“What is the key to happiness?”

We tend to hear this question often and throughout our lives we search for the answer indefinitely. That is the purpose of life isn’t it…to be happy? Some people even claim that they’ve figured it out and have done us the indecent honor of writing a book on the matter. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just pick up some happiness in the self-help section at Barnes and Noble for $15 ($18.95 Canadian)? Why does there have to be a key; as if happiness is something that is locked away in the distance and it is our duty to find it. If happiness was indeed hidden behind a closed door, anyone who knew how to pick a lock would easily be able to find it. You can’t cheat your way to happiness; it doesn’t require a key because it is not locked away by any traditional means.

Many people set happiness as their goal in life but ‘to be happy’ is not a reasonable goal. Happiness is the result of achieving one’s goals. It’s not something material that can be purchased or a treasure to be found. Happiness is purely the result of achieving your goals; big & small, long-term & short-term. So the “key” to being happy is setting goals. Your list of goals should never end because every time you achieve a goal, you become happier in nature. A never ending list of goals leads to never ending happiness, as long as you don’t get lazy and give up. If you give up on something, you never deserved it in the first place.

Have you ever achieved a goal and not been happy about it? People suffer from depression and being unhappy because their lives become monotonous, tedious, and lackluster. You should never cease to move forward. If you ever find yourself in a state of unhappiness just set a few new goals. A constant need for progression is programmed within us; it is when our lives become stagnant that we suffer from discontent. Even something as small as completing a to-do list can help crack a smile. If you’re bored, inactive, or find yourself seeking excitement, just set a new goal to challenge yourself. Learn how to play guitar, read a new book, lose five pounds, or finish your assignment early and go drink yourself to oblivion with a group of close friends; who said they had to be productive goals? The possibilities are endless.

If there is one thing I learned, it’s that you won’t achieve every goal you set. But you shouldn’t let that deter you from setting new ones because you never know what the turnout might be in the long run. If you put in the work and something doesn’t work out immediately just let it marinade. If it works out then that’s GREAT, if it doesn’t just move on to the next goal on your to-do list. If you’re ever unhappy, just take a look at yourself from an observational standpoint. Many people have it worse and your problems aren’t all that bad. There is no need to overreact and there is always a bright side to every situation. Stop taking good things for granted, complaining about things that are completely irrelevant, and realize that whatever may be bothering you momentarily, won’t worry you next year. Stop searching for happiness and don’t seek it as a goal because sometimes the only thing you need to do to be happy is just shut up and smile.