Did you ever wish you could be happier right now, much happier? That life could be, well, happier in each moment, more puppies and roses, or that at least the sun could be shining more than half the time?
Well then do we have the show for you!
Today we’ll be talking with Tal Ben Shahar, a former Harvard pyschology professor and a leader in the field of positivity and happiness. He’s also the author of the best-selling book: Choose the Life You Want: The mindful Way to Happiness.
Today we’ll be talking about at least 10 key ways to CHOOSE Happiness in Each moment, plus the power of smiling and why we both do it before starting the show, plus why we might want to forgo that new Porsche, and instead head for Cabo pronto. Arriba!
Interview Topics Include:

Got into studying happiness because wasn’t happy studying computers
Generosity Brings Happiness

There was a study that gave you money to go shopping

Shoppers high had 1 day stick – then gone
Those who were give money to instead give away, had more stick, even a week later






Hebrew word natan, palindrome, same word backwards, because of the relationship of giving and receiving


Being Present Brings You Happiness

Eric, Blind Home Designer
Hellen Keller
Brings happiness and boosts immune system


Being in a state of Gratitude brings you happiness

Hellen Keller was a consummate appreciator


Being Present and Grateful is a super-powerful happiness duo

What Barbara Frederickson calls heartfelt positivity – feeling good in the moment
Einstein , either nothing is a miracle or everything is


What are key ways to be mindful for happiness

Like working out

Can go to gym
Or bring activity to everything


Mindfulness

Can meditate
Or can make every moment a mindfulness practice


Listening to someone contributes to their physical health

Kids self-esteem is higher
Also affects employees in workplace – sick less when listened to more by boss or colleagues
One of best predictors of job productivity is the answer to “do you have a best friend at work” – having someone hear us out.


Having Pets contributes to wellbeing and happiness
In every moment can cultivate mindfulness

Amy Cutty – Physical Posture
Doing dishes can be mindful
When eating –


5-10 minutes a day of mindful eating a day can improve our wellbeing
Posture can improve wellbeing, happiness, and body chemistry

High power pose –

Rooster pose or big-shot pose


Increases testosterone and reduces cortisol

Demostrates confidence


Weaker pose

Increases stress hormones, decreases testerone
Hunching forward at computer isn’t good for our psychology


The permission to be human

Allowing ourselves to experience any and all emotions
Difficult of self-help gurus

Can’t be happy all the time
Cannot suppress or block emotions


Allowing yourself to experience emotions
The idea of the lucky person – phenomenon of luck and Dr. Wiseman

More open
Interpret events differently


Be a benefit finder, not a fault-finder
How to become more of a benefit finder

Teach it
Write about it
Have reminders around you


Bringing humor and lightness to your life

The healing power of humor – Norman Cousins

Prescribing humorous activities – the power of humor is remarkable


Ellen Degeneres

Combining Dance and Humor


The Wonder Drug video on Happiness.tv

Ellen and TBD (Too Busy Disorder)

So important to do less rather than more


Changing our beliefs and the mind-body connection

How do we shift those beliefs
Carol Dweck –

Fixed mindset vs. growth mindset – self fulfilling prophecy


Having a fixed vs. a growth mindset
Shoot for more positive experiences – even small experiences

The value of experiences over goods


Supporting a child’s dreams
Spirituality – having a meaningful, purposeful experience

See your work as significant or purposeful
Doesn’t have to be in a great or big experience or ah ha moment, it can be in just about every moment of our lives.


Happiness is in the details – in the minute-to-minute decisions we make

Jon K