Steps to - happy life

Many people lack true happiness, or lead un fulfilling lives. This kind of deep dissatisfaction can eventually lead to depression, relationship break-down, etc. Unfortunately, there isn't a magic wand that can guarantee happiness. However, here are eleven steps that will help you live a happier, more fulfilling life.

 1. Learn to laugh at yourself...

This is easier said than done, but once achieved you will wish you had done it sooner. When life is getting you down, and things are going wrong, see the comedic value in the situation. See yourself from the 'God perspective' - if you perceive your struggles in context they are usually pretty damn funny. Taking yourself too seriously creates unnecessary pressure. Life doesn't always go your way - plans fail, you mess things up, and people screw you over. But you're still here...

2. Invest in memories...

This is difficult advice for anyone accustomed to the Western lifestyle. We love to consume, and often value possessions over experience, but life can be so exciting if you stop shopping and start living. And experience helps develop character. Buy only what you need, and spend whatever you have spare on enjoying yourself.

3. Face your fears...

Fear cripples people – fear of failure, fear of success, fear of being alone, fear of letting go and loving with all your heart; these are all fears that stop people living the lives they dream of. Facing your fears is not easy, but life has a funny way of forcing you to, should you not willingly take up the challenge. Do it. Feel it. Face it. Then proceed swiftly to freedom and happiness!

Steps to - stand out above the work

Do you feel like one in a million at work ? and not in a good way? When you run into your boss in the hallway, do you get the impression she isn't sure who you are? Are the juicy projects always going to someone else?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you need to raise your work profile. Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Listen more than you talk...

If you offer an opinion, suggestion, comment or question at every opportunity, soon people will run away when they see you coming. Remember when you were in college and there was always one smart-aleck who, when the class was asked, "Are there any more questions?" would shoot his hand in the air and hold the class up? Don't be that student in the boardroom. If you listen carefully and confine yourself to intelligent and to the-point remarks, you'll end up looking smarter than most of the people in the room. And when you do have something to say, everyone will listen.

2. Meetings aren't for airing dirty laundry...

If you have a problem or gripe with someone, bring it to his or her attention privately. When you point fingers or air departmental problems in a group setting, you (a) blindside the person you're complaining about, and (b) have just about ruined your chances for a peaceful resolution. Besides, the next time you make a mistake, that person will fall all over himself to make sure to bring it up in a large meeting just to watch you squirm.

3. Try to catch people doing something right...

Whether boss, co-worker or subordinate, people love to be told they're doing a good job. You don't have to turn into Eddie Haskell to be aware of opportunities to compliment someone. Keep it short, low-key and honest. It's even better if you can pass the compliment to someone else. "Hey, boss, Jim was a huge help to us on the Acme project ? he made some suggestions that should save us $20,000." What are the chances that the boss is going to mention it to Jim the next time he sees him? Pretty good.

4. Know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em...

Pick your battles. If you've made the best case you can for doing something a certain way and the boss decides to do it Sally's way, smile and go along (unless doing it Sally's way is going to send you to jail). If your way really is better, people will remember that when Sally folds like a cheap card table. When you do decide to keep fighting to do it your way, make sure it's something worth fighting for and not just because you can't stand to lose. If you only start a war when the stakes are high you have a better chance of coming out on top than if you try to fight every low-level skirmish like Sherman going through Atlanta.

5. Don't hide your mistakes...

As soon as it becomes apparent that something has gone wrong, take it to your boss and be upfront about what happened. Have a plan laid out to correct the problem and limit the fallout. You should be able to tell the boss that you've already put the recovery in motion and exactly what the final outcome will be. The key here is to accept the blame without hand wringing or whining and pointing fingers at your subordinates or other departments. You take the responsibility, and then you take the lead in fixing it.