Continued explorations into the paradox of choice, based on Positive Psychology in Practice (P Linley & S Joseph 2004).
In Pursuit of Happiness
As humans, one of our key selling points is an amazing ability to adapt to change. Like many talents, however, it has the potential to work both for and against us.
We are like walking hedonic “thermometers:” when something feels good our pleasure “temperature” rises, and when something feels bad our pleasure “temperature” drops. As in any climate, repeated exposure results in adaptation (Frederick & Loewenstein, 1999).
The SatisfactionTreadmill
Although this adaptation to pleasure is almost universal, the drop in “temperature” still catches us by surprise—and so, we go looking for another high. The Satisfaction Treadmill, coined by Daniel Kahneman, has us constantly running toward that next pleasurable thing, which, once adjusted to, loses its luster.
Let’s say you work your tail off, save and save, and finally buy your dream house. Your pleasure “temperature” shoots through the roof. After awhile however, you acclimate. ..and now you’re onto your dream car, your dream vacation, your dream re-model, etc.
To slow your roll:
-Make choices that support long-term satisfaction rather than immediate gratification.
-APPLY GRATITUDE DAILY. (Gratitude and appreciation keep you warm!)
Read it from the man himself—Daniel Kahneman on pleasure and pain:
http://pages.towson.edu/jpomy/behavioralecon/KahnemanEUOH.pdf
In Pursuit of Happiness
As humans, one of our key selling points is an amazing ability to adapt to change. Like many talents, however, it has the potential to work both for and against us.
We are like walking hedonic “thermometers:” when something feels good our pleasure “temperature” rises, and when something feels bad our pleasure “temperature” drops. As in any climate, repeated exposure results in adaptation (Frederick & Loewenstein, 1999).
The SatisfactionTreadmill
Although this adaptation to pleasure is almost universal, the drop in “temperature” still catches us by surprise—and so, we go looking for another high. The Satisfaction Treadmill, coined by Daniel Kahneman, has us constantly running toward that next pleasurable thing, which, once adjusted to, loses its luster.
Let’s say you work your tail off, save and save, and finally buy your dream house. Your pleasure “temperature” shoots through the roof. After awhile however, you acclimate. ..and now you’re onto your dream car, your dream vacation, your dream re-model, etc.
To slow your roll:
-Make choices that support long-term satisfaction rather than immediate gratification.
-APPLY GRATITUDE DAILY. (Gratitude and appreciation keep you warm!)
Read it from the man himself—Daniel Kahneman on pleasure and pain:
http://pages.towson.edu/jpomy/behavioralecon/KahnemanEUOH.pdf
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