What Is Happiness?

I recently read a great article on Leadership Now by Drake Baer.  The piece was titled Why You Don't Want a Job That (Only) Makes You Happy.  The essence of the article was to point out the difference between happiness and purpose or meaning.  The author is saying that happiness is fleeting and often self-serving while purpose is long-lasting and often serves the betterment of society.  Perhaps it's semantics or simply trying to emphasize a point.  However, there is something to his approach.  What I wish is for every young adult is to find that place where happiness, purpose, abilities, and passions all come together.

Now, how can you do this?  I have always said, it must start with self-exploration as early as possible.  This self-exploration process should start before students are sent off to college.  Too many times, our children are going to college without intentionality and graduating without the knowledge of what makes them happy, what gives them a sense of  purpose and how to apply that to a career that will lead to success.  I have also found that a group process of self-exploration can be extremely useful.  Other people, the ones who know you best, can often see things in you that you cannot see yourself.  Friends, family and especially a mentor can often play a tremendous role in this process.

What we need to explore is not just what is the difference between short-term happiness and meaning, we must also explore a personal interpretation of success.  Is it money?  Is it helping others?  Is it personal relationships?  There are so many questions we must ask ourselves before we can truly understand our personal concepts of happiness, meaning and success.  Baer's article was a good jump start to the conversation.  However, we need to guide our young adults on a journey to self-discovery so that they may apply that knowledge to a career path that will bring them meaning, purpose, happiness, and success.

It is so critical to blend what you are passionate about with your natural abilities, your gift to the world, and what is calling to you to change the world.  Talk about meaning.  Find the cross-section and your work will be play.  You will feel GREAT and you will be contributing to the world in a meaningful way.

Helene Naftali

Founder of oneTRUEzone

Author of Own Your Zone: What Students Need to Succeed From School to Career