February 21, 2007

1 in 4 Desperately Unhappy - Here's Why

In This Issue:

Feature Article: "1 in 4 Desperately Unhappy - Here's Why"

Audio Interview: "Internet Marketing Success In Less Than a Year? How Ian Del Carmen Did it Despite The Odds"

Corporate Gobbledygook: "More Job Description Hilarity"

* FEATURE ARTICLE *

“1 in 4 Desperately Unhappy - Here's Why”

Actually, "desperately unhappy" is putting it mildly.

"Greed is making us sick" blared the headline in Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper on February 5th.

Turns out that in the last 12 months more than a quarter of people in the English speaking world have suffered some kind of mental illness.

Well, this is according to a study quoted in Oliver James' new book Affluenza.

James, a British psychologist, attributes this to "selfish capitalism". According to the Daily Telegraph article by Paul Kent:

"too many people in the English speaking world are ruled by superficial values, to the point where instead of being satisfied as we attain more possessions – get better looking after a facelift, get a deeper tan, a nicer car, a better home – this insatiable need we have created can never be sated, making us increasingly unhappy."

James contrasts English speakers with Western Europeans, who are apparently less materialistic and happier (with only 11.5% suffering a mental illness in the last 12 months).

Curiously, the article makes no mention of how happy the many people living in third world countries - struggling to feed themselves, let alone buy stuff - are.

In any case, there are:

Lies...

Damned lies...

Statistics...

...and inferences about statistics!

Honestly, I haven't read James' book and can only respond to the article, but I find the link between consumerism and unhappiness to be a curious one.

On the one hand, it beggars belief that having too much choice about which toothpaste to buy could make us unhappy... on the other hand, choosing toothpaste does create a sort of angst, doesn't it?

I mean, do I get the Max Fresh with Mini Breath Strips, the Whitening Plus Tartar Control, the Multi Protection Toothpaste, the Advanced Whitening, or the Advanced Whitening Plus Tartar Control?

If there is some truth in the notion that too much choice, and striving for "more, better, faster" can make us unhappy... then let me propose another reason why... and a tip for avoiding such unhappiness.

As a whole, we human beings are driven to and by progress. We're constantly seeking ways to "improve" things... and to want the "latest and greatest". Let's face it, if were satisfied with what we had, we'd still be living in caves.

But if we attach all or much of our happiness to having the "latest and greatest", we're almost dooming ourselves to being unhappy most of the time.

Because nothing will be the "latest and greatest" for long... and we're inherently driven to want more. So any joy we feel is likely to be short-lived.

The solution?

We must enjoy the ride!

We must realize that life - and HAPPINESS - is about the journey, not the destination... because until we die there is no final destination... so all we really have is the journey.

I reject the notion that material possessions are meaningless - for many of us, it's not just what they do, it's what they represent that IS meaningful and brings a sense of satisfaction.

Oliver James criticizes people for showing off their new kitchen... but if that kitchen is more functional than the old one, and also represents a reward for years of hard work, making sacrifices, and an appreciation for fine craftsmanship, then why not feel proud and happy about it?

And yet, wouldn't it be even better to have enjoyed the journey towards getting that new kitchen... and to enjoy the journey beyond?

And if you're NOT enjoying your current journey, and can only see relief and joy in accomplishing particular goals and acquiring certain things... then maybe it's time to choose a different path, because your current one may not bring the happiness you seek.

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* HIGHLY RECOMMENDED *

“Would a New Job Make You Happier?”

You have nothing to lose by exploring your options!

And let me help.

For a limited time, you can download a FREE chapter of my unorthodox, yet highly effective, job hunting guide, Insider Job Secrets Revealed.

Click here for your free chapter

* AUDIO INTERVIEW *

“Internet Marketing Success In Less Than a Year? How Ian Del Carmen Did it Despite The Odds”

	If you're interested in Internet marketing or building a successful business FAST you'll love this interview with Ian Del Carmen.
	Ian went from literally having nothing... to running a fully- fledged Internet business employing staff in less than a year! And he did it in a country where most people don't know what Internet marketing is!

In this interview you'll also discover:

• Why Ian quit the film and television industry and started an Internet marketing business.

• How Ian was able to go from being a nobody, living in a country where very few people are involved in Internet marketing (the Philippines), to launching a hugely successful web business, and being on first-name terms with some of the biggest names in Internet marketing... in less than a year.

• Ian's "contrarian" view on list-building... and how he's been able to keep growing his list of subscribers without getting loads of "freebie" seekers.

• The "it" factor that has powered Ian's success... This may surprise you, but Ian does something that many Internet gurus avoid like the plague... yet it's one of the "secrets" to his success.

• How Ian believes the Internet will evolve and his plans for taking advantage of that evolution.

• Why Joel Christopher, the Master List Builder, dubbed Ian the "fireball".

• And more!

==> Interview with Ian Del Carmen Part 1

==> Interview with Ian Del Carmen Part 2

(Click to play and/or save to your computer.)

To discover first hand how Ian does it, visit Ian's website, Fireball News.

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* HIGHLY RECOMMENDED *

“How To Improve Your Management Skills”

Are you an entrepreneur, executive, professional or small business owner who’s realized that to grow your business, fast-track your career or improve your bottom line... you need other people’s help?

Then you’ve probably also realized that to get other people to help you... you need to manage them more effectively – whether it’s managing them up, down or across.

Better yet, you know that if you become a GREAT manager, you'll be able to attract and retain the best people to help you – people you can trust and who will do an even better job than you at the things you want them to do.

There’s just one problem...

How do you become a great manager?

Well, it's not difficult... once you know the "system".

Click here to discover that performance management system... for yourself.

* CORPORATE GOBBLEDYGOOK *

“More Job Description Hilarity”

Don't you just love these big company job descriptions?

This was in the job description for an IT role within a large bank. See if you qualify...

"Uses chains of indirect influence in order to get things done (eg. "gets A to show B so B will tell C"). Builds behind-the-scenes support both internally and externally to ensure buy-in and ownership; gets stakeholders on side. Undertakes suitable groundwork and covers "all the bases" before addressing powerful / important audiences within the organisation or externally. Calculates the best/most appropriate way to gain buy-in, including removing self."

I think I like the "removing self" bit the best.

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