The goal behind APFL was to help individuals move from rumination to self-reflection. The reason the Happiness Formula is so powerful is because it helps you realize that happiness isn’t the end goal in life.

Self-awareness creates happiness. Becoming more self-aware of your own existence and beginning to identify what makes you tick allows you to move from reactive to responsive.

When you are responding to life as it occurs it comes from a place of power. It lacks helplessness and hopelessness. Feelings that are often associated with being out of control. Being aware keeps you from being the victim of circumstance in your life.

Bad things happen to good people. Being self-aware doesn’t mean only good will come to you. It simply helps you realize that when something bad or difficult does occur you have the tools and techniques to cope.

Everything would fall into place and all my worries and anxieties would fade away. The reality is that making the appointment and filling the prescription is only one step in a long journey.

Tools like A Plan For Living help amplify the results of your journey by addressing the constant chatter in your mind that medication and therapy alone don’t solve.  The most important lesson I learned was “therapy only works when you integrate what they are teaching you into your individual life!” 

When I am stuck I often times find myself obsessing over what I don’t want to happen. I play out arguments in my head about what the other person (my wife, kids, clients, etc.) are thinking and how I can react.

I found myself stuck trying to fall asleep last night. I started replaying all these scenarios in my life that I didn’t want to occur. Projects gone sideways. Frustration with my health and life.

I noticed this destructive mindset and started envisioning successful encounters in my life. What it looked like if I lost weight. What it looked like when I land that next client. Within minutes I was sleeping.

The goal in life is to move from reactive to responsive. Stop focusing on what you don’t want and start focusing on what you do want.

Stop mindlessly reacting to situations that you likely have no control over in the first place. Focus on acceptance. Focus on the positive outcomes you want in life and watch how quickly your mind shifts.