Happiness and the source of self destruction

I read 2 posts recently from entrepreneurs about happiness. One I agree with whole heartedly and one that is a commonly held conception which I completely disagree with (I am not sure why this is interesting to entrepreneurs except that possibly all entrepreneurs are seeking happiness when they start businesses instead of taking the normal course of life):

Happiness and the dangers of belief in the written word :) is an amusing article from Fabrice Grinda, it is in complete contrast to How to stay happy written by the James Hong the founder of hotornot.

First to counter James, although he says it's just for him I will make some points against it anyway because I think its a dangerous belief:

Happiness = Reality - Expectations

Take that to the logical extreme and basically the worse you can make your expectations the happier you are. So if you wake up in the morning thinking you are going to die painfully, its going to be a horrible day and everything you try and do will be a failure you will be an extremely happy person, does anyone actually believe that?

In my opinion Happiness = Expectations, because happiness is just a state of mind, so the happier you think you will be the happier you will end up being. Its completely in your control and outside of Reality.

I will leave you with Fabrice's 11 steps towards happiness, where number 11 prescribes optimism. If you read the post you will see the irony in me quoting him as the prescription :-), its a nice start anyway.

1. Don’t equate happiness with money.
2. Don’t commute.
3. Exercise regularly.
4. Have lots of sex.
5. Devote time and effort to close relationships.
6. Pause for reflection, meditate on the good things in life (in other words be grateful).
7. Seek work that engages your skills, look to enjoy your job.
8. Give your body the sleep it needs.
9. Don’t pursue happiness for its own sake, enjoy the moment.
10. Take control of your life, set yourself achievable goals (in other words have goals).
11. Have an optimistic attitude and outlook on life.

Update: Obviously everything here is a bit simplistic and I am generalising, but its fun.