As if you’re fighting off an overpowering evil villain at the end of a heroic action movie, you need to find it’s one true weakness and exploit it. The Achilles heel became so popular because it’s meaning always rings true – you must try to find the source of everything.
Where does something start? And where does something end?
So I did a little thinking to uncover the sources in my life which bring me the most joy, and equally, the most pain. It was a fun exercise that shed light on the minor elements that compound into what makes us who we are. It’s an exercise I certainly recommend everyone try.
My sources of happiness:
- Lower urgent demands
- Less stress and interruptions from outsiders
- Getting enough sleep
- Spending enough time working on a creative project
- Working on the most important thing every day
- Spending time with friends/family
- Doing good, focused work in the morning
- Playing a sport or getting exercise
- Sharing or doing something charitable to help others
- Eating healthy
My sources of stress:
- Not getting enough done in a day
- Interruptions throughout the day
- Arguments
- Doing tasks I view as less important
- Eating heavy/unhealthy food
- No physical activity (no gym workout/soccer/stretching/a long walk)
Once you think about these items yourself, you can create a mental checklist and score each one every day. If you are to try to find endless happiness, perhaps you could review these items every morning and ensure that you heighten your happiness sources, and do your very best to suppress those that bring about stress.