Is Happiness Overrated?

My sister recently gave me a newspaper clipping entitled, “Happiness may be overrated”.   The article shares the bad news that a happy childhood “may hamper your career prospects”.  One study found that happy American college freshmen "earned on average, less than those who felt slightly less merry when young”.  So, does this translate into a “dumb, fat and happy” attitude?  I think that the middle aged surfer who promises “It’s all good” may be too content. The truth is that dissatisfaction, or discontentment with an aspect of your life, can ironically lead to happiness.


An easy example is dissatisfaction with our physical appearance.  Being sick and tired of not fitting into your jeans, may provide the motivation to cut the carbs and increase the miles.   After a few successful weeks, you are bound to be happy with the results.  And, most likely, happier overall.  A “climate of dissatisfaction” is how Walt Disney described what sparked his ambition to build Walt Disney Land in Anaheim, California in 1953.


While sitting on a bench watching his daughters play at a local carnival, Walt decided he wanted to create a magical place for children and their parents.  He said “I want to have a place that's as clean as anything could ever be, and all the people in it are first-class citizens, and treated like guests.”.  There are plenty of examples of people finding happiness after finally deciding they have had enough and decide to take a risk or make a change.  The college freshman study concluded that people who “are rarely dissatisfied with their jobs, feel less pressure to get more education or change careers".


Being satisfied is not the same as being happy and it may take a little “un-happiness” to find lasting happiness.  Need a little happiness boost?  Take a quick trip to the "Happiest Place on Earth” and remember Walt’s path to happiness.

The Happiness Zone

I asked my husband if he has any activities where he just “zones out” and he quickly listed his top three.  (The first you will have to guess.)  Number two and three were golf and fishing.  Happy people frequently zone out.  Experts identify this “state of intense absorption” as a key to happiness.  When you’re oblivious to everything else and absorbed in the task at hand.   It reminds me of hearing my mom’s voice calling my name at dusk when I was a kid building forts in the neighborhood.  Where did the time go?

A quiz on “How do you seek happiness?” asks this question: “Regardless of what I am doing, time passes very quickly”.   Most days, time passes quickly.  In fact, there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day.  I think my busy days make me a happier person.  Being engrossed in my latest project or pursuit ensures less time to worry or fret.  Current projects include renovating our closet/bathroom and a new business.

I zone out when I'm running.  Sometimes I am so lost in the run that I fly right past my street.  That is when you know you are in the zone, when you lose awareness of time, aren’t thinking of yourself and block out extraneous thoughts.  Other signs are;  having intermediate goals, being active  (vs passive) and a feeling of effortlessness.   Sitting on the couch channel surfing doesn’t cut it, being in the zone requires some challenge, like John hitting endless wedges close to the pin. 

I think the key to the zone-happiness relationship is not thinking too much.  And not thinking about yourself at all.  Your mind is focused on what you are doing, your only awareness of yourself is in relation to the activity itself.   No encroaching thoughts about what she said to whom, or what he meant by that.

One step to happiness is engage in activities that cause you to zone out and lose yourself.