Misconceptions About Happiness

Many people put a ton of effort into being happy, yet so few seem to achieve happiness. The misconception is that people think they need to try harder to be happy, but in reality, they are already putting in tremendous energy into things they believe will make them happy. The issue lies in the fact that our minds mislead us about what truly makes us happy. We have strong intuitions that certain accomplishments or possessions will lead to lasting happiness, but studies show that while they may provide a temporary boost, the happiness does not last. This misconception leads to what researchers call the 'arrival fallacy' or the belief that we will be happy when certain things happen. However, when those things do occur, they do not bring the expected happiness. Therefore, instead of trying harder, what is needed is to identify the right factors that genuinely contribute to lasting happiness.