Aiming For Happiness

Aiming For HappinessTime PovertyEngineering of Depression Working More, Not Less

ARTWORK

American Culture

Depression is UpHappiness is Down

Emilys LensesTheSlowMovementPositivePsychology

The Slow Movement

Slow MovementStems from the Slow Food Movement

Work less for less money (yeah!)Cant Buy Me Love

Time PovertyDebt Vs. Misuse

Spend more time doing nothing (really?)

Fast & Productive = Stressful (really?)Passive Consumers Vs. Active Producers (Time)

Mama Miller: Why are people less happy?

Because we dont work enough!

Types of WorkPaid WorkWork we get paid for doing.

ChoresWork we dont really like doing.

Leisure WorkWork we like doing.

Positive Psychology

Mihalyi CsikszentmihalyiPleasure is an important component of the quality of life, but by itself it does not bring happiness. Pleasure helps to maintain order, but by itself cannot create a new order in consciousness.FlowFocusSelf-AwarenessSense of TimeSkill (really?)Goal (really?)Measurable Performance (really?)

SatisficingSatisficing is a decision-making strategy that attempts to meet criteria for adequacy, rather than to identify an optimal solution

Settling for good enough

perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor-Anne Lamott

Hedonic TheoryGood Experiences minus Bad Experiences = Happiness

GE BE = H

KahnemanColonoscopy studies

GratificationsGratifications vs. PleasuresProduce flow (yeah!)Activities that we enjoy (really?)

Short cuts to HappinessPleasure without gratificationMartin Seligman (2009)

Incentives - Barry Schwartz (2009)More is better Not Always

What is good for us?Physical Exercise is to Physical Health what Gratifications are to Mental Health

Byproduct of survival vs. work it inNatural reward for it (endorphins & flow)

We are finally reaching a state where gratifications arent inherent in survival.

ConclusionsStuff we dont like to do might be necessary for happiness (in addition to stuff we do like).

Making things easier, working less may not be the best route to happiness.

What might helpFigure out what is gratifying? Video GamesMowing the GrassGardening & Woodworking

Metacognitive approach to chores

Engage in Flow and Accomplishment

Watch your incentives