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Subscribe at GravitasMag.com | 39 Continued on page 40 I t appears that in America and many other parts of the world as well, we are at a cultural crossroads. Industry and technology have completely transformed society in the past century, and even greater fundamental shifts are expected with the rise of artificial intelligence and robotics. Global corporations have greater wealth and influence than many governments. And the ecological impact of our produc- tivity revolution has been catastrophic. Surely it's time to reassess our perception of happiness. With such monumental loom- ing problems on the table, many people understandably have the attitude, what can I possibly do to change the world? Perhaps a better question is, what can I do to change MY world? Happiness Audit e first step to a happier world is a happier you. It might surprise you to know that judging our own happiness is not so easy. Most people assume they are moderately happy, whether it is true or not. "We tell stories about the things we think should make us happy, but sometimes, when we look a bit closer, we're not really that happy at all," says Paul Dolan, a professor at the London School of Economics, a govern- ment policy advisor and one of the world's leading happiness scholars. After years of research, Dolan says people who are truly happy find joy in everyday experiences that give them pleasure and purpose. Once they have identified those things, they organize their days around them. e first step toward this goal is to do a happiness audit to find out what actually makes you happy. So much of our lives is spent on autopilot, it can be difficult to differentiate what is truly making you happy. "It's about tuning in to what you are doing, who you are doing it with and how it makes you feel," Dolan says. "How much worry, stress, anger, joy or content- ment do you experience on a given day?" Some things can be a quick fix, such as taking a walk in the afternoon to break up the workday, or playing podcasts during commute time, or even taking up an old hobby such as playing the piano or paint- ing. Yet even when we identify the sources of our happiness, challenging issues may arise, such as realizing disappointment in a relationship or job. Life-altering changes, such as divorce or career change, are diffi- cult to manage, but with patience, planning and honesty, new relationships and jobs can have a profound impact on the quality of your life. Transitional periods can be rough, but better to have a difficult season than an unfulfilling life. While taking this happiness audit, it would be prudent to take a financial audit as well, to assess how much the "stuff " in your life is enhancing your well-being or saddling you with debt and stress. Maybe that big house in the suburbs isn't worth the long commute and huge mortgage. Perhaps the little bungalow in town close to work and entertainment will make you happier. Some people might opt for a less expensive or older car and use the extra money to take a special vacation every year. By looking at your finances with an eye toward happi- ness, rather than through the green-colored glasses of consumerism, you may find that shifting some of your lifestyle priorities can buy you a lot more happiness. Once you establish the activities that make you happy, schedule them into your daily life. Make the process of doing them as simple as possible. "ere's this belief that anything worth having has to be effortful, but really the opposite it true. Just make happiness as easy as possible," says Dolan. If you enjoy an afternoon walk, schedule it on your work calendar. If you enjoy paint- ing, set aside an area in your home where your paints and brushes can permanently reside. With proper structure and design, we can quickly make a habit of things that make us happy. Focus on Today Another helpful tip for acquiring more happiness is to focus on today. Long-term goals are important, but too often people sacrifice the moment for someday in the distant future. None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow, so don't expend too much of your energy on far-reaching goals. Strive to make today great. Creating Sustainable Happiness

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