Have you ever reached a major milestone—a promotion, a big sale, a new house—only to feel… empty? We spend so much of our professional lives chasing “success,” yet true happiness often feels like a moving target.
Steven Shortt, the founder of The Happy People Project, comes on the show with David and shares how he faced this reality head-on after a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis forced him to re-evaluate his trajectory. Through his journey, he discovered a profound truth: Happiness isn’t a destination or a finish line. It is progress towards purpose.
But how do you find that purpose amidst the noise of deadlines and quarterly targets?
Moving Beyond the “Bucket List”
Many of us operate off a “bucket list“—things we want to do before we kick the bucket. But isn’t that a bit morbid? It frames our lives around an end date rather than the joy of living in the moment.
Short suggests replacing this with a Happy Life List. This isn’t just about checking off exotic vacations; it’s about designing a life that fulfills you daily. It requires distinguishing between “means goals” and “end goals.” You might think you want a massive house (means), but what you truly crave is a gathering place for family connection (end). When we focus on the end goal, we find happiness in the pursuit, not just the purchase.
The HAPPY Framework
To help leaders and individuals design this intentional life, Short developed the HAPPY framework. It’s a tool to audit where you are and map where you’re going.
Highlights (H)
Flash forward 10 or 20 years. What do you want to celebrate when you look back? This isn’t just about what you want to own, but the experiences you want to have and the person you want to become.
Appreciation (A)
Look back at your journey so far. Who helped you get here? Gratitude grounds us. It allows us to value not just the victories but the difficult lessons that shaped our character.
Progress (P)
What skills, habits, or mindsets do you need to reach those highlights? Real happiness comes from the sensation of moving forward, even if the steps are small.
People (P)
Who are you spending time with? Do they drain you, or do they inspire you? The qualities you admire in others often reflect the potential waiting to be developed within yourself.
Your Contribution (Y)
Finally, how are you giving back? Whether it’s mentoring a junior employee, raising a family, or creating art, we find our deepest meaning in contribution. As the saying goes, “Lift where you stand.”
Start With Three Minutes
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed by the “backpack” of expectations you’ve been carrying, try this simple exercise.
Set a timer for three minutes. Write down what you actually want—not what your boss, your parents, or society thinks you should want. Don’t overthink it; just write. You might be surprised by what ends up on the page.
As Shortt says, “The world moves forward when people move forward.” Are you ready to take that first step?