Worklife with Adam Grant We’re wrong about what makes us happy with Dan Gilbert
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Apr 8, 2025 
Daniel Gilbert, a Harvard psychologist and bestselling author of 'Stumbling on Happiness,' reveals why our predictions about what will make us happy are often wrong. He shares his unconventional journey from high school dropout to esteemed professor. The conversation dives into affective forecasting and how small annoyances can overshadow significant events. They also explore the intricacies of regret and the surprising ways our life choices impact happiness, emphasizing the importance of embracing the present.
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Unconventional Path to Academia
- Dan Gilbert, despite lacking a high school diploma, became a Harvard professor.
- He dropped out in the '70s, hitchhiked, and became a sci-fi writer before returning to education through a community college psychology course.
Origins of Happiness Research
- Dan Gilbert's interest in affective forecasting stemmed from a lunch conversation with a friend.
- Both experienced hardships but were surprisingly okay, prompting questions about happiness prediction.
The Power of Adaptation
- Humans are remarkably adaptable and often return to baseline happiness even after trauma.
- This adaptation is often underestimated when predicting future happiness.
