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The Happiness Equation: How Adjusting Expectations Can Make Life More Fulfilling

Why Managing Expectations is the Key to Happiness (And How to Actually Do It)

Author

Geoffrey Griffin
March 05, 2025

What if happiness isn’t about having the perfect life, but about adjusting how we see it?

Mo Gawdat’s simple equation—Happiness = Reality - Expectations—might just be the key to feeling better about everything from vacations to bedtime battles.

In this article, I dive into how shifting expectations (and embracing chaos) can actually make life more fulfilling.

Spoiler: It won’t make bedtime easier, but it might make it less frustrating.

Is pushing kids to get good grades the fastest way to raise successful children?

Surprisingly, the answer is NO.

Focusing solely on academics makes up just a small part of what truly nurtures a child's self-belief and independence.

So what's the real game changer in raising unstoppable kids?

It’s all about getting them to learn critical life skills.

Did you know skills like problem-solving, creativity, financial literacy and resilience make the difference between those who succeed and those who struggle later in life?

This is way more impactful than just pushing for good grades.

Unfortunately, many parents waste hundreds of dollars every month on tutors and academic programs focusing only on rote learning.

While adding tremendous amounts of stress to young kids.

Smart parents are discovering this simple solution to spark their child's fire for self-driven achievement, raising confident leaders fast.

Focused Wonder

The purpose of Focused Wonder is to foster connection and open communication with your kids and spouse. This section offers simple, focused questions designed to spark meaningful dialogue—whether at the dinner table, during a car ride, or at bedtime. Use these questions to build trust, curiosity, and laughter in your relationships.

  • "Can you think of a time when you felt really happy? What made that moment special?"

  • "Do you think people can be happy even when things don’t go the way they want? Why or why not?"

Focus in Motion

Curated videos to help make you think, to motivate, or to just laugh.