Tag Archives: Values

What does happiness mean to you?

We are nearing the end of Pursuit of Happiness Week.  (Yes, there is such a thing.)  I’m writing this post at the end of the week because I really wanted to pay attention to my own experience of focusing on happiness this week before putting pen to paper.

It was an interesting week of introspection.  When I consciously looked for opportunities to engage with happiness, opportunities appeared in small and large ways.

  • I spent 11 days with my 88-year old mother. Every morning I presented her with a latte with a chocolate powder heart on top.  That made her smile.  Making her smile made me happy.
  • The power went off at our house for eight hours. When it came back on, I was happy  . . . and grateful.  It’s amazing how much more I appreciated heat and lights.
  • Seeing our two rescue Boxers play in the front yard like they didn’t have a care in the world (which they don’t) made me happy. We changed their lives.
  • I take my grandson to indoor soccer practice. Watching 15 4-year olds having the time of their lives and learning a new skill made me happy.

So, tell me, what does “being happy” really mean?

According to dictionary.com, a partial definition of happiness is “Happiness results from the possession or attainment of what one considers good.”

I like this definition.  It brings our own needs and values into play and puts the determination of success in our own hands.  No one else can determine what happiness means to us.  We can not be held to other’s standards of what happiness means. It’s all on us.  We determine what happiness is; only we can determine if we are successful or not.

You’ve probably also heard “Happiness is managing expectations.”  I honestly believe that managing expectations is the key to happiness.

  • I’m an okay golfer. Not a great golfer.  If my happiness was dependent upon being a great golfer I would fail miserably.
  • I makedecent money in my coaching and organizing business. My happiness is dependent upon making changes in others’ lives, not in a large savings account.
  • I have a small but devoted group of friends. If my happiness was dependent upon having the most FB friends, I would be unhappy indeed.

What makes you happy?  What can you control about your happiness?

Cindy Jobs

www.organizetosimplify.com

National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals, Seattle Chapter
National Association of Professional Organizers, Seattle Chapter Vice President
ICD_LogoTag_Horz_72 website
Institute for Challenging Disorganization
Level I Certificates earned in Chronic Disorganization; ADD; Client Administration; Time Management; Mental Health; and Hoarding.
Level II Specialist Certificates earned in Chronic Disorganization and ADHD.

 

Coach Approach for Organizers
Graduate of the Comprehensive Training Program: Coaching Essentials; Strengths-Based Coaching; Brain-Based Coaching; Life and ADHD Coaching; and Organizer Coach Integration
Graduate-level training: Body-Based Coaching; ADHD Coaching Competencies

What are you meant to do?

Some NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) colleagues and I participated in a service project this weekend at the University District Food Bank.  My “job” was to work with the food bank’s amazing Director, helping him declutter and organize his office so it would be more inviting to his team and donors.  About an hour into the organizing process, he stopped, shook his head, and asked me “how in the world can you do this every day? I’m exhausted!”  My response: “because  it’s what I am meant to do.”  I wake up every morning looking forward to helping people get unstuck, physically or emotionally, and move forward in their lives.

How do you determine what you’re meant to do?

  1.  Start with a Values and Needs exercise It’s important to know, at your core, what makes you tick.  Using myself as an example, my top Values are honesty, loyalty, and affection.  Anyone that knows me well, knows I’m a hugger; deeply dedicated to my family, friends and clients; and don’t tolerate dishonesty.  So, I would not do well in an occupation that doesn’t afford me deep, meaningful personal contact.  My top Needs include family, peace, and self-worth.  Again, those close to me know I will drop everything if someone I’m close to needs me; I don’t do well with conflict; and knowing I’m providing a valuable service to my family, friends, and clients is what drives me.  (Note:  The link to the Values and Needs exercise is an example only.  I do not specifically endorse the authors or their works.)
  2. What are you good at?  Years ago I participated in Tom Roth’s StrengthsFinder exercise.  Not surprisingly, my identified strong traits markers include Stretegic, Discipline, Relator, Learner, and Responsibility.  All of these traits serve me well as a Professional Organizer and Coach.
  3. What are you NOT good at?  Knowing what you aren’t good at (or just don’t want to do) is as important as knowing what makes you tick.  Deep down, I’m a bit of an introvert.  Get to know me and I’m very open and communicative.  But, in a crowd of people I don’t know, I’m a wallflower.  Hence, I would not make a great salesperson.
  4. What are your skills? Some occupations just flat require some very defined skill sets.  Although I’m a kinesthetic learner, I don’t have fine dexterity skills.  I should not be a surgeon.  But I am really, really good at process, so people are constantly asking me to organize projects and events (and I love it!).
  5. What makes you smile when you think about doing it?  I don’t like to garden. It does not make me smile. I know people that do love to garden and when they think about going outside and getting their hands dirty, they beam!  On the other hand, I love to organize stuff and help people move from where they are (physically or emotionally) to where they want to be.  It makes me smile even thinking about it.  What makes you smile?

Are you frustrated or unhappy doing what you’re doing?  If so, maybe you’re not doing what you are meant to do.

Cindy Jobs

www.organizetosimplify.com

Member Color - Web
National Association of Professional Organizers, Seattle Chapter Vice President
ICD_LogoTag_Horz_72 website

Level I Certificates earned in Chronic Disorganization; ADD; Client Administration; Time Management; Mental Health; and Hoarding.

Level II Specialist Certificates earned in Chronic Disorganization and ADHD.

Coach Approach for Organizers
Graduate of the Comprehensive Training Program: Coaching Essentials; Strengths-Based Coaching; Brain-Based Coaching; Life and ADHD Coaching; and Organizer Coach Integration
Graduate-level training: Body-Based Coaching; ADHD Coaching Competencies