We work in a field that gives us more freedom than has been afforded to just about anyone in anytime in history. However, many of you are probably not nearly as happy as you should be, given how people generally react to the paradox of choice. TED talks had a great piece on this:

With what you do, you probably have the freedom to be doing it anywhere in the world. You have the freedom to do whatever you want in your free time. So, are you locked up in a house or office all day right now when it’s freezing outside? Are you spending 10 hours a day in front of the computer and then turning to the Xbox or TV for 5 more hours of “free time”? Is your idea of hanging out with friends following people on twitter and checking out their facebook pics? If so is that maximizing your happiness?

What works for me (and may work for you too), is I make a conscious effort to maximize my happiness. Map out what you want to be doing in every aspect of your life (not just for business) and write down these goals. Then every month or so go back and make sure you’re making progress towards those goals. If you are not, map out the steps you need to take to get from where you are now to where you want to be.

As a result of years of these efforts, today I’m working poolside at a resort a block from a kite surfing beach; it’s sunny, breezy and a perfect 29 degrees C (that’s 85 F). Oh darn! I think I just got pool water on the multi-touch pad . . . where’s that towel? So far this morning, I’ve had incredibly productive work conversations with people in the Ukraine, London, California and New York. Many of my friends are living similar lives; so I’m not unique. You can do it to.

Now maybe what I’m doing now is not your ideal of happiness . . . but make sure you have one. It’s damn near impossible to get where you want to be if you have no idea where that actually is.