Can You Be Happier? with Sonja Lyubomirksy

Jan 30, 2020

Sonja Lyubomirsky, a Professor of Psychology at UC Riverside and bestselling author, discusses the science of happiness. She debunks common myths about what truly makes us happy, emphasizing the significance of personal engagement in our happiness journey. Sonja explores how targeted strategies can enhance well-being, particularly in workplace environments. She also highlights the importance of social interactions and offers insights into balancing positivity with productivity for lasting happiness.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

The Dynamics of Happiness: Enhancing Well-being

01:57 • 15min

Balancing Happiness in the Workplace: Cautions and Considerations

16:45 • 2min

Navigating Happiness and Well-Being Terminology

19:07 • 2min

Enhancing Workplace Happiness Through Positivity and Relationships

20:51 • 3min

The power paradox

How We Gain and Lose Influence

Dacher Keltner

In 'The Power Paradox', Dacher Keltner challenges conventional wisdom on power by demonstrating that it is not acquired through domination or coercion, but rather through compassion and selflessness. The book explains how people gain power by enhancing the lives of others and how the experience of having power can lead to its abuse. Keltner outlines twenty 'Power Principles' to help retain power and avoid its corrupting influences. He emphasizes that enduring power comes from a focus on others and that power is given by groups to individuals who advance the greater good. The book also explores the personal and social ills associated with powerlessness and provides recommendations for nurturing and maintaining healthy power[2][3][4].

The myths of happiness

Sonja Lyubomirsky

In 'The Myths of Happiness', Sonja Lyubomirsky challenges common assumptions about what brings happiness and misery. She argues that our misconceptions about the impact of major life events, such as marriage, children, wealth, and failures like divorce or illness, can significantly affect our long-term well-being. The book emphasizes the concept of hedonic adaptation, which shows that people tend to return to their initial happiness level after significant life changes. Lyubomirsky provides scientific evidence and practical lessons to help readers make wiser choices and find happiness by looking beyond their initial emotional responses and focusing on their mindset rather than circumstances.

Art of Happiness

George K. Strodach

Epicurus

Daniel Klein

The how of happiness

Sonja Lyubomirsky

In *The How of Happiness*, Sonja Lyubomirsky offers a detailed yet easy-to-follow plan to increase happiness. Drawing on her extensive research, Lyubomirsky explains that while 50% of happiness is determined by genetics and 10% by life circumstances, 40% can be controlled through intentional thoughts and behaviors. The book provides over a dozen uniquely formulated happiness-increasing strategies, including practicing optimism, savoring life's pleasures, and staying active. It also includes diagnostic quizzes to help readers understand their 'happiness set point' and select activities that best fit their personality, resources, and goals. Lyubomirsky emphasizes the importance of personalizing these strategies to achieve long-term happiness[1][4][5].

The Undoing Project

Michael Lewis

The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis chronicles the intellectual and personal relationship between Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, two Israeli psychologists whose research fundamentally changed our understanding of human decision-making. Their studies, conducted from the late 1960s to the 1980s, exposed systematic errors in human judgment under uncertainty and laid the foundation for behavioral economics. The book delves into their extraordinary lives, including their careers in the Israeli military, and how their personal differences and eventual estrangement affected their work. Lewis's narrative makes complex psychological concepts accessible through engaging storytelling, highlighting the profound impact of Kahneman and Tversky's work on various fields, including economics, medicine, and government regulation[3][4][5].

Sonja Lyubomirsky is a professor of Psychology at the University of California - Riverside. Her research on the science of happiness has been the recipient of many honors. She is a best-selling author of the books The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want and The Myths of Happiness: What Should Make You Happy, but Doesn’t, What Shouldn’t Make You Happy, but Does.

In this conversation, you will hear Sonja share her thoughts and findings on happiness. Sonja shares some of her findings that prove that positive activity interactions work. Sonja also talks about some of the myths of happiness, which is the topic of her latest book. She talks about the identification process to determine which interactions may work for individuals. She also talks about happiness in group dynamics, specifically the workplace. Sonja must present these interventions in various ways, depending on the environment and situation and she explains how she does that.

Connect with Sonja Lyubomirsky:

Website: http://sonjalyubomirsky.com/

You’ll Learn:

[01:57] - Sonja shares what she hopes attendees gain from her presentations on happiness. Sonja says that it is possible to become happier.
[03:06] - Happiness is a broad term and Sonja describes how she defines the term.
[04:07] - Sonja’s talks about the short-term and long-term improvements people can make with happiness. She explains that short-term happiness is easier to achieve than long-term happiness.
[05:10] - Sonja describes the benefits of people being happy in the workplace. She also explains why it’s not a good thing to be “too happy” in the workplace.
[06:46] - Sonja lists a few interventions that people can use in the workplace to become happier at work.
[08:38]- Sonja shares some of her findings that prove that positive activity interventions work. She talks about gratitude and the role that factors like culture and dosage play a role.
[10:37] - In her book, The How of Happiness, Sonja provides a survey to help determine which interventions might work for individuals. She talks about this identification process.
[13:04] - Sonja shares some of the myths of happiness.
[15:32] - Sonja talks about the idea of happiness and well-being in social environments and with each other in various relationships.
[16:50] - Happiness shouldn’t be forced on anyone. Sonja talks about situations where happiness interventions aren’t the right strategy.
[19:11] - Sonja explains how she presents these interventions in different types of workplaces.
[20:00] - The Lightning Round with Sonja Lyubomirsky

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Special thanks to Sonja for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!