If you’re not productive, you aren’t ever going to get your projects done. If you don’t get your projects done, then you’ll never stop being stressed. If you can’t get rid of your stress, then you’ll be stuck crying in a pit of despair until the end of the time. Hopefully you won’t be in a pit, per se, but it’s much easier to be happy when you focus on rising above your tasks and focusing on what is important. Here are two ways you can start to seek happiness and become more productive in your life, starting today.

Give a Gift to Everyone You Stumble Across

This doesn’t mean every person you ever shake hands with gets a physical gift with a bow and paper, but there are plenty of gifts you can hand out every day to every person you encounter. Just a kind smile or an earnest “how are you?” can make all the difference between someone having a bad day and someone having a good one. Even a friendly nod can help people get through their day. Knowing that you’re helping others can often bring the happiness they might be feeling to you.

Avoid Conversations About Opinions

Conversations about religion and politics aren’t productive because there’s never a right answer. Some people love to debate this kind of thing, even though no firm conclusion can ever be approached, but it isn’t usually very conducive to happiness. Instead, have conversations about topics that have solutions, and build your relationship with the people that matter to you. Bow out of conversations that have no end when possible.