Hedonic Treadmill

Posted on | November 19, 2008 |

What Does it Mean?
The tendency to remain at a relatively stable level of happiness despite a change in fortune or the achievement of major goals. According to the hedonic treadmill, as a person makes more money, expectations and desires rise in tandem, which results in no permanent gain in happiness. The hedonic treadmill theory compares the pursuit of happiness to the actions of a person on a treadmill, who has to keep working just to stay in the same place.

My wife and I earned much much more compared to when I was single living in a basement in, Goshen, Indiana. I didn’t have much then, but my life was much simpler.

Now I am striving to earn much more. Hopefully for real gain, instead of for stagnant progress.