The Three (3) Secrets to Happiness as Applied to Marketing

Marketing can never be successful, much less truly meaningful, if the underlying attitudes of those behind it lack motivation, passion and sense of purpose.  But for marketing and sales professionals, HAPPINESS is very KEY even before conceptualizing any marketing strategy.  Happiness - in the sense that there is a clear vision that paints happy and satisfied market who are beneficiaries of the marketing activities an organization or person is creating.  HAPPINESS - in the sense that the marketing team has a burning desire to achieve a common objective that will make their clients "SMILING" at the end of the day.  Even at the phase of conceptualization, you do not want to see your customers unhappy and totally dissatisfied while you are raking in the sales.

In this regard, I would like to share the 3 Secrets to Happiness from Zen Habits - and see how these can influence the way you think - not only in marketing products and services - but the way you conduct your everyday routine. 

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We all know that money can’t buy happiness … but many times we act as if we’d be happier with a bit more money. We are conditioned to want to be rich (when we know the rich aren’t happy either); we are trained to want the latest gadget or style that television tells us to want; we want to earn more money because then we’ll have the good life.

But none of that will bring us happiness. No matter how much we earn, no matter how much we have in the bank, no matter how nice our clothing or cars or toys, none of it will make us happier. And the sad thing is that it could take us decades of pursuing wealth and luxury items before we realize this.

So what will bring us happiness? Luckily, it’s three things that don’t cost a thing. These three things have been proven by research — surveys of hundreds of thousands of people about what they have, what their lives are like, and how happy they are.

Here they are, the Three Secrets to Happiness:

1. Good relationships. We have a human need to be close, to be intimate, with other human beings. Having good, supportive friendships, a strong marriage or close and loving relationships with our family members will make us much more likely to be happy. Action steps: Take time, today, to spend time with your loved ones, to tell them what they mean to you, to listen to them, and develop your relationship with them.
2. Positive thinking. I’m obviously a big proponent of positive thinking as the best way to achieve your goals, but it turns out that it can lead to happiness too. Optimism and self-esteem are some of the best indicators of people who lead happy lives. Happy people feel empowered, in control of their lives, and have a positive outlook on life. Action steps: Make positive thinking a habit. In fact, this should be one of the first habits you develop. Get into the habit of squashing all negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. Instead of “I can’t” think “I can”. It may sound corny, but it has worked for me, every time.

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Marketing The Great Zubiri Exit

Who says only tangible products or services should be properly marketed?  Even major political decisions have to be properly packaged, marketed and sold to the public.  

I am not a fan nor a critic of Sen. Migz Zubiri (MZ).  I am writing this to see how the good senator has skillfully managed his own political career in the face of mounting electoral protest of cheating which finally led to his resignation.

After carefully digesting his speech, watching his demeanor in an interview over TV Patrol (with no less than his former party-mate Noli "Kabayan de Castro" doing the interview), in a nutshell MZ was saying like this:  "While I have not personally cheated nor caused others to cheat to win votes in my favor, the revelations of Zaldy Ampatuan and Bedol were too hard to handle. Their admissions, regardless if they appear in the proper substance and form or not, have shed a heavy cloud of doubt as to the integrity of my proclamation as a senator.  I may not have a direct hand in these purported election irregularities, but it is profound and clearer than ever with their confessions, that there were indeed illegal activities that have directly or indirectly benefited myself - which have materially affected the results of the elections.  Therefore, in the spirit of delicadeza, I am resigning from my post."

The question now is if MZ has done it as a matter of pure delicadeza?  Or was he simply saving his face from imminent defeat?  With current reports from the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) recount showing that Koko Pimintel has already overtaken MZ by 257, 000+ votes, which is more than enough for the former to cover for his measly 18, 000 vote-deficit, MZ and his cohorts could have already seen the tell-tale signs of an impending defeat - and Koko Pimintel's victory. 

The senator could have already thought that there is graceful way of existing the office - something that will unfold with drama, something historic, and something that can make him gain public sympathy, let alone be perceived as someone who is a brand new statesman in this corrupt-laden society.  Thus began the strategic plan on how to package, market and sell one of the toughest political decisions in his political career.

I do not believe that the decision made was more of a spur-of-the moment reaction.  MZ and his legal team of experts and advisers have already prepared for this eventuality 2-3 years ago perhaps.  They were just waiting for the clincher which was not evident at that time.  Finally, the powerful spokesperson of the Ampatuans blew his whistle which was corroborated by Bedol.  And with the mounting pressure to prove his innocence and unbearable burden on his family to justify his continuing stay in the institution, Sen. Zubiri finally saw it fitting to resign than be checked mate by Koko which is more humiliating.

As a consolation though, we should not take away the fact that the good senator has done notable accomplishments in his 4-year stint at the senate.  Give credit to where credit is due.  But his accomplishments - no matter how long the list is - cannot camouflage or sugar-coat speculations that he may have no direct or indirect knowledge of vote-tampering in the 2007 elections.  Maybe, he intentionally closed his eyes first on the truth in order to experience what it is to live, breath and act as an elected Senator of the Republic.  He may have thought there was no end in sight and he could always buy time.

For those who are not in the know, or those who want to be swayed by emotions and image of being the underdog, then Sen. Zubiri's resignation could have been masterfully packaged, marketed and sold. But for those who already dug deeper into the issue and decided not to be carried away by media antics, they have already replied and said:  "Sorry, but NO, we are not buying it."