Ask HN: What makes you happy?
Alternative title: how to be happy?
11 comments
I think when seeking this advice, you need to be aware of what people think will make them happy vs. finding people that are actually happy.
It's easy to spout off things that in your head "will make you happy" -- but don't listen to those people. Since they haven't actually made it there.
It's like how winning the lottery doesn't actually make people happy. Ask those people before they win the lotto, what would make them happy, I bet a good number of them would list winning the lotto. Ultimately, the lotto doesn't actually make them happier.
(I think the key is that there is no state of absolute happiness. You have to "work" at being happy. Not necessarily through action, but perhaps by awareness.)
It's easy to spout off things that in your head "will make you happy" -- but don't listen to those people. Since they haven't actually made it there.
It's like how winning the lottery doesn't actually make people happy. Ask those people before they win the lotto, what would make them happy, I bet a good number of them would list winning the lotto. Ultimately, the lotto doesn't actually make them happier.
(I think the key is that there is no state of absolute happiness. You have to "work" at being happy. Not necessarily through action, but perhaps by awareness.)
I learned this trick from http://thinktrylearn.com/
Step 1: Think. Next time you approach something new, think of it as an experiment. Be curious, with a healthy sense of detachment. A scientist would say "I don't know, let's see what happens," and so can you!
Step 2: Try. Decide what you will try in your experiment. Challenge yourself to do something you might not have done before. Think about how will you measure success. How will you enjoy the journey in addition to the outcome?
Step 3: Learn. Observe what happens and learn from it. The final outcome might be different from your measurement of success. Expect to be surprised.
Step 1: Think. Next time you approach something new, think of it as an experiment. Be curious, with a healthy sense of detachment. A scientist would say "I don't know, let's see what happens," and so can you!
Step 2: Try. Decide what you will try in your experiment. Challenge yourself to do something you might not have done before. Think about how will you measure success. How will you enjoy the journey in addition to the outcome?
Step 3: Learn. Observe what happens and learn from it. The final outcome might be different from your measurement of success. Expect to be surprised.
Thanks for telling me that what I am doing for most of my life is actually a formal paradigm and has to learned from a website :)
The key to happiness is setting goals that are recognizably stretch goals for oneself (but not so stretch that they are unachievable), then achieving them, and then taking pause to reflect on the successful achievement of those goals.
Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaW4Ol3_M1o
When you know you're going to die all you have time for is happiness. Ask any old person rotting away their last days in existence in a dilapidated convalescent home. The point is you don't have to wait until you're old to reap the power your death gives you.
When you know you're going to die all you have time for is happiness. Ask any old person rotting away their last days in existence in a dilapidated convalescent home. The point is you don't have to wait until you're old to reap the power your death gives you.
This is something I'm trying to hone in on these days.
Recognize and appreciate the little moments in life. At times, we absorb ourselves in the grind of our projects that we easily lose sight of simply enjoying the little things for what they are - a good conversation, a nice view, putting together a nice meal, etc.
Recognize and appreciate the little moments in life. At times, we absorb ourselves in the grind of our projects that we easily lose sight of simply enjoying the little things for what they are - a good conversation, a nice view, putting together a nice meal, etc.
Key to happiness(according to Vonnegut): Low expectations.
Key to being good at something while also being happy(who knows but you can try this): decouple self-worth from achievement. Base self-worth on pursuit of consistent, deliberate practice.
Key to being good at something while also being happy(who knows but you can try this): decouple self-worth from achievement. Base self-worth on pursuit of consistent, deliberate practice.
Being able to solve someone's problem (including my own). Walking around in San Francisco.
Recognizing that I'm part of a group that works smarter, not harder. Also having the means to spend my life with a mixture of work and play.
Doing things I couldn't imagine I'do some time ago.
It requires constantly checking and crossing your comfort zone, but it's sooo worth!!
It requires constantly checking and crossing your comfort zone, but it's sooo worth!!
When I'm working on what I love when I want to and without feeling like I have to. In other words, finding freedom.
Proving others wrong.