Do you often wonder why you still don't feel as good as you expected to be the moment you get all the things that you want? It's actually pretty simple if you really think about it. The reality is that, sometimes, there are just things that we think would make us ecstatic when in reality, they just won't. Take a look at the three work-related things that The Guardian's Charlotte Seager says we thought would give us the feeling of happiness but unfortunately do the exact opposite most of time, without us even noticing:
1. We think that getting more money will make us happier. Research psychologist Dr. Ronald Riggio says that our perceptions of pay are relative to what other people are making. "so even if you are paid a lot - think professional athlete - if you find out a similar other, say another athlete, is making more than you, it can lead to dissatisfaction and unhappiness regardless of the amount you are making," Riggio stated. Although, a research on happiness and salary suggests that salary does increase one's satisfaction with life, but only up to a certain amount. After that, money doesn't make you any happier.
2. We usually believe that tons of holiday breaks will make us happier. If you are miserable with your job, then that's when breaks can help, but if you really love your work then having a lesser work time will definitely down your vibe. "People 'habituate' and get used to more time off, so it doesn't improve overall happiness. And if someone doesn't like their job, they then become even more unhappy when they return to work," Riggio says.
3. We sometimes think that changing jobs will make us happier, as well as getting promoted. Psychologists have tracked high-level managers for five years and measured their level of work satisfaction before and after happenings like changing their jobs or getting promoted. Although these people experienced a great deal of satisfaction upon the occurrence of these events, it plummeted within a span of a year.
