Health and Life situation

Low levels of happiness and life satisfaction often arise when individuals continuously compare themselves to others. Such comparisons can generate stress from not possessing what others have — whether it concerns material possessions such as cars and housing, social recognition as “likes” on social media, or participation in desirable social activities.

What consumer psychology research indicates

• Generous individuals tend to report higher levels of happiness than those who are self-centred.
• Excess free time combined with insufficient purposeful activity can undermine perceived quality of life.
• Parents with a positive disposition are more likely to raise happier children.
• Social engagement and close relationships with colleagues and friends are strong predictors of happiness.
• Sharing a good meal with pleasant company can enhance subjective well-being.
• Happiness is not a “lottery”, but rather the result of specific behaviours and circumstances.

Happiness is doing to others what you would like others to do to you.

The sentence above, done rather than said.

From our experience, leadership can be seen as “the realisation of a view of humanity.” By this, we mean showing the clear connection between our unconscious core values and our concrete, practical behaviour in daily life. In this way, ethics becomes the act of making the unconscious conscious — and taking responsibility for it.

To discover your own core values, you can start with the two basic questions above. Asking yourself these questions may reveal that you spend the least time on what is most important to you — and the most time on things that are the foundation of your life quality.

To explore this further, you can compare it with the Holmes-Rahe stress scale. It was developed in the late 1960s by the psychiatrists Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe, who statistically analysed the link between major life events and subsequent illness. They created the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), which assigns “Life Change Units” — and which helped me personally to a realistic and alarming self-realisation in the middle of a divorce process, some years ago.

The model ranks 30 major life events by stress level that you have experienced, or been exposed to, in the last 12 months. The points you collect tell about the efforts you have used — or gained — during this year. Both good and bad events are valued. However, SGL experience is that 150 points or less is normal. 150–300 points is worrying, and over 300 points is so risky that we recommend you talk with your doctor.