Happy Habits with Jason Harwood

Are you ready to create your happiness habits? Perception is the key! When we focus on positive qualities and achievements within ourselves, we begin to notice them more frequently. 

Join us in this episode as we talk about mindset, movement, and meditation with happiness coach Jason Harwood. Learn how to shift your focus and create a more positive outlook toward life.

Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:  - Understanding the hierarchy of needs as it relates to happiness - Why the time is now to create happiness habits - Starting your day with gratitude habits - The first principle of starting and sticking to a habit - Shifting your mindset: the power of positivity - Why movement and meditation are so important [08:07] Hierarchy of Needs Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a widely recognized theory in psychology that explains human motivation and behavior. At its base are physiological needs such as food, water, and shelter, followed by safety and security. Once these basic needs are met, humans strive for love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization. Research shows that once people reach a certain level of income, additional income does not necessarily lead to greater life satisfaction. This suggests that material possessions alone are not enough to fulfill our needs and desires.

[13:53] Starting Your Day with Gratitude Habits Gratitude is a powerful tool that can help us shift our focus toward the positive aspects of our lives. Establishing gratitude habits, such as writing down three things we are grateful for each day, can have a significant impact on our overall well-being. Starting your day with gratitude statements can set a positive tone for the rest of the day and help you approach challenges with a more positive mindset. It can be as simple as taking a few minutes each morning to reflect on what you are thankful for and jotting down those things in a gratitude journal.

[15:18] The First Principle of Starting and Sticking to a Habit Starting small is key to forming and maintaining habits. Breaking down larger goals into manageable tasks can build momentum and increase the chances of success. Practicing gratitude and movement, such as writing down a few things you're thankful for and doing a few minutes of exercise, can create a positive tone for the day. Additionally, meditation or prayer can improve mental clarity and reduce stress. By focusing on achievable tasks, you can lay the foundation for long-term success.

[20:13] The Power of Perception: How Focusing on Positive Aspects of Yourself Can Change Your Outlook Our perception is influenced by what we focus on. When we train our minds to seek out positive qualities and achievements within ourselves, we begin to notice them more frequently. It's not that these positive aspects of ourselves suddenly increase in number, but rather our awareness of them has heightened. Notable quotes:

[08:50] Once you hit a certain level of income, additional income does not create any additional life satisfaction. [08:57]

[15:18] The first principle of starting and sticking to habits is to actually start small. [15:24]

[24:17] The more you can reduce the energy necessary to do something, the more likely you are to do it. [24:22]

[31:41] The challenge we face is losing connection with the present moment. [31:47]

Resources Mentioned:  www.jasonhartman.com  The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor  The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg Atomic Habits by James Clear

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About the Guest  Jason Harwood is a professional speaker and happiness coach