Written by: Kaisa Siipilehto, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Are you one of us who want to feel more satisfied and happier? Most people want to feel happy but try misfunctioning methods to level up their mood, lifestyle and career. If you feel stuck or lack ideas this article is just for you. I’ll offer you insights to broaden your perspective about happiness and come up with concrete ways to nurture it. First, let us explore the concepts of happiness and success.
Have you wanted to improve your life quality or change your career by achieving something important to you? Try to recall those experiences and assess how long did you feel content after reaching your target. This target can be a university degree, the first job in your dream workplace or a championship for example. My guess is not very long. There are many reasons for that.
First of all, achievements don’t bring happiness – it’s about enjoying the learning journey. Secondly, we are often so focused on doing the planned activities that we don’t allow ourselves to take time for being and thinking. We also tend to strive for the targets but forget to celebrate the successes. These are essential for experiencing true happiness. So, as you explore the question of how to experience happiness, I want to give you my insights on how to create a career and way of living that fosters happiness and fulfilment.
These insights are not only my suggestions to you but identified characteristics of Finnish people who are recognised as the world’s happiest citizens four years in a row (according to The Happiness Reports 2018-2021). The following characteristics that reflect the Finnish society and its citizens are considered to be essential elements cultivating their happiness. In this article, I will also guide you on how to use these approaches to improve your career and life quality, satisfaction and fulfilment.
1. Invest in yourself
Though it’s known that getting something we (or others) value like a diploma, new role, salary raise or even a relationship won’t bring us happiness, we still tend to seek happiness through achievements. Don’t get me wrong, as a coach I encourage everyone to take action towards reaching their important targets and celebrating the successes since it is essential for building feelings of self-efficacy, confidence and resourcefulness and so increasing our assets for future successes.
Yet, thinking that you’ll be happy once you reach or receive something that you want, is simply the wrong way to look at happiness. Changing the approach can feel unnatural and even challenging but it’s possible ‒ and encouraged! So, what would the Finns do to feel happier?
From an early age, all Finns have a personal education plan embracing their unique strengths and interests. With a life expectancy of 82 years, Finns have a lifetime to pursue their passions, invest in their professional growth and even educate themselves to a new profession at any age. The essence of developing a happy and fulfilling career path is in the process that reflects personal preferences and interests.
Lifelong learning and personal development are also supported by Finnish society in many ways. I used this opportunity by taking a study leave during my corporate career. The master studies in leadership, strategy and organisational well-being accompanied my parallel coaching training. The time spent with the business and coaching studies helped me to reflect on the world’s needs and discover my (business) vision which supports my meaning-making purposes.
So, think about how want to invest in your self-development that embraces your aspirations?
2. Embrace your values
I'm proudly a Finn. I've born and raised in the capital area of Finland, Helsinki, where I’ve received my (free) education, bought my first apartment and built a 10-year marketing career before becoming a nomad coach entrepreneur. This 30-year experience living in the world's happiest country has given me a lot. First of all, it has shaped my core values – what drives me.
Freedom and independence are two of my top values that greatly influence my decision-making as well as choosing a suitable career growth path and way of living.
Finding your path to freedom begins by accepting your true self, respecting your uniqueness, and allowing yourself to enjoy life on your terms — essential steps toward finding your innermost drivers, exciting passions and bigger life purposes free from external expectations and others’ opinions.
In Finland, personal qualities and interests are praised since childhood which boosts the sense of belonging and being loved. This safe and trusting environment supports building a healthy value system that let Finns thrive throughout their lives.
What drives your life choices?
3. Cultivate your spirit
Attitude is everything (this has been my motto for as long as I can remember). Our attitude impacts the possibilities we create for ourselves and the way we perform to reach the desired situations. Having an optimistic outlook is one proven ingredient for happiness.
Finns might not seem very optimistic at first, but rather pessimistic introverts who calculate all the risks before taking action. Their empowering optimism appears in the stoic spirit of 'sisu'. Once Finns have made up their mind, nothing will stop them. This perseverance helps Finns to pursue anything with strong determination — even in the most challenging conditions. Sisu encourages Finns to surpass any limits, grow careers they value and live robust lives without sacrificing their needs and highest priorities.
Making a difference pursuing one’s meaning and leaving a legacy often requires a lot of grit typical of sisu. Challenges are seen as part of that journey and the sisu spirit helps to overcome any obstacles along the way.
How can you practice a thriving mindset that supports you to pursue what is meaningful to you?
You can now go through the characteristics again and come up with different ways how you can practice them or apply them to your situation. Just remember that happiness comes from the experiences you create for yourself, not when you have executed a to-do list.
When you are ready to take the next step levelling up your happiness, get your HAPPY workbook copy. This workbook introduces more lessons and characteristics from the world’s happiest nation together with self-coaching assignments that guide improving your life quality, joy and fulfilment in a long run. By getting your workbook, you’ll support others' lives too: we’re donating 50 % of each workbook to Red Cross operations to help Ukrainians. Get your HAPPY workbook here and get ready to transform your career and life satisfaction!
Share your experiences of adjusting these practices to your life. What did you try first? How did you apply the approach to your life situation?
Enjoy building a fulfilling way of living!
Kaisa Siipilehto, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
The LIVIO JOY Founder, certified coach and mentor, Kaisa Siipilehto helps you to drive changes with courage. As a Finn with global experience, Kaisa offers a fresh solution-focused approach combining insights from the world's happiest nation, Finland, together with her business knowledge and internationally recognized coaching methods. After ten years of progressing her career within brand marketing and customer engagement, Kaisa sought new opportunities that supported her developed vision and priorities. Pivoting to a new profession, building a purpose-driven business and creating nomad entrepreneur living has given her an understanding of what it takes to make major changes. On a mission to build better lives, careers and businesses, Kaisa founded LIVIO JOY Ltd to support other professionals to navigate their important transformations and growth journeys. Since 2020, Kaisa has helped emerging talents, leaders and business owners from over 15 nationalities living around Europe and The Americas.
