Who would have thought? But, after this episode, I can see how this works and how we might be setting ourselves up for failure without even knowing it. 

Transcript:

Welcome to Everyday Happiness where we create lasting happiness, in 2 minutes a day,  through my signature method of Intentional Margins® (creating harmony between your to-dos and your priorities), happiness science, and musings about life. 

I'm your host Katie Jefcoat and what seems to be universal in the happiness science, is that creating happiness is completely counterproductive to goal setting and productivity.  Which has got me thinking a lot as we approach 2022.  So many of us, me included are thinking of aspirations, intentions, goals, habits, successes we want to achieve in 2022. 

With a goal, you focus on the goal and you achieve the goal.  

The happiness science implies that you shouldn’t focus on one aspect of happiness at the exclusion of other parts of happiness.  

Happiness is not linear.  The simple definition is that happiness is 1) happy emotions, joy, contentment, love, positive emotions, and 2) satisfaction and purpose.  Together, you get well-rounded, fulfilled happiness.   

We need all of the aspects that I like to call the happiness wheel, like a pie chart, to achieve fulfilled happiness.  It’s harmony, one aspect might be more critical at a certain time, it’s not equal devotion to each part, it’s recognizing that happiness is much bigger than one achievement and when we are in harmony, this yin and yang, we can uncover lasting fulfilled happiness.   

Look, we’ve all been there.  When I get this thing, when I get that raise, when I buy the house, I will *then* be happy.  But what happens, hedonic adaptation happens and what we were waiting for comes and goes and we are back to baseline.    

We need to temper our innate desire to create a goal setting approach to happiness.  In happiness, you need it all, and where you spend your time is determinant of what needs the attention in this season of life. In other words, you need the entire wheel to roll into your personally designed happy and fulfilled life.

But don’t forget, unlike achievable goals, happiness is not a destination.  Happiness is the process of creating a life that brings you the joy, purpose, satisfaction and fulfillment you desire.  Only you know what you need.  This podcast explores ways that can increase happiness, and you’ll know, if that is something for you - or not.  This is your smorgausboard, take what you want and leave the rest. 

Until next time. 

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