Finding meaning in meaning

Have you ever had the thought, “I just want to be happy”?

Happiness is something we are all striving for, and why shouldn’t we be? It’s the ultimate positive emotion! But what if our pursuit of happiness is misguided? Is there something else out there that can provide us with greater fulfillment? On this episode, Deloitte chief well-being officer Jen Fisher talks with Emily Esfahani Smith, a writer and speaker who draws on psychology, philosophy, and literature to help us better understand the human experience – why we are the way we are and how we can flourish with grace and meaning in a world that is also suffering.

Happiness itself is just a word that people kind of latch onto. People know immediately, they have a sense that is what they want in life, they see the big yellow smiley face. It’s easier to comprehend, it’s easier to program into your life. Meaning is a more abstract concept and requires more work. You are constantly working towards the things that are meaningful to you, towards building a meaningful life.

– Emily Esfahani Smith, author and speaker

About WorkWell

On the WorkWell podcast series, we talk about all things well-being. Stay up-to-date with the latest health and wellness trends and discover tips and tricks along the way with host Jen Fisher, Deloitte chief well-being officer. Subscribe today and learn ways to enrich your own well-being, improve work-life balance, and create a culture of wellness at work. Each podcast is designed to help you better understand–and more importantly—embed well-being into your life and work!

Visit the WorkWell library for the full collection of episodes and learn more about well-being at Deloitte.