Happiness is one of the most common definitions of success. Ask anyone what they truly want, and you’ll hear answers like, “I want to be happy,” “I want my family to be happy,” or “I want to enjoy my work and life.” These are great aspirations, but there’s one problem—most people can’t clearly define what happiness actually means to them.
Without a clear definition, happiness becomes something vague and unattainable, often placed in the hands of others. We expect our spouse, our job, or our friends to make us happy. But when happiness depends on external forces, we set ourselves up for disappointment. Happiness isn’t something given to us—it’s something we create.
The best definition of happiness I’ve ever heard boils down to three simple things:
✔ Something to love
✔ Something to do
✔ Something to look forward to
If even one of these is missing, our happiness begins to fade. Let’s break them down and see how they shape a fulfilling life.
Table of Contents
1. Something to Love: What Brings You Joy?
At the core of happiness is love—love for people, passions, and purpose. Whether it’s family, a career, or a personal mission, having something (or someone) to love fuels fulfillment.
🔹 Real-World Example: Take Steve, a high-performing executive who spent years chasing promotions, thinking career success would make him happy. But when he finally reached the top, he felt empty. Why? Because he had lost touch with what he truly loved—spending time with his family and mentoring younger professionals. Once he realigned his priorities, his happiness returned.
✅ Reflection Question: What do you love about your life, your work, your family, or your daily routine?
If the answer is unclear, it might be time to refocus. When love fades, happiness goes right along with it.
2. Something to Do: How Are You Spending Your Time?
A meaningful life is an active one. Having responsibilities, challenges, and passions gives us purpose. But when we feel aimless, frustration sets in.
🔹 Real-World Example: Consider Sarah, a new retiree who spent 30 years building a successful career. At first, she enjoyed the freedom of retirement, but soon, she felt restless and unfulfilled. Why? Because she no longer had something to do that gave her a sense of purpose. Once she started volunteering and mentoring, her happiness returned.
✅ Reflection Question: How are you spending your time? Are your daily activities meaningful, or are you just going through the motions?
When we don’t have a purpose, we feel stuck. And when we feel stuck, our happiness fades.
3. Something to Look Forward To: What Excites You About the Future?
Hope and anticipation keep us moving forward. When there’s nothing on the horizon to get excited about, life feels dull.
🔹 Real-World Example: Think about Alex, a business owner who built a thriving company but never stopped to celebrate wins or set new goals. Over time, his motivation disappeared. He had nothing exciting to look forward to. Once he created a vision for his company’s future and started planning new adventures with his family, his happiness returned.
✅ Reflection Question: What are you looking forward to in your work, relationships, or personal life?
Without something exciting ahead, happiness feels out of reach.
Taking Ownership of Your Happiness
If you’re feeling stuck or unfulfilled, ask yourself:
- Do I have something to love?
- Do I have something to do?
- Do I have something to look forward to?
If any of these are missing, take action. Get out of that toxic relationship, leave the job that drains you, stop waiting for others to make you happy. Instead, actively build a life filled with love, purpose, and anticipation.
Happiness isn’t something you find—it’s something you create. And it starts with taking responsibility for it.