The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes – The Secret to Happiness

Key Takeaways

• Happiness is a choice, and it starts with YOU

Intro

• Everyone wants happiness, but most people don’t know what happiness really is
• This is a compilation episode, with clips about happiness from some of Lewis’ past guests

Here’s what Marisa Peer (@MarisaPeer) had to say

• “There is no destination called happiness. Happiness is the journey.”
• You have to choose to be happy now, because happiness is not something that you’ll “eventually arrive at”
• Happiness is a choice
• “Choose to be happy in adversity, rather than believing that when there’s no adversity, then you’ll be happy” – There will ALWAYS be adversity and stress in your life
• “You cannot go to happiness, you have to be happy now”

Susan David (@SusanDavid_PhD)

• “Happiness cannot be a goal”
• But we live in a society that tells us that we should pursue and chase happiness
  • Research shows that when people pursue happiness as a goal, they actually become less happy over time
• “Happiness comes from not chasing positive emotions”
  • It comes from being willing to experience whatever emotion you’re feeling – whether sadness or anything else – and not wishing it away

James Clear (@JamesClear)

• “Happiness is just the absence of desire”
  • By craving one state, you are more likely to not be enjoying your current state
  • “Happiness is just not wanting something. It’s like observing your life, without craving a change in it.”

Rachel Hollis (@msrachelhollis)

• “Happiness isn’t dependent on outside influence. Happiness is something that you create for yourself.”
• Happiness is up to YOU

Rich Roll (@richroll)

• Many people think that happiness can be achieved through the external – accomplishments, relationships, finances, and career
  • “But the ability to be happy resides within YOU”
  • It’s about the relationship you have with yourself

Shaun T (@ShaunT)

• “Happiness is not connected to material things in any way, shape, or form”
• Happiness is connected to interpersonal relationships, and it starts with the relationship you have with yourself
  • If you have a great relationship with yourself, you can have a great relationship with other people – this leads to happiness
• “If you DO things that make you feel great about who you are, then happiness is going to happen”

Trent Shelton (@TrentShelton)

• “As long as you’re dependent on someone else to give you happiness, then you’re bound to be unhappy”
• Happiness is inside of you, it’s not something that you go look for

Brook Ence (@brookeence)

• “Happiness all starts with how you think about yourself”
  • Live your best life – that’s a good start
  • Talk to yourself, like you would talk to your best friend
• But it’s okay to derive happiness from external objects – it just shouldn’t solely be where your happiness comes from
  • Really examine why that object makes you happy – if that new car you bought is nice, but your sole reason for buying it was to impress others, it won’t make you happy