In the modern world, the definition of happiness has changed. In the past, people seemed to find contentment and joy without needing a specific reason. Today, we’ve tied our happiness to external objects and goals.
Everyone has their own targets for achieving happiness. Some believe they’ll be happy once they get a promotion, while others are convinced happiness will come after earning a certain amount of money or buying a specific car or house.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t attach happiness to your goals, but I do think you can modify your approach to enjoy the process of achieving them. Sometimes, focusing only on the goal causes us to miss the special moments along the way. I’ve noticed that after working relentlessly for a year to achieve a goal, the happiness I felt was brief—it only lasted a few days. The journey was long, but the joy at the destination was short-lived.
So, why not enjoy the journey? Set your goals, but also make a conscious decision to thoroughly enjoy the process of achieving them. This way, the entire journey will be filled with happy moments, not just the final destination. The true joy is in the process, not just the prize.
