Gauge Your Happiness Level…
Ask yourself this question. How happy are you in your life right now? This very minute. How satisfied are you with your life at this point in your life? Is there something missing that would help to fulfill your life? What do you think would make it better?
You might feel that happiness and contentment is out of your reach for any number of reasons. Maybe you don’t like your job and you’re looking for a new one? Maybe you would be happier if you had more money to spend? Perhaps you need a better car, or a new sound system?
Human Beings Adapt… Period.
Here’s the simple truth. When your circumstances change, you will adapt to them. Ultimately, no addition of material possession is going to make a huge difference in your happiness level. This is how we, as a human species, have evolved to become the dominant species on this planet. We’re never satisfied and we always want more than what we have. The side effect of this trait is that a person’s happiness level usually stays pretty constant throughout life. As a person achieves goals or makes more money, their expectations of life rise alongside our advances. What was once “enough” suddenly becomes “not enough”.
The hedonic treadmill theory compares the pursuit of happiness to the running on a treadmill. And when you make the effort to move forward, you will actually stay in about the same position! In order to maintain your level of happiness, you have to keep working at it, for if you decide to give up, you will fall behind, or perhaps even fall off!
Don’t Fall Off!
But what does it mean to “fall off” of the treadmill? This is when you get to the point where you lose your passion for life. I’ve said many times that you aren’t old until you decide to stop learning and growing as a person. When you start to get accustomed and too comfortable in your day to day life, that is when you lose your drive, and when you start to lose your place on the treadmill. At this point, you only have backwards to go, and eventually, you will fall off, and it will require a large amount of effort to get back on.
A lot of people scoff when they hear others say that money can’t buy happiness. What these people don’t realize is that there have been scienfific studies to prove this very statement. Studies have concluded that the average lottery winner reverts to their original levels of happiness in about a year. Not to mention that we’ve all known at least one poor person who was much happier than at least one rich person in our lives, haven’t we?
So what is the key to being happy?
The key is that you must lower your expecations. Many people feel that the way to happiness is to go on spending marathons throughout their life and accumulate as many material possessions as possible. These people are often quite threatened by the fact that some of the happiest people in the world are the ones without many possessions, or even without much money! How can someone who can’t afford to go to the mall once a week possibly be happier than them?
But you don’t have to get rid of all of your possessions to become more happy. You don’t even have to get rid of your goals or aspirations. However, you do need to learn to love your life right now. Learn to love the struggle and the pursuit of your goals, instead of seeing them as a means to an end.
One thing that you can work towards is to aquire experiences instead of possessions. Your memories are far more valuable to you than what you can buy at most stores. Build some memories and stop letting life pass you by. Quit spending away your vacations and getaways. Stop going to the movies as often and eating out as often, and instead, take a few more weekend trips this year! You only have so long on this life, and when you become too old and feeble to live life anymore, you’re going to think of your memories, and not your closet full of overpriced shoes!
Ultimately, life is a journey, not a destination. And in that journey, it’s your job to find happiness and contentment. After all, a wise man once knew to phrase this journey as the pursuit of happiness, knowing that happiness is something your pursue, and not something that you find and nail down. So keep working at it. Keep pursuing your happiness, and don’t fall off of the treadmill!
That is a good thought provoking post. With me no matter how good things are going I am always wanting more. I should take your advice and adjust my expectations. I have been taking steps to leave each day one at a time and be happy living in the momement. This is easier said then done.
Tycoon Blogger´s last blog ..Is Social Spark ripping off bloggers?
@ Tycoon Blogger
You’re right. It is much easier said than done when it comes to being content with what you have. It’s a mixed bag, because NOT being satisfied is how you achieve great things, but if you don’t learn to be satisfied, you won’t even be happy with your success. Like I said, it’s okay to have goals, but don’t expect achieving them to make you happy. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Trey – I really like that you suggested “acquiring experiences instead of possessions.” I find it easy to get caught up in acquiring stuff, but eventually I will leave the stuff behind when it gets old or I get tired of it. My experiences, though, stay with me (or what I learned from the experience does) and ultimately that’s worth more.
Amanda Linehan´s last blog ..Just Ask “Why?”
Trey,
This is a really neat way to look at things. I never thought about the fact that humans usually do adapt — thus, more money, means a different environment and attitude eventually.
On the other hand, I’ve always had this philosphy that those who are born into wealth are NOT happy. Although, if you are born into a poor, or mediocre family, and acquire wealth later on life, you will be much happier. Why? Simply because you know what it feels like to be poor or normal, and won’t abuse your power now.
I made a post about money and happiness about a week ago. Feel free to have a look
http://financeadvisorystop.com/does-money-bring-happiness/
The Gooroo @ Finance Advisory Stop´s last blog ..Moving – For The Better Or Worse?
Very very true and well said. Happiness is the key to success, success is not the key to happiness.
fas´s last blog ..Easy Ways To Earn Money From Google
@ Amanda
That’s very true. The memories of a great experience will last a lifetime. We’ve all had a vacation that went very well or even perfect, and we’ll remember that vacation for the rest of our lives. There’s nothing stopping us from creating memories like that more than once a year!
@ The Gooroo
Usually, people from a more humble background find more happiness with money, however there are also cases of people that have never had money for a reason… meaning that they tend to spend it all, and this goes back to the treadmill metaphor. When the treadmill speeds up, they speed up along side, meaning that when they get more money, they end up spending all of that too. Whereas someone who has had money longer knows not to spend all of it.
I definitely think that there’s something wrong with the statistics for how many people are under the poverty line and how many people have way more than they need. However, I’m of the opinion that we should focus more on making our lives more fulfilled instead of chasing after dollar signs.
Thanks for coming by!
@ fas
That’s a great way to say it all in one little sentence. Good input!
Great post.
A lot to be commented on.
This part stood out, “a person’s happiness level usually stays pretty constant throughout life.” Could it be n our personality?
I do like the part too about lowering your expectations. Just go with the flow and things will be fine. Great advice for any time.
Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Yep, Problogger Darren Rowse And Me – We’re Like This. Like This, I Tell Ya.
Trey,
I really like the treadmill metaphor — completely makes sense. Loving the blog by the way. I’ll be back soon!
The Gooroo @ Finance Advisory Stop´s last blog ..How To Overcome Loneliness If You Work From Home
The only people that claim money (or how it is spent) will bring happiness are those trying to sell you something. Human’s envy what other humans have. Marketers play on this envy by showing you what other people have.
I have been able to increase my happiness simply by trying avoiding commercials as much as possible. I do this mostly by avoiding TV and magazines. By being unaware of what is out there – what I do not have (be it a new Ford or pulsating pictorials), my happiness has drastically increased.
Roman´s last blog ..How Noise Prevents Your Blog From Being Better
Nice article.
Happiness is the ultimate of life.
Everything else should be the by-products of it.
Louis´s last blog ..Choosing Your Online Platform – Mini Websites
@ Jannie
I do think that our personality has an effect on our happiness level. Life is pretty much a series of interactions that we have, and a positive outlook can make those interactions better. No matter why it is that someone chooses to look at the glass half full, they can always choose to be more optimistic. After all, if you’re having trouble finding the bright side, try polishing the dull side!
@ The Gooroo
Thanks for stopping by. I really like the treadmill metaphor too, which is why I used it. I didn’t come up with it though. It’s been in use for a while now.
@ Roman
Not entirely true. A lot of people believe that money will bring them happiness. I have family members that believe it, and it mostly comes from a position of envy, like you said. As for commercials, I have mostly been desensitized to them, since I work at a television station. My wife mutes the TV during commercials… lol.
@ Louis
Thanks for coming by. I agree that happiness is the ultimate. That’s why I roll my eyes when people think that it’s hidden in the pursuit of money.