Choosing Joy Over Chasing Happiness

Daily Boost Podcast Show Notes

Happiness: What Makes JOY Last Longer Than Happiness?

October 8, 2025 | Episode 5198

Host: Scott Smith

Episode Description

Scott gave up chasing happiness years ago.

Plot twist: He's happier for it. After almost 20 years and over 5,000 episodes, he's learned that joy sticks around longer than happiness ever did. It's less fleeting, more reliable, and way more real.

In this episode, Scott shares five ideas that have been posted on his office wall for years. He doesn't even remember when he put them there. But they're still relevant because they work. These aren't fluffy positive vibes—this is the honest truth about what actually makes life feel good when you're stuck, frustrated, or wondering why success isn't bringing the satisfaction you expected.

Featured Story

Picture this: Scott's looking at his office wall during a recording session.

There are five handwritten reminders staring back at him. They've been there for years. He has no idea when he posted them, which tells you something—these aren't trendy mantras. They're the real deal.

As he's about to hit 20 years of daily podcasting, he realizes these five ideas are exactly why he's still showing up. They're also why his clients in their 40s and 50s—successful people who should be happy but aren't quite there—finally start feeling something shift. It's not about motivation. It's about getting brutally honest with yourself about what you're doing with your time and who you're doing it for.

Important Points

Gratitude isn't just nice—it's the foundation for getting more of what you want. If you can't appreciate what you have, why would you get anything else?

Your actions tell the truth your words won't. Look at what you actually do every day, not what you say you'll do or wish you were doing.

Serving others strategically changes your life faster than chasing your own happiness. When you make someone else feel great today, everything shifts for you too.

Memorable Quotes

"You change when you wear yourself out. And the truth is, if you are stuck and you can't figure stuff out, there's some things you have to do and you have to figure it out, but there's a big stack. I'm going to guess 50, 60% of what you think you need to do that doesn't need to be done at all."

"Remember, the person you are today is not who you will be tomorrow. In fact, the decision you make today may scare you to death. But as you start moving forward tomorrow and the next week and the next month and the next year, you'll become that person who is fully capable of transforming into whatever you want to do."

"This is not the toxic positivity. Come on guys. You can do it. Be happy. Let's go. Rah, rah, rah. Love that stuff. But man, if that's not working for you, we got to get real, don't we?"

Scott's Three-Step Approach

Pause today and write down three things you're grateful for—even if life feels hard right now. Don't tell anyone you're doing it. Just do it and watch what compounds over time.

Review everyone you'll interact with today and decide in advance how you want to make them feel. Serve first. Tell someone you're proud of them and watch what happens.

Pull out your calendar and block time for yourself—not for tasks, but for your dreams. Own your time or everyone else will own it for you.

Connect With Me

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Possible Titles (Ranked by Effectiveness)

podcast, Scott, mindfulness, motivation, inspiration, happiness, personal development, mental health, joy, self-improvement, positivity, life lessons, personal growth, resilience, life advice, emotional well-being, happiness vs joy, authentic living, meaningful life, happiness tips

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