Are you Happy? What makes you happy?

"Are you happy? What makes you happy?"

An interviewer asked me these last year between more standard fit and technical questions. I was (and still am) pretty damn young, and I'm a bit embarrassed to admit I had never really thought about happiness before. It came as a surprise given the context, which might have been the reason these two questions continue to reverberate for me.

Nothing's tying you down. You're completely free. Are you living as joyfully as possible?

 

I am not happy at all,I am now suffering the consequences of not studying properly in high school and it sucks really bad,now i'm studying really hard in college in Romania but it's irrelevant mostly because there are no internships, jobs, not to mention that a lot of classes are irrelevant(You don't get to choose your classes here). I am contemplating on starting all over again in the US, but wondering if I will actually be able to land in a good school through Community College and after that a job.

Other then that,I live a decent life compared to many people in this world.

 
Name Of Profit:

I am not happy at all,I am now suffering the consequences of not studying properly in high school and it sucks really bad,now i'm studying really hard in college in Romania but it's irrelevant mostly because there are no internships, jobs, not to mention that a lot of classes are irrelevant(You don't get to choose your classes here).
I am contemplating on starting all over again in the US, but wondering if I will actually be able to land in a good school through Community College and after that a job.

Other then that,I live a decent life compared to many people in this world.

My cousin is in Serbia and it's a total shitter of there. He's going to study medicine because that's just about the only reasonable thing to do there. Still doctors in Serbia make like 500-1000 USD monthly. Feel for you bro - you will probably not be able to fulfill your ambitions. If you can speak Hungarian you should just run to Budapest and work your balls off. Good luck.

 

what makes me happy? hanging with my friends, golfing, and playing/watching hockey, all of which I am fortunate enough to do very often. there is nothing an hour out on the ice with your friends cant fix, judging from my experiences.

"My name's Ralph Cox, and I'm from where ever's not gonna get me hit"
 
HFer_wannabe:

When I'm face deep in a pair of big ole fun bags and then just for a brief second, I can't breathe. Nirvana, baby.

I thought you were referring to blow until I saw the "pair of".

Work place: most happy when I get to meaningfully contribute. Always feels good to be in the loop and having a strong influence on performance.

Outside: Hard to beat time with family.

 

Funny how that works.. Yet, people who strive to be unhappy, knowingly or otherwise, usually succeed quite well. Maybe its easier to know what makes us unhappy, then being easier to achieve and more often observed. So, if being unhappy is so often identifiable, should we simply strive to not be unhappy? Then this lack of unhappiness would, by default, render a person feeling what is most commonly described as happiness. Is the key to happiness simply a lack of unhappiness, not dissimilar, but somewhat inversely, to the absence of heat resulting in cold?

Wait, what the fuck were we talking about?

 

Interesting. I ascribe to the opposite.

Being satisfied means becoming complacent, justifying what you have, therefore not being sufficiently hungry for more. Complacency is the enemy of ambition, the enemy of diligence. You can be happy but completely unsatisfied. n fact I'm only happy when I'm working towards a really ambitious goal, which often means I'm unsatisfied with my current reality and working really hard to change it.

 
FinanceBrah:

Two time cancer survivor, wasn't happy until I realized I'm one lucky monkey. That took a while to accept. Maybe unlucky too... good thing because it keeps me on point.

One of the ladies that has worked with me for 5 years just turned 50. Three years ago she lost her daughter at age 23 to breast cancer. Her daughter was a single mother, so now my co-worker is both grandmother and mother to a 6 year old girl. We have to somehow discover our happiness in our current circumstances, cause we don't know how long that will be, and who will be around to share that with us. Congrats on beating cancer! If you are ever willing to share more, I'm sure more of us monkeys would appreciate that story (if you haven't already shared it).

And with "Pharrell"... hearing my 4 year old dance around the house singing "Happy" sure does put a smile on my face. Having kids can definitely make you see the good things in life.

"Decide what to be and go be it." - The Avett Brothers
 

Don't live other people's dream, have your own. If you want to try banking, identify what exactly suits you through networking and learning more. If you're not sure about the job in banking, don't agonise about it. Target school students are the most lost souls fooled by banking marketing campaing on their campuses. Use this marketing as a chance to learn instead of being fooled. Stay cool, choose what you'd like to do, go for it because it's your own choice and not someone else thinks it's good. At the same time, have a look at FMCG sector companies. They have commerce departments doing all the strategy and finance work which is actually very informative and creative, gives lot's of knowledge about companie's operations and management structure. Don't become desperate about banking. If you're feeling smth negative and doing it under the pressure, take a break and rethink. I did apply for my internship under the pressure and because everyone did. I didn't regret as I was lucky to get exactly what I liked, research. Some of my peers though got sales/trading and hated it. Others got IB and hated it, left to stock exchanges etc. Others instead love their positions as I did. There's also some a category of people who enjoys the experience because of its prestige and learn loving the "hell" work eventually. I'm not sure how long it lasts though.
Try to understand yourself, therefore. Do you want prestige more than anything else? (meaning you're led by others' opinion too much). Do you really like some particular activities within banking and would love to do it? Do you take it as a strategic step for better oppotunities/exist in the future and would do it even if you don't like it much? Don't be desperate and fooled, though.

 

If you need a job to justify your self-respect, it only shows you have none. I'm not from a target school but I went into a boutique IB because it gets me the skills I want without sacrificing work-life balance...because I don't think ANYONE loves working 20 hours a day everyday + OT on weekends. People do it for the money or they do it for skills. I could do it physically, but I would also probably be hospitalized in a month. In the end, do what makes you happy, or there really is no point.

 

Great advice here esp from Determinista. I've seen so many people heard into banking/consulting because its a 'thing' at a target school and you get looked down upon if you don't make the cut. As soon as you graduate things change and so long as you are doing what YOU wanted to do nothing else matters. To answer your question - no - money/prestige etc do not make up for a job you are miserable in.

 

When I finished university and started my career, I was working as in Australian Big Law as a tax lawyer, thinking I would become a tax guru imparting tax wisdom. Then I got into M&A advisory and thought I'd be an M&A lifer. I stumbled into IB after being seconded to an IB in Asia and discovered the joys of buy-side. I did 9 years there, became disillusioned (largely because the IB wanted me to originate more and I sucked at origination), so I shifted to credit analysis in the US.

So, I stumbled into a financial career through a lot of luck. Zero peer pressure to make the move, either from my education background or from my peer group (most of my friends are happy in financially less rewarding careers).

At all stages, I've enjoyed the work a lot and have usually been happy. When I have been unhappy, it's usually because I can identify what I am supposed to be doing but can't tick all those boxes (eg failing to originate).

Some reasons why I enjoy it: - Constantly learning about different businesses, business models, how people have/currently act under the influence of various incentives - I'm a deal structuring geek and I enjoy structuring and negotiating deals

The money is good, but I'd still do the job for less money eg I took a ~27% cut in post-tax pay when I moved from Asia to US.

One difference in experience vs the typical monkey story is that I came into finance a lateral, so skip the early career finance grind. However, I did do early career legal grind and have done plenty of mid career finance grind.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 

.

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 

Be realistic. Working at google/fb/etc. would be way more fun then working in IB. However, people who apply for IB positions typically don't have the skills necessary to "succeed" at those types of firms (backoffice). I think it is important to note that within IB you're going to be a revenue generator and the happiness associated with that.

At the end of the day, many people aren't happy doing what they're doing. Where would you rather be unhappy?

 
johnsmithv001:

Be realistic. Working at google/fb/etc. would be way more fun then working in IB. However, people who apply for IB positions typically don't have the skills necessary to "succeed" at those types of firms (backoffice). I think it is important to note that within IB you're going to be a revenue generator and the happiness associated with that.

At the end of the day, many people aren't happy doing what they're doing. Where would you rather be unhappy?

Amen.

 

I follow the idea of Augustine, that there is momentary happiness and joy, momentary pain and suffering, but inevitably the human experience is one of restlessness and tidal shifts. However, it is this restlessness that keeps us striving for more.

 
The Investment Skier:
I follow the idea of Augustine, that there is momentary happiness and joy, momentary pain and suffering, but inevitably the human experience is one of restlessness and tidal shifts. However, it is this restlessness that keeps us striving for more.

Not quite.

Augustine said "Our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee."

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

I've read somewhere that your happiness depends on three things: your circumstances (what you life looks like now, what sort of people do you surround yourself with, can you pay the bills, afford to have fun...), the way you were brought up (what you are used to having, how were you thought to think...), and you genetic predispositions (how your brain works). And this makes sense, at least for me. I would say you need at least two of those to fell happy about your life. Also I think amount of happiness one feels can have a lot to do with expectations, and that brings back everything that was mentioned above about wanting more and more. I guess it is good to aspire for more, but you have to put your wishes under control. How? If you figure it out, let me know... My advice, surround yourself with some crazy ass people (in the most positive way), those people spread some really good vibes.

"All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy." - Spike Milligan
 

Not happy. Happy when I play sports or hang out with close friends, those that I am completely comfortable with, don't have to fill awkward silences or anything, and same type of humor where we laugh almost 24/7. Never felt that in a relationship. Hoes are no substitute for bros.

Don't waste your life only thinking about money and prestige
 

Saw a thread on here once (NYC poor door?) with a simple, awesome definition of happiness.

Happiness = reality - expectations.

That will stick with me.

I am (momentarily) happiest (having the most fun) when with friends etc, but I am (overall) happiest (satisfied?) when I'm working towards my goals (whatever they may be, and I have many across all areas). I only set goals that will make me happy and I work towards them (almost) all the time - ergo, I'm pretty dam happy.

That being said, I'm not a computer of a person who is only happy when I'm getting good grades and the jobs I want etc - my goals include things like improving my golf game, training for a triathlon, saving money to buy a bunch of cool stuff, etc. As a result, my days are filled with stuff I enjoy even when I'm "working" and they're even more fun when I'm relaxing.

I also strongly believe the best quality someone can have/the most important thing is gratitude, and I am extremely grateful for my station in life, my girlfriend, family and friends etc. I think approaching everyday life with gratitude will infinitely improve a life. Back to the intro point - my reality is in line with my (current) expectations, and so I am happy. If I were to stop working towards my goals my reality would change, and I would no longer be happy.

 

Happiness is something that can't really be defined. Think about it, some people think happiness is the 2 minute high you get from smoking crack, others think it is relaxing on a beach, watching their kids grow up, plowing a hooker, etc. However satisfaction is pretty universal among humans, generally the feeling of completing something you have been working towards. Because this can be defined easier and can be agreed upon by most it is actually achievable.

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 
heister:
Think about it, some people think happiness is the 2 minute high you get from smoking crack, others think it is relaxing on a beach, watching their kids grow up, plowing a hooker, etc. However....
However, the correct answer here is, "plowing a hooker."
 

Whenever I am in one of my ruts I just remind myself (not in an ignorant way) that I was born as a white male in the US and that I basically hit the life lottery. Another thing I do is always think to myself "it could be worse" and take a step back and realize how meaningless whatever I am upset about really is. I guess this ties in with notthehospitalER's equation of happiness = reality - expectations. I consider myself a very happy person, mainly in part because I have small expectations. That's not to that I settle for mediocrity, but more so that I believe no one owes me a damn thing and that I need to work hard for everything.

 
SGsprinks:

Whenever I am in one of my ruts I just remind myself (not in an ignorant way) that I was born as a white male in the US and that I basically hit the life lottery. Another thing I do is always think to myself "it could be worse" and take a step back and realize how meaningless whatever I am upset about really is. I guess this ties in with notthehospitalER's equation of happiness = reality - expectations. I consider myself a very happy person, mainly in part because I have small expectations. That's not to that I settle for mediocrity, but more so that I believe no one owes me a damn thing and that I need to work hard for everything.

Agreed. Anyone who is born in America won the life lottery. White males in America (myself included) have simply won it twice.

"Decide what to be and go be it." - The Avett Brothers
 

Happiness is in the present. Very few grasp that. Wealth and prestige do not bring happiness. A good friend of mine owns a massive home, 15 exotic cars, and is one miserable person and dislikes his life and all it entails.

I am happy with my choices, decisions, and the peace I have within all that. It took time for me to understand that reaching financial goals was not happiness, just an inner peace and free of worry.

Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.
 

I'm happy with my life and where they are going.

If I'm ever having a bad day, it gets instantly turned around the moment I walk in the door and my two puppies are jumping on me with the most excitement ever. That is the best moment of their day and it can completely turn around my attitude.

Things that also make me very happy... being out on the hockey rink, doesn't matter if we win or lose, I just love it. And then throwing back some beers with the team in the locker room. Same thing with the soccer field. just minus the beers and locker room.

And back in Michigan if I was ever down or having a rough day, I'd just hop on my motorcycle and go. Time completely by yourself with no distractions and no noise except for BRRAAAAAAAPPPPPPPP. I can't wait to get back on two wheels.

I guess I should probably throw in something about my fiance and blah blah blah but that's just obvious. ;)

make it hard to spot the general by working like a soldier
 

I think of happiness as a spectrum, ranging from depression to euphoria with some sort of blasé satisfaction in-between. Every moment of life you are along this spectrum, and, when no event (temporary to permanent) sways you in one direction or the other, you remain at a resting point.

One's resting point is a derivative of nature and nurture. Some people are born with a positive disposition, others more negative. Along one's life, events happen which are either temporary (playing golf or staining a favorite shirt) or semi-permanent. Semi-permanent effects resting point and these events vary for everyone; some will remain happier when they have $1 MM in the bank, others when they find a loved one, etc.

Nature, some may argue subconscious nurture, gets in the way though. Having a mentality to 'get it all' will make one unhappy if they only get 98% (the reality-expectations argument). Though thinking about it I suppose that's just personality, which in effect is developed throughout life i.e. nurture.

I don't know where I'm going with this anymore. To answer your question I've given it some thought and I'm an unhappy person (though you'd never know it) but working very hard to find those events to shift my resting point. If anyone has anything to add, by all means.

 

Humans are a generally unhappy lot, although I can't really compare it to other sentient beings because I'm still searching for a Vulcan. Sure, activities (golf, sports, base jumping, fucking, whatever), family and kids, money and success, or whatever can bring joy but it all seems temporary. Humanity has filled the void since the beginning of time with religion, alcohol, sex, meditation and probably a whole list of things I can't think of off the top of my head but they're all just an antiseptic to the realization, conscious or not, that existence isn't easy and basically sucks. And we live in the time where existence is the easiest it's ever been. At least saber tooth tigers don't chase us around the bush and the flu most likely won't kill you.

The only people I know that seem genuinely happy, content and satisfied with their lives most or all the time, and not because they came off of an adrenaline high or just shot their load, tend to be pretty fucking dumb people. I had a friend growing up, great guy but he probably had an IQ just above the idiot level, who was constantly happy. I asked him one time how he did it (other than the obvious) and he said when he started getting down he imagined that a parade had just come around the corner composed entirely of midget and clowns. That's how you stay happy all the time: you're an 80 IQ retard and think of height challenged circus freaks.

That's not to say smart people can't be happy but the more intelligent you are the more you are not just going to sit around and be happy and content with the status quo, whatever that status is. You end up contemplating life too often and coming to the conclusion that long term and/or permanent happiness and satisfaction aren't possible. So you end up picking your poison(s) and bury your head into religion in a Nietzschien way of accepting the shittiness that is this life for your eternal bliss of sitting next to St. Peter or boning 72 virgins, hitting the bottle, stoking your adrenaline as often as possible or just shutting your brain off and watching reality TV, in which case you might as well just off yourself. Maybe I'm just a cynical 40 year old though.

That said, my happy day would be playing with my kids and wife, taking a long ride on winding country roads on my 106 ci cruiser, eating a big steak dinner, followed by a great glass of single malt with a hot 25 year old thing fellating me (maybe I'd let my wife do it though). I don't do the religion or tv thing.

 
Dingdong08:

Humans are a generally unhappy lot, although I can't really compare it to other sentient beings because I'm still searching for a Vulcan. Sure, activities (golf, sports, base jumping, fucking, whatever), family and kids, money and success, or whatever can bring joy but it all seems temporary. Humanity has filled the void since the beginning of time with religion, alcohol, sex, meditation and probably a whole list of things I can't think of off the top of my head but they're all just an antiseptic to the realization, conscious or not, that existence isn't easy and basically sucks. And we live in the time where existence is the easiest it's ever been. At least saber tooth tigers don't chase us around the bush and the flu most likely won't kill you.

The only people I know that seem genuinely happy, content and satisfied with their lives most or all the time, and not because they came off of an adrenaline high or just shot their load, tend to be pretty fucking dumb people. I had a friend growing up, great guy but he probably had an IQ just above the idiot level, who was constantly happy. I asked him one time how he did it (other than the obvious) and he said when he started getting down he imagined that a parade had just come around the corner composed entirely of midget and clowns. That's how you stay happy all the time: you're an 80 IQ retard and think of height challenged circus freaks.

That's not to say smart people can't be happy but the more intelligent you are the more you are not just going to sit around and be happy and content with the status quo, whatever that status is. You end up contemplating life too often and coming to the conclusion that long term and/or permanent happiness and satisfaction aren't possible. So you end up picking your poison(s) and bury your head into religion in a Nietzschien way of accepting the shittiness that is this life for your eternal bliss of sitting next to St. Peter or boning 72 virgins, hitting the bottle, stoking your adrenaline as often as possible or just shutting your brain off and watching reality TV, in which case you might as well just off yourself. Maybe I'm just a cynical 40 year old though.

That said, my happy day would be playing with my kids and wife, taking a long ride on winding country roads on my 106 ci cruiser, eating a big steak dinner, followed by a great glass of single malt with a hot 25 year old thing fellating me (maybe I'd let my wife do it though). I don't do the religion or tv thing.

Two things about this post struck me.
  1. A midget clown parade sounds really fucking awesome, to be honest.
  2. I can't even tell you what i'd give to have sex with a 25 year old again.
 
DickFuld:
Dingdong08:

Humans are a generally unhappy lot, although I can't really compare it to other sentient beings because I'm still searching for a Vulcan. Sure, activities (golf, sports, base jumping, fucking, whatever), family and kids, money and success, or whatever can bring joy but it all seems temporary. Humanity has filled the void since the beginning of time with religion, alcohol, sex, meditation and probably a whole list of things I can't think of off the top of my head but they're all just an antiseptic to the realization, conscious or not, that existence isn't easy and basically sucks. And we live in the time where existence is the easiest it's ever been. At least saber tooth tigers don't chase us around the bush and the flu most likely won't kill you.

The only people I know that seem genuinely happy, content and satisfied with their lives most or all the time, and not because they came off of an adrenaline high or just shot their load, tend to be pretty fucking dumb people. I had a friend growing up, great guy but he probably had an IQ just above the idiot level, who was constantly happy. I asked him one time how he did it (other than the obvious) and he said when he started getting down he imagined that a parade had just come around the corner composed entirely of midget and clowns. That's how you stay happy all the time: you're an 80 IQ retard and think of height challenged circus freaks.

That's not to say smart people can't be happy but the more intelligent you are the more you are not just going to sit around and be happy and content with the status quo, whatever that status is. You end up contemplating life too often and coming to the conclusion that long term and/or permanent happiness and satisfaction aren't possible. So you end up picking your poison(s) and bury your head into religion in a Nietzschien way of accepting the shittiness that is this life for your eternal bliss of sitting next to St. Peter or boning 72 virgins, hitting the bottle, stoking your adrenaline as often as possible or just shutting your brain off and watching reality TV, in which case you might as well just off yourself. Maybe I'm just a cynical 40 year old though.

That said, my happy day would be playing with my kids and wife, taking a long ride on winding country roads on my 106 ci cruiser, eating a big steak dinner, followed by a great glass of single malt with a hot 25 year old thing fellating me (maybe I'd let my wife do it though). I don't do the religion or tv thing.

Two things about this post struck me.

1. A midget clown parade sounds really fucking awesome, to be honest.
2. I can't even tell you what i'd give to have sex with a 25 year old again.

...shit. Posts like this make me sad. I just turned 22 and 25 still seems old to me, hell, 22 seems old to me when I see the new crop of freshman girls on campus.

 

I'm glad to say that I am, at least for this year. I achieved all of my goals this year: Passed CFA L1, earned an undergraduate degree, and got an offer in ER. But that's only happiness by achievement.

Personally, I'm happy that I am right now living in harmony with my family, my girlfriend, and my friends. My new colleagues are also nice and friendly.

You know what would make this year perfect? If I'm able to save some money to pay for a vacation aboard in another 4 months.

Hope you all live a happy life, now and forever!

Fortes fortuna adiuvat.
 

Happiness is a state of being. If you measure happiness with your achievements then you will only be crushed by your mistakes or failures, we are all human. I think this question is trying to ask where you are at in life, whether you know yourself as a person (though you can never KNOW 100%) and most importantly what your values are in life. Happiness can be very simple, I am happy I can breathe, am alive and have taken advantage of every opportunity thrown my way to always make the most of my life and make meaningful contribution

 

First time poster here. It is hard to find happiness. It is easy to live relatively comfortable, just lower your expectations, standards and eat your ego. But that is not happiness. The movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" shows this very well. Happiness is about working hard on your goals and getting there, it is to sacrifice instant gratifications for a greater good. But ultimatively, everyone has to define for him or herself what is happiness. For me it is to become and act like the person I want to become. It is not about my materialistic belongings but what my inner qualities are. It is about trusting myself when I say "I can do it!". With an intense personality where I would do anything what I set to mind (and not drift to comfort) I would have no doubt that I would become relatively wealthy in relatively short time. Everyone would given the right personality. But it is not about getting wealthy, it is about winning in life in general. The mixture of many things like relationships, health, wealth, being of value for the society and having a vision under many things are what makes a healthy lifestyle and adds to the long term happiness. But everyone has to balance these things for him/herself and find the "sweet spot", the so called "pareto optimum" which is maybe impossible to find and it might always shift. But the nearer we get, the happier we are. In the book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" Stephen Covey recommends to evaluate life from time to time. Just to think about where you are, where you want to go and are you still on the right direction? I am doing this for years and also can recommend it. It is not until you are 100% convinced that you are headed in the right direction that you will work with 100% efficiency.

 
CyberneticAlpha:

First time poster here. It is hard to find happiness. It is easy to live relatively comfortable, just lower your expectations, standards and eat your ego. But that is not happiness. The movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" shows this very well. Happiness is about working hard on your goals and getting there, it is to sacrifice instant gratifications for a greater good. But ultimatively, everyone has to define for him or herself what is happiness. For me it is to become and act like the person I want to become. It is not about my materialistic belongings but what my inner qualities are. It is about trusting myself when I say "I can do it!". With an intense personality where I would do anything what I set to mind (and not drift to comfort) I would have no doubt that I would become relatively wealthy in relatively short time. Everyone would given the right personality. But it is not about getting wealthy, it is about winning in life in general. The mixture of many things like relationships, health, wealth, being of value for the society and having a vision under many things are what makes a healthy lifestyle and adds to the long term happiness. But everyone has to balance these things for him/herself and find the "sweet spot", the so called "pareto optimum" which is maybe impossible to find and it might always shift. But the nearer we get, the happier we are. In the book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" Stephen Covey recommends to evaluate life from time to time. Just to think about where you are, where you want to go and are you still on the right direction? I am doing this for years and also can recommend it. It is not until you are 100% convinced that you are headed in the right direction that you will work with 100% efficiency.

This, to me, is by far the worst post in this thread and the exact thinking that leads so many type A high achievers to be unhappy.
 
AllDay_028:
CyberneticAlpha:

First time poster here. It is hard to find happiness. It is easy to live relatively comfortable, just lower your expectations, standards and eat your ego. But that is not happiness. The movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" shows this very well. Happiness is about working hard on your goals and getting there, it is to sacrifice instant gratifications for a greater good. But ultimatively, everyone has to define for him or herself what is happiness. For me it is to become and act like the person I want to become. It is not about my materialistic belongings but what my inner qualities are. It is about trusting myself when I say "I can do it!". With an intense personality where I would do anything what I set to mind (and not drift to comfort) I would have no doubt that I would become relatively wealthy in relatively short time. Everyone would given the right personality. But it is not about getting wealthy, it is about winning in life in general. The mixture of many things like relationships, health, wealth, being of value for the society and having a vision under many things are what makes a healthy lifestyle and adds to the long term happiness. But everyone has to balance these things for him/herself and find the "sweet spot", the so called "pareto optimum" which is maybe impossible to find and it might always shift. But the nearer we get, the happier we are. In the book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" Stephen Covey recommends to evaluate life from time to time. Just to think about where you are, where you want to go and are you still on the right direction? I am doing this for years and also can recommend it. It is not until you are 100% convinced that you are headed in the right direction that you will work with 100% efficiency.

This, to me, is by far the worst post in this thread and the exact thinking that leads so many type A high achievers to be unhappy.

100% agree.
 

I read your post and I don't really know where we disagree. However I have to say that the moment I sit back and appreciate what I have I get lazy, because then I have no incentive to strive for more. So this appreciation thing is a two-edged sword. It's like withdrawing you happiness deposit, and I would use the withdrawing option only on "rainy days" (when I experience some hardship). I realize the fact that I'm alive, healthy, have a fairly good amount of friends and opportunities. Life is good.

 

I've got it pretty damn good. Good job I hate some aspects of it and wish I wasn't always plugged in, good income from investments, modest vacation home, awesome primary home, decent time off though I wish I had more (is there ever enough time off?), great food, hot younger wife that cooks, cleans, does everything and is good to go 24/7, tight knit big family (her side). I can't sing for shit and wish I had a more active lifestyle with respect to cycling, climbing, skiing etc. I'm lucky if I get to go skiing twice a year. But you can't have it all.

My only advice is to go for foreign women, work your ass off and to only compare yourself to your past self. No good can come from comparing yourself to others. If you want something in this life you have to go get it, fortunately for you, you were born in a country where that is possible.

 

Going Concern's Brady4MVP quote.

[quote=Matrick][in reply to Tony Snark"]Why aren't you blogging for WSO and become the date doctor for WSO? There seems to be demand. [/quote] [quote=BatMasterson][in reply to Tony Snark's dating tip] Sensible advice.[/quote]
 

Architecto voluptate qui ut facilis hic eum sapiente. In ut nulla nemo distinctio alias. Harum magnam facilis est porro quos quis. Aut ea itaque fugiat quis commodi molestiae. Cupiditate ut laborum ut.

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Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

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Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

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Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

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