Happiness Through Gratitude with AJ Jacobs

AJ Jacobs is a multiple NYT bestselling author, a journalist, a lecturer as well as a warm and hilarious human soul. He's on this weeks podcast and is…SO GOOD. In this show we learn why AJ intentionally puts himself in the most extraordinary circumstances ... like when he strove to be "the world's healthiest man" going from Dad bod to ultimate health (Book = Drop Dead Healthy). Or when he lived according to the bible for a year, beard, goats and all... (Book = The Year of Living Biblically). In this episode we have a blast, learn and laugh a lot, and discuss AJ's new book Thanks a Thousand, which chronicles his journey of gratitude in the same lovable - but brilliantly insightful - way. AJ has more tools in his toolbelt for being happy, healthy and productive than nearly anyone I've met. And because he's experimented so deeply with each of these tools, he knows just when to put them to good use. He's the rare blend of incredibly relatable and wildly successful at the same time. If you know his work already this will be a huge boost to your week. If you are new to his work, be prepared to thank me ;).

You'll also be inspired to know that:

• If you're struggling with feeling like your life is too boring to write about, or put on Instagram or build your wildest dreams upon…try doing what AJ does and immerse yourself into an experiment. Make your life interesting by putting yourself into extraordinary circumstances. Interesting circumstances = interesting life.
• AJ realized that somehow the more energy he put into making himself happy, the more miserable he got. When he flipped the script and focused on making others happy, even at what he thought was at his own happiness' expense, he became increasingly more happy. Paradoxical, but effective!
• NOT fake it till you make it….but fake it til you feel it. "It's easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than to think your way into a new way of acting." Don't let yourself get stuck in the cycles of endless thinking and planning. Take action.
• …and a hundred or so more hilarious and wise takeaways from AJ.

Enjoy!

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