I have said this before, but I will say it again here:
I do not personally believe in a “happiness optimization algorithm”
The best I think any of us can really do is have a “regret minimization” approach.
Whenever you have a decision to make, ask yourself “What would I regret more if I didn't do in 20, 30 years?
The only caveat is really make sure you think of yourself in the long time horizon: would you regret not saving enough money? Not spending more time with your kids? You get the themes... some things are obvious... others less so.
In general this has worked out well for me, and I have few genuine regrets.
It sounds simple, but in my personal experience, it is the simple things that are both the hardest and most important things to do right.
Very interesting. I was recently reading Happy by Derren Brown (best known as a terrific illusionist), and he talks about the "experiencing self" and the "remembering self". I wonder if it's possible to combine both approaches.
Whenever you have a decision to make, ask yourself “What would I regret more if I didn't do in 20, 30 years?
The only caveat is really make sure you think of yourself in the long time horizon: would you regret not saving enough money? Not spending more time with your kids? You get the themes... some things are obvious... others less so.
In general this has worked out well for me, and I have few genuine regrets.
It sounds simple, but in my personal experience, it is the simple things that are both the hardest and most important things to do right.