In this post, we’ll unpack the science behind why progress creates happiness and use it as a way to create the conditions necessary to create lasting happiness
Why Progress = Happiness
When you set a goal, your brain perceives it as a potential for a “reward” ― defined as anything that enhances your survival ― and so it triggers the release dopamine ― a pleasure hormone ― that motivates you to pursue the reward.
As you make progress towards your goal, your brain continues to release dopamine in order to continue motivating you to pursue the reward. However, Once you have achieved your goal, your brain stops releasing dopamine and so you no longer experience feelings of pleasure.
We can conclude then that happiness doesn’t come from the goal itself, but rather the progress you make towards it. In other words, Progress = Happiness.
“Happiness comes from the process of the pursuit, not the product.”
How To Leverage Progress = Happiness
If progress equals happiness, then the key to leveraging this principle is by always having goals that we can move towards. In doing so, we ensure we constantly have something to progress towards, thus creating the conditions necessary for a constant and sustainable supply of dopamine and ultimately lasting happiness.
Summary (TL;DR)
When we set a goal, the brain perceives it as a potential for a reward and so it triggers the release of dopamine which elicits feelings of pleasure that motivates us to pursue the goal. As soon as we reach our goal, the brain ceases to release dopamine and so we no longer experience the feelings of pleasure.
The key to leveraging this principle is by always having goals we can aim for. In doing so, we ensure we constantly have something to progress towards, thus creating the conditions necessary for a constant and sustainable supply of dopamine and ultimately lasting happiness.
