The problem with general happiness advice is that it works until it does not. What I mean is that the next 10 happiness tips may address certain problems we may have in life. However:
- Are these tips all inclusive?
- Do they address every life eventuality?
- What happens when we find ourselves in a situation not covered by the above tips?
- Are we just going to look for the next 10 happiness tips indefinitely?
Actually, this is what most people do. They are looking for the next and next solution for happiness, not realizing that they have tried 100 solutions, not becoming any happier (and perhaps more depressed) in the process.
The solution for this negative cycle is to stop chasing own tail and stop to reflect on the progress done so far:
- What worked?
- What didn’t?
Often, people don’t even remember what they ate yesterday, not to mention what are the last 10 things they tried to improve their own happiness. With this, they can’t analyze their progress, which is why they keep on running in the same place.
Luckily, the job of self-reflection was already done by people like myself who are leading this blog and the real solution is >>> happiness optimization. By this I mean:
- Doing things that actually lead to happiness while
- Avoid doing things that don’t work or make things worse.
The bottom line is that if our effort could lead to happiness, we would already be happy, so if we aren’t happy today we may need some coaching. And what’s wrong with asking for advice if it will actually give us exactly what we want? Aren’t we already paying for different types of professionals like accountants to submit our taxes? Aren’t we already paying for our unhappiness by being depressed and spending time, energy, and money unsuccessfully trying to buy happiness?
Personally, I would rather be happy and lead a flourishing life rather than depressed.
In this way, you can continue doing whatever you are doing today, hoping that it will give you a different result, or you can start taking corrective actions that actually will lead to reaching your Optimal Happiness. I hope you will choose happiness, as we really need more happy people.
