Chapter 1: Understanding Your Discontent

Many people often wonder, "Why isn't my life fulfilling? Why am I unhappy? What is preventing me from achieving success? Why do I feel so down?"

These inquiries come up frequently in conversations. When I attempt to provide clarity, I start with a crucial question: "What do you truly desire?"

The answers tend to be vague and broadly stated: wealth, recognition, love, achievement, fitness, well-being, etc. This ambiguity arises because most individuals have never genuinely contemplated what they truly want. They often believe that happiness will come from acquiring what others seem to desire. However, it's essential to recognize that most people haven't thoroughly considered their own aspirations either!

Expressing a desire for an extraordinary life without knowing what you want is akin to visiting a doctor while unsure of what ails you. You might walk in feeling unwell but without a clear understanding of what it means to be healthy. The doctor may treat various symptoms, yet you might still leave uncertain about your actual condition.

Lacking a clear goal means you'll drift aimlessly, sensing that something is amiss but unsure of how to address it. You might find yourself wishing for a solution without taking the necessary steps. If the doctor suggests a challenging remedy, you might dismiss it altogether.

Even as you read this article, you've likely encountered numerous pieces of advice on achieving emotional wellness. However, these often involve effort, and working toward an uncertain future can seem like a poor exchange. This leads us to the first step: determining what you genuinely want!

Assuming you have a clearer idea of your desires, it's essential to ask: Why do you want those things? What do you believe attaining them will bring you?

For example, if wealth is your goal, consider how you would utilize that money. What specific items or experiences would you pursue, and what impact would they have on your life? These inquiries may be challenging, but they reveal a crucial truth: wealth, fame, and success often hold less significance than we initially expect.

Imagine traveling the world in luxury, staying at top-tier resorts, and acquiring everything you've ever dreamed of—what comes next? Will achieving those dreams bring you the lasting happiness you seek? Ultimately, you still have 24 hours in a day to fill, and how you choose to spend that time influences your happiness far more than the goals you achieve.

Recognizing this can be difficult, as it requires you to take charge of your happiness in the present rather than deferring it to the future. This is why reflecting on the earlier questions can be so daunting; many prefer to follow the paths laid out by others.

It would indeed be simpler to traverse a well-trodden path and arrive at happiness. But the reality is that following someone else's journey often leads to dissatisfaction. Instead, you must carve out your unique path, which may include pitfalls, challenges, and moments of discomfort.

Yes, you might stumble, feel lost, and encounter setbacks along the way. Yet, the journey you create for yourself is far more likely to bring you joy because it is uniquely yours.

Today, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on what you truly want and the reasons behind those desires. Write your thoughts down and identify the activities that bring you genuine joy. These are the things that resonate with your true self, while other pursuits may simply stem from societal expectations.

For now, focus on charting your own course; doing so will significantly advance your journey toward fulfillment.

The first video, "You're unhappy because you are living someone else's version of success. It's not your fault," delves into the importance of discovering your own definition of success, rather than conforming to external expectations.

Chapter 2: The Happiness Formula

Next, let's explore the concept of happiness further.

In the second video, "Mo Gawdat's Happiness Formula: Retrain Your Brain to Be Happy Now," the discussion centers on how to reshape your mindset for immediate happiness rather than postponing it for future achievements.