Comments on: I Will Be Happy When…

By: Ruby

Ruby — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:40:32 +0000

Great post!!!

By: Scott H Young » Friday Links 08-03-21

Scott H Young » Friday Links 08-03-21 — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:52:39 +0000

[...] I Will Be Happy When… – “The problem is that solving problems doesn’t make you happier. Happiness isn’t reality but a way of interpreting reality. If you can’t find happiness right now, then solving a million problems won’t uncover it. A reader gave me a Buddhist quote a few days ago that I think sums it up well, ‘There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.’” [...]

By: Scott Young

Scott Young — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 15:01:23 +0000

Thanks for the comments, Geoff.

I’ve been trying to touch on some topics that I have a minority opinion with regards to the current popular opinion in self-help.

By: Geoff Hickman

Geoff Hickman — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 08:10:53 +0000

HI Scott,

I think you’re on a bloody well roll. I’ve read all the “big” success and self help authors but for whatever reason, your posts have been making the most sense to me than anything else I’ve read. I mean anything! Keep it up, You’re touching on topics that are truly different and not the same ol’ shite. I’m thankful for what you write.

By: Scott Young

Scott Young — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 13:21:46 +0000

Thanks Jeffrey,

I’ll check those books out some time, I’ve heard great things.

By: Jeffrey Seely

Jeffrey Seely — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 17:25:51 +0000

I think this is a wonderful point, perhaps one of my favorite personal development ideas.

There have been studies on lottery winners. Researchers ask lottery winners to note their happiness before and after winning. It turns out that their happiness just about always returns to the pre-winning state in a few month’s time. Winning a million bucks is great, but the pleasure is temporary and should not be confused with true happiness.

Many of us have experienced this with relationships. I remember in high school I always found myself thinking, “If only I had a girlfriend, I’d be happy.” Sure enough, it (somehow) happened. But in these situations it’s only a few months before other thoughts start coming up, like, “If only this relationship were more fulfilling, I’d be happy.” And thoughts turn outward too–now that you got what you want (a relationship), your mind finds other things it NOW needs to be happy.

The truth is, happiness is an art and a skill. My two favorite books on developing this skill are:

Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill
by Matthieu Ricard

and

The Power of Now
by Eckhart Tolle

Both contain advice and ideas that will just seem to “stick”–probably for the rest of your life.

Best,
Jeff

By: Scott Young

Scott Young — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 12:49:32 +0000

Thanks for the comments Henrik and Andrew,

Henrik – I can’t suggest any books that really impacted me greatly in this philosophy. I’ve heard great things about “The Power of Now” but have yet to read it. If you are looking for some reading on a similar line you might want to check my article, “Balancing Today and Tomorrow” here:

http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2006/05/05/balancing-today-and-tomorrow/

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 10:12:57 +0000

Really cool article, Scott. Just a simple shift in mindset goes so far. Thank you so brightening my day, man.

By: Henrik Edberg

Henrik Edberg — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 09:33:07 +0000

Excellent article. I totally agree that you should try and focus on your growth instead of the outcome. And really nice buddist quote. By the way, do you know of any good books about focusing on the now? I´ve got Eckhart Tolle´s “The Power of Now” on my reading-list but would love other suggestions.