Word: shahar
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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Instead of unearthing a single unknown secret to happiness or listing off five steps that will magically yield happier life, Ben-Shahar describes common-knowledge truths about how each person can define and create happiness in his own life. Citing multiple psychologists, philosophers, historians—and even a few students—Ben-Shahar concludes that happiness must combine both pleasure and meaning, providing both present and future gain. While this claim is hardly arguable, Ben-Shahar examines the research on which he bases this definition and provides real-life examples of how to put his theory...
...introduction to "Happier," Ben-Shahar says that his book will translate the often confusing and inaccessible academic studies on positive psychology into simple, practical applications that can be found in self-help books—but without the nonsense...
...using a variety of simple metaphors, Ben-Shahar does just that, clearly illustrating the theories of happiness in understandable and memorable terms. For example, he compares the four archetypal attitudes toward happiness—hedonism, rat racing, nihilism and the ideal pursuit of happiness—to different types of hamburgers, demonstrating the pros and cons of each method...
After defining happiness, Ben-Shahar offers suggestions on how to apply these theories to education, work and relationships. Regarding education, Ben-Shahar advocates instilling a new approach to learning in children, shifting away from the rat-racer mentality of seeking good grades alone toward appreciating the process of learning as well. In the workplace, he emphasizes the importance of choosing work that is sufficiently challenging and also enjoyable, as the combination of effort and pleasure will lead to greater success on the job. As for relationships, Ben-Shahar describes the necessity of loving relationships to one’s happiness...
...practical applications and easy-to-understand theories about positive psychology, "Happier" lives up to its claims of providing a roadmap for instilling happiness-increasing habits in one’s life. Although simply reading the book won’t give you an instant glow, putting the behaviors Ben-Shahar suggests into practice may very well make you—well, happier...