After years of research on happiness, money, life and goals, here are some of my key findings.

Researchers from the University of Illinois and Pennsylvania State declare that, in a 1985 survey, the Maasai of East Africa were almost equally satisfied with life as some of the 400 richest Americans on the Forbes list. The Maasai are a traditional herding people who have no electricity or running water and live in huts made of dung.

Goal. Realize that making huge amounts of money doesn’t necessarily buy happiness. Maybe it's time to stop competing with the neighbours for the flashiest car. Money, power, fame or status should not be treated as the goal, rather as resources towards more meaning and purpose. Perhaps the goal will be more freedom, control and health in your life.

People who are truly successful look at their values and live a rich and rewarding life created through healthy relationships, personal integrity, and discovery. They are not concerned with impressing others with wealth and status.

Goal: Spending more time with family, friends and the community can be an inexpensive yet incredibly rewarding experience as opposed to watching TV or shopping. Being honest with yourself and open to new adventures certainly adds spice to life as well.

People happiest in their jobs are the ones that remain truly engaged, learn something new everyday, and have a connection with different groups and networks.

Goal: Start learning new things. Discover your passions and build on them. Seek information. This is what leads to true meaning and purpose in ones career.

Summary. Being clear on your life goals leads to a much more satisfying life.

1) After basic needs are met, money doesn’t buy much more happiness.

2) Our relationships with others provide some of our greatest values and inspirations.

3) Connecting with your work and continuously seeking value adding information makes life much more satisfying.

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Terry Vermeylen is one of those rare people that is passionately driven to help others unlock their own barriers toward fulfillment, meaning and purpose. He is the founder of http://www.mylifechanges.com/, an Internet value identification and goal setting enterprise.