Back in 2008, Sonja Lyubomirsky, wrote The How of Happiness.
The book outlined 3 factors that have an impact on our personal happiness:
Genetic Makeup: A significant portion of our long-term happiness, around 50% according to the research, is determined by our genetically inherited “happiness set point” or baseline.
Life Circumstances: Life circumstances, like our income, marital status, or health, represent approximately 10% of our variance in happiness.
Intentional Activities: The remaining 40% can be influenced by our intentional activities, behaviors, and thought patterns. This is considered the most controllable aspect of our happiness.
My Perspective
In all the work I’ve done on the concept of taking charge of our career and life, this rings true.
There are people who are more naturally happy or derive happiness from their circumstances.
Yet, each of us has the capacity to mold our lives in ways that will make us happier.
We underestimate how our day-to-day environments, habits, and routines impact us.
We can spend time considering what we want…what would make us happy.
Then, look for small ways to move toward that.
Step by step.
Day by day.
Happier.
Your Turn
Do you agree with the three elements of happiness outlined in the book?
What do you think your natural “happiness set point” is? What are three intentional activities that you would like to start to weave into your life?