The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

Moment 153: Happiness Engineer Explains The Exact Formula For Happiness: Mo Gowdat

Mar 15, 2024

Mo Gawdat, former chief business officer for Google X and bestselling author, reveals the fascinating 'happiness equation.' He explains that happiness is predictable and stems from our perceptions versus expectations. Discover how six grand illusions and seven blind spots can distort our understanding of fulfillment. Gawdat emphasizes happiness as a choice, urging personal responsibility in cultivating positivity. He also shares insights on embracing emotions and utilizing neuroplasticity to foster a joyful mindset.

22:50

Episode guests

Mo Gawdat

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Quick takeaways

Happiness is the result of events meeting or exceeding expectations, not based on specific occurrences.

Recognizing and overcoming distortions in perceptions can lead to maintaining happiness amidst inherent brain design focused on negativity.

Deep dives

Happiness Equation: Events vs. Expectations

Happiness is not based on specific events but on the comparison between events and expectations. For example, nature's chaos makes us happy because it aligns with our expectation of nature. Happiness is defined as events meeting or exceeding expectations, leading to calmness and peace.

The Illusions of Thought, Self, Knowledge, Time, Control and Fear

00:31

Choose to Influence What Matters to You

01:26

Handling Problems in Business and Life

01:48

Intro

4min

Understanding Happiness Through Illusions and Blind Spots

4min

The Power of Choice: Redefining Happiness

4min

Choosing Positivity and The Power of Focused Engagement

4min

The Three Levels of Happiness: Understanding and Acceptance

6min

In this moment, former chief business officer for Google X and bestselling author, Mo Gawdat, discusses the happiness equation. According to Mo, we don’t realise that happiness is actually very predictable, so much so that it can actually be put into a mathematical equation. Mo says the formula for happiness is: your perception of the events of your life minus your expectations of how life should be. This means, that it’s not specific events that cause happiness, but it is the comparison between the event and the expectation you have in your mind of how your life should be going. As a result happiness is all about perception, which means you have the ability to control your happiness and it becomes a choice that you decide.

Listen to the full episode here

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Watch the Episodes On Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/%20TheDiaryOfACEO/videos

Mo Gowdat: https://www.instagram.com/mo_gawdat/?hl=en

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