Goodfinding
Is Your Best Happiness Habit

Authored by William G. DeFoore, Ph.D.


Goodfinding is the happiness habit of finding and focusing on what is good, right and working in yourself and those around you.

Why do you need a habit like this? Because your brain's already got a very strong problem solving habit, which will keep you focused on what's bad, wrong and not working. Those are the problems that need fixing, right?


The problem with problem solving is it can stress you out and steal your joy, if you let it.

Don't let anything steal  your joy!

Here's the plan...you're going to keep solving problems, but you're going to have more fun doing it!

And, you'll be more successful at getting those problems solved -- because when you're having fun, your brain works better and you have more energy.

When you develop the happiness habit of Goodfinding, everything will work better for you, because finding the good helps the good find you.

Here are some questions that might pop up for you: Why is this so hard? Why aren't people just naturally happy? Why do I have to work on this? Those are great questions. Let's look at some answers.

We start out happy. Children are naturally joyful beings, as long as their basic needs are met. Then we grow up...and become serious about fixing things, reaching goals, and generally trying to create the life we want.

So, what gets in the way of happiness? Keep reading...


Change Your Problem Solving Habit


Your automatic, default mental program goes like this:

  1. You want to be safe and happy. So your brain automatically goes on constant scan to find anything that might be a threat to your safety or happiness.
  2. You will always find plenty of things to worry about...and you can't get all of that fixed, ever. The worry, stress and frustration grow.
  3. If this unhappiness habit keeps running on automatic, you get anxiety, anger and depression -- not happiness.

Most of us face challenges of one sort or another, on an ongoing basis. If you allow the default problem focus to dominate your awareness, you will overlook and ignore the many beautiful blessings within and all around you.

This is actually how most of the world operates, most of the time. You don't have to live like that. You can be the exception to the rule...you can be one of those people who truly enjoys life.

Watch this short video, and it will give you a step-by-step overview of where we are and where we're going:



Be A Goodfinder & Create A Happiness Habit


Ready to create a new default brain process? The old default process is the problem solving pattern described above, which leads to stress and unhappiness. (Don't worry, you'll keep solving problems, but you'll be better at it, and have more fun doing it.)

Your mind is always on scan, looking at past, present and future events and emotions. When you become a Goodfinder, this automatic mental activity will benefit you in every way.

The three activities of a Goodfinder are, gratitude for the past, appreciation in the present, and optimism about the future. You're finding the good about what has happened, what is happening, and what's going to happen.

You'll even learn to find the good in the "bad!" That way, you gain and benefit, no matter what happens. Here's your new happiness habit:

Your Three-Step Goodfinding Process:

  • Gratitude -- This is where you look at, think about, and/or write about all of the good things that have happened in your past, whether yesterday or many years back. Express your gratitude for the people you love and those who love you. Be thankful for the happy times, and the learning and growth you experienced in the hard times. Count your blessings from your entire life experience. Get better at being grateful.

Positive Journaling

There are specific guidelines to journaling that will really help you to become a Goodfinder. Learn about the purposes, benefits and types of positive journaling here, and get started on your journey to create the health and happiness you choose for yourself. If you believe it, you can achieve it!

  • Appreciation -- Now you're looking at the blessings and benefits that are right here, right now. What's good, right and working in your body, your home, your work life, your family and your relationships? What do you love about yourself, your loved ones and the world around you? Develop the habit of thinking about these things on a regular, ongoing basis, and you will be amazed at how good you feel. Learn about finding happiness through the Art Of Appreciation.
  • Optimism -- The research is clear. Optimism is good for you in every way. And we're talking about intelligent optimism here, not naive, "pie-in-the-sky" goofiness. With intelligent optimism, you are looking at the big picture realistically, and focusing on the positive outcomes that you want. You're not only looking forward to the good things you expect, you will be learning the skill of predicting and projecting positive outcomes beyond your expectations. Become an intelligent optimist now.

That's  your happiness habit. The more you practice it, the easier and more effective it will be. Remember, you're changing a life-long pattern of mental focusing, so it  won't happen overnight. 

But you can do this -- and you'll  be so glad you did!


More Great Ways To Build Your Goodfinding Happiness Habit

Acts Of Kindness --Learn about the many benefits of acts of kindness, to yourself, for loved ones and for strangers. You benefit, whether you're doing good things for yourself or for others, and both matter.

A Happy Nostalgia Definition -- Learn how to make your nostalgia work for you instead of against you. You can use these tools to enhance your appreciation of the present while savoring the value of your past.

The Value Of Appreciation --Discover the awesome power of appreciation, and how it enhances the value you hold for your body, your mind and your precious love relationships.

Build Joyful Anticipation -- Move from wishing and hoping to positive expectation, faith and optimism, and finally into joyful anticipation of the future outcomes you most greatly desire.

Science Of Happiness -- Discover the findings of years of research showing the many ways that happiness helps with your physical health, you mental health, and your relationships with friends and loved ones.

Building Self Confidence -- This is key to virtually everything you want to accomplish in life. Get all the skills you need in this article, and step forward into the future of your choice confidently.



› Be A Goodfinder




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