Dan Gilbert Interviewed in the New York Times on Happiness

Click here to read Dan Gilbert being interviewed in the New York Times about happiness. Here is a short snippet on our poor predictive powers of what brings us happiness.

Few of us can accurately gauge how we will feel tomorrow or next week. That’s why when you go to the supermarket on an empty stomach, you’ll buy too much, and if you shop after a big meal, you’ll buy too little. Another factor that makes it difficult to forecast our future happiness is that most of us are rationalizers. We expect to feel devastated if our spouse leaves us or if we get passed over for a big promotion at work. But when things like that do happen, it’s soon, “She never was right for me,” or “I actually need more free time for my family.” People have remarkable talent for finding ways to soften the impact of negative events. Thus they mistakenly expect such blows to be much more devastating than they turn out to be.

I encourage you to read this entertaining and informative article that just might contribute to your happiness. I appreciate Dan’s disclaimer: I am not Dr. Phil!

Photo Credit: Super Bowl Sunday Crystal Ball by http://www.flickr.com/photos/circulating/2238715683/