To Be Happy Every Day, Trick Your Brain

Many people think they need more money, a better house or a higher position to be happy.
But humans are remarkably good at adapting, so joy doesn't last.
That's hedonic adaptation: we eventually get used to any good situation.

To overcome it, you need a different law: diminishing marginal utility. A small satisfaction when you have little feels bigger than a big satisfaction when you already have a lot.
Happiness comes not from filling up more, but from creating the right amount of lack and change.

1. Deliberately create small lacks

An ordinary meal after a real stretch of hunger tastes far better, and the principle doesn't only apply to food.
Sometimes you need to wait.
Wait until you're hungry. Watch the show or play the game a little later. These small lacks make everyday pleasures big again.

2. Create small hardships every day

Humans feel happiness through contrast. That's why rest after exercise feels good and a clean house after cleaning feels great.
Rest after finishing something meaningful is sweeter than doing nothing at all.
Small hardships like exercise, study, work, reading and tidying don't make life harder. They make happiness sharper.

3. Switch to the joy of giving

Once you're used to abundance, collecting more stops being fun. Giving is where the joy is.
Give a small gift to people you love, or treat them to a meal.
Earn big, share in small ways often.

4. Create something to look forward to

Just as stock prices rise on expectations, happiness comes from anticipation.
A good dinner tonight. A movie after work. A walk. Plans with a friend.
It doesn't need to be grand. One small event to look forward to within today is enough.

Conclusion

Happiness doesn't come from having more.
It comes from the process of lacking, striving, anticipating and giving thanks.