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Ice Cream, Good Grades, and Riches: The False Promises of the "If-Then" Model

Feb17



Well, folks, it seems like we've all been tricked. Yes, you read that right, we've been tricked into being unhappy! I mean, seriously, who came up with this whole "if-then" model? Was it some sort of evil mastermind who wanted to see us all suffer?

Think about it, from the time we were little kids, we were told that if we were good, we would get a reward. And what was that reward, you ask? ICE CREAM! Yes, the ultimate prize for all well-behaved children was a cold, creamy cone of pure happiness. But what they didn't tell us was that happiness was fleeting, and that we would soon be back to our miserable, ice cream-less existence.

And then, as we got older, the "if-then" model only got more insidious. If you got good grades, then you would get into a good college. If you got into a good college, then you would get a good job. If you got a good job, then you would be happy. But what they didn't tell us was that no matter how good our grades were, or how good our job was, there would always be something else that we needed to be happy.

And let's not forget about the ultimate "if-then" model: If you were rich, then you would be happy. I mean, seriously, who came up with that one? Have they never heard of the phrase "mo' money, mo' problems"? Sure, having a lot of money might make some things easier, but it certainly doesn't guarantee happiness.

So, my fellow humans, it's time to break free from the "if-then" model and start finding happiness in the present moment. Let's all go out and get ourselves some ice cream, no strings attached! Because sometimes, the best things in life really are that simple.

By Dean Miles

Keywords: Business Continuity, Mental Health, Startups

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