Happiness
Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth
BY ED DIENER AND ROBERT BISWAS-DIENER – WILEY-BLACKWELL – © 2008 – 304 PAGES
What is Psychological Wealth?
Psychological wealth is your true total net worth, and includes your attitudes toward life, social support, spiritual development,
material resources, health, and the activities in which you engage.
2 Key Components to Understanding Psychological Wealth
1. Happiness is more than achieving desirable life circumstances, such as health, wealth, success at work, and a happy family life. Although it is certainly logical to think that when all the pieces of life’s puzzle fall neatly into place, you will feel happy, there is more to happiness than meets the eye. Happiness, as we will show you, is much more of a process than an emotional destination.
2. Seeing happiness for its functions rather than its pleasantries. Undoubtedly, happiness – by almost anyone’s definition – feels good, and most folks like to savor the experience. But happiness doesn’t just feel good; it is good for you in a number of surprising ways, helping people to function effectively in many areas of life.
The Happiness Equation:
Happiness = What We Have ⁄ What We Want
It doesn’t matter so much if you make $1,000 a year or $1,000,000 ⁄ year – what matters more is that your income is sufficient for your desires.