Do This and You'll Be Happier in 5 Minutes

We’re in the darkest days of winter, and for many of us—heck, all of us—the struggle is real.

I don't care how much money or fame or success you have; how many likes you get on Instagram; or how thin or well-groomed you appear. Every day is a struggle. Some days the struggle is small. Other days, it can be overwhelming. And it happens whether you're white or black, male or female, young or old.

Many Radiate members have written to me about their own struggles. All are successful people in their own right—business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals. Some of their struggles are personal. Others are business-related. I'll take a business struggle over a personal one any day—but regardless, they’re all tough. Don't believe me? Watch what Gary Garrabrant, an entrepreneur in finance, says about his own battle with fear.

So what do I do when I’m struggling?

I used to complain a lot. That generally doesn't end well.

I used to keep it in. That doesn't end well either.

Nowadays, I do something guaranteed to make me happier after five minutes. And as corny as it sounds, it really works. (And no, it's not a stiff drink.)

It's making a list of 10 things I'm thankful for. Seriously.

I've used this trick for several years, and as much as I don't believe it will work, it always does. I'm not sure where I picked up this trick, but the internet is filled with stories about making these lists.

Do you know why? Because it works.

I tried it out on my children a few days ago. One of them was having a hard time at school, and he was feeling mopey. Suddenly it seemed like everyone was "better" than he was—better-looking, smarter, taller, a better athlete...the list goes on. He was in that dark place we adults know so well.

So I told him to start thinking in his head of 10 things he was thankful for. I said that there were no right or wrong answers. There was lots of eye rolling from my 12-year-old; but by the time we hit number nine, he was already in a better mood. The problems did not go away—but his attitude changed. I hope he keeps doing it in the years to come.

You might not win the “war” doing this—but you can win the battle and live to fight another day.

Don’t believe me? Try it yourself, and share your experience in the comments.

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