Gretchen Rubin is a best-selling writer whose new book, The Happiness Project, is an account of the year she spent test-driving studies and theories about how to be happier. On this blog, she shares her insights to help you create your own happiness project.
1. How did you find your passion? What do you think is the best way to find
it?
For me, the passion to write became irresistible. I did other things for
years, but in the end, the desire to write was so great that I made the
switch. I think for most people, the best way to find your passion is to
examine what you actually DO – not what you think you should be doing, or
what you think your interests are. How do you actually spend your free time?
What do you like reading, doing, learning — that you actually pursue? It
might not be what you think.
2. How do you go from goal setting to implementation? How do you make
sure that you take constant action toward your goals?
I’m very lucky in that I have the kind of personality where I thrive on
action and accomplishment. I hate deadlines so I don’t procrastinate. I love
my work, so I love sitting down to get started.
3. How do you stay focused? How do you keep distractions at bay?
When I’m writing something that takes a lot of concentration, I take my
laptop and work in the library near my house. I don’t turn on the internet;
I can’t use my phone; so I get a lot done.
If you want to learn more from Gretchen, visit her blog, The Happiness Project, or read her book, “The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun”.
This is one in a series of interviews of self help experts and bloggers in the Tips from Masters series.
Gretchen Rubin is a best-selling writer whose new book, The Happiness Project, is an account of the year she spent test-driving studies and theories about how to be happier. On The Happiness Project blog, she shares her insights to help you create your own happiness project.
1. How did you find your passion? What do you think is the best way to find it?
For me, the passion to write became irresistible. I did other things for years, but in the end, the desire to write was so great that I made the switch. I think for most people, the best way to find your passion is to examine what you actually DO – not what you think you should be doing, or what you think your interests are. How do you actually spend your free time? What do you like reading, doing, learning — that you actually pursue? It might not be what you think.
2. How do you go from goal setting to implementation? How do you make sure that you take constant action toward your goals?
I’m very lucky in that I have the kind of personality where I thrive on action and accomplishment. I hate deadlines so I don’t procrastinate. I love my work, so I love sitting down to get started.
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