Looking at life with a happy, positive outlook can do wonders for your business' productivity. Here are five great tips for improving your happiness and well being.

I remember a scene in Disney’s “Cinderella” where our lovely heroine wakes up, and despite what was surely going to be a day of grueling housework for her wicked step-family, she spent her morning singing and greeting the sunshine. Unfortunately, for most of us, that perfect princess morning is just that: A fairytale. We often get out of bed with our hair mashed against one side of our head, groggy eyed and with about as sunny a disposition as Bigfoot. Most of us don’t greet the day of work with musical cheeriness.

But did you know that just looking at things from a happier perspective is not only a great way to have a calmer, more enjoyable life, but it’s also great for lowering stress levels and reducing your risk for major stress-induced health problems as well? Well here are five great ways to take the step toward doing what you love, and loving what you do.

1. Make sure when you first wake up to look around and take note of something that makes you smile. Maybe the morning sun is shining through your window, soft and golden and filtered through your curtains. – Look how lovely it looks! Is it raining? Well listen to how beautiful the storm sounds as the rain splashes against your window. - Or what about the smell of your breakfast or the clean, fresh shower? Just take a moment to find your morning smile!

$ 2. Set aside time in your day for a little bit of “you” time. - A tiny bit of time to find something you enjoy and indulge for a bit. Has that decadent dark chocolate bar in your desk been calling to you? What about a little mini chapter of that wonderful book you’ve been reading? Just taking a little time to acknowledge yourself for once can do wonders for your mood.

3. Write down on a sheet of paper all the things that you are thankful for. Take each “Thank you” note and cut them into little strips. Fold each strip up and place it in a big jar upon your desk or workspace. Decorating your jar can add to the personal touch and be quite fun as well! Wrapping wire and beads around it is a cheap and lovely way to spruce it up. But you can also leave it plain if you prefer. Each day pull one of the pieces of paper out of the jar and read it, so that you are reminded each day of something that you have to be thankful for. You can keep adding to the jar as you think of more things.

4. Shove aside all the little worries, the “what ifs”. These are the little needless worries that inevitably pop into everyone’s mind at some point, and they do nothing but bring you down and sour your mood. Take each worry head on, listening to it and then debunking it. Here’s an example: “What if I don’t get the promotion?” Ask yourself the simple question of, “Have I worked my very hardest?” If yes is your answer, then take solace in the fact that it is out of your hands and you’ve done everything you can. If not, then don’t worry about it, figure out what you can do to change it. Tell yourself, “Well I’m going to work even harder, and if I don’t get it this time, I’ll make sure I get the next one.”

5. Set yourself one small goal to accomplish each day. These little goals are simple, yet effective, as they add up quickly and instill a sense of real pride and accomplishment. They can be anything from walking up the stairs instead of riding the elevator, taking on something you’ve been procrastinating to do in the business, working for 5 extra minutes. Nothing creates confidence like getting things done.

Being happy, being successful, all starts with a mindset. Get in the mindset of success, the mindset of gratefulness, and there is nothing you can’t accomplish.