Written by Kristin Harrington
“We have everything we need right now to be completely happy… so let’s just choose to be happy.” – This is 40
If you read that and rolled your eyes, you’re not alone. The idea that happiness is a choice can feel overly simplistic, especially when life’s challenges seem overwhelming. Yet, there’s truth in it.
I work with several leaders who struggle with choosing happiness or, more broadly, placing a positive frame on most situations. These leaders often face tough challenges and are consumed by what isn’t working. To them, choosing happiness or even optimism feels out of reach.
In one case, I challenged a leader to spend most days consciously looking for the good around her. She began noticing small “wins”—like returning to pickleball after months away, building new relationships with coworkers, and enjoying new training opportunities. After a month of intentionally focusing on the positives, she told me her mood had noticeably shifted. Even when others around her zeroed in on the negatives, she found she could stay grounded in the positives. This was a remarkable shift that was positively impacting both her personal and professional life.
So, what changed? Only her perspective. But that shift has allowed her to view her world differently. The view is freeing and within reach for all of us. How do we get there? Incorporate these three ideas into your every day to begin the shift:
Practice gratitude daily. The first step in shifting your perspective is to cultivate gratitude. Consider ending each day by acknowledging a few things you’re grateful for, no matter how small. Don’t be deterred by only recognizing the big – a great cup of coffee, a productive meeting, or a meaningful conversation. All are equally powerful ways to shift perspective. By consciously recognizing what’s going well, you retrain your brain to focus on the positives. Gratitude shifts your attention away from what’s lacking to what’s abundant, and practicing abundance daily can lay the foundation for a more optimistic outlook.
Reframe challenges as opportunities. When difficulties arise, it’s easy to fall into a negative mindset. However, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth can transform how you approach tough times. Instead of fixating on what’s going wrong, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” or “How can this situation make me better?” This shift from seeing obstacles as burdens to viewing them as learning experiences can help you build resilience and find positivity even in not-so-great situations.
Surround yourself with positive influences. Your environment plays a significant role in shaping your mindset. Surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you, and limit exposure to those who drain your energy. Positive influences don’t always have to be people—books, podcasts, and content that reinforce optimism can also help shape your perspective. The more you immerse yourself in positive energy, the more it becomes natural to see the world through a brighter lens.
Perspective is a powerful tool. While we can’t always control what happens around us, we can control how we see and respond. By practicing gratitude, reframing challenges, and surrounding ourselves with positivity, we create a mental framework that allows us to choose happiness—even when it doesn’t seem like an option. The shift may be subtle initially, but it transforms how we experience life over time. Happiness becomes less about external circumstances and more about an internal choice we make each day. The freedom that comes with this perspective is within reach for all of us—just one small shift at a time.
