How to do your happiness audit (so that you can become a happier, more fulfilled adventurer in 3 months, not years)

If you’re an auditor, you’ll recognize the methodology below based on how audits are done. But no worries, I’ll not make it technical.

It’s just that I also love systems and structures. And that’s why I used this to structure a happiness audit. Up to you if you want to follow, or if you want to invent your personal method.

Here’s mine for inspiration.

Step 1. Acceptance.

In your happiness audit, the pre-planning stage should be simple. All you need to do is know yourself and decide.

Yes or no? Will you start the journey of making yourself happy this year?

Step 2. Planning.

This stage consist of four stages:

Understand your environment.

Self-awareness helps you identify whether you’re in the right place.

Here, you assess whether your current location contributes to your overall happiness and well-being.

If it does not, then you have to at least think about removing yourself from that environment when it’s easy to do so.

Define what’s important to you (your materiality).

In your happiness audit, your materiality can be the amount or value you get from things that make you happy.

Happiness is relative.

What is significant for you might not matter to someone else.

What might appear too small for you might be too large for someone else.

Scope out or identity which parts of your life currently make you happy.

Is it your career, family, health, relationships, social impact, etc.?

Your goal is to keep these areas alive and well so that they will continue to bring you happiness.

But also note that alongside these areas, risks (or happiness obstacles) exist.

Assess where things can go wrong.

At any time, you might face risks (or what I call happiness obstacles).

There is the risk that you might lose your aging parents soon, and you'll not be around to take care of them.

You face a risk that your health might fail you at any time.

A risk exists that you will lose your job during uncertain times.

Happiness stoppers do not follow a fixed timeline.

You can only see them when they’re already happening, or you can prevent them from causing too much negative impact on your happiness.

This is when you will benefit from setting up controls and testing their effectiveness.

How to avoid or lessen the impact of your happiness obstacles?

In your happiness audit, think about the things that will help you avoid the personal risks you identified above.

For example, if you risk losing your job, be aware of conditions that will lead to that outcome.

Does your company show stability?

Are you working with good people?

As far as controls go, this is a detective control where you try to see what problems are visible.

If your risks have something to do with health, your control is to avoid stuff that can harm your health, such as smoking, drinking, and poor diets.

Preventive control aims to stop future problems.

Step 3. Test your happiness state.

Ask yourself. Are you happy now?

In your happiness audit, use both your heart and mind.

Reflect and note your reflections.

Are you happy with your choices?

• Were you happy when you quit smoking or when you quit alcohol?

• Were you happy when you took care of your family more often?

• Were you happy when you spent less overtime on work and more overtime pursuing your lifelong interests?

You define those moments that bring you joy.

Step 4. Evaluate and conclude.

In your happiness audit, you might say, "Ok, I'm done with this part of my life. I'm happy here. I couldn't have asked for more.”

In reality, we are complicated creatures.

We can't contain our happiness in one piece of paper that mentions "this is an offer to work with us".

Your happiness does not count the multiple zeroes in your bank balance.

It is not that passport stamp indicating that you're eligible to live and work in this country.

No, your happiness is more than that.

Your joy ebbs and flows until the finale.

When you're on your deathbed, you'll ask yourself,

Did I live a happy life with fewer regrets and more substance?

Step 5. Finally, document how you applied the method.

Guess what?

My happiness audit output is a simple Excel file subdivided into categories such as career, business, family, personal, travels, and writing.

I open it every time I want to remind myself of my happiness indicators.

If you’re a more visual person, try creating a happiness board instead, and add pictures as much as you can.

Or alternatively, you can use my free Happiness Blueprint, a simple 5-day worksheet to get you started.

Imagine having a roadmap designed just for you—a practical and actionable plan that aligns your career, personal goals, and happiness.

That’s exactly what I help migrant professionals like you build. Through my 1:1 Coaching Program: Create Your Happiness Blueprint in 3 Months, we work together to:

• Identify what truly matters to you right now, not just what looks good on paper

• Create a happiness blueprint tailored to your current situation and long-term goals

• Uncover personal recommendations you can use to reach your dream outcomes in 5 years or less

• Take small, actionable steps you can implement right away

This isn’t about quick fixes or vague advice. It’s about clarity, confidence, and direction so you can thrive both personally and professionally abroad.

In the next email, I’ll show you how you can join this program and finally start living the life you came here to create.

P.S. Think about this: if nothing changes, where will you be in 3 months? You don’t have to wait years for clarity. ;)

Tin here! Welcome to Busy Season Journals, a newsletter made especially for you by a fellow accountant/auditor, adventurer, and coach-guide. I write about my adventures as an accountant and auditor and everything in between. You get deeper insights and personal stories on how to shape a happy, meaningful journey.

Interested in 1:1 coaching/consulting/DIY digital products?

View my latest and current offers through my website.

What do you think of today’s newsletter? Suggestions or ideas are always welcome through [email protected].