Happiness: You Don’t Just Feel Good—You Build It

We live in a world that wants us to believe happiness is a stroke of luck or a reward for checking all the right boxes. But if you’re waiting on good vibes to just fall into your lap, you may be waiting a long time.

Here’s the truth:

Happiness is not a destination—it’s a practice.

And more importantly, it’s your responsibility.

Let me break it down.

According to Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, a leading researcher in positive psychology, there are 10 core positive emotions that help us not just feel better—but think more clearly, make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and lead more effectively.

Those emotions are:

Love, Joy, Gratitude, Serenity, Interest, Hope, Pride, Amusement, Inspiration, and Awe.

(Fredrickson, 2009)

These aren’t just nice-to-haves or soft skills. They’re the emotional nutrients of high performance.

They broaden your thinking, open your mind, and build resilience over time. This is known as the Broaden-and-Build Theory—and it’s backed by over 20 years of science.

But here’s what many don’t realize:

These emotions don’t just happen on their own.

They’re activated.

They’re triggered.

And they’re deeply personal.

What sparks serenity in you might not work for someone else. Maybe it’s a moment of stillness in the morning. Maybe it’s wrapping up a project you’re proud of. Maybe it’s just stepping outside to breathe in fresh air.

The point is, you have to choose them.

You have to design your life and leadership to make space for positive emotion to arise.

This isn’t about toxic positivity or pretending everything’s fine.

It’s about self-awareness. It’s about emotional agility. It’s about leadership that starts within.

So ask yourself:

1. When was the last time you felt inspired? What was happening in that moment?
2. What makes you feel genuinely hopeful, or deeply interested?
3. What values are you honoring when positive emotions show up?

These moments are your blueprint.

And if you’re serious about leading with clarity, purpose, and sustainability, you’ll want to treat your emotional state like the strategic lever it is.

Because your happiness isn’t random—it’s intentional.

And it’s entirely yours to create.

Want help mapping your own positive emotion triggers?

That’s exactly what we do inside SOAR Academy. We don’t guess—we explore, assess, and activate. Because high-performing leaders don’t wait for clarity or peace. They build it.

Let’s go there—on purpose.

Until next time,

L. Michelle