I want you to be happy… why?
Well, because I care.
But also because Shawn Achor’s happiness research found that when we’re in a positive headspace, we’re at least 30% better at what we do. Happiness is the centre and success revolves around it – not the other way around.
What is Happiness?
At Dynamic4, the core of our purpose is to help create the conditions for people and communities to be happier. I guess I better explain myself.
Happiness research defines happiness as a multifaceted concept involving emotional wellbeing, life satisfaction, and a sense of purpose. It’s often equated with subjective wellbeing. This includes:
Cognitive evaluation: satisfaction with life overall.
Hedonic dimensions and affective states: experiencing more positive emotions than negative ones.
Eudaimonic dimensions: a sense of meaning and purpose in life.
Happiness can be influenced by health, social relationships, cultural factors, and alignment with personal values. It’s studied both as a transient emotional state, and also as an enduring mental state linked to overall wellbeing.
Basically, there are a couple of types of happiness and both contribute to our wellbeing, but in different ways.
Hedonic Happiness
Hedonic happiness is when we experience positive emotions. It’s focused on maximising positive emotions (like joy, excitement, and contentment) and minimising negative emotions (like sadness or stress).
Hedonic happiness can bring short-term joy, but needs to be balanced with eudaimonic happiness for long-term fulfillment and wellbeing.
Eudaimonic Happiness
Eudaimonic happiness is what Aristotle talked about as “being well and doing well”.
It’s a deeper, more enduring form of wellbeing that comes from living with purpose, meaning, and personal growth. It’s about fulfilling your potential, contributing to something greater than yourself, and aligning your life with your values.
It involves more than just momentary pleasure.
The World Happiness Report
The World Happiness Report’s approach to defining happiness relates to both eudaimonic and hedonic perspectives. It defines happiness as a comprehensive measure of wellbeing, bringing together both emotional experiences and life satisfaction.
Today is also the launch of the World Happiness Report 2025. Australia has ranked number 11. See what that means… and see the full country list.
“Generous behaviours are associated with – and often directly cause – increased wellbeing among givers across
World Happiness Report 2025
the world.”
The World Happiness Report is “the world’s foremost publication on global wellbeing and how to improve it”. It “combines wellbeing data from over 140 countries with high-quality analysis by world-leading researchers from a wide range of academic disciplines”.
International Day of Happiness
Today is the International Day of Happiness. It recognises that progress is about increasing happiness and wellbeing, not just growing the economy.
In 2011, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which recognised happiness as a “fundamental human goal” and called for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples”.
The theme this year is “caring and sharing“. It’s a reminder that lasting happiness comes from caring for each other – feeling connected and being part of something bigger. Belonging.
The campaign is simple. Share your happiness. Three steps…
- What’s something that’s helped or inspired you recently? It might be an idea, quote, image, podcast, article, book, or place
- Who’s someone you care about and might enjoy it too? Choose a friend, family member, colleague, neighbour, or someone you haven’t seen for a while
- Share it! Send them a message, give them a call, or any other way of connecting
Get involed!
#InternationalDayOfHappiness
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Dynamic4 is a social enterprise and B Corp. We specialise in regenerative leadership, design, and innovation with a focus on purpose and wellbeing – to help create the conditions for people and communities to be happier, and live on a clean healthy planet.
For actionable ideas to help you be happier and solve problems that matter, get my Ideas for Regenerative Leaders newsletter.
