Did you know logging is the happiest, least stressful job in America?

(Neither did I.)

The reasons for this are likely numerous, but I want to focus on two specific reasons that any of us can learn from to improve our own lives.

The more obvious of the two reasons?

Loggers are outside. A lot.

Being outside elevates our wellbeing. Both the objective science and subjective experience make this pretty clear. Sunshine, clouds, cold, hot. The details don’t matter as much as getting ourselves outside, moving our bodies, and reconnecting to the outside world in whatever way we can.

Getting outside doesn’t have to be complex or time consuming.

• Take a morning walk before the world wakes up.

• Stand outside in the morning sun (or clouds) for 5 minutes before your first meetings.

• Take your calls on a walk whenever you can.

• Do a workout or two outside each week.

• Block walking time on your calendar if you can’t seem to fit it in otherwise.

• Think through a problem or project if you feel the need to make the time productive, and take notes on whatever came up when you’re done. The walk will help with creativity in your approach to the problem or project.

And this last point bridges us to our second reason why logging is the happiest, least stressful career:

The objective is clear and the actions required to get there are clear.

Whenever we feel tension or unrest in a particular area of our lives (work, health, relationships, etc), it’s a nudge toward needing clarity and a path. Think of the tension like a sore muscle. That little bit of pain from the soreness gets your attention enough to where you can apply focus and stretch the muscle if you choose to.

After a little focus and stretching, the muscle isn’t sore any more.

Start with clarity.

Get clear on where you’re trying to go.
Get clear on the actions and habits within your control to get there.
Get clear on what the next action is.
Commit to that.

We don’t have to be loggers to be happy.

But getting outside helps.
And getting clarity helps.
And committing to the next action helps.