Are you going in pursuit of the right stuff?

For those heroic enough to start the journey of self-examination, the best thing to start looking at is what are you really pursuing?

On the first pass, pursuing happiness still, seems a good idea right?

But just be clear on the two types of happiness.

There is hedonic pleasure – the one based on materialism and hedonic experience that leads to the treadmill, but there is also a second type of happiness.

It’s deeper-seated, it lasts longer and provides proper contentment and it’s called Eudaimonic pleasure.

So where do you find this kind of happiness?

Well in the 80-year longitudinal study still going at Harvard University we have that answer.

The Grant and Glueck Study study has been tracking two groups. One a group of Harvard graduates, that includes one former US president and one similar aged group of guys from inner-city Boston.

And it has shown more than money or fame or anything material, that it is close relationships that keep people happy throughout their lives.

So, the biggest predictor of your happiness in life is love and acceptance through meaningful reciprocal connection.

This certainly seems like a great antidote to the fear-based world we currently inhabit.

That being said It’s worth noting that money does help to a degree in our society, but only up to a point. If your earnings are not sufficient to be able to cover your basic survival needs then money will help.

However, above about $75k USD happiness does not increase – beyond that chasing happiness through material wealth does not work.

And I’m not saying don’t go and have fun, just don’t make it the focal point of your life!

But what if happiness alone isn’t what we should be pursuing..?

Looking for more purpose related content? Check out my other content:

Watch heaps of motivational purpose-based content.

Listen to interviews with inspirational humans who are leading from a place of purpose.

Check out my free e-book "The Why & The How Of Business For Good here.