working and see if there are passion practising opportunities.
Conclusion
So like I said, make time, be open, be patient and try something. The more frequently you explore and try, the more likely you will succeed.
Remember, success is action.
Eventually, these 3 things of passion, skill and platform will come together.
And when that happens, it’s HAPPY DAYS!
Kim Pong is the CEO and Founder of StrengthsAsia, Creator of the REFRAME MasterClass and the first 20 Gallup Certified Strengths Coaches in the world. He is based in Singapore and works with organizations in Asia in creating an engaged workplace culture for leaders, managers and executives to thrive.