🚧 📱

Mobile experience coming soon

Mobile development is in progress. Until it is complete, please use your desktop or laptop.

Thanks!

← Back
TED May 2, 2026

Why Pursuing Happiness Makes You … Less Happy | Emily Esfahani Smith | TED

Summary

The transcript explores the nuanced approach to New Year's resolutions, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between discrete achievement goals and cultivating a meaningful life by focusing on underlying values and principles. The speaker suggests that resolutions should be framed around deeper yearnings like connection, health, or purpose, rather than narrow, measurable objectives that lose significance once accomplished. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the need to approach personal growth as an ongoing journey of working towards meaningful values, rather than viewing resolutions as simple checklist items that supposedly lead to happiness.

View original episode ↗