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After is a self-defeating word. It robs you of the present, and resigns you to wait without taking any action.

You convince yourself that life will be better after something: after you get a new job, after you get a better job, after you get more money, after you get out of debt, after the economy rebounds, after your stocks go back up, after you get that big order.

You convince yourself that life will be better after an event: after you get married, after you have a baby, after you get a new house, after you take a vacation, after you come back from vacation, after summer is over, or some other action-procrastinating “after.”

Are you frustrated that the kids aren’t old enough, and believe you’ll be more content after they’re in high school or out of high school? Are you frustrated that you have teenagers to deal with? You will certainly be happy after they’re out of that stage. Certainly you’ll be happier after they’re in college, or is it out of college?

You tell yourself that your life will be more complete when your spouse gets his or her act together, when you get a nicer car, a new house, a raise in pay, a new boss, or worse, after you retire.

The truth is, the fact is, the reality is, there’s no better time to be happy than right now.

Your life will always be filled with challenges, barriers and disappointments. It’s best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Alfred Souza said: “For a long, long time, it had seemed to me that I was about to begin real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.”

There is no way to happiness.

Happiness is the way.

There is no after to happiness.

Happiness is now.

Here’s the answer: It’s inside your head FIRST and everyplace else second. Happiness is a treasure. Your opportunity is to treasure every moment you have.

Stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose 10 pounds, until you have kids, until you quit smoking, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until you get your new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until the first or the 15th, until your song comes on, until you’ve had a drink, until you’ve sobered up or until you win the lottery to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.

And treasure the happiness of now more because you share it with someone special enough to invest your time in.

Happiness is:

Not a sale or a commission.

Not an economy or a budget.

Not a yes or a no.

Not a game-winning hit or a last-second touchdown.

Happiness is a way of life that is inside you at all times. It helps you get over the tough times and helps you celebrate the special times.

My experience has taught me the difference between resign and resolve. You can resign yourself to what is and hope or wait for a better day. Or you can resolve that you are a positive person who finds the good, the positive, the happiness, the smile and especially the opportunity in everything.

Happiness is now, not a goal or a destination.

It’s not an after, it’s a before.

All you have to do is decide.

Jeffrey Gitomer can be reached by phone at (704) 333-1112 or by e-mail at salesman@gitomer.com. © 2008 Jeffrey H. Gitomer