The document explores the correlation between money, extrinsic aspirations, and happiness, concluding that achieving extrinsic goals like wealth and fame does not contribute to psychological well-being. In contrast, intrinsic aspirations such as personal growth and strong relationships are linked to higher happiness and mental health. It encourages individuals to pursue intrinsic motivations and activities that foster a sense of purpose and flow to enhance their overall happiness.

1. Money and happiness:
Is there any correlation?
Summarized by
Jaroslav Conclusions of current personality research
Prochazka

2. We western people tend to connect happiness with
extrinsic or material aspects

3. We say:
“I’ll be happy if …”

4. “If I have a new car.”

5. “If I get higher salary.”

6. “If I buy a
countryside
house.”

7. “If I become famous.”

8. “If I have a few millions.”

9. “No, wait! Rather billion ;)”

10. Is it really like this?
Happiness = Extrinsic aspects

11. Is it really like this?
Happiness = Extrinsic aspects

12. Let’s check current research

13. Let’s check current research

14. Let’s check current research
Niemiec, Ryan, Deci (2009) The
path taken: Consequences of attaining
intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations in
post-college life. Journal of
Research in Personality, vol.
43(3), 291-306.

15. Goal of the research
• To check the level of students attainment in three categories during
studies (Time 1) and 1-2 years after graduation (Time 2)
• To check their psychological health and social functioning at the end
(Time 2) we call it happiness in this presentation

16. Two groups
of students
 Group 1: extrinsic aspirations
(money, fame, and image)
 Group 2: intrinsic aspirations (personal
growth, close relationships, community
involvement, and physical health)

17. Intrinsic  Deep and enduring relationship
 Helping others improve their lives
categories  Grow and learn new things
checked  Physical health

18. Extrinsic
categories
checked
 Being wealthy person
 Being admired by many people
 Appealing image

19. Research conclusion
• Attainment of the intrinsic aspirations for personal growth, close
relationships, community involvement, and physical health related
positively to basic psychological need satisfaction and psychological health
• In contrast, attainment of the extrinsic aspirations for money, fame, and
image was unrelated to basic psychological need satisfaction and related
slightly negatively to psychological health

20. Research conclusion
• Although people with extrinsic motivation achieved their goals (they
become wealthy and admired), they weren’t happy
• Moreover, they mentioned increased anxiety and depression although they
achieved their goals!

21. One research is not enough to convince you?
You are right!

22. Let’s bring other proofs, e.g.
• Ariely, D. (2010): Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape
Our Decisions, Harper Perennial.
• Kasser, T., & Ryan, R. M. (1993). A dark side of the American dream:
Correlates of financial success as a central life aspiration. Journal of
Personality and Social Psychology, 65, 410–422.
• Kasser, T., & Ryan, R. M. (1996). Further examining the American
dream: Differential correlates of intrinsic and extrinsic goals. Personality
and Social Psychology Bulletin, 22, 280–287.

23. And few more …
• Vansteenkiste, M., Neyrinck, B., Niemiec, C. P., Soenens, B., de
Witte, H., & Van den Broeck, A. (2007). On the relations among
work value orientations, psychological need satisfaction and job outcomes:
A self-determination theory approach. Journal of Occupational and
Organizational Psychology, 80, 251–277.
• Csikszentmihalyi: Beyond Boredom and Anxiety: Experiencing Flow in
Work and Play, 25th anniversary edition, Jossey-Bass, 2000

24. So, is it really like this?
Happiness = Extrinsic aspects

25. No
Happiness Extrinsic aspects
It’s just a false need generated by current society.

26. Let’s save your time hunting extrinsic aspects ;)
After achieving quite low level of extrinsic aspects our
happiness and psychological health is no more in correlation!

27. So what to do instead?

28. Happiness Known and lived purpose
(known and followed intrinsic motivation)

29. • Think what you are good at, better than others
 Don’t worry there is always something ;)
• Think about your intrinsic motivation and write it down
 Community involvement, service to others, personal growth, physical health, …
 Helping customers to solve their challenges and issues

30. • Find your “flow” moments (the moments you enjoy and forget about time)
 Try to recognize them
 Does it include the capabilities you are good at? Why not?
• Try to reorganize your work environment to repeat flow moments and
reduce no-flow moments
 Include also activities you are good at

31. • Create the room for mastering your favorite activity
 It should be also those you are good at
 Share the result of mastering with others!
• Find and master also calming activity to decrease stress
 Music, art, sport, volunteering, massage, manual work, meditation, writing,
children or retiree care, …

32. • No correspondence between those and your daily job?

33. • No correspondence between those and your daily job?
• Change it!

34. • No correspondence between those and your daily job?
• Change it!
• Start the journey and make your hobby your job!