How does an adult achieve a high level of contentment while living a frenetic and distraction-packed life? The Business Week article linked below looks at results from a survey designed to elicit insights into short-term satisfaction (happiness) and long-term benefit (meaning). Respondents consisted of more than 3,00 well-educated managers, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
As it turns out, there proved to be an incredibly high correlation between people's happiness and meaning at work and at home. In other words, those who experience happiness and meaning at work tend also to experience them outside of work. Those who are miserable on the job are usually miserable at home.
The implication is unmistakable -- happiness and meaning in life appears to have more to do with who you are than where you are. Rather than blaming your job, your managers, and your customers (or your friends, family members, and communities), you might be better served by looking in the mirror.
In addition:
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Reduce TV watching; it doesn't increase overall satisfaction with life
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Cut back on surfing the Web for nonprofessional reasons; it's negatively correlated with the experience of both happiness and meaning.
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Spend time exercising and with people you love
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Feeling challenged is linked to greater satisfaction, so challenge yourself