There’s a lot of banging the drum for MORE which I think completely misses the point.

How do I mean?

Exhibit #1:

Back when I was climbing the corporate ladder, I found that as my bank balance expanded, my tastes expanded too.  And that, once I could afford it, flying economy to Aberdeen to eat in an Angus Steakhouse and stay at a Travelodge didn’t quite have the same allure as flying Business Class to Croatia to chill at a beach club.  And, in turn, this didn’t quite have the same allure as flying First Class to Tokyo to eat in a three star Michelin restaurant.

Nothing wrong with any of this of course.  I’d sure as hell fly to Tokyo tomorrow if I could.

But what I found was that repeating the same stuff – even quite luxurious, privileged stuff – always felt less enjoyable the 3^rd or 4^th time round, and that it was only by pushing the boundaries to bigger, better or bolder did I get the same level of satisfaction. 

And based on this, I can’t help think:

Surely maintaining the same level of happiness or fun can’t come down to always seeking more extreme and radical experiences.

Striving for MORE simply cannot be the answer. 

Exhibit #2:

Getting MORE “stuff” (new car, pay-rise, iPhone, pair of trainers etc) usually feels great, but quickly that feeling starts to fade and you drop back to whatever happiness level you were at before MORE stuff came along. 

Sometimes it takes a day.  Sometime it takes a week or longer. 

But it always happens.

And sure – you might want a pay-rise or a new car based on whatever’s going on in your life. 

But if you're looking for a happier life, MORE stuff simply isn’t the answer.

Anyway…

In case you didn’t see where all this was going, I’ll give you my take on things:

If what you’re seeking is more joy, peace or fulfilment, the answer isn’t to relentlessly hunt for MORE.

Instead, dear reader, I suggest you start thinking about less.

Believe me not?

Very well.

But the evidence is there for all to see.

When we chase bigger, bolder and brighter experiences, we forget the smaller, simpler joys of life which are in front of us every day. 

The bright blue sky.  The smell of a flower.  The sound of the canal trickling past us. 

Cherishing these can make us feel alive.  Not alive on doing, but simply alive on being.

And it’s not stuff which makes us happy. 

Instead, happiness is something that comes from inside us. 

It’s why some of the poorest people on the planet are the happiest. 

These people know that MORE is not the answer. 

Instead, the answer is simply finding that place of happiness within yourself.

What do you think?

That’s it for today.

 - Tom