Work and Happiness

Evidence suggests that the happiness we seek is to be found, not at the top of the ladder, but in the climb, itself.

                           
                                       

Happiness is an elusive thing in success driven New York, which, according to common knowledge is the most neurotic state in the union.  There are many rungs on the idiomatic ladder to success, and for every one we climb, another often seems to appear at the top. Those who decry the futility of the rat race say that happiness is to be found by getting off the ladder. Perhaps that's true for some.  But for many - in fact probably most - evidence suggests that the happiness we seek is not to be found at the top of the ladder, but in the climb, itself.

Note the words of King Solomon, written over 2,000 years ago:  I applied my mind to...discern which is best for mankind to do under the heavens during the brief span of their lives.  I acted in grand style: I built houses, I planted vineyards; I made for myself gardens and orchards, and planted in them every kind of fruit tree...I acquired stewards; I also owned more possessions, both cattle and sheep, than all of my predecessors in Jerusalem; I amassed even silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and the provinces; I provided myself with various musical instruments, and with every human luxury - chests and chests of them…(here it comes) Indeed, my heart drew joy from all my activities, and this was my reward for all my endeavors. 

Carlin Flora, writing in Psychology Today ("The Pursuit of Happiness," January 1, 2009) says that "getting what you want doesn't bring lasting happiness." She says that "happiness lies in the chase." She says: "Action toward goals other than happiness makes us happy.  Though there is a place for vegging out and reading trashy novels, easy pleasures will never light us up the way mastering a new skill or building something from scratch will.  And it's not crossing the finish line that is most rewarding; it is anticipating achieving your goal."
 

Thomas Jefferson is credited with having authored the famous words of the Declaration of Independence.  "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project agrees that when it comes to the pursuit of happiness, most of the happiness is to be found in its pursuit.  She writes, "First of all, by the time you've arrived at your destination, you're expecting to reach it, so it has already been incorporated into your happiness."

If you're an investor in stocks, you're probably acquainted with the old adage, "Buy the rumor; sell the news."  The reason is found in Ms. Rubin's explanation.  Stocks usually run up in anticipation of an event, such as the introduction of a new product, and when the event occurs, the stock sells off.  The stock price of Apple, Inc., has generally followed this pattern in connection with the introduction of its Iphone and Ipad products.  Buying the rumor equates with striving to reach a goal; selling the news equates with reaching the goal. By the time you've arrived at the anticipated announcement (the goal), the value has already been incorporated into  the stock's price (happiness).  What usually follows is a sell off, which is the disappointment people often experience when reaching a goal.

Illustration by Rebecca Church

The Friday Before a Holiday: To Work Or Not To Work

Here I am once again, in my office at 7:00 a.m. on a Friday before a holiday weekend, crunching numbers, assessing my progress, developing strategies to help me stand out from the competition. There was no traffic on the Long Island Expressway this morning – going west that is – just me and a couple of other shmendricks driving away from the sun.
 

An American Robin, by coincidence or by providence, has just landed on the hurricane fence that surrounds the rear yard of my office, carrying nesting material in his beak.  He jerks his head nervously in all directions, scanning the environment for predators, seeking more nesting material or perhaps a good worm.   Now, here’s a creature I can relate to, up early, building a nest for his family, cognizant and ever watchful of dangers in his environment.  He’s not going to the Hamptons for the weekend.  He has a family to protect and feed. 

I am not complaining about being here at the office today, while others are headed toward pleasure.  The quiet and stillness before an impending holiday removes the urgency of an ordinary business day, and lends clarity to the mind.  It’s a wonderful time to think and plan.  

I know that my phones will be relatively quiet today, but past experience has taught me that I’m likely to get a good call.  Pre-holiday Fridays, it seems, bring out the customers with the most urgent need.

The robin that arrived outside my window before by such timely coincidence has now flown off.  His tiny brain understands the imperatives of survival that many people seem to miss.  I'm sure he's not chirping “Ah, there’s no point in working today.  Everybody is already in holiday mode.”  He's chirping, "It's another day.  Gotta get on with it.  Maybe we'll barbecue on Sunday."