What it Takes to be Happy

In light of the increasing focus in recent years on Positive Psychology (see Martin Seligman's work in
particular), there is a growing emphasis on research into Happiness.  Apparently, everyone wants to arrive at the definitive 6-step formula for how you too can guarantee a Happier life and existence. There'd likely be money in that!

Certainly, research has shown that happier people tend to...

• live longer
• experience better and more positive health
• make more money
• do better work

However, what has not been conclusively determined is whether people experience these things because they are happier OR whether they are happier because they have these things.  It comes down to a chicken and egg dilemma that continues to confound researchers.

Similarly, the findings into what 'makes' us happy can be surprising.

Rosabeth Moss Kanter, a professor at Harvard Business School and well-known author, found that the happiest people are those facing the toughest but most worthwhile challenges.  If they are engaged in activities in which they feel they are making a difference, their happiness levels rise.  

However, Leadership IQ found that in 42% of the companies they studied, it was the lowest performing employees that were happier in their jobs, typically because they were left alone to get things done and could quietly go about doing their own thing.  However, the higher performers had to pick up the slack and were therefore more in demand.  They had more pressure on them to perform and more people watching and checking in on their progress.  Generally they were left feeling undervalued and underpaid.  Not a combination that heightened their happiness levels.

In some respects, these first two research results would seem contrary to one another, given that those working on tough (but worthwhile) challenges would likely be your highest performers.  Perhaps the caveat is that you are not only engaged in work that you feel makes a difference but that you must be recognised and compensated well for it.

Additional research supports this.  It was previously believed, based on the work of Easterlin in the 1970's, that money could only buy us happiness to a certain point.  Once we reached that threshold, money would no longer have an impact on our sense of well-being.  This effect is known as the Easterlin-paradox.  However, in re-testing this paradox, across countries and time, Stevenson and Wolfers, two U.S. economists, have found that our sense of happiness and well-being continues to rise with income, with no satiation point or threshold.  Every dollar brought a greater level of measured happiness, dispelling the myth that money can't buy happiness.

Apparently though, it can't buy ALL of our happiness because there are yet further studies, (Sonja Lyubomirsky - widely known as the most knowledgeable expert on happiness), that indicates we have a pre-established genetic happiness set-point.  This set-point rises and falls based on our reaction to circumstances but it will reset itself to our set-point as we get used to the situation.  This is why an increase in our salary can raise our current level of happiness and well-being but that, over time, we are less satisfied with it, requiring more.  

And yet further studies that indicate...

• the more we compare ourselves to others the less happy we likely will be (someone always has 'more'!!)
• the stronger our social connections with others the happier we are
• the more engaged we are with 'activities' rather than accumulating 'stuff' the happier we are...

All in all it seems that happiness is confusing stuff.  Right now it appears that a good mix is to... make as much money as you can, as many good friends as you can, do work that makes a difference and don't pay any attention to what people think of you.  Pretty much how most of us are trying to lead our lives now, isn't it?  Seems we've known the magic formula all along.  

Latest Research Updates...

You know that I read and research constantly, much of which I share with you whether through training, coaching or my various blogs and articles.  The following interesting little tidbits aren't 'big' enough findings for a full posting but I found them interesting so I'm sharing...

• In a recent study (2013, Iris K. Schneider et al), determined that when we are undecided about two choices, we will tend to shift our weight from side to side.  Once we have reached a decision we hold our weight more firmly, reducing our side to side movements.  Subtle cues to watch for when two or more ideas are being presented to someone for consideration.  When they are still weighing the pros and cons you are likely to see physical tells (swaying/shifting) that indicate that they are still working through the options.  If and when those movements stop, you know they have reached a decision, regardless of whether they try to tell you that they are 'still deciding'.
• Professor Jackie Andrade, University of Plymouth, found that doodling improved memory by almost 30% over non-doodlers.  In a boring meeting?  Concerned that you won't remember important points?  Start doodling!
• Money is always an interesting subject.  Studies have shown that we are much more likely to spend when we have larger denominational notes than small.  Meaning...  we will spend a $20 bill faster than four $5 bills.  And... a different study shows that we are much more likely to spend 'dirty' worn money faster than crisp new bills.  Not sure of any specific relevance for leadership, just interesting!
• We all feel like there is not enough time in our day to get everything done.  Research was therefore conducted to determine how we could feel less stressed about this, how we could feel that we have enough or more time.  The surprising finding was that when people gave up some of their free-time to help out others, they were left feeling like they had more time available for themselves. Weird!   Here's how the  study's authors explain it...  "...spending time on others makes people feel like they have done a lot with their time – and the more they feel they have done with their time, the more time they will feel they have."  
• If you want to improve your memory, psychologists have found that taking breaks aids with consolidating the information into your memory systems.  In studies where participants take a little rest break after learning something, their recall and memory of that information is enhanced.  
• Simply telling people how luxurious or expensive the food you're serving is tends to enhance their experience and enjoyment.  (good to know when the meatloaf is a little overdone!)
• The Hawthorne Effect is well documented - people's behaviours change when they feel they are being observed.  Have an 'honour' payment system at work for coffee?  Hang a poster or picture somewhere in the room that has a person's face with their eyes clearly visible...  more people pay for their coffee because they 'feel' watched.  We tend to be more 'honest' under these circumstances.
• We know that self-control is not limitless.  We all have days that tax our willpower and deplete our resources.  Additionally, we know that self-control is a strong skill in highly successful people.  How to replenish our self-control when it's in short supply?  A recent study shows that just the mere thought of money will help.  Not clear on the reasons as to why this might be but in this case, it's enough to know it works!