One of the most sought-after goals in life is the road to happiness. The challenge with joyful living is that it often feels insufficient. We continually desire more, whether it’s a dream car or house. In this blog, we will explore a five-step guide on how to cultivate positive habits and attain true happiness without falling into the trap of endless desire, allowing us to appreciate the life we have.

The first step on the road to happiness is understanding where you are today. Many believe that events like winning the lotto or landing a dream job will lead to a better life. While such milestones can boost your feelings temporarily, the challenge arises when the initial excitement fades. People may become complacent or set new desires, leading to a cycle of wanting rather than appreciating all they have. True personal growth comes from recognizing this pattern and fostering joyful living, allowing for a sense of contentment without the constant need for more.

The second step on the road to happiness is to find joy in today and live life in our moments. This approach allows us to become very aware of the time we spend. Our responsibility is to use our time positively and productively. We will only get one today, so make sure to use it to the fullest. This does not involve going out and spending all your money or living today like it is your last. Instead, this full-out determination and effort will propel you into a better state of being and fulfillment. You will begin to notice the flow of joyful living when you use your days for positivity and personal growth. Life is more than a complex enigma that we live and then slowly fade. Remember, if you are not growing, then you are dying. Be sure to grow more each day and not miss any opportunities because of wasted time.

Third, we have to make sure that we do not place our happiness on the road to happiness solely in the future. This is a common issue for many individuals today. They often think that the future is drastically better than today. While that may be true, if you believe that happiness lies only in the future, you will find yourself constantly waiting for that day to arrive. These bright spots might include finding a significant other, buying a home, starting a family, or finishing college. This step closely resembles the first, but the key difference is that we should focus on personal growth rather than worry about our current situation while dreaming of these future goals. Being in a dreamland state feels great, but joyful living requires that our positive habits and actions today will lead us to where we truly want to be.

Our fourth step on the road to happiness is to find our purpose. When you discover your purpose, you realize the meaning of your life for the first time. This is when you stop roaming aimlessly and start understanding what you must do for your personal growth. Be sure that when you find your purpose, you do not shy away from it; embrace it wholeheartedly. Learn to embrace your purpose and fall in love with the joyful living it will bring to you. I came across a great quote by Stephen Cope from his book The Great Work of Your Life: A Guide for the Journey to Your True Calling: “If you bring forth what is within you, it will save you.” He later emphasizes that “If you do not bring forth what is within you, then it will destroy you.” I referenced this quote during a session with one of my clients recently, and it resonated deeply with him. He called me the following week to share that he had found his purpose. Sometimes our purpose, gift, or passion are all intertwined, and once you realize this connection, you begin to take positive habits and massive actions toward fulfilling your life’s purpose, which often includes service to others.

The final step on the road to happiness is to provide service to others. I discussed this in last week’s blog about giving back. You will find that joyful living brings so much more happiness when you give to others. This sense of fulfillment comes from a place of gratitude, and whatever you give will often return to you. Whether your contributions are big or small, appreciation will follow. Always share from abundance and help others, even if you know they cannot reciprocate. The joy we create by helping others each day, especially when it’s not expected or obligated, greatly enhances both their lives and ours, fostering personal growth along the way.

The road to happiness is sought after by many. Remember, the five steps to begin your journey to happiness are understanding where you are today, engaging in joyful living by living life in the moment, not placing your happiness in the future, finding your purpose, and committing to service to others. These steps will keep you on track to reaching the vision you have for your life. Good things are meant to happen to you! Of course, bad things occur as well, but these challenging times allow the good moments to shine even brighter. They serve as anchors for how good we can feel. So, take each step with intention! Ensure you adopt positive habits to live your fullest each moment. The life you were destined to have is within reach, but remember, life is about the journey—not the destination.

Until then,

Michael Rearden

Founder of Reven Concepts.