Given the choice, most people would prefer to be happy. Yet, happiness remains frightfully elusive. Why is that?

It may have to do with where we place our attention. Quite often our happiness is a result of what we are choosing to do, and who we are with, in the moment. With that theory in mind, is it possible to mindfully improve our happiness?

According to Scott Young, the answer is yes. In an article on his website, Young proposes that the path to greater happiness is focusing on the things we love as opposed to the things we merely like. Early in the piece he lays out his logic.

Each of us has things we love. These things are both deeply enjoyable, and they fit ourselves into the vision of who we would like to be. When we’re doing them, we feel both fun and joy in the moment, but also feel content with the person we’re aiming to be.

We also have things we just like. These things may offer some momentary pings of joy, but the activity itself doesn’t really make us feel better about ourselves or deeply fulfilled. It’s just something to pass the time.

A route to greater happiness, in both the day-to-day enjoyment and long-term fulfillment with who you are and where you are in life is simple: do more of the things you love, and cut back on the things you merely like.

Young believes that by being methodical about identifying the things we love to do and the places and people we love to be with, our happiness will improve by focusing our time on them. To learn more about his theory and follow his step-by-step guide to make it happen, please read the rest of the article.