Happiness

Let me introduce you to my “Happiness Equation.”

That’s right. There’s a formula for happiness. Cultures around the world where citizens report the greatest happiness and life satisfaction have a lot of things in common. I’ve distilled a few of those components into an algebraic equation. I guarantee an uptick in your happiness if you add more connection and contribution, and let go of attachment. The formula looks like this:

(Connection + Contribution) – Attachment = Happiness

Connection – Being included is a basic human need. We experience greater happiness when we feel connected to other people. The more connections you have, the greater the satisfaction. Look for ways in 2023 to create more and deeper connections with family, work colleagues, neighbors, teammates, book group members, etc. The more you engage with other people, the greater your sense of satisfaction.

Contribution – At our core, we all want to feel like we are doing something worthwhile. Making the world a better place is a key aspect to happiness. You can do that as a parent, as an employee, as a volunteer, as a neighbor. In everything you do, look for ways to be helping others, helping your community, and contributing to society as a whole.

Attachment – While being connected to other humans is good, being attached to expectations is not. Attachment is associated with the negative or hurt feeling we get when things don’t turn out as we expected, when things don’t seem “fair,” when we don’t get what we want. Letting go of attachment means practicing radical acceptance of what is. Accepting reality doesn’t make you passive, it actually makes you better able to create change. Furthermore, being rooted in reality instead of hanging on expectations creates a more resilient mindset and a deep sense of calm, both critical to improved happiness.

Now that you know what to build more of (Connection + Contribution) and what to let go of (Attachment), you are ready to create Happiness. Let me know how it goes!