Writer, Professor & Happiness Expert
“What do you want out of life?”
At ten years old, this was the question I started asking adults.
When most simply spouted, “to be happy,” I knew I was onto something.
But when I peppered them with follow-up questions, no one could provide concrete answers on how to “be happy” long-term.
How can everyone want the same thing, but not know how to get there? I thought. Like most know-it-all kids, I was sure I could solve the mystery.
From then on, anytime the word “happy” came out of someone’s mouth, I listened. Adults and kids alike often said, “I’ll be happy when…”
“We pay off the house.”
“We go on vacation.”
“I get my birthday presents.”
But when that thing happened, they didn’t seem any happier, not for long at least. That’s when I started to identify, “happiness traps.”
A decade later…
I was still asking those same questions, jotting down “traps,” and recording observations.
What I noticed: Most people had identical goals and a fixed trajectory (making money, getting married, and having kids). Only a few truly questioned what they wanted and how they defined a “successful life.”
Have you stopped to question what you really want? How you define a “successful life”?
If you haven’t, you’re not alone. Most don’t question it until it’s too late.
The #1 Death Bed Regret:
“I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”
What if I told you: What
you’ve been taught to pursue (marriage, kids, money, etc.) doesn’t necessarily make you any happier?
And there’s research to back it up.
Does that mean you shouldn't pursue those things if you want them? Of course not. But why not define what a “successful life” means to you, and go from there. (It’ll help you avoid the biggest regret people have before they die).
Take the quiz to find out your definition of a “successful life.”
Here’s my definition of a “successful life”
EXPERIENCE-BASED
I invest in experiences over things. Right before the pandemic, I surprised my mom with her dream trip to Spain; spent six weeks in Tel-Aviv chronicling first dates; and flew to Paris to photograph gluten-free pastries.
INDIVIDUALITY
As an Enneagram Type Four (Individualist), I promote free-thinking, and believe there isn’t one way to do anything. Trailblazing is my way of life. Frida Kahlo, Rumi, Angelina Jolie, and Alanis Morisette are also Type Fours.
PASSION-FOCUSED
Following my passions is the most important thing to me. I allow my interests to evolve with the different phases of life—what I was passionate about in my 20’s is not exactly what I’m passionate about in my 30’s, and that’s ok—we’re meant to evolve.
Get in touch.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Take a minute to write an introduction that is short, sweet, and to the point.
Writer, Professor & Happiness Expert
A decade later…
I was still asking those same questions, jotting down “traps,” and recording observations.
What I noticed: Most people had identical goals and a fixed trajectory (making money, getting married, and having kids). Only a few truly questioned what they wanted and how they defined a “successful life.”
Have you stopped to question what you really want. How you define a “successful life”?
If you haven’t, you’re not alone. Most don’t question it until it’s too late.
What if I told you that w
hat you’ve been taught will make you “happy”(marriage, kids, money, etc.) actually doesn’t? And there’s research to back it up.
Does that mean you shouldn't pursue those things if you want them? Of course not. But why not define what a “successful life” means to you, and go from there. It’ll help you avoid the biggest regret people have before they die.
Take the quiz to get your definition of a “successful life.”
Writer, Professor & Happiness Expert
Today, as a happiness expert…
I teach a college course (that I developed) on happiness at American University.
I lead workshops on what I call “the happiness equation.”
I write on the topic here and here.
My goal: To help people get closer to their version of a “successful life” and avoid those infamous death bed regrets.