Despite how elusive the state of happiness can seem, the first step in becoming a happier person is reminding yourself that you have the power to choose your thoughts. And the more you train your mind to consciously make happiness a top priority, the sooner you'll emulate it.
Now, I know this advice is, of course, easier said than done, but psychologists who study happiness heartily agree. In their book How We Choose to Be Happy, authors Rick Foster and Greg Hicks state, "Intention is the active desire and commitment to be happy . . . It's the decision to consciously choose attitudes and behaviors that lead to happiness over unhappiness." So, as Bobby McFerrin once sang, "Don't worry, be happy." Or, in this case, don't worry, choose happy.