We all have dreams, aspirations and goals to accomplish in life. Too often do we get sidetracked by life's surprises that we do not take the time to cherish and truly live. We do not live one day at a time. Rarely do we live in the moment. To approach happiness and success, we have to pursue the right mentalities.

First, we need to clear our heads and experience life from an objective angle.

When was the last time you put down your smartphone and paused? Just a pause to examine your surroundings: the noises, smells, the dampness of the air, your own heartbeat. Time becomes slower during these brief interludes. Life takes a momentary pause. As Americans, we are in desperate need of more pauses in our daily lives. Our mentalities are warped towards selfishness and what can please us. We simply have too many distractions in this day and age. Life goes by so fast that it is almost impossible to appreciate its beauty and complexity. Americans need to spend less time with our heads in technology and more time learning how to be a better person. By doing so, our minds and bodies can be fully equipped to find purpose and happiness in life.

Second, our mentalities needs to become "better".

Pursuing happiness is no easy task, and one must be mentally and physically ready to commit to this endeavor. There are two mentalities that are essential to have in your pack while walking on the road to happiness: a good attitude and a victor mentality. A good attitude will get you through corporate train wrecks and life's speed bumps without affecting you personally. You learn and absorb constructive criticism through a good attitude. Being stubborn and ignorant to instruction will hinder you from being happy undoubtedly. Stubbornness is appropriate at certain times, but it ultimately leaves you and others unhappy when that stubbornness gets in the way of learning.

The victor mentality is the absolute opposite of the victim mentality. A victor takes responsibility for their actions. It sounds simple, but you would be amazed by the amount of people who blame their coworkers and make excuses for everything they do. The victim mentality is a combination of cowardice, excuses and blame. Happiness and success cannot and will not happen to someone with this destructive mentality. A victor takes responsibility, admits mistakes, accepts punishments, and learns from past experiences.

The pursuit of happiness isn't getting the perfect job or making it big with a grand company. It is not a finish line to pass through and to slow down after you reach it. The pursuit of happiness is made by the correct mentalities, and through them you not only pursue happiness, you actually become happy.