I think when seeking this advice, you need to be aware of what people think will make them happy vs. finding people that are actually happy.
It's easy to spout off things that in your head "will make you happy" -- but don't listen to those people. Since they haven't actually made it there.
It's like how winning the lottery doesn't actually make people happy. Ask those people before they win the lotto, what would make them happy, I bet a good number of them would list winning the lotto. Ultimately, the lotto doesn't actually make them happier.
(I think the key is that there is no state of absolute happiness. You have to "work" at being happy. Not necessarily through action, but perhaps by awareness.)
Step 1: Think. Next time you approach something new, think of it as an experiment. Be curious, with a healthy sense of detachment. A scientist would say "I don't know, let's see what happens," and so can you!
Step 2: Try. Decide what you will try in your experiment. Challenge yourself to do something you might not have done before. Think about how will you measure success. How will you enjoy the journey in addition to the outcome?
Step 3: Learn. Observe what happens and learn from it. The final outcome might be different from your measurement of success. Expect to be surprised.
The key to happiness is setting goals that are recognizably stretch goals for oneself (but not so stretch that they are unachievable), then achieving them, and then taking pause to reflect on the successful achievement of those goals.
When you know you're going to die all you have time for is happiness. Ask any old person rotting away their last days in existence in a dilapidated convalescent home. The point is you don't have to wait until you're old to reap the power your death gives you.
This is something I'm trying to hone in on these days.
Recognize and appreciate the little moments in life. At times, we absorb ourselves in the grind of our projects that we easily lose sight of simply enjoying the little things for what they are - a good conversation, a nice view, putting together a nice meal, etc.
Key to happiness(according to Vonnegut): Low expectations.
Key to being good at something while also being happy(who knows but you can try this):
decouple self-worth from achievement. Base self-worth on pursuit of consistent, deliberate practice.
It's easy to spout off things that in your head "will make you happy" -- but don't listen to those people. Since they haven't actually made it there.
It's like how winning the lottery doesn't actually make people happy. Ask those people before they win the lotto, what would make them happy, I bet a good number of them would list winning the lotto. Ultimately, the lotto doesn't actually make them happier.
(I think the key is that there is no state of absolute happiness. You have to "work" at being happy. Not necessarily through action, but perhaps by awareness.)