We get most of our happy moments from dopamine that is a short-term solution. You need to get more long lasting oxytocin into your life and that means caring for others and have others care for you. You don’t get that by spending your time on social media or watching TV.
We all need to feel we belong. Ignoring everyone to pursue your happiness will lead to the exact opposite. You can’t get your oxytocin flowing sitting home alone. So every now and then, get out and meet some real people.
If you want to improve, you need to get to the point where your mind is protesting. Then do 10% more. That is how you get better. Life is one big mental challenge, and the person you are competing against is yourself.
Make fact-seeking part of your daily life. Build the habits of critical thinking and checking the data before you rush to conclusions. Stop dramatizing your worldview and see the world for what it is. Not perfect, but getting better.
Next time you use excuses for not having enough time to exercise because you need to make money, consider whether the amount of money you make brings you more happiness than the workout.
There is no such thing as being normal. We are all different in some way. Normal is not a question of biology and genes. It is a question of social agreement, environment, and context. You can try to hide and change your weirdness, or you can embrace it.
The “money can’t buy you happiness” quote is valid only if you spend your money wrong. If you purchase luxuries and generally any goods you consume or that just sit in your house, you won’t buy happiness.
Video calls can create a feeling of belonging, but they are also a significant drain on your cognitive abilities and lead to stress. Learn to switch the camera off every now and then, and don’t enforce video on from those who are not comfortable with it.
You can increase your chances of getting through evaluations based on subjective criteria by merely showing up at the right time. If you evaluate others, understanding what’s going on in your brain will improve your chance of being fair and pick those who are genuinely the best, not those who showed up at the right time.
The key to sustainable living is gratitude, appreciation, collaboration, and reciprocity. Once you switch your mindset and you start appreciating and sharing, you become part of a world where even though the resources are finite, there is enough for everyone.
The Geeky Leader 