Have you ever wondered what it would take to be truly happy in your life? Now, scientists have the answer to this proverbial question, and it does not involve money, fame or success.

After decades of painstaking research and a several clinical trials involving dozens of patients, a group of researchers from the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Minnesota said they have cracked the code to happiness.

This code, according to Dr. Amit Sood who led the research, is simply about focusing your attention to positive things every day.

Sood explained that based on their research, 40 to 50 percent of the happiness of a person depends on where he or she chooses to focus his or her thoughts each day.

"You can choose to live focusing on what is not right in your life," Dr. Sood said.

The expert admitted that this is easier said than done, since the human mind is, by instinct, more inclined to focus on negative thoughts. Defying this evolutionary instinct, Sood said, will definitely make us happier.

"Resiliency has everything to do with happiness," the lead researcher said.

The same research also showed that happy people are better at compartmentalising or separating negative thoughts from positive ones.

Dr. Sood likewise said gratitude, compassion, acceptance and forgiveness are sure ingredients for happiness in life.

'When things go wrong, try to focus on what went right within what went wrong," he explained.

"If you've had a difficult day, when you get back home, for the first three minutes, forget about it, park it, and meet your family as if they're long lost friends," Dr. Sood added.

Aside from these, the Mayo Clinic study also revealed that happier people tend to focus on themselves less.

Dr. Sood also recommended living a healthy lifestyle, which includes exercise and a proper diet.