In any game, we pride ourselves on beating out the competition. However, this 'first place' centered thinking can actually work to our disadvantage in the game of happiness. If we focus solely on how we compare to others, we miss out on how we compare to ourselves and become unable to acknowledge our own progress. Naturally, one would think that silver medalists would be happier than bronze; but not so fast. The following article explains how second place winners may still view themselves as losers; that is to say, they ruminate on what they almost accomplished in 'losing' to gold. To be happy, we should consider how many 'wins' we may be ignoring simply by diminishing their significance. 

Moral of the story? Brag over your bronze! Counting the monumental steps you've already made toward being the best 'you' may help you recognize that you've been a winner all along.

Want to be Happier? Think Like a Bronze Medalist

Happiness Posts is published by Darin M. Klemchuk founder of Klemchuk PLLC, an intellectual property law firm located in Dallas, Texas and co-founder of Engage Workspace for Lawyers, a coworking space for lawyers. He also publishes the Ideate (law) and Elevate (law firm culture) blogs. You can find more information about his law practice at his firm bio and also at his BioSite.