Need a Happy Planner? Use these Ideas to Get You Started!
Why do we need a Happy Planner? We seem to make everything else in our life a priority other than our own personal happiness. Take a minute and look at your personal planner, to do list or calendar. Which part of the day do you have on your never ending “to do” list that is specific to your own personal happiness? When we have asked this question to others, the answer has been none. Maybe once a week we schedule a time out for ourselves or some family time. In many cases it is once a month. So what is up with that? If we want to be happier and if we want the world to be a happier place, we need to plan our happiness. You will see that this part is super easy.
This Happy Planner Might Not Be What You Expected – But It Works!
So first we have to look at what the heck makes us happy. Well if you dig into our Happiness Research, happiness comes from completing one small give a day. This is a five minute activity and does increase your happiness. Happiness planning does not require a large amount of time, does not require any money, and if you start planning your gives starting today, you will see how easy it is to build happiness each day.
Do note that we are not talking about a day at the spa, or a massive commitment of time or money. Our happy planner and daily gives are things as simple as a smile to people in the morning, buying someone a coffee who least expects it. A stroll in the park for 15 minutes while you pick up garbage that others have left behind. You can bake cookies for local public service employees (fire department, police department) if you love to bake. There are hundreds of giving ideas that make life happier for you and others. This is why we call it the happy planner.
How to Plan Your Daily DOSE of Happiness
We are here to help you to put happiness at the top of your list every day. Research tells us is we can create feelings of happiness through our actions, and in our case we look to small acts of giving to create that daily dose of happiness. Creating a Happy Planner enables you to intentionally take action to create the feelings of happiness in your brain and body. DOSE stands for Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins, the neurotransmitters that create feelings of happiness. Who doesn’t want a hit of that every day?
So are you ready for a simple daily practice that goes on the top of you ‘To Do” list. We thought you were and we have the plan to make this happen.
Giving = Happy – Easy Ways to Start a Happy Plan
When I start my first happy planner with my son back in 2010, we loved sitting down each Sunday and planning out our week of giving. Once we created our happy giving list, we found it super easy to complete one small give each day. As part of The 365give Challenge we have included a blank weekly giving list for you to use. If you would prefer to put the list in your phone, go for it. If you have a calendar app that can send you reminders, go for it. The most important thing is to plan your daily gives. If you need ideas, we have that for you as well. Yup we have your back ’cause we know this works!
All of our members at 365give have completed this process to start their daily giving. We would love you to use the same happy planner to start your daily giving habit. A new habit is always easier to create when you use a system that is tried and true. Follow the directions below and start feeling happier each day.
1) Sign up as a Member with us at 365give. It’s free! On your membership page download the daily giving list to get you started.
2) Make a list of easy ways you can give in your life to get your Happy Plan going. Hint keep it simple!
3) Add each daily giving ideas to the top of your To Do list or mobile calendar each day. Set a reminder if you need it.
Give, Be Happy, Repeat – Plan Your Happiness
Creating a habit takes some time (up to 66 days!) so repeat each week until you notice your increased happiness and that of others around you. With time you will seek out ways to give or make use of giving opportunities that just show up! I have to say after giving every day for 10 years now, it is automatic for me to give each day, and I do see opportunities to give when they arise. I love it when I give, and it continues to make me happy. It is now a habit similar to brushing my teeth. If I don’t give, I notice it.
Our mission at 365give is to support you and cheer you on! We will even send a daily giving idea to your inbox every day if you want! You can sign up here!
The greatest gift you will receive from creating a daily giving habit is happiness for you and the world around you. So why not join us and make your world a happier place to be. Sign up as a member, it’s free, and see how you feel every day when you start planning your happiness.