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Overview
In order to be happier and more successful, we often try to completely rethink our lives. However, that doesn’t work! Instead of trying for a complete transformation, we should focus on finding meaning in our lives. Once you find meaning in your life, happiness will follow.
When you take a look at these points, it’s clear that the three keys to energy are sleep, interactions and meaning. You’ll learn how top performers get their rest (most of them get 7-8 hours per night), why people crave sweets so much (it’s because they’re low in calories), and what won’t make you happy regardless of how much money you make.
Big Idea #1: Stop pursuing happiness, start pursing meaning.
We all want to be happy. In fact, we’re so desperate for it that we chase after happiness our whole lives. But the truth is that you can’t achieve happiness by seeking it; rather, it’s a by-product of living a meaningful life.
So, where can we find meaning? We’ve been taught that money is a good source of happiness. But surveys show that even doubling your income only increases your life satisfaction by 9%. Money and success are external motivations, which aren’t sustainable sources of meaning or happiness in the long run. Internal motivations give us a powerful way to experience meaning in every action we do. For example, if you work at a call center and help someone out with their problems using warmth and understanding, it will make both them and yourself feel better about themselves.
You will be more successful if you can find ways to combine your strengths and interests with what others need, or the meaning they are seeking.
Big Idea #2: Exchange passive reacting for active initiating.
Most people spend more time responding to external stimuli than focusing on their own well-being. This is the case because they’re constantly checking their smartphones and getting distracted by notifications. People are also using their phones a lot in the evening, which can be bad for sleep quality and lead to mental and physical burnout.
If you want to manage your social media and email accounts, set specific times for checking them. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by notifications that pop up on the screen when you’re trying to focus on something else.
If you’re still having trouble overcoming distraction, try taking a minute to write down the things that seem to waste your time most often. Use this list as a reminder of what not to do in order to keep distractions at bay. Now that you’ve eliminated passive reactions, it’s time for proactive action! If you find yourself getting distracted all day without actually accomplishing anything productive, follow these steps: 1) Identify the activities that aren’t helping you get things done 2) Stop doing them and 3) Manage your time better so you can focus on more important tasks.
If you feel stuck, start small. For example, strike up a conversation with somebody new. In fact, even short interactions can be beneficial to your well-being. Find out more in the next key point!
Big Idea #3: Keep thinking positively and spreading positive energy.
The way you interact with people can greatly affect the tone of your day. The author recommends assuming that everyone has good intentions, which will make your day more positive.
Let’s say someone bumps into you and spills your coffee without apologizing. Instead of getting angry, consider whether the person has a serious problem on his mind and didn’t even notice bumping into you. It’s rare for people to have bad intentions! If you assume that people only mean the best, it will help improve your well-being as well!
