TAPPING THE 40 PERCENT

Making a 40% moment

What's the big idea?
"This finding suggests to me that even after we take into account our genetically determined personalities (i.e., who we are) and the rich and complex circumstances of our lives (i.e., what we face), 40 percent of the differences in our happiness levels are still left unexplained. What makes up this 40 percent? Besides our genes and the situations that we confront, there is one critical thing left: our behavior. Thus the key to happiness lies not in changing our genetic makeup (which is impossible) and not in changing our circumstances (i.e., seeking wealth or attractiveness or better colleagues, which is usually impractical), but in our daily intentional activities." (Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, "The How of Happiness," p. 22).

So what?
Perhaps after reading the above you are sensing a downer message. After all, this means that half (or a little more) of our happiness is determined by factors outside of our control. And although this is correct, it is not the most important meaning of the research. Despite the outside-our-control set points and circumstances, we each have a surprisingly large amount of influence over our own happiness. This means that all of us can be happier, even a great deal happier. This is fabulous news! Most of us have a large reservoir of untapped potential that, if properly tapped, could raise our levels of happiness in life--up to 40% more! This also means that for those of us that tend to be "happy-challenged" there is little excuse, since so much of our happiness is within our own control. So get out there and intentionally, habitually access those untapped areas of happiness in your life.

Now what?
So what can we do to tap into that 40%? Well, for me at least, I experience higher levels of happiness when I consistently practice two things: (1) commit to a few meaningful goals (e.g., completing an academic degree or planning a family vacation) that I can devotedly pursue; (2) participate in an engaging activity (e.g., playing drums or hiking in the mountains) in which I "lose" myself. If you discover that these work for you, then great. If not, try one of the following (Dr. Lyubomirsky has observed these patterns of thinking and behaving in the happiest people):

• spend a great amount of time with your family and friends;


• express gratitude for what you have;


• be the first to offer someone help;


• imagine the future with optimism;


• live in the present, savoring pleasures;


• make physical activity a habit;


• commit to a lifelong ambition;


• and even in life's inevitable distress and tragedy, allow yourself to fully feel and respond to it through the strength of your spirit.

--S.a.t.S.