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NFPW 2002 Highlights

Taking Personal Responsibility for Your Happiness

The only one who can really make you happy is you.

If attitude is everything, then Denise Hanson has it all. Exuding confidence, warmth and a love for life, Hanson gave NFPW members tools for "Taking Personal Responsibility for Your Happiness."

Noting that it takes 21 days to create a new habit, Hanson directed her audience to not only examine their attitudes and desires, but commit to taking action. She believes that those who consciously take care of themselves, celebrate life, surround themselves with positive people and visualize themselves achieving their dreams will be happier and more successful than those who do not.

Personal happiness, she said, comes from having defined goals, thinking positively, tackling challenges, learning, living with integrity, having fun and feeling supported. She encouraged everyone to create a personal mission statement and related goals. A well-written goal, she said, includes an action verb, focus, desired result and timeline.

Hanson tackled a significant challenge herself when — without previous experience — she became campaign manager for North Dakota gubernatorial candidate Heidi Heitkamp. Hanson is now community relations director for United Blood Services in Bismarck.

To get going on the road to happiness, Hanson recommended the audience do two things: Start a gratitude journal (write down 10 things each night for which you are thankful) and start a kudos file to fill with mementos that make you feel good about yourself.

– Cathy Jelsing