Happiness is profitable and makes money! But What makes us happy?
Let’s get money = more happiness out of the way. Money does have an influence in our happiness up to a point
David Myers, professor of psychology -Hope College, author of The Pursuit of Happiness: Who is Happy, and Why? says, “There is some correlation [between money and happiness], but it tapers off once you reach a middle income standard of living that affords some control over your life circumstances.”
In simpler terms… as soon as you have enough money to take care of your basic “Maslows Hierarchy” needs such as food, clothing and housing/protection, then the amount of money you have/get, has less impact or influence our level of happiness.
REALITY CHECK…“We’re twice as rich as we were 50 years ago, but we’re not happier at all” . a 2006 survey by the Pew Research Center showed half of the wealthiest respondents described themselves as “very happy” compared to 30 percent of those with family incomes of less than $30,000 a year.
Seems We’re Social…. The most important influencer of our happiness, is our relationships with others. “We are actually very social animals. We come with a deep drive and ever present need to belong to our tribes
So people who have close, supportive, intimate relationships with others are more likely to report themselves as really happy people.”
What about GOALS?. Michael B. Frisch, a professor of psychology at Baylor University, co-author of Creating Your Best Life reveals…
All the research shows having some over-arching goals, meaning and purpose in your life is essential to human happiness. “People without a sense of purpose or meaning aren’t as happy as those who are positively changing the world
How to find happiness
Frisch says it’s important to have quite specific goals, including within your relationships. “High functioning couples have time every day for each other, and [happy] people in the work world tend to be very focused and hard working.” He says both sets of people tend to be happier and more successful at marriage or work because they’ve committed to set objectives within each arena.
But David Myers has a caveat: goals must be realistic. “Frustration and unhappiness are partly defined by the gap between expectations and attainments,” he says. And that big dream, such as landing a longed-for job or buying a car you’ve coveted for years?
Sure, achieving it will bring a surge of happiness, but it won’t last because, Myers says, we are wired to adapt to the new situation. “The other thing is social comparison. As you achieve your dream, the comparison standards you’re using change—you begin to compare yourself to people who have a little more than you do.” Envy starts creeping in, and happiness levels dip.