What Makes You Happy?

What makes you satisfied and content? Why do you get bored? Where is the joy in life?

"Happiness could be defined as the emotion of progress toward desirable goals. There is an instant of contemplation* of the last goal in which one is content. But contentment becomes boredom immediately that new goals do not come to view. There is no more unhappy thing than a man who has accomplished all his ends in life." -- L. Ron Hubbard (*contemplation = thoughtful observation; meditation)

Let's examine three parts of this definition.

1. "There is an instant of contemplation of the last goal in which one is content."

Think of goals you have reached in the past. How did you feel right after your wedding? When you got your first job? When you graduated from school?

Take a fast second to contemplate the last goal you reached. Perhaps you now feel content?

2. "But contentment becomes boredom immediately that new goals do not come to view."

For example, planning a vacation is exciting. But toward the end of a vacation many people are bored as they no longer have a goal.

Arguments during honeymoons are common, if the newlyweds do not set goals for their marriage.

Planning your retirement and the first day of retirement is a thrill. But the joy of freedom quickly turns to boredom and early death if you do not work on new goals.

"There is no more unhappy thing than a man who has accomplished all his ends in life."

Think of a time you were very bored. Had you completed a major goal without starting a new one?

3. "Happiness could be defined as the emotion of progress toward desirable goals."

We can use this definition to understand unhappiness as well. When were you last unhappy?

In each case, you probably 1) had no goal, 2) were trying to reach an undesirable goal, or 3) you were making no progress toward a goal.

Making yourself happy is not difficult. Simply chose desirable goals and make progress toward them!

Give it a Try!

First, select a desirable goal. If you don't have a desirable goal, make one up. What do you really desire?

Second, write down ONE SINGLE THING you can do right now toward this goal. It has to be an action step. Not thinking about it or talking about it. Actual physical motion.

Next, do it! Take that one step right now. Make some small, but real progress. You might be surprised at how easy it is.

Finally, notice if making this little bit of progress makes you happier.