The Greatness Project

Moving Beyond Your “Set Point”

June 15, 2004

To some, meeting individuals who are perpetually happy is at best, amusing; at worst, downright irritating. Why are these people so happy? Don’t they understand that life and work are serious? Either we validate our umbrage by identifying our life or work as more important than theirs, or we consider them “dolts” and move on. A closer look reveals that happiness is both genetically determined and developed intentionally. So, it is possible to actively create a more satisfying, productive life.

Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D. at the University of California developed a model to explain the balance of genetics vs. discipline in creating happiness. Her work confirms the research finding that approximately 50% of happiness is genetic. At birth, we acquire an emotional base or happiness “set point.” Life variables may cause a momentary rise in happiness, but without additional stimulation we tend to return to our set point. For example, research on lottery winners revealed that although happiness peaked when they won, it returned to its normal set point for happiness after six months. So is our happiness forever stuck at our genetic set point? Not totally, reports Sonja.

An additional 10% of our happiness is influenced by life circumstances such as age, sex, income, and occupation. For example, if you receive a promotion your happiness level will rise above your set point. However, the promotion eventually becomes a normal part of life and happiness returns to its set point. Sonja notes that as humans we become inured to new circumstances as they become routine. Again, major rises or declines in happiness last briefly before happiness returns to where it was prior to the event.

What does the remaining 40% of happiness depend upon? Sonja identified this percentage as “intentional activities.” These daily activities, which either boost or deplete the happiness level, are within our control. For example, taking time to do something positive on a regular basis, or being present for a loved one contributes to a rise in happiness. (For other intentional activities see: www.authentichappiness.com.) Sonja discovered that variation is key. To avoid numbing the effect of the happiness we must vary any of these intentional activities, even if only slightly.

Most importantly, if we want to be happy over the course of our lives we have to work at it. There are no short cuts. Like physical fitness, happiness requires diligent maintenance. Many of us have developed “terminal seriousness,” the strain of which is revealed in our voices and on our faces. While part of our happiness is genetically predetermined, much of it is up to us. Engaging in daily positive activities will add up to a lifetime of mental fitness. Do this and your life will become so creative, productive, and satisfying that you won’t care if your happiness irritates others!

What intentional activities do you engage in to raise the level of your happiness?