The
 Redefining Happiness
podcast
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Episode 8:
The Focusing Illusion: Is One Goal Defining Your Happiness?
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May 12, 2025
PODCAST RESOURCES HUB
Episode 8: The Focusing Illusion: Is One Goal Defining Your Happiness?
What if lasting happiness isnât found in one big goal, but in how you choose to focus on your everyday life?
In this episode of Redefining Happiness, we explore the Focusing Illusion, a concept from Dr. Daniel Kahneman and Dr. David Schkade that shows how our minds exaggerate the importance of whatever weâre currently thinking about. That hyperfocus on one goal, one milestone, one area of stress? It might be quietly distorting how happy you feel, and how satisfied you believe you are.
Youâll learn how this mental habit can cause us to delay happiness, misjudge our well-being, and overlook the smaller, sustaining moments that actually shape our emotional lives. Weâll also look at why daily life, not milestone moments, is where lasting well-being is built.
This episode is a reminder that no single achievement will ever carry the full weight of your happiness. But where you place your attention each day just might.
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This Weekâs Happiness Challenge: Refocusing the Goal
Take a few quiet minutes to reflect on where your attention is going.
Are you over-investing in one big goal at the expense of the present?
Use the free journaling worksheet in the Podcast Resources Hub to help you gently shift your focus and reconnect with what truly brings you joy, peace, and fulfillment, right now. Â
Resources Mentioned:
- [Free Download] Refocusing the Goal Expanded Journaling Worksheet â available now inside the Podcast Resources Hub
- Daniel Kahnemanâs research the Focusing Illusion
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Want to go deeper?
Get your free download of the Refocusing the Goal Expanded Journaling Worksheet in the Podcast Resources Hub, along with expanded versions of the challenge and bonus tools to help you build lasting happiness. Once you sign up, youâll have lifetime access to every episode resource.
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PODCAST RESOURCES HUB. Â
Sign up once and unlock exclusive tools, guides, and exercises to support your happiness journey. Â Subscribe now for free and get instant access
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Listen now and start creating a life that feels as good as it looks.
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Meet the host of Redefining Happiness
Karen Castillo
Host and Happiness Coach
Helping women redefine happiness is Karenâs passion. With warmth, wisdom, and a no-fluff approach, she guides listeners to look inward and uncover what really makes them feel fulfilled. Karen is the thoughtful, honest friend who reminds you that happiness isnât something to chaseâitâs something you create.
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Great Show!  âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
I love how there's no fluff here - just helpful information about happiness and how to have more of it! It's the perfect balance of encouragement and science. Definitely give this a listen if you want more happiness in your life!
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Create happiness on your terms!  âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
Redefining Happiness with Karen Castillo is a fantastic podcast! If you want to understand what truly brings you happiness and how to create it within yourself, this podcast is a must-listen. Her free podcast resource hub is incredibly valuable, providing worksheets and actionable guidance to help you move beyond passive listening and actively implement the insights gained from the show. I highly recommend it!
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Subscribe now for free and get instant access to the Podcast Resources Hubâyour companion guide to creating real, lasting happiness from the inside out.
What you'll get:
- Exclusive Happiness Challenges that help you apply each podcast episode to your daily life
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Downloadable worksheets, prompts, and tools to support your personal growth journey
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New resources added weekly so youâre never out of fresh inspiration
Itâs completely free to join. No spam, no fluffâjust meaningful tools to help you create more joy, clarity, and fulfillment as you listen to the Redefining Happiness podcast.
