By Dylan J. England | Health, Fitness & Leadership Coach
Do you believe it’s possible to feel happier—without needing a new car, a bigger house, or a different job?
Here’s the truth: Happiness isn’t always about changing what you have. It’s often about changing how you see what you have.
The Trap of the “Hedonic Treadmill”
Ever notice how you get excited about something new—a car, a phone, a promotion—only to feel the excitement fade within weeks? That’s called the hedonic treadmill: we adapt, get used to what we have, and start looking for the next thing.
For example, imagine you just bought a Ford Explorer. Suddenly, you start seeing them everywhere. It’s not because they magically appeared—it’s because your Reticular Activating System (RAS), the part of your brain that filters information, is focused on it.
Your RAS also plays a role in how you see the world. If you focus on what’s missing or what’s going wrong, you’ll see more of it. If you focus on gratitude, you’ll see more reasons to be thankful.
What Do You Already Have?
Let’s pause for a second. If you’re reading this on your phone, in your car, or on a computer, you already have more than kings and queens had 100 years ago. Think about it:
- Clean water—on demand
- Electricity—24/7 access
- The internet—limitless learning
- Global communication—text, video, email
- Food delivery, prescription delivery, online shopping
- Air travel, cars, GPS, and doorbell cameras
- Remote work, online education, and virtual communities
These are incredible luxuries we often take for granted. There are still people in the world today who don’t have electricity or clean water. Shifting your perspective to what’s already good in your life can unlock greater happiness—without needing more.
8 Steps to Shift Your Mindset and Build Happiness
Here’s a simple guide I learned from leadership training—and it works:
- Happiness is a way of seeing, before it’s a way of being.
- Surround yourself with positive people who lift you up.
- Live with purpose. Define it for you, not for anyone else.
- Audit your thoughts: Are you focusing on what’s good—or what’s missing?
- Believe you can create your own happiness. Daily affirmations help!
- Remember: Failures don’t make you a failure.
- Practice mindfulness to shift your focus in tough moments.
- Sprinkle positive moments into your day—every day.
And don’t forget: Your health matters. Nutrition, movement, sleep, and mindset fuel the happiness you seek.
The Bottom Line
Gratitude is the antidote to a negative mindset. Your RAS will focus on what you feed it—so feed it with the good.
Let’s not keep this to ourselves:
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And remember, you have more than you think—right now.
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Want to Go Deeper?
I share more of this journey and the mindset tools I’ve used in my latest episode of The Practical Edge Podcast:
Listen now on my website:
https://englandcoaching.com/the-practical-edge-podcast
Or stream it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, IHeartRadio or any major platform.
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Ready for a coach who can help you sharpen these habits for life?
Check out my coaching program at www.dylanjengland.com. Let’s build the foundation for your best life—together.
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