58 minutes
Hosted by Arthur Brooks
Episode Description
<p>Everyone wants to be happier—but too often we go chasing things that make us miserable instead.</p><p>In this episode of <em>Office Hours</em>, I break down the three big elements—what I call “macronutrients”—that you must have to live a happy life: enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning. I offer practical ways to strengthen each macronutrient in your own life and revisit the concept of emotional profiles. I help you think about your unique experience of positive and negative emotions, how to lean into your strengths, and how to manage your weaknesses.</p><p>And one exciting bonus: My team and I have developed a survey that measures both your unique macronutrient composition and your emotional profile. I hope you can use it to start getting happier today. Take the Happiness Scale at <a href="http://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale"><strong>learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale</strong></a>.</p><p>—</p><p><strong>Where to find Arthur Brooks: </strong></p><p>• Website: <a href="https://arthurbrooks.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://arthurbrooks.com/</a></p><p>• Newsletter: <a href="https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter</a> </p><p>• X: <a href="https://x.com/arthurbrooks" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/arthurbrooks</a></p><p>• Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/arthurcbrooks/</a></p><p>• Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.facebook.com/ArthurBrooks/</a></p><p>• YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuyFRjJQFGCKzfHTBvWM6A</a></p><p>• LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-c-brooks/</a></p><p>• Email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">[email protected]</a></p><p>—</p><p><strong>Timestamps:</strong></p><p>(00:00) Intro</p><p>(03:28) How genetics influences happiness </p><p>(08:36) Why pursuing happiness isn’t selfish </p><p>(09:23) Why we long for happiness and why we make mistakes trying to find it</p><p>(10:54) Misconception #1: Happiness isn’t a destination; it is a direction</p><p>(14:30) Micsonception #2: Happiness isn’t a feeling</p><p>(18:24) The three macronutrients of happiness </p><p>(20:11) Macro #1: Enjoyment (versus pleasure) </p><p>(24:45) Macro #2: Satisfaction </p><p>(28:44) Macro #3: Meaning</p><p>(33:36) The role of unhappiness </p><p>(37:04) Misconception #3: Trying to eliminate all suffering </p><p>(38:17) The four combinations of affect profiles and how to measure your happiness</p><p>(49:40) Q&A: Being happier with type 1 diabetes </p><p>(51:09) Q&A: How to get better at public speaking </p><p>—</p><p><strong>Referenced:</strong> </p><p>• Take the Happiness Scale test: <a href="https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale"><u>https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale</u></a> </p><p>• How to Build a Life: <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/projects/how-build-life/"><u>https://www.theatlantic.com/projects/how-build-life/</u></a></p><p>• <em>The Happiness Files: Insights on Work and Life</em>: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Files-Insights-Arthur-Brooks/dp/B0F4MFQ6VN"><u>https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Files-Insights-Arthur-Brooks/dp/B0F4MFQ6VN</u></a></p><p>• Peter Drucker’s website: <a href="https://peter-drucker.com/"><u>https://peter-drucker.com</u></a></p><p>• Twin Studies: A Unique Epidemiological Tool: <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4919929"><u>https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4919929</u></a> </p><p>• Genetic Influences on the Development of Alcoholism: <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4159132"><u>https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4159132</u></a> </p><p>• 3 Steps to Managing Your Emotions: <a href="https://www.arthurbrooks.com/podcast/3-steps-to-managing-your-emotions"><u>https://www.arthurbrooks.com/podcast/3-steps-to-managing-your-emotions</u></a></p><p>• The Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (Official Lyric Video): <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrIPxlFzDi0"><u>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrIPxlFzDi0</u></a> </p><p>• <em>The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness</em>: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Your-Life-Finding-Emptiness/dp/0593545427"><u>https://www.amazon.com/Mean