Adapting to our circumstances

As humans, we possess a remarkable ability to adapt to changes in our lives, both good and bad. Shifting circumstancety. es usually only have temporary effects because we get used to the new situation and reset our reference point for what is acceptable. People can adapt to tremendous adversity and retain their cheerfulness, while they can also have virtually everything — including good health — and be miserable.

Rising aspirations

We live in a consumer sociOur desire for more “stuff” fuels more and more consumption, and can lead to unhealthy habits (more stress, less leisure time enjoying our relationships) and even perverse behaviors (immoral and illegal ways to make money) to feed the spending. This becomes a self-defeating cycle where happiness remains elusive because we never have “enough.”

Implications

Despite what most of us believe, the evidence shows us that neither more money nor more possessions have a significant or lasting effect on our happiness. Our tendency to measure ourselves against others, our ability to adapt to changing circumstances and our drive to set higher and higher material goals negates almost all the benefit that we would otherwise expect from a more luxurious lifestyle.

How can we use what we have learned to improve our lives? Instead of sacrificing precious time chasing purely financial rewards, sensible people might start by aligning their time and energy with non-monetary goals like family, health, a job we enjoy, important relationships, leisure, and fun. Decades of research tells us that these are the things that will yield a richer and happier life for ourselves and our families.

John Spoto is the founder of Sentry Financial Planning in Andover and Danvers. For more information, call 978-475-2533 or visit www.sentryfinancialplanning.c om.