In [Arthur C. Brooks’] view, happiness — or “happier-ness” — requires striking a balanced and abundant mix of three macronutrients: enjoyment, satisfaction and meaning. Let’s consider each in turn.
ENJOYMENT. Not to be confused with pleasure, enjoyment emerges when the three main parts of our brain work in harmony to collect data, identify emotions, and make informed decisions. While pleasure is a product of the limbic system, enjoyment originates from the higher-order prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, reasoning, personality expression, social appropriateness and other complex cognitive behaviors. In his definition, enjoyment is a blend of pleasure, people and memory.
SATISFACTION. Humans are the only species that derive joy from reaching an objective. This means that, to feel a genuine sense of accomplishment, the success will be sweeter if it involves some element of struggle. We can get satisfaction; we just can’t keep it. The brain’s drive for homeostasis and hedonic adaptation won’t allow it. As soon as our systems become used to certain stimuli and events that trigger an emotional response, we are hardwired to strive for more.
To achieve the optimal satisfaction quotient, Brooks uses a math analogy, encouraging people to control for the denominator (the whole) rather than increasing the numerator (the fractional parts). Examine your desires, ambitions and attachments, and decide what you can live without. Think of your life as a piece of art: rather than being the painter who stands before the blank canvas, adding brushstroke after brushstroke, emulate the sculptor who chips away at the marble block, eliminating the excess to achieve the desired result.
MEANING. Meaning — as in meaning in life — is a combination of coherence, purpose and significance. What’s the significance and the importance of your life? Why are you here? These are questions only you can answer.
…about half of our baseline happiness is determined by genetics, 10% by life circumstances and the remaining 40% by intentional actions. This breakdown gives us ample room to manage our own happiness levels. In this regard, Brooks says that developing habits in four spheres — faith, family, friendships, and work — empowers us to influence the happiness within our control.
Source: IESE Insight (May2025)
Subjects: Career, Happiness, Personal Improvement
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