1 SENTENCE SUMMARY: In Happiness by Design, Paul Dolan explains how to achieve true and lasting joy by understanding the science of what makes us happiest and crafting our lives accordingly.
“You don’t have to be grateful for the life you have, but you will be happier if you are.” – Paul Dolan
Quick Info
Category: Happiness
Publish Date: 2015-07-14
# Pages: 256
ISBN: 0147516307
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Table of Contents
Overview
Happiness by Design by Paul Dolan is a captivating and enlightening exploration of the science of human happiness.
In this thought-provoking book, Dolan investigates the question of what makes us happy and how we can go about achieving it.
Drawing from a range of disciplines, from psychology to philosophy, from economics to neuroscience, Dolan presents a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to living a happier and more fulfilling life.
He outlines a three-step framework that involves understanding what makes us happy, focusing on the activities that bring us joy, and making conscious decisions that lead to greater happiness.
By providing tools and strategies to help readers design their own path to happiness, Happiness by Design is an invaluable resource to anyone looking to live a more joyful life.
4 Key Lessons from Happiness by Design by Paul Dolan
1. Recognize What Is Under Your Control
Paul Dolan emphasizes the importance of recognizing what we can and cannot control in our lives and how this affects our happiness.
He suggests that we focus our attention on what we can control and accept that many things in life are beyond our control.
This can help us to prioritize our actions and focus our energy on things that are within our power.
It can also help us to be more mindful of our emotions and to accept that we cannot always change our circumstances.
2. Choose Activities that Increase Your Happiness
Paul Dolan suggests that we can increase our happiness by engaging in activities that bring us pleasure and satisfaction.
He suggests that we pursue activities that allow us to feel a sense of accomplishment and that bring out our creative side.
This could include hobbies such as painting, photography, writing, or any other activity that brings us joy.
By doing activities that bring us pleasure, we can increase our overall happiness.
3. Surround Yourself with Positive People
Paul Dolan emphasizes the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who bring us joy and positivity.
He suggests that we seek out relationships with people who make us feel good and who support us in our goals.
By surrounding ourselves with positive people, we can increase our overall happiness.
4. Find Meaning in Your Life
Paul Dolan suggests that we can increase our happiness by finding meaning in our lives.
He suggests that we find something that gives us purpose and allows us to contribute to the world.
This could include volunteering, helping others, or pursuing a passion project.
By finding meaning in our lives, we can experience a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that can lead to greater overall happiness.
Who Should Read It
This book is best suited for people who are looking for a deeper understanding of how to create a life full of contentment and joy.
It is particularly relevant for those who are dealing with anxiety, depression, and stress and are in search of a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Those with an interest in psychology, philosophy, and behavioral economics will find the content interesting and thought-provoking.
Where to Get It
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About Paul Dolan
Paul Dolan is an internationally renowned professor of behavioural science at the London School of Economics.
He is the author of the book “Happiness by Design” which explores how to find happiness through the design of everyday activities.
He is also the author of “Doing Good Better” which examines the effectiveness of charitable giving.
He has been featured in multiple publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Wall Street Journal.
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Other Happiness Books you may Like:
- Best Books on Happiness
- Happiness by Matthieu Ricard
- Happiness by Richard Layard
- Happiness in Action by Adam Adatto Sandel
- Happiness Is an Inside Job by Sylvia Boorstein
Over to You
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Thanks a lot,
Simon
Welcome to DailyBitsOfWisdom.com, my passion project inspired by my own battle with depression. Here, I share resources on journaling, positive affirmations, self-help insights, and book summaries, creating a nurturing space where we can connect, learn, and grow together on our journey to self-discovery and personal growth.