All That Happiness Is: Some Words on What Matters

.his title from New Yorker staff writer Gopnik (The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery) reads like a graduation speech. As expected, it gives excellent advice to those just stepping out into the workforce. Universal and profound, the advice equally applies to the middle-aged, anyone in transition, and even retirees. In Gopnik’s view, there is a world of difference between achievements and accomplishments. Society imposes achievements (e.g., standardized tests), while accomplishments are the fulfillment of internal goals. Gopnik provides wonderful anecdotes supporting his belief that internal motivation and flow lead to true happiness and success. As a person’s happiness grows, their ties to others and the community deepen, and this results in what he calls “mutual reliance.” Gopnik’s rousing book advocates that people of all ages try new things selfishly every day. If anyone has trouble finding joy in their passion, he recommends finding a “Violon d’Ingres”—a secondary passion that gives access to the first passion.