Try a Week of Extreme Nice.

www.happiness-project.com I decided to give my husband a secret treat: a week of Extreme Nice.

My last week of Extreme Nice was back in February, as part of the month of "Sing in the morning," which focused on marriage and parenthood. I didn't tell my husband he was getting the Extreme-Nice treatment, and I don't think he realized it—except probably to be pleasantly surprised or relieved at several points.

What is "Extreme Nice"? It's an extreme sport like bungee jumping or skydiving—pushing the envelope, exerting myself beyond my ordinary efforts, finding new depths in myself to meet the hardest challenges. And I can do it in my own home.

So this week I intend to be utterly nice. No criticism. No pestering. No bickering. Jumping up to do whatever he asks me to do, responding enthusiastically to his every suggestion.

Extreme Nice was a great exercise when I did it in February. It's not sustainable for the long term, but by doing it for one week, I reminded myself of a different standard of behavior. I want to maintain very high expectations for myself—it's not right that I should take more care with my friends or my parents than with my husband, the love of my life.

We wouldn't be able to live together forever without a disagreement, but I should be able to go more than a week without nagging.

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• happiness challenge
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[GretchenRubinNY]

Thanks so much for your kind note -- I so appreciate it! Good luck with YOUR happiness project.

[GretchenRubinNY]

You should have seen the comments! Zoikes.

[drochalsey]

Just keep in touch w/ reality, use ur intelligence (and some consideration) & act accordingly.

prob solved.

[jimkinner]

Uh.... ok.....

That's a nice sweater, and I really like your earrings. You are a natural in front of a camera, and I think you came across well. But as another poster pointed out, maybe trying to improve the way you deal with people on a regular basis might be even better.

......you still get a GOLD STAR.....Nice eh?

[moushka26]

Gretchen, you have my undying admiration for putting yourself out there on YouTube. I can't believe the vituperation in some of the responses to this video; the ones you deleted must have been incredibly rude and horrible.  I followed The Happiness Project for nearly two years and am just getting back to it after some very difficult family issues. You've done some great research and I'm thrilled for your success. Thank you!

[chiara26dragonfly]

ok

[AllCityUnit]

Thank you for a video about bettering yourself.

It is very refreshing!