In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson declared life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as our inalienable rights. And hey, we’ve come a long way! Today, we don’t just have life and some freedom—our liberty would blow the minds of our ancestors during the Dark Ages. We’re talking not just about breaking free from tyrants and feudal lords, but also escaping the days of endless, grueling labor.
We've had worker protections, more freedom to choose our paths, and we were protected from many sorts of injustices and illnesses that used to be a constant threat. High five to progress! (Although it feels like we’re slipping backward on this front)
But happiness? That one’s a wild ride. Jefferson was clever enough to say our right is to chase happiness—not just magically receive it. It can be slippery, especially Level Three happiness—think of it as the “boss level” in the game of life.
Let’s break this down Nettle-style. Daniel Nettle, a British psychology lecturer and author extraordinaire, says happiness comes in three levels. Level One is quick and easy—it's the joy of watching a hilarious movie, hitting a hole-in-one, soaking up the sun on vacation, or chowing down with friends and family. It’s instant gratification, like finding a $20 bill in your old jeans. You hit Level One every time you’re having fun.
Level Two is a bit more brainy. It’s all about how you judge your life. Are you satisfied? Do your highs outweigh your lows? If you’re nodding yes, congrats—you’re riding Level Two, feeling a general sense of well-being. It’s like looking at the scoreboard after the game and feeling pretty darn good about your stats.
Level Three, though, is the grand finale. You hit this level when you feel like you’re really thriving—living your best life, fulfilling your potential. This isn’t just any life; it’s the high-quality, “top shelf” version. So, what does that mean?
If you’re confused, don’t worry. Even Louis Armstrong couldn’t define Jazz—“Man, if you gotta ask, you’ll never know.” It’s kind of like that. But here’s what we do know: a top-notch life isn’t just about stacking cash.
Don’t get me wrong—money matters. It decides your zip code, your kids’ schools, the quality of your doctor, and whether your lawyer is a rock star or just learning the ropes. Money brings comfort, more choices, and less stress. But let’s be real: it can’t buy true love, genuine friendship, or instant wisdom. It won’t magically fix everything, and it sure won’t make you more generous or solve all your worries. People imagine money is a superhero. It’s not.
Money doesn’t change you—it puts the spotlight on who you already are. As Larry Winget said, “If Kardi B, Lonny Musk, and Kylie Jenner weren’t rich, they’d still be acting entitled and unhinged—just at Wal-Mart instead of Rodeo Drive.”
You just wouldn’t see it on TMZ!” So, if you’re a great person, money highlights that. If you’re not—well, you get more attention.
So, what sparks high-level happiness if it’s not just the cash? Mark Skousen breaks it down in EconoPower: The magic ingredients are:
1. Rewarding and honest work
2. Recreation (fun, fun, fun!)
3. Love and friendship
4. Spiritual growth
And guess what? None of these require a fat bank account. Sure, if you’re broke, your recreation might be hiking or reading instead of yachting or racehorse adventures—but joy is still joy!
For maybe the best explanation ever, Aristotle, way back in the day, said lasting happiness isn’t found in chasing pleasure, excitement, or profit. Sure, those things are fun, but they don’t stick. What really matters is living up to your potential, sticking to your values, and following your conscience. That’s “the good life”—and it leads to the kind of happiness that lasts (Nettle’s Level Three).
Following your conscience isn’t always easy. We all miss the mark sometimes. But isn’t it better to give your all to something meaningful, even if you stumble, than to ace something that doesn’t matter?
Like the wise man said, “You always know the right thing to do (unless you’re a sociopath!). The hard part is doing it.” So go out there, chase Level Three happiness, and have fun with it. You’ve got this!
To your true happiness!
Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant
SMART DEVELOPMENT
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