The Backwards Law: How to Get More by Doing Less
SOLVED with Mark Manson
00:00
Chasing Happiness Erodes It
Internal states like confidence and happiness cannot be measured or optimized in the same way as physical attributes. Attempting to quantify or hack these emotions only complicates them and leads to a counterproductive cycle. The more individuals strive to improve these feelings through measurement, the more elusive they become, akin to a carrot moving away from a donkey. The pursuit of happiness through external validation or optimization triggers feelings of inadequacy, making individuals feel less fulfilled. This insight aligns with principles found in Eastern philosophy, which emphasizes acceptance over measurement in achieving genuine emotional well-being.
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