What does your 'HAVES VS NEEDS' Equation look like?

Are you pushing yourself hard…striving for more? More success, growth, money, and influence? Yesterday, I listened to Arthur Brooks, a renowned social scientist and happiness researcher, in conversation with Dave Asprey on The Human Upgrade podcast. Their discussion, titled “Happiness Hacks that Actually Work,” offered insights that I both connected with and questioned.

One topic, though, stayed with me: Brooks’ equation for happiness:
Happiness = Haves / Needs

As leaders, we often want to boost the numerator—the “Haves”! We’re typically in pursuit of achievements, resources, influence, and financial success. However, Brooks suggests that a happier, more resilient life is found not by accumulating more but by reducing the denominator: our “needs.”

Less Can Be More
What if we focused on cultivating a life that truly needs less? Imagine the energy, time, and mental space we’d reclaim.

For Example:
Think about the number of meetings or commitments we have as leaders. A leader I recently coached felt the need, in growing her business, to be present at every discussion, respond to every request, and keep up with all industry trends—both locally and globally. She was on the brink of burnout when she came to see me. We discussed her “needs,” and she re-evaluated them. She decided to reduce the number of meetings she personally attended by 30%. Instead, she delegated more, empowered her team to make decisions, and blocked off 'focused time' for high-impact work.

The result?
She not only reclaimed hours in her week but also found herself less mentally drained. This shift allowed her to focus on strategic thinking and team growth rather than constantly being caught in the operational grind. By needing less, she gained more: greater clarity, renewed energy, and a stronger team!

Reflect on Your True Needs
Ask yourself: What are the core needs that sustain my happiness, and which ones create clutter?

This exercise can reveal where you may be overinvesting time and energy, allowing you to clear space for what truly matters.

This is especially relevant in MADVEMBER—as we “slide down the slippery slope” to year-end.

Moving Forward with a “Less is More” Mindset
Incorporating the “Haves / Needs” equation into our leadership can foster resilience and inspire a work environment that values happiness and fulfillment over relentless ambition.

When we need less, we find satisfaction more readily, resilience flows naturally, and true growth comes from a place of clarity and purpose.

What can you let go of today?

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#ResilientPeopleBounceForward #BackingBACKIsNOTAnOption #HavesNeeds

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