What Is Happiness? Joy, Meaning, and the Pursuit

What actually drives happiness

Only a small slice of your happiness comes from outside circumstances (roughly a tenth). A larger share is shaped by lifestyle—how you think, what you feel, how you relate, what you eat, how you rest. Genetics matters too, but remember epigenetics: your habits can turn genetic switches on and off. In short, happiness isn’t fixed. You influence it every day.

A choice you make—over and over

Sandro, your instructor, wasn’t “born happy.” Early photos rarely show a smile. He learned happiness—one choice at a time. So will you. The question is not “Are you allowed to be happy?” but “What do you choose right now?” Choices compound, but they’re built with practice, not speed.

Three elements you need in place

Joy (feeling): the moments of pleasure and uplift.
Commitment (pursuit): a steady intention to build a happier life—echoed in the idea of the “pursuit of happiness.”
Meaning (why it matters): the significance you give to your actions, words, and thoughts.

When these three work together, you don’t have to feel great all the time. You rebound faster, navigate lows with wisdom, and return to center more reliably.

Practice over theory

This course isn’t about memorizing ideas. It’s about doing—trying small experiments, integrating what works, repeating until the benefits stick. That’s why you’ve learned nine building blocks: tools for needs, values, talents & skills, beliefs, emotions, communication, imagination, purpose, and planning.

Invest your time, don’t just spend it

Every day, you either spend time or invest it. Spending leaves you poorer inside. Investing—especially in wellbeing—makes you stronger and richer in the ways that matter. Your “extraordinary life” begins with a decision to invest.

Try it: one decision today

Name your direction: write one sentence starting with “Today I choose to pursue happiness by…”.
Pick a tiny action (≤10 minutes): something from any building block—breath reset, values-aligned “no,” a gratitude line, a boundary request, a 2-minute belief upgrade, or a 60-second future rehearsal.
Attach a cue: choose a time or trigger (after coffee, before email).
Repeat tomorrow. Track how quickly you rebound from stress across the week.

Why this works: Repetition turns intention into identity. Small wins stack into a felt sense of agency—proof that your choices matter.

What to remember

Happiness is not constant joy. It’s joy + commitment + meaning, practiced daily. It isn’t predetermined by your past or your genes. Start where you are, invest a little time each day, and let the nine building blocks guide your next step.

— Sandro Formica, PhD

Founder of Permanently Happy (questions at [email protected])

Keynote Speaker | Transforming Leaders & Organizations Through Positive Leadership & Personal Branding | Director, Chief Happiness Officer Certificate Program