A Bit of Optimism

Happier-ness with author Arthur Brooks

Sep 12, 2023

Arthur Brooks, an expert on happiness and co-author of "Build the Life You Want" with Oprah Winfrey, discusses the ongoing journey of achieving happiness, or 'happier-ness.' He emphasizes that true fulfillment isn't a destination but a practice rooted in relationships and service. Brooks reframes negative emotions as essential signals and promotes viewing mental health as a continuous journey. He highlights the importance of community and shared experiences in fostering genuine happiness, encouraging self-reflection and purpose through personal achievements.

42:55

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Episode guests

Arthur C Brooks

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Quick takeaways

Happiness requires constant work and progress, focusing on love, relationships, faith, and serving others.

Pursuing pleasure alone, such as money and fame, does not lead to lasting happiness; true enjoyment comes from adding people and creating meaningful memories.

Deep dives

The Importance of Effort and Work in Achieving Success and Happiness

The podcast episode discusses how putting in effort and work is crucial for achieving success and happiness. It emphasizes that just like we practice our hobbies, train at the gym, and gain experience at work, happiness also requires constant work. The guest, Arthur Brooks, who has studied the science of happiness for over 25 years, talks about the dangers of pursuing success over happiness. It highlights the importance of striving for happiness by focusing on love, relationships, faith, and work that serves others. It concludes that progress and personal growth are the keys to building the life you want.

The Correlation Between Happiness and Lifestyle: Explained

01:31

Understanding Happiness Through Science

00:44

The Goal Isn't Happiness: Refining Our Understanding of Happiness

01:00

Intro

4min

The Pursuit of True Happiness

15min

The Importance of Embracing Negative Emotions

3min

Redefining Mental Health as Mental Fitness

2min

Journey to Self-Discovery and Happiness

16min

The Power of Connections in Achieving Happiness

4min

You’ll never achieve perfect happiness. This might sound like bad news, but it’s actually a good thing. Because being happy is not a final destination, it’s an ongoing practice. In short, it’s happier-ness.

That’s a term Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey coined in their new book “Build the Life You Want” where together they lay out a blueprint for a better life. And they would know: Arthur has studied the science of happiness for over 25 years, and I have never had a conversation with him that I haven’t left with a life-changing perspective on what it means to live a meaningful life.

This conversation was no different.

This… is a Bit of Optimism.

For more on Arthur and his work check out:

https://www.amazon.com/Build-Life-You-Want-Science/dp/0593545400

arthurbrooks.com