Watch the full video interview on YouTube here: http://bit.ly/talbenshahar409

Tal Ben-Shahar (IG: @happiness.studies.academy) obtained his PhD in Organizational Behavior from Harvard and is a bestselling author and lecturer.

He taught two of the largest classes in Harvard University’s history, Positive Psychology and The Psychology of Leadership.

Today, Tal consults and lectures around the world and is the co-founder and chief learning officer of Happiness Studies Academy.

In this episode, we discuss:

The pivotal moment in Tal’s happiness journey after he won a squash championship
Leaving computer science behind to study philosophy & psychology
Learning that success won’t lead to happiness
What is me-search?
Tal’s attempt to become happier and increase self-esteem & self-confidence
The SPIRE elements of happiness
When we reject painful emotions they intensify
Even the greatest love stories face difficulties, challenges, and hardships
It’s ok to struggle, it’s part of evolving
Gridlocks are the road to a better relationship
Boundaries are important in raising children
Open communication is an important part of any relationship
More important than validation is knowing and being known
Taking small steps to intimacy
People share too much, we need to be more modest
Imparting values and interests on your family
Understanding your intrinsic passion vs. your extrinsic motivation
When you decide to take your own path… commit to it 100%
Pursuing your passion is the essence of happiness
Why Tal created the field of happiness studies
Learn to embrace and accept your anxiety not reject it
Have more of an impact on our happiness levels
Create daily rituals to express gratitude
Knowing that your life is going to end / facing death
Reading a book on happiness won’t make you happier… you need to practice

Show sponsor:

Organifi <== 20% off all Organifi products

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Related links:

Tal Ben-Shahar - Happier (book)

Tal Ben-Shahar's website

Follow Tal Ben-Shahar on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Happiness Studies Academy (Save 10% off by using the code HAPPY at checkout)

Tal Ben-Shahar (books)

Henry David Thoreau (books)

Mohandas Gandhi - The Story Of My Experiments With Truth: Mahatma Gandhi's Autobiography (book)

Viktor Frankl - Man's Search For Meaning (book)

Aristotle - Nicomachean Ethics (book)

George Eliot (aka Mary Anne Evans) - Middlemarch (book)

Oprah Winfrey (books)

David Schnarch - Passionate Marriage (book)

Anders Ericsson (books)

Martin Seligman (books)

Ellen Langer (books)

Sonja Lyubomirsky (books)

The Good Place

Irvin D. Yalom (books)

Related episodes:

377: A.J. Jacobs – Stop Obsessing About Your Health, Gratitude Leads To Happiness, Radical Honesty

366: Dr. Andrew Weil – Spontaneous Happiness

211: Meik Wiking – What Is Happiness (Lykke)? • The Lost Wallet Experiment • Helper’s High

123: Jonathan Fields – How To Live A Good Life • Breakthroughs Require Uncertainty • Money And Happiness Are Byproducts, Not The Goal

037: Gretchen Rubin – The Foundation For Happiness | Simplicity vs. Abundance Lovers | The One Minute Rule

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409: Tal Ben-Shahar on the Science of Being Happier

The Jesse Chappus Show