Happiness Isn’t For Wimps: What it Takes to Create the Life You Want

Vince Lombardi, one of the most well-known football coaches in history, once said, “A man can be as great as he wants to be. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive, and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done.”

Coach Lombardi didn’t just say these words – he lived them.  He pushed both the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Redskins to greatness by constantly reminding them that their success hinged on their commitment to hard work and perseverance.

So why are we talking about football in an article that’s supposed to be about happiness? Coach Lombardi’s thoughts on success apply to happiness. Happiness is something that we create, and that creation involves hard work.

Creating a happy life, just like playing on a winning football team, isn’t for the faint of heart – it’s for the brave, the focused, and the tenacious.

Consider this:

  • Most “overnight success” stories have years of backstory
  • Mothers go through excruciating pain to have their beautiful babies.
  • Folks trying to lose weight have to deny themselves the foods they love, and push their bodies with exercise, in order to have the beach bodies they want.
  • Many of us have to save money now so we can have a nice vacation or a comfortable retirement later.

In order to find happiness, there are often dues to pay. We sometimes have to grit our teeth and keep our eyes on the prize even when our minds and our bodies scream at us to forfeit the game. Remember Coach Lombardi’s advice and embrace the pain that comes with hard work and know that it will pay off in the end.

Want to know more about leading a happy life? Click Here for 5 tips: Finding Happiness: How to Become Happier in Life

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Anthony Centore

Anthony Centore

Anthony Centore Ph.D. is Founder and CEO at Thriveworks--a counseling practice, focused on premium client care, with 80+ locations across the USA. He is Private Practice Consultant for the American Counseling Association, columnist for Counseling Today magazine, and Author of How to Thrive in Counseling Private Practice. Anthony is a multistate Licensed Professional Counselor and has been quoted in national media sources including The Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, and CBS Sunday Morning.

Check out “Leaving Depression Behind: An Interactive, Choose Your Path Book” written by AJ Centore and Taylor Bennett."