59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot Read Online Free PDF Page B

recently experienced one of two types of change in their life. The first type, labeled “circumstantial change,” involved relatively important alterations to their overall circumstances, including, for example, moving, getting a raise, or buying a new car. The second type, labeled “intentional change,” involved changes that required effort to pursue a goal or initiate an activity, including, for example, joining a new club, starting a new hobby, or embarking on a different career. Both sets of participants were asked to rate their happiness levels for several weeks. The results consistently showed that although people in both groups experienced an immediate increase in happiness, those who had experienced a circumstantial change quickly reverted back to their initial levels, while those who had made an intentional change remained happier for a much longer period of time. Why?
According to Sheldon and Lyubomirsky, it is the result of a phenomenon known as “hedonistic habituation.” Unsurprisingly, humans derive a great deal of enjoyment from any new form of positive experience. However, give them the same wonderful experience time and again and they quickly become familiar with their new source of joy and so cease to derive anywhere near as much pleasure from it. Unfortunately, circumstantial changes frequently produce hedonistic habituation. Although the initial thrill of a new house, a raise, or a new car is wonderful, the positive feelings caused by the change tend to be the same day after day, and so the initial enjoyment quickly fades away. In contrast, intentional changes tend to avoid hedonistic habituation by creating a constantly changing psychological landscape. Whether it is starting a new hobby, joining an organization, initiating a project, meeting new people, or learning a novel skill, the brain is fed with ever-changing positive experiences that prevent habituation and so prolong happiness.
So, to maximize happiness, choose intentional change over circumstantial change. Make the effort to start a new hobby, begin a major project, or try a sport that you have never tried before. Choose activities that fit your personality, values, and abilities. It might help to think about what you already enjoy doing, identify the core elements that make this activity so pleasurable, and try other activities involving the same elements. If, for example, you enjoy drawing, try taking up water-colors. If you like playing tennis, consider taking up badminton or squash. If you are good at Sudoku, try turning your hand to crossword puzzles. Whatever you decide to pursue, make a real effort to change what you do and when you do it. It may sound like hard work, but research suggests that when it comes to happiness, it is well worth the effort.

persuasion
    Why rewards fail,
how to give the flawless interview,
improve your social life by making mistakes ,
never lose your wallet again, and
convince anyone of anything by using your pet frog

motivation
    The dark side of visualization,
how to achieve absolutely anything
by creating the ideal plan ,
overcoming procrastination,
and employing “doublethink”

 
    THROUGHOUT THE PAST FORTY YEARS , a large number of books, audio products, and training courses have promised to help people look beyond the perils of instant gratification and achieve their long-term goals. From visualization to self-affirmation, from being focused to going with the flow, you pays your money and you takes your choice. There is just one small problem: several scientific studies suggest that many of these exercises don’t work. Take, for example, the type of simple visualization exercise that I described at the start of this book. As you may remember, you were asked to close your eyes and imagine the new you—to think how great you would look in those close-fitting jeans, sitting in a huge office at the top of the corporate ladder, or sipping a cocktail as you feel the warm Caribbean sand between