7 Mannerisms Of Self-Induced Unhappiness
Our life takes a turn, and suddenly we’re faced with experiences that question our strengths, our beliefs, our values.
For some of us, this is an everyday struggle. There is a burden we carry at all times.
While unhappiness comes in all sorts of external forms, it can also be self-induced.
Mindset, behavior, actions—a number of personal characteristics and actions give birth to misery. Are you guilty of these?
1. Trying to Achieve Perfection
Perfection is overrated. According to a research by the American Psychological Association (APA), the feat of perfectionism is, in fact, related to several mental and physical health disorders. We try so hard to meet these standards that we forget about our well-being. Working toward perfection is not always ambitious; it can be incredibly depressing.
2. Comparing Yourself to Others
People end up feeling like they are not good enough simply because their accomplishment in one area did not surpass what their friend/coworker/family member accomplished.
You are your own person. You have a different personality, a different life history, different experiences in life and different skills. Why try to match your achievements with others?
3. Indulging in Pessimism
“Nothing ever goes right.” This very ideology will always keep you from cheering up even when you finally achieve happiness. Don’t be a downer; by consistently predicting the worst, you end up creating an aura of dejection for you and others around you.
4. Expecting Too Much
Having an optimistic outlook on life is healthy, as you’ve read above. However, expecting things to go right all the time is a recipe for disappointment.
Do more than just keep an open mind regarding an outcome; prepare for the outcome as well. Know that your big idea can be disapproved at that next meeting at your company, so keep a substitute in hand.
5. Staying in a Negative Environment
Ever feel like you’re surrounded by people who are making it difficult for you to be happy? That is not the main problem here. The harmful fact of the matter is that you are unwilling to detach yourself from the negative personalities. You don’t want to hurt their feelings, you don’t want to offend them, you are scared of them—whatever the reason is, nothing should take priority over your health and happiness.
6. Dwelling on the Past
Did you mess up a high-priority presentation in your workplace? It’s fine. Contemplate it, decide why it went wrong for you and avoid that error from happening again.
Don’t relive the incident. One mistake does not define you, and no one has the right to hold it against you. No matter how big a setback, one way or the other there is always room for a comeback.
7. Getting Stuck in the Future
Don’t dwell in the past. Don’t dwell in the future either. Making plans is wise; you need to set goals, define your milestones and draft a 5-year or 10-year plan for your life. However, remember the present as well. There is a thing such as too much planning. Incessant scheming will only keep you going through an unending circle of anxiety.
You yourself have the power to make or break your life. Steer clear of thoughts and things that make you unhappy. As a keynote speaker who focuses on the use of humor in his presentations, Steve Rizzo emphasizes the importance of thinking positively and leading a successful life.
Check out some example of his funny motivational keynotes here.