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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Engineer Your Happiness
I recently had the privilege of being invited to a podcast hosted by Lucia Csoma, where we explored “My Journey from Point A to Point B.” Among the various journeys in my life, the one that has most profoundly shaped my path and perspective is the journey to happiness. Today, I can confidently say that I am a happy person leading a fulfilling life, but reaching this point wasn’t a matter of chance. Rather, it was a mindful process of evaluating, recalibrating, and intentionally pursuing priorities that aligned with my values.
So, what does “engineering happiness” actually entail? Let’s dive deeper.
Know Your Priorities
The first step toward cultivating happiness is understanding your priorities. Priorities aren’t static; they evolve, change, and transform with every season of life. It’s essential to regularly reassess and recalibrate your priorities to align them with your present circumstances. Many people find themselves chasing goals that once felt essential, only to realize they no longer serve their current needs. This journey taught me the power of clarity.
For me, my top priorities are:
- Health – It serves as the foundation of everything else.
- Family – My constant support system that has shaped my life.
- Meaningful Work – Creating a positive impact through my career and life’s work.
By regularly reevaluating my priorities, I’ve been able to stay true to what brings me fulfillment, and each of these pillars plays a pivotal role in my happiness.
The Role of Health in Happiness
Studies on happiness often highlight that physical well-being plays a critical role in our mental state. Health is foundational; research from Harvard’s Study of Adult Development found a strong link between physical wellness and long-term life satisfaction. When I placed health at the top of my priority list, I recognized that this was a non-negotiable. Prioritizing health can lead to positive changes, including enhanced focus, energy, and a greater sense of well-being.
Take a moment to reflect:
- What are your current top priorities?
- Do you regularly take time to reassess them?
Know Your Values
Values form the bedrock of fulfillment. They inform our decisions and influence how we perceive satisfaction in our roles and relationships. When my values aligned with my organization, I felt an increased sense of belonging, thrived, and exceeded my own expectations. In contrast, when misalignment occurred, the resulting dissonance couldn’t be offset by any level of compensation or other perks.
If you’re struggling to pinpoint your values, consider reflecting on past experiences that have brought you immense joy or deep dissatisfaction. What about those experiences felt right or wrong? Often, values reveal themselves through such reflections. Studies show that individuals who work in alignment with their personal values experience greater job satisfaction, which in turn boosts happiness.
Take a moment to reflect:
- Have you ever felt a disconnect between your values and your work? How did you handle it?
- How do you assess whether your values align with those of an organization or community?
Follow Your Interests
Career paths today are diverse and multifaceted, and there isn’t one “right” way to navigate them. Some aim for a specific endpoint, aligning every step with the ultimate goal of securing a title, achieving a certain salary, or landing in a particular position. I, however, chose a different approach: following my interests and passions, which sometimes meant making lateral moves or forgoing promotions in favor of meaningful work and personal fulfillment.
An intriguing body of research from Yale suggests that pursuing passion—rather than purely career success—leads to longer-lasting happiness. This approach made a significant difference in my journey. The freedom to shift gears and embrace new opportunities allowed me to grow, evolve, and stay engaged without feeling boxed in.
Take a moment to reflect:
- What’s more important to you in your career: passion or progress?
- Have you ever chosen a passion over a more traditional path? What was the result?
Be Curious and Flexible
“Stay open and flexible.” This advice, given to me early in my career, has had a lasting impact. It’s a powerful concept that serves as an anchor when things don’t go as planned. Steve Jobs famously said, “It only makes sense in hindsight.” My journey has often felt that way, with opportunities presenting themselves in unexpected ways.
In an era of rapid technological advancement and an increasingly dynamic job market, flexibility has become a prized asset. Research shows that those who remain open to new experiences report higher levels of satisfaction and engagement, and curiosity can be a strong predictor of adaptability.
Curiosity keeps you learning, growing, and evolving. When you remain open to unexpected shifts, you become more resilient, and your journey to happiness becomes less about specific milestones and more about embracing the journey itself.
Take a moment to reflect:
- How do you practice curiosity in your daily life?
- Have there been times when being flexible led you to unexpected growth?
Engineer Your Happiness
While engineering happiness may sound structured, it’s a process that requires fluidity and adaptability. Just as an engineer designs systems to be resilient and efficient, we can apply similar principles to our pursuit of happiness. For instance, embracing a growth mindset—a term popularized by Dr. Carol Dweck—means staying open to learning from each experience and evolving over time.
The notion of engineering happiness encourages us to take control of our well-being actively. The steps discussed here—understanding priorities, aligning with values, following interests, and remaining curious—provide a structured yet flexible approach to leading a life of happiness.
I’d like to leave you with a quote from Bruce Lee that has always resonated with me: “Be like water, my friend.” Water adapts, flows, and adjusts to its surroundings. In life, we, too, can adapt to changing circumstances, seize unexpected opportunities, and shape a life of joy and purpose.
The path to happiness isn’t always the one that leads to the fanciest titles or the largest paychecks, but it’s one that fills life with joy, fulfillment, and personal growth. I encourage you to reflect on your own journey, engage with others on this path, and remember that happiness can be engineered step by step.
Please leave your comments
What does happiness mean to you? Have you ever taken intentional steps to create a more fulfilling life? I would love to hear your thoughts, stories, or any questions you have on this topic.
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Engineer Your Happiness | Cheat Sheet
