I did a small mental exercise with myself as an idea for this blog post.
I picked a few typical desires anyone would have, and I asked myself a series of “why” questions to see where the chain of my responses would end.
Here is how the responses came out.
- I want to go on a holiday. Why do you want to go on a holiday? Because It will give me a break. Why do you need a break? Because I feel emotionally tired and taking a break will rejuvenate me. Why do you want to feel rejuvenated? Because it will help me do my job better and be more productive. Why do you need to do your job better and be more productive? Because it will help me succeed at work. Why do you need to succeed at work? Because it will make me happy.
- I want the promotion. Why do you want the promotion? Because I deserve it. Why do you think you deserve it? Because I have done great work with results and I feel the organization should recognize my effort. Why is it important the organization recognize your effort? Because it will tell me that my effort was worth it, and I will feel worthy and appreciated. Why is it essential for your to feel worthy and appreciated? Because it will make me feel happy.
- I want to buy the latest iPhone. Why do you want to buy the latest iPhone? Because I want to upgrade my current model. Why did you want to upgrade your current model? Because I am bored with my old model and I feel like buying the new model. Why do you feel like buying the new model? Because it has some great new features and I want to own the latest model. Why do you want to own the latest model? Because I’ll feel good owning the latest model. Why is it essential for you to feel good? Because feeling good makes me feel happy.
- I want to start a blog. Why do you want to start a Blog? To create an impact and do something meaningful. Why do you want to create an impact and do something meaningful? Because it will give me satisfaction that I have done something with my life. Why do you need the satisfaction that you have done something with your life? Because that satisfaction fills me with a feeling of happiness.
Happiness Is The Common Currency
All our goals ultimately terminate at the final destination of happiness. Wealth, fame, power, and every other goal we pursue-They are all subordinate to this feeling of happiness. Extending this logic further, all our goals represent our desires. So whatever be our desires- whether material or social- they are all a means towards one end always- Our happiness.
So, in a way, happiness is the common currency by which we can measure and compare the relative value of our seemingly unrelated desires. It is this framework that we unconsciously use when it comes to making some key life decisions. This is what can explain why someone would give up the upside of a 100% pay hike to move companies or why someone would switch careers or why someone would pick up new hobbies.
At the most basic level all our life choices are about keeping ourselves happy.