#204

Harvard happiness guru, Arthur Brooks offers a game-changing formula for satisfaction:

Satisfaction = What You Have ÷ What You Want

Not “plus”. Not “times”. Divided by.

There are two ways to increase satisfaction:

1. Get more; or

2. Want less

Guess which one is cheaper and doesn't involve pushing yourself endlessly?

While chasing more can feel normal, even rewarded, it often has us running full pelt on what Brooks calls The Hedonic Treadmill.

We want the promotion. We get it.
Then we want the title. We get it.
Now we want 6 weeks holiday, equity, a better coffee machine, a new car, the list goes on and on.
We chase. We upgrade. We adapt. We chase again.

But what if we stepped off? Zoomed out. And realised that many of the things we now have, were once things we wanted.

A friend that really gets you
A body that’s still functioning, healing and moving
A partner who’s grown with you
Memories that prove you’ve lived, laughed and loved
Here’s your whisper-sized prompt:

1. Name 5 things you once wished for that you now have

2. Imagine losing one of them tomorrow

3. Notice what that stirs. That’s appreciation. That's wanting what you have.

When you want what you have:
You’re not behind.
You’re not waiting for the next big thing.
You’re not chasing happiness.

Maybe the real secret to more… is less wanting.

And maybe happiness isn’t out there. Maybe it’s already within.

You just needed a reminder that satisfaction is an inside job.