17 Things the Happiest People Say Every Day

17 Things the Happiest People Say Every Day17 Things the Happiest People Say Every DayTheres an easy-to-articulate, hard-to-implement best practice when it comes to how to teach yourself to be happy. It stems from the recognition that the positive things you do for other people often reverberate back to create positivity in your own life. In effect, doing little things to make other people happy can greatly improve your happiness.Make sense? There are two theories at work. The first is that focusing on others creates joy of its own accord. The second is that as you succeed in improving others happiness, youll wind up with happier, more grateful people around you. Theyll find you likable and charismatic, which in turn can lead them to treat you in a manner that produces even more happiness.Its easier said than done, but fortunately, theres a compelling shortcut. Your words are among your greatest tools, so you can have an outsize effect on others simply by thinking about what you say every day and making an effort to be both positive and sincere. There are certain inspiring things that truly happy people find themselves saying to others all the time. Try making an effort to say a few of these every day for a week. Youll be amazed at how the positivity you create improves your happiness.1. Im Happy to See YouThis is the fruchtwein basic and attractive sentiment you can express to another human being- that simply being in the persons presence creates a positive feeling. Whether youre telling an employee that you need his skills, that you value his opinions, or just that you think hes good company, youve begun an interaction on a very high note. How can that not produce some level of happiness in the other person?2. Im Always Happy to See YouTake the previous remark a step further. This is the opposite of most relationship advice- that you should never take a specific negative action and suggest that its indicative of someones entire way of acting. Well, turn that on its head, by expressing that its not just this interaction that has produced positive feelings but basically all interactions with this person. Its an amazingly gratifying thing to hear.3. Remember When You...Surprise someone by bringing up a positive thing that she did in the past, and youre almost guaranteed to induce a positive response. Maybe its a joke the person told that youre still laughing about maybe its a small act of heroism she performed. Regardless, if its something she thought welches long forgotten, learning that something she did made a positive, lasting impression on someone else is an amazing experience.4. You Might Not Realize This, But...This an even more potent version of the previous suggestion, provided you finish the sentence with a description of how the persons actions led to a positive outcome. Its one thing to learn that other people recognize the favorable things youve done its another thing entirely to learn that youre having a positive effect on ot her people without even realizing it.5. You Really Impress MeThis is similar to Im happy to see you and Im always happy to see you, except that it focuses on things that the person does, rather than his or her existential being. Other variations include You are really great at... or People love that you... Simply be sincere and specific. Youre really great at calming stressful situations or People love that you always have the best music. It can be anything, as long as its authentic and truly positive, and its guaranteed to elicit positive reactions.6. You Really Impressed Me When...Focusing on specific actions or events can be even more powerful. It means that youre not only thinking abstractly but offering proof that things the other person does provoke positive reactions. Its the difference between saying that a comedian was really funny and quoting one of his or her best jokes. (Other versions You handled that well when you turned that clients objection into an opportunity or It was really cool to see how you parallel-parked that car into that tiny spot.)7. I Believe in YouPeople have self-doubts. You do, I do, we all do. (Heck, every time I write a column here- and this is number 167, by the way- I wonder how people will react.) When others simply say they believe in you, however, it becomes easier to believe in yourself.Heres an analogy. Have you ever gotten into lifting weights, or simply watched people do it? Its amazing how the slightest bit of assistance from a spotter- with force equal to the weight of a pencil- can help someone lift far more weight than he could on his own. Its the same concept here- just that small expression of confidence can push people to achieve more- and then to be thankful for the help.8. Look How Far Youve ComeIt is so important to celebrate achievements. This doesnt mean you have to throw a party, but even acknowledging that someones efforts have achieved results can be extremely gratifying for the person. Of course, heck, if you want to take things to the extreme, throw a party. Just be sure that youre the one buying the first round and singing the loudest.9. I Know Youre Capable of moraEveryone needs to be pushed at times, especially when we fall short. If you care about people, youre going to be called on sometimes to be a bit of a coach, or maybe to employ a bit of tough love. Even the most steadfast and confident among us sometimes need a friend to guide them to a better way of acting.The late, great NFL coach Vince Lombardi put this best Leadership is getting someone to do what they dont want to do, to achieve what they want to achieve. Nobody does anything great alone, so be the one standing by to help, and youll inspire positivity and gratitude.10. Id Like to Hear Your Thoughts About...Everyone likes to think that his or her opinions matter, and of course they do- sometimes. However, this kind of invitation to share what someone thinks cant help making the person feel just a tiny bit more sel f-worth, which in turns creates both happiness and positive feelings toward you. Just be sure to be sincere dont just say this for the sake of saying it. Make sure that you are truly interested in whatever subject youre asking about and listen actively.11. Tell Me MoreThis is the best follow-up to the last item. It tells the other person that youre listening, and that you find value in what he or she is saying. The actor and writer Peter Ustinov once said that the greatest compliment he ever received took place when he was afraid he had gone on too long in a conversation with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, only to have her tell him, Please continue.12. I Took Your SuggestionOK, its almost too easy at this point. Combine asking someones opinion and demonstrating that the person has had impact on your life and youve provided him with two of the most gratifying, basic experiences of the human condition.It doesnt matter really whether you tried a new restaurant on the other persons a dvice, followed his suggestion on how to begin an important conversation, or started getting up 15 minutes earlier for a week because he said it was a good idea. Simply being listened to and having impact makes people feel better. Bonus points if his suggestion created a positive result, but youll get credit regardless. (Related You were right.)13. Im SorrySay this when you mean it- when youve done something worth expressing regret for or the other person deserves sympathy. However, dont water it down by using it when you dont mean it. In fact, one writer made a compelling argument recently that the phrase is so overused that it ought to be retired. That would be a shame, but it underscores how people appreciate this phrase when its sincere, and how it annoys them when it isnt.14. Id Like to Be More Like YouNow youve got it- youre expressing positivity toward other people almost naturally, pointing out not only things that they do well but maybe even things they do better than you d o.If you want to see a sentiment similar to this work very effectively, watch the 1997 movie As Good As It Gets. Or else, just read this short bit of dialogue in which Jack Nicholsons character offers Helen Hunts character the ultimate compliment You make me want to be a better man.15. Thank YouIts not that much of a stretch to suggest that every other item on this list is in fact a form of thank you. This is truly one of the most powerful, underrated phrases in the English language. It packs a heck of a punch, encompassing positivity and impact in two little syllables. (By the way, thanks for reading this far into this column. Maybe if you share it with others, theyll thank you, too.)16. Youre WelcomeNot yep. Not no problem or no worries. Say Youre welcome.Instead of deflecting another persons thanks, as some of these other phrases do, saying youre welcome dignifies the persons gratitude. It acknowledges that yes, you did do something worthy, or nice, or positive for someone- becau se you believe that shes worth it.17. NoTheres one small risk in this entire mode of expression, and this word is your fail-safe. The danger is that sometimes people who make other peoples happiness their priority can wind up doing so at the cost of their own happiness. We all know some people who take advantage, or who simply arent going to be happy no matter what your efforts amount to.Two little letters, and yet they can be so powerful. Most important, they demonstrate that you care for yourself, which is a key prerequisite to caring truly for other people. Carry this one in your back pocket use it when necessary. Youll find that the most positive and happy people you interact with respect you for doing so- and that can make you happy, too.Photo of happy woman courtesy of Shutterstock.