Don’t be a miswanter

By: Simon McDermott
2012-01-03

As we enter the new year—a time for reflection on how to improve our lives—are you aiming for what will make you happy? If so, can you accurately gauge what this will take, or do you fall into the trap of miswanting?

“Miswanting” means fooling yourself by thinking you can predict that a certain thing will make you happy. Our miswants can include material objects—a certain car, the latest tech toy, a fabulous purse—or life changers such as the ideal job or mate. The truth is that once you get this “great thing,” it usually doesn’t make your life perfect and as soon as the novelty wears off, you’re no more happy than before. (And possibly even less happy if you’re now in debt!).

In the article “Happiness made easy” on Examiner.com, Debbie Mandel makes a great point when she says, “I would even play with the term miswanting and call it “McWanting” because pop culture persuades everyone to desire the lifestyle of the rich and famous.”

Here’s how to control the miswanting that can occur in your life:

Think about what’s really important to you. Is it material possessions, or family and friends, doing something meaningful with your life, etc.?
Stop striving for the “wrong” things. If, in the past, desired objects have lost their lustre once you acquired them, try to learn from this experience so you don’t repeat it. Really examine your wants.
Simplify your life. If you need less, maybe you can cut down on work and enjoy other things in life—with the resulting reduction in stress and better health.
Learn to be content with what you have, rather than thinking about what you don’t have.

http://www.examiner.com/self-help-in-national/happiness-made-easy

What things in your life have turned out to be miswants?

About the author
Simon McDermott

Simon McDermott is a writer and editor with an affinity for anything fitness or health related. Born in England, in 1964, Simon moved to Montreal in 1999 and has spent the past decade in publishing—much of it with Reader’s Digest. There, he managed production of Our Canada magazine—this country’s first national reader-written publication. Our Canada remains the most successful magazine launch (circulation) in Canadian publishing history. Simon is married to Melanie, and the couple have a one-year-old boy, Farrell Sebastian. In his spare time, Simon enjoys weight training, running, playing squash and spending time with his family. He also enjoys “experimenting” in the kitchen, though it’s not clear if family and friends “enjoy” the results.

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