365 Days of Living the Dale Carnegie Principles
Day 25. April 19, 2011
This morning Malcolm and I had a meeting. The meeting began this way:
DEEP SIGH from Malcolm.
Then he grumbled unenthusiastic words to me, “how are you this morning?” The meeting pretty much continued in this way.
I found myself getting sucked into the black hole of Malcolm’s unhappiness. By the time the meeting wrapped up I was completely irritated. I just kept thinking get me out of this miserable place.
As I drove to Starbucks for some coffee—I resorted to a new technique. I decided to fight for my happiness. I was not going to let Malcolm’s unhappiness drag me down.
Fight for your happiness.
I gave myself a very direct and impassioned pep talk that went like this:
“No one—not Malcolm, or “so and so” has control over my mood. I create and determine my happiness. I will not surrender control of my mood to Malcolm. Malcolm has no right to control my mood. I will have a good day. I control my happiness.”
And you know what happened? I had a great, productive, happy day. I’m not sure what tickles me more—the fact that I had a great day or the fact that I proved I control my own happiness despite my surroundings.
The Dale Carnegie principle I used is from How to Stop Worrying and Start Living:
Fill your mind with thoughts of peace, courage, health and hope.
Do not imitate others.
Remember, no matter your surroundings– YOU control your happiness. When you find yourself sinking into unhappy oblivion, take forward thinking action, take deliberate measures to take control of your happiness. Go for a walk. Smile at a complete stranger. Take a deep breath. Do everything you can to control your outlook. You can control your happiness. You just have to take action.
The Smiling Daffodil 