Do you know what makes you happy? Write a list of all the things that make you happy. How many of them are fun? Most of them? So, if you spend your time doing all these fun things, you'll be really happy, won't you?
Well, maybe not. For most people, fun isn't enough for real happiness. Paul Dolan wrote a book called Happiness by Design.If most of the things on your list are about pleasure, that is what you think makes you happy. But you also need activities with purpose.
It's easy to do well in subjects you like, but subjects you don't like are less motivating. They're not fun for you, but you have to study them so you need to find purpose. An "A" in a subject you hate won't help the world.Each person can study one part until they understand it and then teach it to the rest of the group. The purpose becomes helping the team.
Go back to your list of things that make you happy.Can you add any? Remember, some activities might bring both pleasure and purpose.
Now you need to design a happy life. Paul Dolan believes people should "decide, design, do". First decide what brings you pleasure and/or purpose -that means your two lists.For example, you might love riding a bike but never have time to do it. So, ride to school or the library or the shops. Some parts of our lives are good or bad luck, but we can still design the rest to make more happiness.
A. But can you be part of a study team with friends?
B. How many of them are activities that bring purpose?
C. There are different ways we can find pleasure in things.
D. He thinks happiness comes from both pleasure and purpose.
E. If you're a student, your "job" is studying and passing exams.
F. If you think something makes you happy, then it makes you happy.
G. Then, don't just think about these activities, fill your life with them.
