Aim for “eudaimonia,” a lasting spiritual well-being and thriving, by spending your time engaging in virtuous actions that become pleasurable to you, rather than solely pursuing short-lived hedonistic pleasures.
Develop “practical wisdom” (phronesis) and deeper thriving by actively practicing the virtues you wish to cultivate, understanding that happiness is a skill set built through real engagement, not just theoretical knowledge.
Develop character and thrive by aiming for virtues as a “middle way” or moderate behavior between two extremes (e.g., bravery between cowardice and recklessness).
Make progress towards virtues by taking small, incremental steps towards the moderate “middle way,” which prevents overwhelm and allows for continuous improvement.
To cultivate a desired virtue, consciously act in the way a person possessing that virtue would, as this habituation reinforces the behavior and makes it more natural and pleasurable.
Nurture friendships based on mutual appreciation of deep values, where each person helps the other become a better individual, as these lasting connections are crucial for cultivating practical wisdom and thriving.
To stick to new virtuous habits or happiness-improving routines, find social support by partnering with a friend who shares the commitment, reinforcing each other’s efforts.
Live a moral life by doing nice things for others, fostering connections, and finding meaning in your work, as this path is strongly correlated with happiness and thriving.
Cultivate a virtuous mindset where you derive pleasure from seeing others thrive and do well, as this aligns with a healthy, flourishing individual and society.
Avoid being deluded by momentary, surface-level pleasures; instead, look for deeper patterns and underlying principles to understand what truly matters for lasting human well-being.
Employ the ancient Greek chariot analogy to understand and manage the conflicting forces of reason, desires, doubts, and emotions that can pull you off course from your happiness goals.
Look to thinkers, philosophers, and spiritual leaders from thousands of years ago for important well-being lessons, as many ancient ideas are backed by modern science and offer relevant solutions to contemporary problems.