This interesting article by Jeremy McCarthy looks at a number of
formulas which have been put forward by positive psychology
researchers as a solution to finding happiness. Jeremy argues
that although the equations may appear over-simplified they do
succeed in making a very valid point which is easy to
understand. It is important to realise that much more of our
personal happiness is under our own control than you might
think. Read on to find out why. What would your happiness
equation consist of? It’s worth thinking about…. In Martin
Seligman’s book, Authentic Happiness, he uses a simple equation
to describe where happiness comes from: H = S + C + V Where “H
is your enduring level of happiness, S is your set range, C is
the circumstances of your life, and V represents factors under
your voluntary control.” I hear Seligman take a lot of flack for
this equation in scientific circles. There are those who think
this is an oversimplification of how happiness works, and that
describing it as a simple sum is faulty