GOOD NEWS and BAD NEWS!? [Success, Happiness]

I saw many very good, insightful replies to my recent SUCCESS/HAPPINESS question!

Having studied and questioned this for many years, here’s the inside insight:

Success and happiness are NOT the same thing! However, be assured – they are inextricably intertwined!!

Here’s how: happiness is NOT sitting around, doing nothing or wallowing in the fruits of your labors.
But success leads to happiness, i.e., self-satisfaction, feeling of accomplishment, pride of performance, etc. – and BUILDS self-image… And self-image defines OR limits all human performance.

Success ‘breeds’ happiness – and non-success breeds UNhappiness.

Strive to find something today your teen does – of value – and compliment them and that action. No need to get overly effusive or flowery – just an [almost] non-emotional comment.

That compliment – even if they [temporarily] “don’t like you” will still have positive impact and strengthen their success journey!😊

GREAT QUESTION !!!

[will enhance SELF-PRIDE]

Ask your teen – periodically, as often as you’d like:

“WHAT DID YOU DO TODAY THAT YOU’RE PROUD OF?”

[grammatically, it’s properly phrased “of which you’re proud” – but that sounds pompous]

Of course, the first time, you’re almost guaranteed that you’ll get a wise guy answer, an attempt at humor or derisiveness. 

STAY AT IT, without emotion. 

By the second or 3^rd or 4^th attempt, s/he will begin to reply with some degree of seriousness. 

Soon, they will begin to reply seriously, with probable PRIDE in their answer.

BTW – pride is a powerful, powerful thing.  Don’t discount it, even if you get wise guy answers. 

AS ALWAYS, be prepared with a sincere, sometimes/ almost complimentary follow-up.  I have no research – but I’m betting you will see strengthened self-esteem and even motivation!