The Surprisingly Simple Formula That Changed How I View Satisfaction
Sometimes, even after hitting big milestones or achieving things I once only dreamed of… I still feel like it’s not enough.
Ever been there?
You pour yourself into your goals, climb new hills, and yet that quiet question still lingers in the background:
"Why doesn’t this feel more satisfying?"
That’s when I came across something profound from Arthur Brooks that completely reframed my perspective:
Satisfaction = Haves / Wants
At first glance, it looks like a clever little equation.
But the more I sat with it, the more I realized—it’s life-altering.
We’re taught to chase more.
More income.
More freedom.
More success.
More recognition.
More everything.
But this formula flips the script. It doesn’t tell you to increase your "haves" to feel more satisfied.
It shows you that another path—often more powerful—is to decrease your "wants."
What Does That Mean in Practice?
The numerator (“haves”) is everything you already possess—tangible and intangible.
The denominator (“wants”) is what you desire, expect, or believe you need to feel fulfilled.
If your wants are constantly increasing, satisfaction becomes elusive—because the denominator keeps growing faster than the numerator can keep up.
But if you intentionally manage and reduce your wants?
Even with the same “haves,” your satisfaction increases.
How I’ve Started Applying This
Here are three ways I’ve used this equation to cultivate more satisfaction in my own life:
1. Reflect on What You Already Have
Take a moment to inventory your wins.
Not just the big ones—celebrate your growth, your relationships, your skills, your health, even the lessons from setbacks.
So much of our dissatisfaction comes from never pausing to recognize how far we’ve come.
2. Evaluate Your Wants
Are the things you’re chasing adding meaning—or just adding noise?
Some goals fuel purpose. Others feed insecurity or comparison.
When I asked myself, “Do I really need that?” I found myself letting go of goals that didn’t align with my values.
3. Reframe Through Gratitude
This might sound cliché, but it’s strategic:
Gratitude shrinks the denominator.
It trains your brain to notice abundance instead of lack.
And when you see clearly what’s already good, you don’t chase as hard for what’s missing.
The Takeaway
Satisfaction doesn’t require stopping your growth or giving up on ambition.
But it does require wisdom in managing your expectations.
Arthur Brooks’ formula gave me a lens I didn’t know I needed—a reminder that the key to fulfillment isn’t always to hustle harder. Sometimes, it’s to want less and appreciate more.
When we shift from “How do I get more?” to “How can I enjoy what I already have?”—everything changes.
What about you?
Have you ever felt the endless chase for more?
What practices help you feel content, even in a world pushing for constant achievement?
Let’s talk.
