I had one of those surreal moments recently where real life and celebrity collided.
I found myself sitting next to none other than Manu Feildel, Australia’s favourite Frenchman, at a restaurant.
While I was quietly fan-girling behind my wine glass, I overheard him say something that stopped me mid-bite.
“Food tastes better when you’re happy.”
Simple. But powerful.
It got me thinking about how happiness shapes how we experience everything, not just food.
The Harvard Study of Adult Development, which began in 1938 and is still ongoing, is the longest and most comprehensive study of human happiness ever conducted.
It has followed more than 700 participants and their families over multiple generations, tracking their physical health, mental wellbeing and life satisfaction.
The study’s findings are clear. Close relationships are the strongest predictor of long-term health and happiness.
Strong social bonds are linked to a lower risk of disease, better emotional resilience, and longer life expectancy.
Participants who reported having warm relationships at age 50 were more likely to be healthy and happy at age 80.
It turns out that happiness is not found in wealth, fame or career achievements.
It is found in the quality of our relationships and how connected we feel to others.
So what does that have to do with real estate?
Everything.
In real estate, we are not just helping people transact.
We are guiding them through some of life’s biggest moments.
New beginnings, new chapters, sometimes even heartbreaking endings.
How people feel when they interact with us matters every bit as much as the service we provide. Buyers do not just fall in love with a property.
They fall in love with the possibility of a life within its walls.
Sellers remember how we made them feel long after the settlement cheque clears.
And our teams thrive not just because of systems and structures, but because of cultures built on trust, respect and positivity.
So next time you are walking into a listing appointment, a routine inspection, or even a Monday morning meeting, remember this.
You are not just serving information. You are serving an experience.
If happiness can enhance the flavour of food, imagine what it can do for your business.
Kindness, care and connection might just be the secret ingredients to building a brand with maximum flavour.
Bon appétit, real estate friends.
