The Defy Aging Newsletter

Anti-aging psychology, holistic health, and wellness

a biweekly e-mail newsletter for helping you think, feel, look, and be more youthful and live with purpose

Number 112

This issue:

Money and Happiness

ACTION TO TAKE

Pursue a career you love.

WHY

David Myers’ classic study of happiness found that between 1960 and 1990 Americans’ income, adjusted for inflation, doubled but the percentage rating themselves very happy remained constant at 30%.

Does the relationship hold? Any study is merely a photograph in time, from one perspective. The more photos, the better we understand the picture.

Last year Science magazine (pp. 1829-37) reported on a survey of 42,000 US scientists and their career satisfaction. The scientists included professionals and postdocs in universities, research facilities, medical facilities, and self-employment settings. For all categories between 60% and 75% rated themselves as “very satisfied.”

Average salaries ranged from 51K to 99K and there was no relationship between income and satisfaction. The exception was professionals in the highest paid group (99K)--Pharmaceuticals. Only 22% were satisfied. Overall those in academic and self-employed settings were happier than those in industry (though industry had higher salaries). As one respondent put it, “I can’t believe they pay me to do what otherwise would be my hobby.”

Retirement ages are getting later and later. Among academics almost 30% anticipated not retiring until 70 or older.

Would they choose a science career again? 70% said yes. Why? To quote the article: "A clear message from the respondents is 'love conquers all'… following your bliss is the only sure way to be happy in the job, say many of those surveyed."

QUOTES

Follow your bliss.

~Joseph Campbell

The mind is the source of all happiness and all misery of both poverty and riches.

~Napoleon Hill

Adopting a child can bring you more happiness than adopting a Cadillac.

~Melvin Durai

HUMOR

So you want to be happy, deliriously happy? Consider moving to Nigeria. Nigerians are the happiest people in the world, according to the World Values Survey. That doesn't surprise me at all, because I keep receiving emails from Nigerians eager to share their wealth with me.

~Melvin Durai

Reprint this article from:

THE DEFY AGING NEWSLETTER

Anti-Aging Psychology

Holistic Health and Wellness

This newsletter article may be reprinted in E-zines, newsletters, newspapers, and magazines provided the content is not edited and the attribution below is given. Formatting may be changed and you may use one of the web site pictures of the author to accompany the article.

"Dr. Michael Brickey, The Anti-Aging Psychologist, teaches people to think, feel, look and be more youthful. He is an inspiring keynote speaker and Oprah-featured author. His works include:  Defy Aging, 52 baby steps to Grow Young, and Reverse Aging (anti-aging hypnosis CDs). Visit www.NotAging.com for a free report on anti-aging secrets and a free newsletter with practical anti-aging tips."