how to be happy, lesson #6.

Don't let other people determine your dreams.

Studies show that people who feel they're responsible for their own position and decisions in life express one-third more life satisfaction than people who don't. (Kean, Van Zandt and Miller, 1996)

Same song, second verse: Too many people choose their goals based on what other people think. Think about what you really care about, what matters to you, and establish meaningful goals to achieve what's important to you. You don't need to succeed at every single thing you try in order to feel happy, but you do have to believe you've got control over your own life.

from 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People:

What Scientists Have Learned and How You Can Use It

by David Niven, Ph.D.