Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment

Seligman explores how modern work culture is undergoing a transformation from chasing wealth to seeking meaning and fulfillment. He opens by observing that despite rising incomes in developed nations, happiness levels have stagnated or even declined. This disconnect suggests that money alone is no longer a reliable source of satisfaction. As economic security has become more attainable for many, people are turning their attention to deeper motivations: identity, purpose, and the expression of personal strengths.

Seligman describes the American economy as shifting from a money economy to a satisfaction economy. While financial necessity still matters, a growing segment of the workforce prioritizes meaningful work over high-paying but emotionally draining roles. He illustrates this with the legal profession, where young associates are increasingly leaving prestigious firms in search of more fulfilling paths. For many, the promise of wealth is no longer enough to justify stress, burnout, and a lack of alignment with personal values.

Central to this chapter is Seligman’s distinction between three orientations toward work: a job (viewed as a paycheck), a career (seen as a path of advancement), and a calling (experienced as intrinsically meaningful and connected to one’s purpose). Those who see their work as a calling report the highest levels of engagement and happiness.