From my experience, with myself and with clients, is that for most purchases (a coat, a lipstick, a pair of skis, a television) our greatest point of satisfaction occurs just BEFORE we pay the money or hand over the credit card. It’s all downhill from there. But for the first time in my life my satisfaction has grown SINCE taking possession of an item and it CONTINUES to grow.
I am driving a fully electric car. It’s a Nissan Leaf. It’s the quietest car I’ve ever experienced, the cleanest, and the greenest. It’s even friendlier: frequently strangers stop me to ask me how I like my car. “Don’t get me started!” I respond. Every time I get in the car, I know that I’m making a gift to the planet because I’m not polluting. I don’t go to gas stations anymore, and that’s a great relief. I don’t smell fumes in my garage, and I don’t need any oil changes. The state of California gave me my very own charging station, and because I have solar panels on my roof, the electricity is free.
This truly is the gift that “keeps on giving” because every time I drive it I feel I am helping the planet. Therein lies the secret to my satisfaction: Happiness studies show that giving is more satisfying than receiving–I give as I drive to work, drop my kids at basketball, shop for food, go to the gym. The happiness studies also show that money spent on experiences give us more satisfaction than money spent on material items. While a car is a material item, this electric car provides an experience that is all about giving.
I boast that it’s the only car I’ve ever loved. It’s guilt-free driving. I never had a sports car, but now I feel proud to be seen in my little Leaf. Now if it could only go a little further than 100 miles on a charge I’d be truly happy…
