We overestimate the impact of external factors on life happiness
Summary
- 40% of happiness level is based on activities within in our control
- 10% is based on factors you have no control over
- 50% due to genetics
Details
- We tend to think circumstances has a lot more impact than it actually does.
- We have huge control over our happiness in terms of the remaining 40%
References
Quotes
Originally, Lyubomirsky found that about 50 percent of the difference in happiness level between any two people is due to genetics; we all have a biological set point. She estimated that about 10 percent of the difference is due to our circumstances—external factors like age, how much money we make, where we live, and whether we’re single or in a relationship—and that up to 40 percent of that difference is based on activities within our control. Since her original study, other scholars have published work suggesting that these numbers might be slightly different. However, the fact that we tend to overestimate the impact of external factors on our life satisfaction and that intentional actions on our part can increase our level of happiness is not disputed.