One day about 4 years ago I was trying to write a post on what I thought were the key components for a happy life
In retrospect it sounds a bit pompous, a Life Coach thinking he could work out in an afternoon what philosophers have failed to agree on for centuries.
But hey, I like a bit of a challenge so I started to jot down some ideas.
As I started to type I soon started to notice an unintended weird pattern taking shape.
Over the next few days I tweaked and played about with and eventually ended up with what you see below.
Other than a black and white version my wife printed off and framed, nothing more happened with it until we decided to use it for the back cover of How To Be Rich and Happy.
Nothing I’ve ever written or said has provoked so much feedback from people and so many requests to do something with it.
So I have. I’ve paid to have the design laid out as a poster and people can actually buy it in various different colors from Zazzle.
But this isn’t a money making venture and if I manage to get the design cost back I’ll be delighted.
In fact even though it says copyright on it I really have no problem with people reproducing it, as long as it’s not for profit and the copyright details are left on.
It’s more a question of spreading something that I think is kinda cool and hopefully you’ll agree and help me.
Pinterest anybody?
By the way I sent out my latest newsletter this week and got more e-mail responses than any newsletter I’ve ever sent.
If you’re wondering why I’d send out an article entitled Why Setting Goals Can Sometimes be The Worst Thing You Can Do, click the link.
And if you want to buy the poster or check out the other colors you can click here.
The Meaning Of (a Happy) Life
Consider yourself officially “Pinned” or “Pinterested”. lol
Woo-hoo I’ve never been pinned before!
Thanks Cyndi.
Same here dude, I “pinned” your ass on Pinterest :-D haha
Now I know I’ve hit the big time!!
Great list, Tim. “Always be kind to yourself” is probably the most difficult for most.
I think you may well be right Paul, isn’t that weird?
This is a lovely set of instructions. Since they’re all in the imperative voice, that’s what they sound like, but a set of instructions is not a “meaning.” The title doesn’t go with these. It would make more sense to title this, “How to Have a Happy Life” or “How to Have a Meaningful Life” or “Steps towards a Meaningful LIfe” “Tips for a Happy Life” (that last one is lame). Do you see what I mean? Then when you read things that you’re supposed to do instead of what a life happily lived means, you don’t experience an initial disconnect.
By responding to this I am acting upon my personal instruction to stick my neck out once in awhile, which I’m not very good at.
Also are you equating “happy” with a meaningful life that was worth living? I’m not sure that they are the same.
LOL, well I’m flattered that you would exercise your neck sticking out muscles on my blog Kitty!
It’s just a poster though and only a bit of a fun and a play on the usual “Meaning of Life’
I pinned this a month ago and was looking forward to buying it, in pink sir.
Sorry it was going to cost $30 to add another color :-(
Nice, Tim!
I’m not on pinterest. No help there, buddy. I tweet :)
That is a nice long list of ideas. “Know performance does not equal identity” is excellent! All too often I hear someone say, “She was shitty waitress, stupid bitch.” Or something like it.
Kindness could be amped up between our ears and outside.
We need to get more in tune with our feminine side like Tony and get on Pinterest ;-)
Love the poster — shared it on Facebook. Also hopped over to your Goal article which provided a personal reminder to me that I needed to get your Core Value book. Now to re-prioritize my extensive list of things to read :) Thanks Tim.
Thanks a lot Debi, much appreciated and I also appreciate your kind offer to donate your copy of How To Be Rich and Happy. Nice one!
Happy life for me is about watching over the happiness in the faces of my family, they are my life and my happiness…
Sweet!
And that,sir,is going to be the flagship of my life’s fleet :D
Have a great weekend mate!
That’s brilliant to know, thanks man!
Shared on Fobo. Cheers mate!
Thank you kind sir!
Shared this on FB, have it on the back page of my copy of How to be Rich and Happy, thanks for reminding it is there, will look at the poster :) MAH