WHAT MAKES MEN HAPPY- BY DAVE WILLIS

We are living in an era where happiness seems elusive, but people desire happiness now more than ever. In this post, I’m going to focus specifically on men’s happiness. If you’re a man reading this, I hope these insights bring you more happiness. If you’re a woman reading this, I hope this article helps you better understand the longings and motivations of your husband, your sons and the men in your life. Here’s some recent research into men’s primary needs and desires.

No two men are the same, so it’s dangerous to assume there’s a one-size-fits-all approach to happiness. On the flipside, it’s naïve to assume we can’t learn some valuable insights from the broader trends of data from the masses. A recent study commissioned by the men’s grooming company “Harry’s” partnered with University College London to do an in-depth survey of 5000 American men from all walks of life to determine the key factors that brought happiness. The results of the study were published in “The Harry’s Masculinity Report.”

The most compelling insight from the entire study revealed the “key” to happiness among most men. It wasn’t money or physical fitness or even a great sex life. Sure, most men desire those things, but it turns out none of those factors were the most important to a man’s happiness. According to the research, the one factor that makes most men happy is (by a large margin) their job satisfaction.

Specifically, men want to know that they are respected and valued for effectively using their unique skills and talents to make a positive impact at work. They want to know they have purpose in their work and their contribution is directly benefiting a meaningful overall mission and cause. The study revealed that when a man feels satisfied in his work, he tends to be happier at home.

There are some dangers in taking this data out of context. When a man chooses to find all his purpose and satisfaction in his work, it can make work into an idol. When work becomes out of balance, a man’s health and his family can suffer as a result. Men tend to be drawn to pursuits where “winning” can be measured in tangible results, but it’s also important for men to understand that the most important parts of life have no “scoreboard.”

There are no physical trophies given in marriage. There are no financial bonuses given for being a good Dad. There are no spreadsheets where we can measure the authenticity of our faith; and yet, these are the parts of life that matter most. There’s no amount of success outside the home that can compensate for the lack of success inside the home.

BLESSINGS...

DAVE WILLIS