Happynews.com

A few months ago, I vowed to never watch the news again.

Now, I still stay up to date on things by reading headlines and eavesdropping mostly, but why inundate yourself? Several of my mentors have recommended this tactic (Timothy Ferriss, Rhonda Byrne, etc) and quite frankly, I'm recommending it to you. This tiny little step (or skipped step) in your day will certainly bring you more happiness - why focus on the world's trials and tribulations? Stop giving your attention to the bad, and focus on the good. Who ever really turns off the news and feels better about going to bed? The news used to be my reminder to lock the doors at night, and nothing more.

This is all a little crazy for me considering I was a journalism major, but our society simply focuses on the negative, and I think it's time for a change.

If you must take in some news (I recommend it in spare amounts) try web sites that focus on the positive, like http://Happynews.com - what an inspiring web site! With great stories, columns, videos, quotes and more, this site will certainly leave you feeling a little bit better about the world than when you first approached the site.

Check it out. Laugh a little. Inspire yourself. After all, who couldn't use a little inspiration in times like these?

"Happy people plan actions, they don't plan results." - Dennis Wholey

Fables & Fortune Hunters

If you haven't read The 4-Hour Work Week, you should. And if the title doesn't entice you all on it's own, here's one of my favorite little stories Timothy Ferriss includes-

An American businessman took a vacation to a small coastal Mexican village on doctor's orders. Unable to sleep after an urgent phone call from the office the first morning, he walked out to the pier to clear his head. A small boat with just one fisherman had docked, and inside the boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish.

"How long did it take you to catch them?" the American asked.
"Only a little while," the Mexican relied in surprisingly good English.
"Why don't you stay out longer and catch more fish?" the American then asked.
"I have enough to support my family and give a few to friends," the Mexican said as he unloaded them into a basket.
"But...What do you do with the rest of your time?"

The Mexican looked up and smiled. "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Julia, and stroll into the village each evening, where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, senor.

The American laughed and stood tall. "Sir, I'm a Harvard M.B.A. and can help you. You should spend more time fishing, and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. In no time, you could buy several boats with the increased haul. Eventually, you would have a fleet of fishing boats."

He continued, "Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the consumers, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village, of course, and move to Mexico City, then to L.A., and eventually New York City, where you could run your expanding enterprise with proper management."

The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, senor, how long will all this take?" The which the American replied, "15-20 years. 25 tops." "But what then, senor?"

The American laughed and said, "That's the best part. When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public an become very rich. You would make millions."

"Millions, senor? Then what?"

"Then you would retire and move to a small coastal fishing village, where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, and stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos..."