In the scope of a happy life, a messy desk or an overstuffed coat closet is a trivial thing, yet I find — and I hear from other people that they agree — that getting rid of clutter gives a disproportionate boost to happiness.

Creativity arises from a constant churn of ideas, and one of the easiest ways to encourage that fertile froth is to keep your mind engaged with your project. When you work regularly, inspiration strikes regularly.

[Benjamin Franklin]identified thirteen virtues he wanted to cultivate--temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity and humility--and made a chart with those virtues plotted against the days of the week. Each day, Franklin would score himself on whether he practiced those thirteen virtues.

One of the great joys of falling in love is the feeling that the most extraordinary person in the entire world has chosen you.

You really have to begin by figuring out what kind of person you are. The tip is to really take a look at yourself.

People feel happier when they feel like they're progressing. When they feel like something in their life is growing or getting better.

Focus not on doing less or doing more but on doing what you value.