What Makes Us Truly Happy? Exploring 6 Keys to Human Happiness
Originally from the YouTube series Method To My Money with Matt Hearn.
What really makes us happy? In this episode of Method to My Money, Matt Hearn shares a surprising interaction with ChatGPT that unpacks six commonly cited keys to happiness—and goes deeper into why they don’t always satisfy. Here’s what we discovered.
The Full Transcript
Hey folks, Matt Hearn here, and this is Method To My Money, where we talk about money, madness, and the pursuit of lasting wealth.
I recently asked ChatGPT a question that, honestly, I thought just might stump it.
My logic was, if most of the people I know, including myself, struggle with the answer to this question, I doubt ChatGPT will have an answer either.
What was my question? What makes humans happy?
It thought for a total of 6 seconds, and then amazingly gave me 6 key contributors to human happiness.
Wow. This is it. I knew this AI thing was going to be amazing, but I didn’t know it was going to give me the answer to the oldest and most profound question out there: how can we be truly happy?
Ok, so before I share with you what the 6 ChatGPT key contributors to human happiness are—spoiler alert—you’ve probably heard these before. They’re commonly cited by psychologists and motivational speakers. After all, ChatGPT was programmed by humans, so it didn’t just come up with this on its own, right? I don’t think it did. But even though they are familiar, reminding ourselves of these 6 often elusive human happiness boosters is well worth our time.
1. Strong Social Connection
ChatGPT’s first insight: we need strong social connections. In Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection (Cacioppo & Patrick, 2008, W. W. Norton & Company), the authors write: “The need to belong is a fundamental human motivation.” Their research shows that unmet relational needs can result in emotional and even physical harm—demonstrating just how critical relationships are to our happiness.
2. Sense of Purpose and Meaning
Second, we thrive when our lives have meaning. Viktor Frankl, in his seminal work Man’s Search for Meaning (1946, Beacon Press), states, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” This insight reveals that lasting happiness is tied deeply to purpose, even in suffering.
3. Autonomy and Self-Control
Third, ChatGPT highlighted autonomy as a contributor to happiness. In their article Facilitating Optimal Motivation and Psychological Well-Being: The Central Role of Autonomy (Ryan & Deci, 2008, Canadian Psychology), the authors write: “Autonomy, competence, and relatedness are essential nutrients for psychological growth.” In short: freedom matters.
4. Engagement and Flow
Fourth, real joy often comes from deep engagement. In Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990, Harper & Row), the author describes “flow” as a state of complete absorption in an activity, noting: “The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times but those when we are fully engaged.”
5. Physical and Mental Health
Fifth, our physical and mental well-being significantly impacts our happiness. In the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (Dunn, Trivedi, & O’Neal, 2001), the authors write: “There is a dose–response effect between exercise and improved mood, supporting its role in managing depression.”
6. Gratitude and Positive Thinking
Sixth and finally, gratitude matters. In Authentic Happiness (Seligman, 2002, Free Press), Martin Seligman writes: “Authentic happiness is achieved by cultivating engagement, meaning, and positive emotion.” In other words, we’re wired to flourish through positive thinking and perspective.
Further Reading:
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