Habitual Outcome

“Life is easier when you know what you want—but most people don’t take the time to figure out what they want. It’s not that we are completely lost, but our efforts are often slightly misdirected. People will work for years and ultimately achieve a lifestyle that isn’t quite what they were hoping for—often, simply, because they never clearly defined what they wanted. An hour of thinking can save you a decade of work.” -James Clear

“Most studies find somewhere between 44% and 52% of our happiness is genetic. Let’s just say half. Half of our happiness is related to what we get from our parents. And that leaves the other half that’s in the other two big categories of what brings happiness. One is circumstances and the others habits. Now, I don’t want that to be true. As an American, I want all of my happiness to be under my control, basically and completely having to do with my habits. But I have to recognize the truth. So 50% is genetic. About another quarter is circumstantial, so the good and bad things that are happening in my life. The thing to keep in mind about that is that it’s a quarter, it’s a lot, but it doesn’t last, and so good things don’t last for your happiness, and bad things don’t last for your unhappiness. The part that endures, that we can truly manipulate, that we can truly affect is our habits, which is about a quarter of our happiness. And that’s based entirely on how we live our lives. And that can be extremely enduring. And that’s what we should therefore be focusing our energies on.” -Arthur Brooks

“Don’t explain your philosophy, embody it.” -Epictetus

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” -Albert Einstein

If you’re wondering why you aren’t where you want to be or why you aren’t happy, look closer at two areas of your life. Perhaps the only two areas that are within your control:

(1) Your definition of success. Do you have one? Is it clear, specific, actionable and measurable? Is it aligned with your values? Do you know what you want and why you want it? Are you attached to an old definition that isn’t serving you any longer?

(2) Your habits.