Joy & Happiness Will Make You More Productive

Hey Coach! 

I hope you had a great weekend and you are gearing up for the week ahead.  

I was sitting in the office of a hockey coach just this last week and I noticed a book by Gretchen Ruben called the Happiness Project.   

I love that book.  

The Happiness Project is the report of her results from testing ideas about happiness from ancient times, the latest scientific research, as well as popular culture and common belief. She found a multitude of ways in which you can improve your happiness, without moving to the other side of the world or making millions. 

I felt the need to read it a few years ago when I wasn’t very happy and was burning out on coaching.    

Ever since reading that book, I schedule time almost everyday to do at least 1 thing that makes me happy.   

I’ve been riding my mountain bike and roller blading throughout the week, and gotta say, it makes me happy. 

Also gotta say, less smart phone time… makes me even happier. 

At a recent on campus workshop, I was discussing with a coach the crazy things that make you feel good.  

Here’s an exercise that I was doing with this staff in an effort to help them be more productive: 

Make a list of things that make you happy and then DO THEM. 

Here are a few you might want to add to your list.  

1. What you say about yourself, to yourself, is CRTIICAL to your long-term happiness. 

2. The cells in your body react to what your mind says. Negativity and anxiety reduce your immune system’s ability to protect you.   

3. A glass of water in the morning will wake you up (and get your body moving quicker than a cup of coffee. 

4. Listening to music that you like during a workout can increase your strength and endurance by up to 23%. 

5. Listening to an educational audio (like my podcast / YT vids) will do similar. 

6. Regardless of your mood smiling for 3 seconds will instantly release ‘happiness chemicals’ in your brain.  

7. Always do a critical task (productive) first thing in the morning. Will set a psychological pattern for the rest of the day. 

8. You’re only capable of one thought at any one time. Therefore, it’s only possible to be positive or negative. Choose positive and if you slip… catch yourself.  

9. Here are three incredibly powerful words that are written on my computer… “Progress equals happiness.” 

And a bonus tip with very little practical importance unless you’re running a marathon soon: 

10. Exhaling when your left foot hits the ground can reduce cramps while jogging (or while skating if you’re a hockey guy). 

Does your staff or team have a list if things that make them happy? 

Do they realize the above are actually a thing? 

I doubt it. 

Your program will build faster and you’ll instantly become more productive when you find ways to incorporate more things into your day that make you happy. 

What makes you happy coach?  Email me, I’d love to hear the things you do to stay happy through out the grind of your college season!  

To Your Success,  

Mandy Green