How to Manage Expectations to Maximize Happiness
Researcher Robb Rutledge says that expecting too much of your future experiences, including vacations, may be contributing to unhappiness.
More from Greater Good
Ten Ways to Make Your Time Matter
Accepting our mortality helps us let go of busyness and focus on what’s most important to us in order to live a happier, more meaningful life.
«keep a “done list,” which starts empty first thing in the morning, but which you can gradually fill in throughout the day as you get things done.»
How Much Control Do You Have Over Your Own Happiness?
Social conditions and inequality affect well-being. So, why do we keep insisting "happiness is a choice"?
«When I write that “structural forces” affect happiness, what do I mean? What does a structural force look like in society?»
Why Being Passionate About Your Job Isn’t Always a Good Thing
Research suggests that there are two types of passion we can have about work—and one may be harmful for you.
«For example, a person who agrees with statements such as “I get upset easily” or “I worry about different things at the same time” is much more vulnerable to burnout if they work as a lawyer, a fundraiser, or a broker. But that same person is less likely to become obsessed with their job if they work as a dentist, engineer, nurse, surgeon, or social worker.»
How Children Think About Their Own Well-Being Online
Researchers asked kids around the world about their digital lives and what kinds of online experiences would make them happy.
Instead of Pulling Out Your Phone, Let Your Mind Wander
When we're waiting, we often have the urge to distract ourselves—but a new study finds we’d enjoy doing nothing but think.
«there were no significant differences between those who waited with or without a computer; both groups liked the experience equally.»