The pursuit of happiness – for real

One of the primary reasons people come to career counseling is to take the next step in their personal “pursuit of happiness.” From our first days in elementary school, we’ve been told that this is a noble, fundamental American pursuit. (Historians have debated what Thomas Jefferson meant by happiness – many argue that he meant a “public happiness,” the type that one feels when giving to others and to the common good – more on that in this Wikipedia article.)

But what, really, is happiness, and how do we “get” it? That’s one of the places where my job as a career counselor becomes very interesting, and tricky – I certainly can’t craft anyone else’s happiness, and, I would argue, neither can finding that great job.

The field of positive psychology describes six “core virtues” that contribute to happiness for most people in most parts of the world (the words in parentheses are measurable character strengths, which can be learned and practiced):

• Wisdom and Knowledge (creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, love of learning, perspective, innovation)
• Courage: (bravery, persistence, integrity, vitality, zest)
• Love and Humanity (love, kindness, social intelligence)
• Justice (citizenship, fairness, leadership)
• Temperance (forgiveness and mercy, humility, prudence, self control)
• Spirituality and Transcendence (appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humor, spirituality)

In the mindfulness teachings I’ve learned and share with others, happiness is developed and practiced as an internal state, removed from such external factors as money, job status, and possessions (I would qualify this by agreeing with the research that indicates our basic needs must first be met – food, shelter, some close relationships with family and/or friends). Mindfulness practice, such as meditation and contemplating gratitude, can elevate one’s sense of meaning, put things in perspective, reduce anxiety, and help a person clarify and act upon goals that will lead to increased genuine fulfillment.

In the “The connection between a good job and happiness is overrated” post on her Brazen Careerist blog, Penelope Trunk cites an Economist magazine article defining “The traits of work that makes someone happy”:

1. stretches a person without defeating him
2. provides clear goals
3. provides unambiguous feedback
4. provides a sense of control

She goes on to emphasize that we can cultivate these qualities in our jobs, rather than needing them as fundamentals from the beginning of our employment. I agree that this is possible, provided there’s room for this cultivation (and many workplaces just don’t have it).

So, the question remains – what is happiness for you, and how do you make sure you maximize your happiness? You might find some clues above…and don’t expect that career counseling will lead to happiness in the obvious ways.

In my view, a good job/career match is important, but searching for that elusive “perfect” match can be an exercise in acquisition, which does not lead to genuine happiness. Once you “acquire” that great job, or even that great alternative lifestyle that may be offered by a creative, nontraditional career path, you might find yourself looking for the next thing, wondering why that acquisition did not lead you to daily bliss.

Instead, focusing on the job/career search as it plays into the above happiness indicators, and remembering that it’s not the “be all, end all” of your happiness pursuit, is a much more realistic and satisfying attitude to take. And yes, as a career counselor with training in psychotherapy and mindfulness, I can help you cultivate a lasting, genuine happiness.

I welcome your comments about happiness – what has made you happy in your life? Which pursuits of happiness have really “worked,” and which ones have not lived up to your expectations? Does your job/career make you happy?

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