There is a certain amount of happiness that is completely out of our control.  Actually the majority of our happiness is out of our control.  But what can we control?  How much can we control?  That’s what we dive into today. 

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 I subscribe to this school of thought that there is a certain amount of our happiness we get to control.   Arthur Brooks, a researcher, prolific writer and professor at the Harvard School of Business identifies three categories that are well established in the happiness and quantitative well-being space.  He didn’t come up with these buckets, but his way of articulating this is what got me interested in this research. 

He, and others, say that happiness is composed of 3 buckets: genetics (50%), circumstances (25%) and what we can control (25%), like habits.   On the Everyday Happiness show we dive into the 25% of what we can control by relying on scientific research and life experiences. Some researchers give this 25% bucket a little more or a little less, but there is no disagreement that part of our happiness is absolutely within our control.   

As a recovering trial lawyer, I knew I needed proof that this stuff worked.  I couldn’t just get on board with the next fad without  some evidence that gratitude boosts my happiness, for example. I’d want to roll my eyes all day long.  But once I discovered the science behind it, I started to open my eyes a bit wider and explore happiness - which is what I want for you.  To hear something and think, ok, I get it, I can get on board with that.  Or, think, oooh, I want to learn more and jump into the show notes for links and additional insights. 

Everyday Happiness is a curated body of knowledge from researchers and experts about focusing on that 25% of the happiness equation we get to control, and building a life that is a little bit happier, more balanced, and more intentional that allows us to live in our priorities and experience fulfilled happiness.  

Until next time, be kind and be part of the ripple effect of kindness. 

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