Moneyweek features a blog by Eric Barker (http://www.bakadesuyo.com/archive/9/2012?page=2), which suggests that there are six key principles for happiness in life and career. (I particularly like No. 3 and 6).The principles are taken from Daniel Pink’s book, The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need.

1.      Don’t plan. Things rarely work out as you intend them. Act instead according to your fundamental values and beliefs – this is more effective and rewarding.
2.      Think strengths, not weaknesses. Don’t try too hard to improve what you’re bad at; instead, capitalise on what you’re good at.
3.      It’s not about you. The most successful people improve their own lives by improving others’ lives. And they’re happier while doing it, too.
4.      Persistence trumps talent. What any one person in the world can learn, almost all of us can learn. What makes the best musicians? Nothing but hard work.
5.      Make excellent mistakes. The most successful people make big mistakes and learn from them – each time they get better and move a little closer to excellence.
6.      Leave an imprint. Visualise your funeral and consider what you would want friends to describe as your legacy. Thinking about death can actually be a good thing – it can improve physical health and help us re-prioritise our goals and values.