Episode 19: Are you on the Hedonic Treadmill?
Are you on the Hedonic Treadmill?
Welcome to the SPS Podcast.
Main Quote:
"Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't need."
― Chuck Palahniuk
Main Takeaways:
Buying more stuff you don't need is procrastination.
Many fall into the trap of keeping up with their social group, thinking they need that new car, clothes, or toys.
But all of this is a distraction and a form of procrastination that does not help your long-term happiness.
Hedonic Treadmill states: "You will always return to your base level of happiness, whether something positive or negative happens."
If you get that new car, you experience a spike in happiness; then, eventually, you will return to your original happiness level.
Quick note: This works on the negative side as well.
If you have a terrible breakup, lose money, or lose a job.
There will be a low period, but you will return to your normal happiness levels.
You might even buy shit you don't need to speed that bounce back up.
Let's focus on the procrastination trap of the Hedonic Treadmill.
You buy the shit you feel you need to make yourself happy.
But it does not bring you the fulfillment you imagined it would.
You go out and buy more shit.
Making yourself addicted to "new stuff = happiness spike."
This is a loop a lot of society is on.
Looking for the new and exciting from external sources to fill a void in their lives.
This loop helps you avoid the pain of not chasing your dreams and meaningful goals.
Which makes this whole process a giant form of procrastination.
The goal is to find what you really want in life.
To grow, you need to lose the necessity to 'show off' or keep up with others.
Your happiness will continue to spike up/down if you don't.
Returning to a mediocre baseline because you never do anything meaningful.
The spike of happiness from new stuff is not sustainable; you will constantly feel you're chasing a horizon you never reach.
The only way to escape this procrastination trap is to invest your time and energy into figuring out who you are and improving your baseline of happiness.
To improve your baseline of happiness there are key areas to focus on:
-Fitness
-Journaling
-Meditation
-Eating healthy foods
-Figuring out your why
-Having goals and a life vision
-Saving money and investments
-Reading books on self-actualization
Knowing who you are and what you want from life will help you break free of the Hedonic Treadmill.
It will help you avoid this giant form of procrastination that most of society has fallen for.
You will start making smart choices that create meaningful results in your life.
However, don't feel bad about treating yourself to things; if you need a new laptop or car, get one.
But recognize that you are not your clothes, toys, or car.
You are a person who is capable of massive growth and can achieve many great things during your life.
Get my free Kinetic Flow Program here and learn how to save 10 hours a week:
https://www.stephentimoney.com/kinetic-flow
30-Day Accelerator, select a time here:
https://www.stephentimoney.com/pro-accelerator
Visit the website:
https://www.stephentimoney.com/
Follow me here:
Big love.
Make it a great one,
Stephen
