It’s straightforward to suppose that true happiness and satisfaction can solely be achieved by conducting main targets, however that is removed from the reality, in accordance to Arthur C. Brooks, a social scientist and professor at Harvard University who teaches a free course about happiness.
“Lots of individuals suppose that when they be taught their abilities, as soon as they’re set in life that all the things can be okay, however that is a fallacy that we name in my enterprise, ‘The Arrival Fallacy,'” Brooks mentioned through the CNBC Work Summit 2023 this month.
The premise of the arrival fallacy is that when you accomplish a sure thing, you may routinely be happier and extra glad along with your life, Brooks mentioned.
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Some examples of the accomplishments that individuals suppose will get them the satisfaction they’re searching for, in accordance to Brooks, embrace:
- Securing a high-paying job or monetary stability
- Getting married
- Buying the home they’ve at all times wished
- Losing a specific amount of weight
Regardless of what that vacation spot is for you, Brooks mentioned it is best to avoid the arrival fallacy and embrace change so as to actually be comfortable.
“Human beings are wired for progress. Progress is what brings us a actual sense of satisfaction. Forward movement. Goals, shifting in direction of them are what we actually want,” he mentioned.
“Ultimately, the aim is not happiness as a result of happiness is not a vacation spot; it is a route. The means that we get happier has considerably to do with the issues occurring outdoors of us, but it surely has extra to do with our interior lives.”
To really feel extra satisfaction in your life, Brooks suggests treating your happiness like an investment portfolio by prioritizing these 4 areas:
- Faith and life philosophy
- Family
- Community and buddies
- Meaningful work
“None of this stuff could make up happiness all on their very own,” Brooks says throughout his course about happiness. “They complement one another and exist in concord.”
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