The Happiness Revolution: The Science of Success

Tal Ben-Shahar, PhD.,  author of "Happier"

Wednesday, October 15, 2008 7:30 p.m.,
 Central School, 620 Greenwood Ave, Glencoe, IL
Co-sponsored with the Glencoe PTO

What are the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to survive and thrive? Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D., the New York Times best-selling author of Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment, comes to the area for one night only to discuss new scientific paradigms for success at work and play. Dr. Ben-Shahar has been a charismatic visiting lecturer at Harvard University -- his course, “Positive Psychology,” was the most popular class in the school’s history, and his other course, “The Psychology of Leadership,” was the third most popular, with over 1,400 students total. He will share simple truths about how to become happier – and thus, more successful – by engaging in meaningful work and incorporating optimism, positive emotion and gratitude into our lives. A must-see event! Presented by the Family Awareness Network of New Trier Township (FAN) and Glencoe PTO.  This event was attended by more than 375 people.

Tal Ben-Shahar's website

Amazon link to his books

Daily Show appearance

Harvard College course PSY 1504 Positive Psychology (including video of lectures)

(from his website)

Tal Ben-Shahar is an author and lecturer at Harvard University. He taught the most popular course at Harvard on "Positive Psychology" and the university's third most popular course on "The Psychology of Leadership"—with a total of more than 1,400 students.

Ben-Shahar consults and lectures around the world to executives in multi-national corporations, the general public, and at-risk populations. Topics include leadership, ethics, happiness, self-esteem, resilience, goal setting, and mindfulness. He is the author of Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment.

An avid sportsman, Ben-Shahar won the U.S. Intercollegiate and Israeli National squash championships. He earned his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology from Harvard.

Six Tips for Happiness

Advice from Tal Ben-Shahar

1. Give yourself permission to be human. When we accept emotions — such as fear, sadness, or anxiety — as natural, we are more likely to overcome them. Rejecting our emotions, positive or negative, leads to frustration and unhappiness.

2. Happiness lies at the intersection between pleasure and meaning. Whether at work or at home, the goal is to engage in activities that are both personally significant and enjoyable. When this is not feasible, make sure you have happiness boosters, moments throughout the week that provide you with both pleasure and meaning.

3. Keep in mind that happiness is mostly dependent on our state of mind, not on our status or the state of our bank account. Barring extreme circumstances, our level of well being is determined by what we choose to focus on (the full or the empty part of the glass) and by our interpretation of external events. For example, do we view failure as catastrophic, or do we see it as a learning opportunity?

4. Simplify! We are, generally, too busy, trying to squeeze in more and more activities into less and less time. Quantity influences quality, and we compromise on our happiness by trying to do too much.

5. Remember the mind-body connection. What we do — or don't do — with our bodies influences our mind. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and healthy eating habits lead to both physical and mental health.

6. Express gratitude, whenever possible. We too often take our lives for granted. Learn to appreciate and savor the wonderful things in life, from people to food, from nature to a smile.

Flyer  Map to location.