It is the tendency to go back to your normal level of happiness after a positive or a negative event.
We work toward a promotion or a specific number of followers on Twitter because we think it will make us happy. But when we reach our goals, we are satisfied for a short time only to get back to our usual level of happiness.

Hedonic adaptation

Most of us focus on setting big goals, such as working towards a college degree, running a marathon, or getting a promotion. We spend much time working towards the goal that will only make us happy for a short while before we return to our normal happiness levels. Instead, set smaller goals to experience more frequent moments of happiness.

Set smaller goals

Don't just look forward to the outcome. If you're a writer, don't merely aim for publishing a book. Enjoy writing it. Or, if you're trying to lose weight, instead of only looking at the scale, enjoy feeling stronger and fitter.  If you don't enjoy the process, it is possible that you are chasing the wrong goal.

Enjoy the process

Studies show that strong ties with family, friends, and a broader community is an indicator of long-term happiness and health.  It does not mean that we should not pursue big goals, but we should also make time to attend to our relationships.

Make strong social connections

<h1>Hedonic Adaptation</h1>Why we're never satisfied with what we've already accomplished<img src="https://25r4fj22vjh18a4i91qamh06-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Hedonic-Adaptation.png" alt="Hedonic Adaptation explained" width="736" height="1028" srcset="https://25r4fj22vjh18a4i91qamh06-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Hedonic-Adaptation.png 1714w, https://25r4fj22vjh18a4i91qamh06-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Hedonic-Adaptation-1101x1536.png 1101w, https://25r4fj22vjh18a4i91qamh06-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Hedonic-Adaptation-1468x2048.png 1468w, https://25r4fj22vjh18a4i91qamh06-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Hedonic-Adaptation-143x200.png 143w, https://25r4fj22vjh18a4i91qamh06-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Hedonic-Adaptation-287x400.png 287w, https://25r4fj22vjh18a4i91qamh06-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Hedonic-Adaptation-443x618.png 443w, https://25r4fj22vjh18a4i91qamh06-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Hedonic-Adaptation-911x1272.png 911w">Hedonic adaptation is our tendency to quickly return to our normal levels of happiness after both positive and negative external events. We pursue a promotion, a raise at work, a certain number of Twitter followers because that’s what we believe will make us happy. When we reach our goals, we get a temporary bump in happiness, only to go right back to our baseline levels the next week, day, or even hour.What good is striving for goals if accomplishing them leaves us feeling empty moments later?<h2>What to do about it:</h2>Set many smaller goals instead of one big one. Most of us set big, far-off goals that we’ll only accomplish every once in a long while: graduate college, lose 50 pounds, get the promotion, run a marathon. Go big or go home. We spend a great deal of time pursuing a goal that will only give us a one-time, temporary bump in happiness when we accomplish it. Instead, you can hack hedonic adaptation by setting smaller, more frequent goals to experience more frequent bumps in happiness, even if they’re still temporary.Enjoy the process, not just the outcome. If you’re a writer, don’t fantasize about publishing a novel. Savor writing it. If you’re trying to lose weight, don’t obsess over hitting a number on the scale. Savor the satisfaction of feeling stronger, fitter, faster with each lift, step, or burpee.The outcome won’t make you happier, but the act of showing up every day can. If you don’t enjoy the process, it might be that you were pursuing the wrong outcome in the first place.Pursue strong social connections. While happiness from promotions and raises is fleeting, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/20/this-harvard-study-reveals-how-you-can-be-happier-and-more-successful.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">studies</a> that follow people over many decades show that strong relationships with others – family, friends, or broader community – is the strongest predictor of long-term happiness and health.By all means, pursue big, ambitious goals, but don’t neglect the people who will celebrate with you when you achieve them.

Hedonic adaptation is our tendency to quickly return to our normal levels of happiness after both positive and negative external events.

Understand yourself and those around you.

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Personal Development

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Habits

Why we're never satisfied with what we've already accomplished

Hedonic adaptation is our tendency to quickly return to our normal levels of happiness after both positive and negative external events. We pursue a promotion, a raise at work, a certain number of Twitter followers because that’s what we believe will make us happy. When we reach our goals, we get a temporary bump in happiness, only to go right back to our baseline levels the next week, day, or even hour.

What good is striving for goals if accomplishing them leaves us feeling empty moments later?

Set many smaller goals instead of one big one . Most of us set big, far-off goals that we’ll only accomplish every once in a long while: graduate college, lose 50 pounds, get the promotion, run a marathon. Go big or go home. We spend a great deal of time pursuing a goal that will only give us a one-time, temporary bump in happiness when we accomplish it. Instead, you can hack hedonic adaptation by setting smaller, more frequent goals to experience more frequent bumps in happiness, even if they’re still temporary.

Enjoy the process, not just the outcome . If you’re a writer, don’t fantasize about publishing a novel. Savor writing it. If you’re trying to lose weight, don’t obsess over hitting a number on the scale. Savor the satisfaction of feeling stronger, fitter, faster with each lift, step, or burpee.

The outcome won’t make you happier, but the act of showing up every day can . If you don’t enjoy the process, it might be that you were pursuing the wrong outcome in the first place.

Pursue strong social connections . While happiness from promotions and raises is fleeting, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/20/this-harvard-study-reveals-how-you-can-be-happier-and-more-successful.html">studies </a>that follow people over many decades show that strong relationships with others – family, friends, or broader community – is the strongest predictor of long-term happiness and health.

By all means, pursue big, ambitious goals, but don’t neglect the people who will celebrate with you when you achieve them.

Hedonic Adaptation