The Secret to Lasting Happiness
Dear Essentialists,
Do you ever feel like you are on a treadmill - always pursuing happiness, but never really getting there?
When we allow our wants to overshadow what we already have we become focused only on acquiring what we don't have. As our list of wants grows we become more and more unsatisfied. We are left to pursue the next thing that will surely make us happy.
Recently I spoke with Arthur Brooks, Harvard behavioral scientist, author, and happiness expert. He believes true happiness begins with want management. The first step, he says, is to appreciate what we already have and let go of what we want.
He suggests starting by creating a reverse bucket list.
Here’s how to do it:
- Make a list of your wants, wishes, and desires
- Go through the list and begin to detach yourself from these items.
The goal is to get to a point where you wouldn’t mind receiving or experiencing the things on your list, but you no longer want them.
In the words of the Dalai Lama, "We need to learn to want what we have, not to have what we want, in order to get stable and steady happiness."
In gratitude,
Greg
p.s. Don’t miss Arthur Brooks’ 5 rules for being happier right now. Listen to this week’s podcast episode here.
General Virtual Assistant | Recruitment | LinkedIn | SMM | Website Management
3 年Magnificent, Greg! Letting go of things we wish to have that we "think" could give us happiness is the answer. Sometimes, we often dwell on the idea of pressuring ourselves to achieve it, and it's not very healthy, especially to our mind. Instead of giving us happiness, it will bring us problems and will lead us to troubles. So, let's reverse and enjoy life!
????? ?????????? ????????????-???????????? ???????????????? ?????? ???????? ????????????????. ? Software Developer ? Web application Design and Development ? Digital Advertising
3 年True Greg. We become frustrated when things don't go the way we planned it. We always want what we desire, and that's why we forget to be happy even with the smallest things or favor that we have.
Partner at Hightower Wealth Advisors | St. Louis
3 年just listen to ...Sheryl Crow - Soak Up The Sun "...It's not having what you want It's wanting what you've got."
Chevening Scholar 24/25 ???? | MSc Environment, Politics and Development | SOAS University of London
3 年Appreciation than expectation! Thanks Greg McKeown