As we go along, this week we will link up to some resources you can access, to know as much or (indeed) as little as you want to read on the matter. For now, let’s review the work of Abraham Maslow.

Some people will be familiar with the work of Maslow and the concept of a “hierarchy of needs”, which is often represented as a pyramid. Maslow proposed a psychological theory to explain motivation in human beings. He suggested that people are motivated by internal factors or needs, instead of external rewards. He proposed that regardless of cultural or economical differences, every human being seeks to fulfil more basic needs before moving into others, which he described as steps in a hierarchy. Maslow identified five distinctive levels, with the ones at the bottom being essential, such as satisfying our needs for food and water, while those at the top are secondary and only achievable when the bottom ones are fulfilled. From the bottom of the hierarchy upwards, the needs are:

1) physiological,

2) safety,

3) love and belonging,

4) esteem

5) self-actualisation.

Maslow reflects further on what constitutes “basic needs” and argues that once these are fulfilled, humans have an urge for self-actualisation. This urge is as powerful as the urge that motivates us to fulfil our basic needs, and entrenched equally deeply in our human psyche. Perhaps explaining how, even when so difficult to define, and even perhaps to acquire, happiness is a central north point that everyone can relate to. Whether you consider that this is attainable, or sustainable for you, the idea of happiness will not have escaped you.

But what is in it for you if you are to become happier? Apparently, and according to a significant body of research, if at any moment in life you are feeling really happy, you will be expected to add anywhere from 5 to 7 years to your life expectancy. Data relating to physical health also points to greater physical benefits. A report of greater happiness in everyday life correlates highly with the presence of fewer chronic pain conditions, lower likelihood of diabetes, fewer strokes, a better chance of survival following a diagnosis of cancer, a better cardiovascular and immune profile and a lower likelihood of suffering fatal accidents. The positive effects also correlate with positive social health. The GGSC goes further, and based on the results of research studies it proposes that children who describe themselves as feeling “happy” have better relationships with peers, a wider circle of friends, are judged to be warmer and more intelligent, and less selfish. People who are perceived as “happy” also have a greater positive social impact, being more likely to have supportive social networks and be trusted by other people. They are less likely to experience divorce, and report greater fulfilment in marriage. The benefits also translate into the work environment: it has been suggested that happiness and positive emotions actually make you more creative and innovative at work.

So what is there for you to lose?

It all starts with good measure.

You will find many catchy phrases around “measure”, and certainly coming from the field of social sciences, measuring happiness is in tune with the well-known question, how long is a piece of string? It is difficult to agree on what to measure, how to measure it, and how to go from one measure to the next. However, measuring something helps you to define it, compare it, contrast it, and in the end change it, if you so wish. Measuring brings awareness, awareness leads to understanding, and sometimes just by engaging in this process of noticing, becoming aware, we bring ourselves to the breakthrough of our most significant changes.

When the field of economics took to measuring happiness in the world, they found that the most helpful measure was asking a single question, what is known as the “Cantril Ladder”, which goes like this:

“Please imagine a ladder, with steps numbered from 0 at the bottom to 10 at the top. The top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the bottom of the ladder represents the worst possible life for you. On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time?”

The measurement is so popular, that every year on World Happiness Day (20 March) a World Happiness Index is published comparing all countries on the planet against this question. Perhaps following Maslow's hierarchy of needs, this economic argument is based on the observation that once a certain amount of wealth is achieved, more wealth does not lead to an improvement in quality of life, let alone happiness. Measuring happiness allows for a richer measure to effectively assess the progress of nations.

Keep this number is mind.

And now consider the following questions:

a) Why did you give this score / Why did you select this step?

b) (assuming it is above “0”), what accounts for the previous steps?

c) What stands between this step and the next step up?

d) What would 10 / 10 be for you at this moment?

e) Do you think that being on top of the ladder, achieving a 10/10, is possible?

Yes? No?, and please take a moment to reflect “why?”

f) If you find yourself on any middle point of the scale (or even the 10/10), ask yourself further: is there anything you can do in this moment that could elevate you that little bit more (even just by half a step).

As you become familiarised with the Cantril Ladder, and what each step means for you, this becomes a helpful and handy measurement. What about asking yourself this question every morning? Might this help you to go that little bit higher?