Keep your dreams - the yacht, the marathon, the partner who will love you forever. But if you want real life-satisfaction, there's a more effective way.

Develop a mission

Make it something you can do for others that might even become your life's work.

Professor Martin Seligman, the founder of positive psychology, tells the story of the hospital porter he saw hanging a painting on the wall as a patient lay in a coma. The porter explained that it was his responsibility to care for the patients and added, 'Take Mr Miller here, he hasn't woken up since they brought him in and I want him to see something beautiful when he does'. He had redefined the conventional role of a porter and created a mission - not just a job, not just a painting, but a career caring for others.

People with missions focused on others are happier, healthier and live longer.