Four Levels of Happiness - what level are you?

Recent conversations with with people who are in career/life transitions spurred this blog. They vary from corporate executives, entrepreneurs, employees, stay at home parents and young adults entering college. They are successful in all aspects, yet have a desire for something more. The common burning questions they are asking are, "What is the purpose of my life?" and, "How can I make an impact?" Does this resonate with you or do you know of someone who is going through this kind of transition?

I have come across an interesting theory called Four Levels of Happiness, by Robert Spitzer. When we begin to get a grasp of these levels, we get a better picture of what our lives look like. Subsequently we can begin to uncover the answers to, "What is my purpose?" and "How can I make an impact?"

Robert Spitzer - Healing the Culture discusses Four Levels of Happiness.

Level 1 - Instant Gratification, "I want it now." Things we accumulate that don't last.
Level 2 - Personal Gratification, "Ego In." Achievement, Power, Admiration.
Level 3 - Good Beyond Self, "Ego Out" Giving back to others.
Level 4 - Serving God's Will "Ego towards God" Faith, Higher Purpose, Relationship with God.

Levels 1 through 3 are not destructive in themselves, yet when used as a means to an end, they can leave us searching for purpose in our lives.

My spin on this theory is, when we are in alignment with God's will, (Level 4), we can choose to have the remaining three levels working in harmony in our lives. We can make decisions on those Levels based on what our relationship with Level Four (God) is, thus producing Joy in our lives.

When we are in alignment with God, we can trust that the paths we choose to go down will provide purpose and meaning, though it may not be what we expect. Once this key ingredient is in place, we have many tools available to uncover the details of what that purpose looks like, and how to go about stepping out in that direction.

If you are in a place of transition, and are searching for more purpose in life, I offer my clients a special tool that supports and empowers them on this quest.

I'm curious...

• What Level of Happiness are you in right now?
• Have you been or are you in a career/life transition?
• What has worked for you in discovering your purpose?
• What have been your challenges?
• What have been the benefits of this discovery?

Thank you in advance for your comments.