A new research study published online in the Journal of Happiness Studies has proven what we here at Fandha have known for a long time – that happiness is a skill one develops with practice and, like learning to play a musical instrument, we can get better at it over time with practice. This study suggests that people can experience greater happiness on a daily basis after working hard and mastering a skill. Although the actual “work” involved in developing this skill usually produces stress in the moment, the payoff is greater happiness and quality of life down the road and for a longer term.
“People often give up their goals because they are stressful, but we found that there is benefit at the end of the day from learning to do something well. And what’s striking is that you don’t have to reach your goal to see the benefits to your happiness and well-being,” said Ryan Howell, professor of psychology at San Francisco State University.
“No pain, no gain is the rule when it comes to gaining happiness from increasing our competence at something.”
