One of the advantages of the current downturn in the economy is that it gives people a chance to get in touch with what kind of career would really make them happy. If you can’t earn a high salary, then it makes sense to consider instead what would bring a sense of greatest life satisfaction (assuming you’re otherwise able to get your basic survival/basic comfort needs met). Our friends at Yes! magazine are very much in touch with this shift in the national mood. They just issued a poster which lists “10 Things Science Says Will Make You Happy.” They include the following suggestions: Savor everyday moments; Avoid comparisons; Put money low on the list; Have meaningful goals; Take initiative at work; Make friends/treasure family; Smile even when you don’t feel like it; Say thank you like you mean it; Get out and exercise; and Give it away, give it away now! For a full description of these recommended ways to achieve greater happiness, visit www.yesmagazine.org/happyscience. To download the suggestions in poster form, visit www.yesmagazine.org/posters.
Goal in life. This unfortunately is true – unless you’re trying to achieve something you’ll be miserable. That’s why you can’t just get rich and sit on your butt all day.