What Makes Us Happy - 10 Things You Can do to Make You Feel Happier

The final part of my book, yes, money can buy you happiness, discusses the importance of giving. Giving is not only good socially, but it also enriches us.

This week I was at a very posh fundraising dinner at the famous Carlton Club in London. Although attending fancy events like this can bring you short-term happiness – or hedonism from the Greek word meaning the pursuit of pleasure and things – like pleasure, joy or excitement, they are not the source of long-term happiness and contentment.

There have been many studies into what makes us happy and most point to living for a cause, a goal, working towards something or achieving something as a source of lasting happiness and fulfilment.

• An obviously example of this is to look at your favourite artist or band. When were they most happy? The answer is most probably in their early days when they were creating, achieving something, striving towards a goal and performing, not when they spent too much time enjoying the fruits of their success - partying, drinking and taking drugs!
  Why do you think ageing rockers like the Rolling Stones, the Eagles and Bruce Springsteen keep touring and working even though they have enough money to live on for the rest of their lives?
• Another source of lasting happiness is doing something for others and giving. It is well-known people to do something, for instance in retirement, for others are more likely to live longer healthier and happier lives.

So, what has this got to do with money buying you happiness?

In order to give and contribute money, you need to have money. Yes, you can volunteer without having money, but to really make a difference it helps if you have money, even if you are only giving your spare time.

Being a member of the Rotary club (all the many other service organisations) is not elitist in every country, but it does require some money to pay for your club dues and meetings and to be able to put your hand in your pocket when required.

As the great T Harv Eker says, you can’t give if you’re freekin broke!

Even if you go to church and pray, you’re made very welcome, but at some stage, they hand round the collection plate because it cost money to build and run churches, it cost money to pay for priests and fund projects to help the poor.

Billionaires like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates have pledged to give away most of the fortunes and have already put billions into various charities and causes. My own rotary foundation has almost eradicated polio around the world with the help of Bill and Melinda Gates who match funded Rotary members by donating over $100 million to help pay for the project. Rotary members all over the world helped administer the vaccine to millions of children.

Tony Robbins provides meals for millions of people in poverty, including in America the richest country in the history of the world. When I heard him speak recently in Florida, Tony remarked that he needed to earn at least $10 million a year just to cover his giving.

What would you do if you were worth $50 billion?

Speaking of happiness, NLA Research reveals one-third of landlords suffer mental health issues. Falling property prices in the London area are probably not helping. A recent report showed that prices have fallen every month for over a year.

How can we be happier?

Listen to my 10 things you can do to make you feel happy or happier every day:

Finally, I attended a start-up funding and pitching event, rather like a Dragons Den, at another London club in Portman Square. It was really fascinating and I will be broadcasting a special episode on start-up funding and interviewing expert guests in the next few weeks.