Lionel Ketchian is a friend of mine.  Years ago, on Christmas Eve, he made what he calls the decision to be happy.  He then started 'The Happiness Club' here in Fairfield.  The club has since expanded to a national and even international level.  He writes a column in the local paper about happiness.  I'll admit it.  When I first read it, I thought it was saccharine.  Deciding to be happy sounded unrealistic.  As I got to know him, though, my opinion changed.

My #1 goal for 2008 is to be happy.  What does that mean?  It doesn't mean ignoring the challenges of life. It means that I will decide, and I will remember, to be happy.  Why?  I'm alive!  I'm healthy.  I have a beautiful daughter and wife.  I'm in a business that suits me.  If I'm not in a business that suits me, I have the intelligence and power of choice to take the time to find something that suits me.  I live in the greatest country in the world. 

I spent Halloween of 1983 in a Hospital bed with stage III Testicular Cancer.  I remember looking out the window and watching people walk back and forth in the parking lot.  I remember thinking that I'd do anything for their problems; to trade places with them.  Thank God I got better.  I"m here to talk about it.  It's a success story, but I spent more time feeling sorry for myself after the fact than I care to admit.

I've been around sales people for a few decades now.  We have some great sayings.  One of my favorites is 'find out what works and do something else.'  Sales is so much like life.  That's why I love it.  Some of the most important things to do in life, and in sales, are the simplest.  Because of that, and because of their simplicity, we tend to take them for granted.  It can't be that simple, we think, and we look for other ways.  We find out what works.  Then, we do something else.

Happiness isn't a vaccination.  It's not a quick fix.  It's is a decision that we make on a daily or maybe even a moment by moment basis.  What if you made a goal for 2008 to be happy?  Would you do it all the time?  Probably not.  Would you be better at your job?  Will it help you to achieve your other goals?  You bet.  Might you have a few more dollars in your pocket as a result?  Hmmmm......

Before you decide what you want to do in 2008, decide what you want to be.  Be happy, and, chances are, you'll be one step closer to achieving your other goals.  And you'll probably have more fun!

To learn more about Lionel Ketchian and the Happiness Club, visit his website at www.happinessclub.com