You only need to make citizens happy for 1 day: the day you collect taxes. Essentially, you have 20 days to find an alliance, educate yourself, implement what you have been taught, and in the process your citizens will be happier.
You should:
Reach 299 infrastructure
Buy a harbor and a foreign ministry
Get 5 trades that result in the 3 bonus resource trade circle - see my nation in game and get my connected resources and bonus resources.
Learn what a tech deal is and do it to generate revenue for your nation.
Be a responsible spender - do not go on "shopping sprees" when you receive $6mil.
To change your nation description look at the small box menus on the left - Main Menu - Edit My Nation link --- there you can edit your nation slogan and your nation information. To edit your nation information you will choose one of three options: default, custom, or a mix and then Save Changes.