ABSTRACT

An evidence-based, practical guide to reflection on the most important goals in life, this book provides a unique framework and thought-provoking exercises to modify personal and professional goals to increase happiness.

Why we pursue our most important goals in life is an important question, and the answer we give ourselves greatly influences our happiness. This book presents the goal-striving reasons framework to illustrate the essential positive and negative ingredients: pleasure, altruism, self-esteem, and necessity. This new framework and the practical exercises throughout the book will enable readers to change their reasons for pursuing goals and achieve the ultimate aim of becoming happier in life.

There are many books on happiness – no other discusses happiness specifically from a goal-setting perspective. Human resources and mental health professionals, mindfulness practitioners, coaches, mentors, higher education staff, postgraduate students, and others will benefit from the hands-on guidance in this book.

part I|14 pages

The big picture

chapter 1|2 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|2 pages

Why happiness matters

chapter 4|3 pages

Why goals matter for our happiness

part II|34 pages

The four reasons

chapter 5|4 pages

What makes for happy goals?

The goal-striving reasons framework

chapter 6|7 pages

Self-esteem

Goals that you pursue for self-esteem reasons

chapter 7|7 pages

Pleasure

Important goals that you pursue because they are enjoyable

chapter 8|5 pages

Altruism

Goals that make the world a better place

chapter 9|9 pages

Necessity

Goals that you pursue because you need to make a living

part III|18 pages

Related topics around goals

chapter 10|7 pages

Assertiveness and assertiveness techniques

chapter 11|6 pages

Creativity/creative solutions

chapter 12|3 pages

Summary