 Pleasure vs. fulfillment. What is more important for your lasting happiness? Now pleasurable things are easily recognized. The things that make us feel good in the moment. That gives us a sense of joy and euphoria. When you open up your fridge and you see that chocolate mug cake that's been sitting there for a day, and you have that with a tall glass of milk, that's pleasurable. When you buy the new Call of Duty and go online and play with your friends, that's pleasurable. When you had that one night stand three weeks ago with a gale of your dreams, that is pleasurable. Now, one would assume if we lived our lives just enjoying all that earth can offer. If we had as much money as we needed to buy everything we wanted, that we would live the good life, that we would be happy forever. If one made this assumption one would be wrong. Because scientists have found out that there is a thing called the hedonic treadmill or hedonic adaptation. And now hedonic adaptation is when you get used to new circumstances. If you were to win ten million dollars, right now you'll be happy for perhaps the first six months and then life will return to normal. We get used to pleasurable things because pleasurable things don't last long. Pleasurable things are good in the moment. They're intense, but only temporary. You do not remember every single mud cake that you had. You don't remember all the times you played online with your friends because these things don't last long. They don't last long in the mind. They're intense and excellent for the time that they had in your life, and then they're fleeting. Over-fulfilling things are different. Unlike pleasurable things, fulfilling things are not always obviously good for you. They could be painful if you ran a mile. Running that mile could be painful, but if it was the first time you ran a mile, you will feel fulfilled because you accomplished something new. And if you ran two miles the next day, once again, it'll be painful, but you will feel fulfilled. The difference between pleasure and fulfillment is that fulfillment is subtle. It's not intense pleasure. Fulfillment lasts longer. It's quiet in the background. Fulfilling things are things that you can remember, things that you feel proud about, things that make your life have meaning. Why do you think billionaires and people that make these companies such as Facebook and Amazon, once they've acquired their billions of dollars, why do you think they keep doing it? Why do they keep working? It's because their work is fulfilling. It brings meaning to their life, and that brings them more happiness than the money itself ever would because they became used to the money. Pleasurable things you become used to, that's why drug addicts need more fixes. They need more drugs, new sensations, new ways of feeling that pleasure. It doesn't last long. It's fleeting. So what's fulfilling? Fulfilling things are things that allow you to grow. Fulfilling things are things such as joining a new sport. Perhaps learning a new martial arts, learning a new language, learning how to code. Fulfilling things are improving in your business, improving in your health and fitness. Learning new things, things that always require some sort of personal growth are fulfilling. So if you want lasting happiness, don't always chase things that are pleasurable. Go for the things that fulfill you. There is a time and place for pleasurable things, but don't make that the foci of your life. Always choose the things that ensure growth.