"When we know where we're going — and know that we really, really want to get there — it is much easier for us to stay on course, true to ourselves. We are more likely to say "no" to externally imposed obligations, to requests that are not aligned with our interests, to the sirens of status — and to say "yes" to the call, the voice coming from within."

- Tal Ben-Shahar, Happier

“The primary purpose of having a goal - a future purpose - is to enhance enjoyment of the present.”

- Tal Ben-Shahar, Happier

"The choice we face is between passively reacting to extrinsic demands and actively creating our life."

- Tal Ben-Shahar, Happier

“People who set goals are more likely to succeed than people who do not. Having explicit objectives that are challenging and specific - with clear timeline and performance criteria - leads to better performance. Setting a goal is about making a commitment in words, and words have the power to create a better future.”

- Tal Ben-Shahar, Happier

“If we have a destination in mind, if we more or less know where we are going, we are free to focus our full attention on making the most of where we are.”

- Tal Ben-Shahar, Happier

“And courage is not about not having fear but about having fear and going ahead anyway.”

- Tal Ben-Shahar, Happier

“Happiness is not merely contingent on what we do or where we are but on what we choose to perceive.”

- From Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar

“In order to be happy, we need to find both meaning and pleasure - to have both a sense of purpose and the experience of positive emotions.”

- From Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar

“Attaining lasting happiness requires that we enjoy the journey on our way towards a destination we deem valuable. Happiness is not about making it to the peak of the mountain nor is it about climbing aimlessly around the mountain; happiness is the experience of climbing toward the peak.”

- From Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar