Being happy does not require extraordinary effort. Simple tweaks to your routine can generate tons of happiness. Happiness is a state of mind and you are all responsible for your own happiness. There is no external factor responsible for it.

Here are simple yet effective steps to accelerate the abundance of happiness in your daily life:

1) Expect and accept imperfection: Trying to live the perfect life raises the bar to impossible heights. This needlessly creates disappointments. It is okay to settle for what is good enough even though it may not be perfect. Do not use it as an excuse to settle for just about anything though.

2) Be yourself: Stop trying to meet others expectations of you. Don’t change for others. Do what makes you happy. Hang around people who support what you do, rather than those who criticise or make you do things differently.

3) Try out new stuff: Doing new things will help you come alive and keep you excited. Routine can make life dull and boring. Spice up your life and make it exciting. Change the type of music you listen to, try out a different cuisine, go for a late-night movie show and so on. You could also try to learn new things, like a new sport or a musical instrument.

4) Have an open mind: There are ample opportunities that will come your way. Be receptive by keeping an open mind. If you see an opportunity come your way, grab it and dive into it immediately. It is only when you welcome and act on opportunities that you get to discover new stuff and find happiness.

5) Learn to say no: Do not become a people’s pleaser in the long run it just doesn’t work. No one can keep everyone happy all the time. By trying to please others you may end up taking away your own happiness. Do not do the things that make you unhappy just because you could not say a no to somebody.

6) Forgive: Do remember that by forgiving someone you aren’t doing him or her a favour. Forgiveness does more good to you than to the person who you forgive. When you forgive someone you set that person free together with the emotional burden that you’ve been carrying with you. Apart from forgiving others make it a point to forgive yourself as well for all the wrong you may have done. Do not live in guilt. Just let go of it.

7) Gratitude: Be grateful for everything, not only for the big things happening in your life but even for the small stuff. Gratitude helps you get more of the things you are grateful for. Gratitude is the gateway to abundance. Every day make it a point to be thankful for at least 5 things. Think about them before you go to bed each night and truly feel the happiness that they bring to you.

Life is what we make of it. We must take charge of our happiness and it all begins by sowing the seeds of positivity in our minds. Do visit www.mariosequeira.org for a whole lot of interesting content and programs to create a happy version of yourself.