Happier

What is the ultimate goal of life? Happiness—and it’s something we can all learn to achieve by understanding what brings lasting joy and meaning.

1. Pursuit of Happiness as a Universal Goal

Happiness is universally recognized as an essential human aspiration. Unlike other objectives such as money or fame, happiness holds value as a standalone reason. When someone decides to follow a path simply because it makes them happy, others accept it without further question. This realization places happiness above material or external pursuits.

Historically, philosophers like David Hume have emphasized that all human endeavors, from art to law, aim at one end: to make people happier. People set goals like wealth, power, or success because they believe these will lead them to joy. For instance, a person might want a high income not for the money itself, but for the experiences like travel or leisure it enables, which in turn bring happiness.

Research shows that happiness overlaps with success. Studies by psychologists Sonja Lyubomirsky and others reveal that happier individuals excel more in relationships, health, and finances, pointing to a symbiotic relationship between well-being and achievement.

Examples

• Historical philosophy viewing happiness as the ultimate goal (e.g., David Hume’s theories).
• A surfer working for money to afford travel to ideal waves illustrates money as a tool, not the goal itself.
• Research linking happiness to better outcomes in work, relationships, and health.

2. Pleasure and Meaning are the Foundations of Happiness

Happiness arises from the balance of two key elements: pleasure and meaning. Pleasure encompasses emotions that drive us to act and enjoy life, while meaning gives depth and purpose to our experiences.

Positive emotions energize and inspire. According to psychologist Nathaniel Branden, experiences that generate pleasure provide the motivation to engage with life. However, pleasure alone isn't sufficient. Without a sense of meaning, even pleasurable activities can feel empty, like taking a joyless vacation or pursuing a shallow goal.

On the other hand, meaningful experiences connect pleasure to purpose. For example, a banker who thrives in her career due to personal passion finds joy and fulfillment, whereas someone who joins a job to fulfill societal expectations may lack both.

Examples

• Emotions like exhilaration or jealousy that fuel action.
• A student succeeding when both enjoying subject matter and understanding its relevance.
• A banker thriving in her field due to a mix of passion and meaningful goals, compared to a reluctant priest.

3. Balancing Present Joy and Future Goals

True happiness involves balancing life’s immediate pleasures with long-term aspirations. People commonly fall into four categories based on how they view present and future happiness: hedonists who focus only on the present, nihilists who avoid meaning in both, goal-driven futurists who delay pleasure for distant rewards, and those who manage to enjoy life while working toward a better future.

The happiest individuals focus on the present without neglecting the future. Unfortunately, our culture often pressures people to embrace suffering now for later happiness. A young student, for instance, may endure years of academic struggle under the belief that a high degree will lead to joy someday.

Instead of endlessly deferring happiness, placing importance on daily enjoyment alongside future plans creates a more sustainable and satisfying existence.

Examples

• Hedonistic behaviors like impulse buying without considering savings.
• Societal teachings like “No pain, no gain” encouraging students to delay happiness for decades.
• A balanced person enjoying hobbies now while also saving for retirement.

4. Purpose-Driven Goals Shape a Happy Life

Purpose is the guiding star of a satisfying life, and this purpose is realized through goals that align with personal values and passions. Goals that challenge and reward us on a personal level help integrate meaning and pleasure.

Self-concordant goals provide this guideline. They are entirely personal and stem from genuine interests rather than external influences such as societal pressures. When life goals resonate deeply with one’s identity, they can provide direction without sacrificing joy in daily moments.

An example of purpose and goal balance might be someone driven by animal welfare dedicating time to volunteering at shelters or raising awareness—all while feeling genuinely fulfilled by each small step.

Examples

• A person choosing to help animals by organizing local events and protests.
• Students aligning future plans with personal growth and current excitement.
• Setting smaller action steps like pursuing creative writing or starting a themed blog.

5. Loving What You Learn

Studying becomes more fulfilling when focusing on subjects that genuinely interest you. Reflecting on personal joys and aligning them with academic efforts helps a student feel motivated and excited about their future.

Renowned psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of flow further elevates the learning process. Experiencing flow means becoming so immersed in enjoyable work that achieving mastery happens effortlessly. This happens when learners balance skill-building with challenging tasks they love.

For example, someone passionate about Japanese culture might still struggle with the language but engages deeply when lessons involve relatable themes.

Examples

• Language learners finding creative teachers to raise enthusiasm.
• A biology student enjoying experiments related to their favorite ecosystems.
• Writers who pursue mentorships for crafting stories more effectively.

6. Aligning Career with Passion

Work consumes much of our lives, so finding a job that aligns with personal values greatly impacts happiness. Studies reveal that individuals who view their work as their calling feel rewarded internally, while others working for external rewards struggle to find fulfillment.

Amy Wrzesniewski discovered that people thriving in their professions see daily work as an extension of meaningful pursuits. Choosing a job rooted in passion creates intrinsic motivation, making each task enjoyable and rewarding.

Reflecting on what comes naturally and excites you—whether solving problems, cooking, or teaching—can help uncover potential career options that nurture joy.

Examples

• A teacher thrives due to love for education and children.
• MPS exercise helping someone identify passions like cooking for a career in culinary arts.
• Musicians who earn a modest living but find immense joy from their art.

7. Prioritize Meaningful Relationships

Meaningful relationships form the bedrock of happiness. Social connections, whether friendships, family, or romantic bonds, significantly affect our sense of fulfillment. People with supportive social circles report greater happiness on average.

Researchers Ed Diener and Martin Seligman found that the happiest individuals weren't wealthier or more physically fit compared to less happy groups—they had stronger relationships. Acts like sharing vulnerable moments with friends increase both joy and resilience.

For romantic relationships, finding balance between shared values and pleasurable experiences is essential. Unconditional love helps partners express authenticity.

Examples

• Deep friendships enhancing resilience during tough times.
• Couples balancing intimacy and shared life goals to sustain happiness.
• Studies showing those with stronger connections experience less stress.

8. Inspiration from Flow States

Flow states represent moments where activities you enjoy absorb your entire focus. Achieving flow not only enhances performance but becomes a source of profound happiness, as it eliminates anxiety or self-doubt.

Activities that challenge skills slightly above one's current ability are great starting points to trigger this mental state. Whether perfecting an instrument or playing intense sports matches, flow creates positivity.

Examples

• Athletes describing “in the zone” moments.
• Flow during designing intricate artwork that boosts creativity.
• Gamers invested deeply while solving complex puzzles.

9. Daily Joy Boosters Revitalize Life

Even small doses of joy can improve daily well-being. Identifying happiness boosters, both those you love daily and those you’re eager to explore, encourages you to adopt habits that generate consistent delight.

Such boosters may include comforting rituals like walking amidst nature or exploring unfamiliar hobbies to reignite curiosity. Taking deliberate steps ensures recurring happiness.

Examples

• Learning piano as an exploratory joy booster exercise.
• Scheduling regular hikes as a reaffirming fun practice.
• Balancing family gatherings with restful personal activities.

Takeaways

1. Reflect on what truly matters—identify the overlap of meaning, pleasure, and strengths in your life to align goals accordingly.
2. Nurture your relationships by dedicating time and sharing vulnerable experiences with loved ones or partners.
3. Create happiness rituals by focusing on two to three specific boosters monthly, turning them into consistent habits.