One of my favorite authors is, Andrew Matthews. Andrews’ books, including – “Being Happy!” , “Follow Your Heart” , and “How Life Works” have sold over 7 million copies worldwide.

He has empowered audiences in 25 different countries.

Andrew is an author, speaker, cartoonist, modern day philosopher, and a genuinely kind person.

I first learned of Andrew and his work when a friend recommended his book, “Being Happy!” back in 1996. I had an immediate connection to the book and his work.

Since then I have given away numerous copies of the book to friends, family members, and patients.

Recently I had the opportunity to interview Andrew for my newsletter. As we begin to embark upon the second half of 2019 I wanted to share some of the insights that Andrew has on how we all can enjoy life a little more.

Here is my interview.

Enjoy.

Wendy: Andrew, your books have been translated into 43 languages (in 60 countries), you’ve traveled the world sharing your message on happiness and prosperity…what is the biggest common denominator that you’ve found among people from all the different cultures that you’ve had the opportunity to encounter and influence?

Andrew: Happiness is mostly a choice – and it becomes a habit.Very often, it is people who have had the most difficult lives – or people who have very little – that are the happiest. They make a choice to be happy in spite of their problems.

Wendy: Who influences or inspires you?

Andrew: I get inspired by my readers – by everyday people who do extraordinary things. For example, my friend Teuku …

I was in a shopping mall in Malaysia when a man approached me. He said, “Are you Andrew Matthews?”

He said, “I’m Teuku from Indonesia. My family was very poor. When I was in college I was so poor that I owned just one pair of trousers. I was so poor that my girlfriend would give meher shirts to wear. Many days I had nothing to eat.” “When I was at my lowest point, a friend loaned me the Indonesian version of your book, ‘Being Happy!’ He explained, “Apart from text books, it is the first book I ever read. I began to understand that we choose our thoughts. I began to focus on what I HAD instead of what I DIDN’T HAVE.

“I made a list on a card of everything I wanted for my future: to graduate with a degree, a good job, a wife, two healthy children, an apartment, a nice car …” He leaned forward, “Today I am the Asian business development manager for a multi-national corporation. I travel the world. I have a wife and two beautiful girls, they go to the best schools …”Teuku’s eyes welled with tears, “Your book changed my life.” But my book didn’t change Teuku’s life. Teuku changed Teuku’s life by applying principles that have been around forever. Since then, Teuku has been posted to Dubai and then promoted to world manager, based in Houston.You know what Teuku tells me? “I still have bad days. So I keep that card on my wall – the one with the goals – to remind me how far I have come.”Teuku’s story reminds me that:

*Writing down your goals has power. It keeps you on track. It lets you know how far you’ve come.

*It doesn’t matter where you start, it’s how you finish.

Wendy: Andrew, how would you best describe the difference between gratefulness and happiness?

Andrew: Gratitude creates happiness. The quickest way to feel happier is to look for reasons to be grateful. Even in tough times, happy people look for good things.

Average people say, “When I am happy, then I’ll be grateful.”Extraordinary people say, “When I’m grateful, then I’ll be happy!”

If you want to be successful at anything, happiness is not some kind of optional extra. Happiness is your foundation.

Wendy: So many of us want to make changes in our lives; lose weight, be a better parent, get a raise/promotion…but, it takes work. We are already working harder than ever and we have more distractions than ever before…Andrew, have you found that it is better for people to start in the morning OR in the evening to incorporate the changes and work on the goals that they want to achieve?

Andrew: Here is what works for me – and a lot of people. You make a list in the evening of the four or five most important tasks for tomorrow. This means you have already expressed your intention for a productive day tomorrow. As you go to sleep your subconscious mind is already organizing itself and solving problems.

Tomorrow you get up with a purpose – but first you allow yourself some private time before you start your day. Have a discipline to meditate for 15 minutes or maybe walk in nature or do some yoga. That sets you up for the day. Then do your thing!

Wendy: What’s next for you? Where do you see yourself in the next 5, 10, and 20 years?

Andrew: I never want to retire! I want to continue speaking, writing books, sharing positive messages, drawing cartoons until the day I die.

I am EXTREMELY thankful to Andrew for all of his time and input. I can’t begin to thank him enough for allowing me this incredible opportunity to interview him and to share with you his amazing insights.

If you are interested, Andrew has an incredibly powerful free 7 Day on-line course that you can sign up for here.