As I read about all of the disgruntled workers out there, I wondered whether you could be… gruntled.
You can be. It’s a word. It means “pleased or satisfied.”
And isn’t that what we all want?
And with that, I present to you…
The 30-Day GRUNTLED Happiness Challenge
Week 1: Perception of Reality
Day 1-3: Surround Yourself with Optimism
Each day, spend at least 15 minutes with someone who uplifts your spirit or brings positivity into your life. This could be a friend or a family member and it can be virtual or IRL.
Day 4-6: Practice Gratitude
At dinner, offer a toast about something positive that happened that day.
Day 7: Reflect on Energy
Take note of how you feel energetically after different tasks or interactions. Which activities drain your energy? Which ones boost it?
Week 2: Adjusting Expectations
Day 8-9: Mind Your Surroundings
Implement the grayscale setting on your phone for two days to minimize distractions and focus on essential tasks.
Day 10-11: Rethink Your Self-Image
On Day 10, list out all the roles you play in life: son, friend, citizen, etc.
On Day 11, reflect on which roles you enjoy and which you feel pressured into. Think of small changes you can make to align better with your desired self-image.
Day 12-13: Revisit Your Definitions of Success
On Day 12, write down your current measures of success. A measure, of course, is a way of knowing whether you’re hitting your goals.
On Day 13, challenge them. Do they align with your values? If not, revise them.
Day 14: Reduce Miscommunication
When interacting with someone, especially in a professional setting, ask them their preferred method of communication: do they want an email first and then discuss or do they want you to catch them in the hallway and and then capture it in email?
Week 3: Taking Action
Day 15-17: Focus on Energy
Over three days, try three different methods of boosting your energy: taking a walk, doing a 10-minute workout, or practicing a short meditation. Reflect on which method worked best for you.
Day 18-20: Dive into the Present
For three days, whenever you catch yourself worrying about the future or dwelling on the past, ground yourself in the present moment. Use techniques like deep breathing or tactile exercises like feeling the texture of an object.
Day 21: Measure Your Progress
Reflect on where you were six months ago and where you are now. Celebrate your progress and set a direction for the next six months.
Week 4: Consistency and Systems
Day 22-24: Systems over Goals
For three days, focus on creating or refining a system in your life. This could be related to health, work, or personal growth. Remember: the system is more critical than the end goal.
Day 25-27: Connect with Others
Take time over these days to genuinely connect with colleagues, friends, or family. Listen actively, and try to remember personal details to show you care.
Day 28-29: Reflect and Adjust
Review the past 27 days. What worked? What didn't? Adjust your approach accordingly.
Day 30: Celebrate and Commit
Celebrate your journey over the last month. Commit to one change you'll maintain long-term.
Remember, the GRUNTLED Happiness Challenge is about incremental changes to better your perception of reality, manage your expectations, and foster positive actions in your daily life. The goal is not perfection but progress.
Enjoy the journey towards a gruntled life!
- Rajiv