Stop postponing happiness and create joy every day 🌟

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Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I’ll be happy when…”?

When you land the promotion, when you lose the weight, when you make XYZ salary—then happiness will show up, right? This kind of thinking is super common, yet it generally keeps happiness just out of reach.

For years, I thought this way too. I used visions of future rewards to fuel myself to be more ambitious. I believed that my next big achievement or promotion would flip some magical switch and I’d finally feel content and accomplished. But you know what? When I hit one of those milestones—a long-awaited promotion—I was surprised to find… not much changed.

My life was still my life: same house, same relationships, same strengths and weaknesses, same insecurities. And yet, everytime an accomplishment failed to utterly rock my world, I’d still find myself disappointed that I didn’t feel happier, so I’d move on and start working towards the next “big thing” sure that next time would be what brought me closer to my bliss. (Remind me again of the definition of insanity .😅)

My wake-up call

I finally realized that waiting to feel fulfilled until I accomplished a goal wasn’t working. There I was at a previous job, overwhelmed by my new responsibilities and missing the camaraderie of my old team. Rather than stacking all my happiness on my promotion, I found myself wishing I had enjoyed more of the moments and wins along the way. So I decided to try a different approach. I stopped focusing solely on the finish line and started making an effort to savor the journey—celebrating progress, appreciating small wins, and finding joy in the everyday moments of growth.

It may have taken a while but I learned that happiness isn’t some shiny prize you need to “earn”—it’s something you can cultivate right now. And when you stop putting it off for “someday,” the journey becomes so much richer and more meaningful.

So for all of you stuck in the “I’ll be happy when…” narrative here are three ways you can flip the script and start choosing happiness today:

Quick Confidence Tips to Create Joy Every Day

1. Mindset: Turn big goals into mini-milestones. Big goals are exciting, but they can also feel overwhelming and as I’m sure you know, working through overwhelm robs you of any joy you could be experiencing along the way. Jon Acuff , author of “Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done,” recommends cutting your goal in half–and then cut it in half again if you need to 😉. For example, instead of feeling daunted by “Develop research presentation for next quarter,” begin with “Research three successful strategies in your industry.” Or, on a more personal level, if “Declutter the house” feels impossible, start with “Sort through one drawer in the kitchen.” Breaking down the goal makes it more approachable and gives you quick wins to celebrate along the way. With each small victory, you’re building confidence—and finding joy in the process itself.
2. Embodied: Be present, not perfect. In “The Hidden Power of Social Networks,” the authors describe “energizers” as people who bring their full presence into every interaction. These people aren’t necessarily the loudest or most charismatic in the room. Instead, they focus on connection by listening deeply, valuing others’ input, and being fully present in the moment. To embody this in your own life, try setting an intention to show up fully wherever you are—whether it’s while collaborating on a project, in a team meeting or spending time with your child. Let go of multitasking or trying to “perfect” the outcome and instead, focus on truly engaging. This approach not only helps you enjoy the journey more, but it also inspires and uplifts the people around you.
3. Interpersonal: Spark a positivity chain. Giving a compliment might feel like a small action, but it positively impacts both the giver and the receiver. Neuroscience shows that verbal affirmations activate the brain in a way similar to receiving a reward, creating an emotional “lift.” The beauty of this is that when you give a compliment, it often inspires the recipient to pass that positive energy along. Whether it’s praising a colleague for their creative solution, thanking a friend for their support, or telling a stranger you love their style, your words have the power to brighten someone’s day and yours too. By sparking this kind of positivity chain, you’re helping to create moments of joy that ripple outward, making everyone involved feel a little lighter and happier.

The point is that happiness is already within your reach today! Every day offers opportunities to celebrate progress, build meaningful connections, and savor the present moment—if you’re willing to see them. And here’s the best part: embracing happiness now doesn’t mean giving up on your bold, audacious goals. It simply means you don’t have to wait until you achieve them to start feeling fulfilled. You can have both—a drive to accomplish great things and the ability to find joy in the here and now. Why not choose both?

What’s one small action you’ll take today to spark joy—for yourself or someone else? Let’s share and spread those good vibes! 😊

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