Ready to rethink the traditional belief that hard work leads to success and happiness? What if happiness was the precursor to success, and not the other way around? How can we rewire our brains to focus on positivity and cultivate happiness? Discover the power of intrinsic motivation, the concept of retirement and the art of creating mental space. Dive in to challenge your perspectives and unlock the secrets to a fulfilling life.

The Happiness Equation: Want Nothing + Do Anything = Have Everything

The traditional belief that hard work leads to success and then happiness is flawed. Instead, happiness should come first. When we start with happiness, we feel great, perform better, and ultimately achieve more. Research supports that happy people are more productive, creative, and successful.

Our brains are wired for survival, often focusing on negative aspects to protect us. This tendency, while helpful in the past, can hinder our happiness today. Even successful individuals like Tom Hanks and Andy Grove experience anxiety and negative self-talk. This focus on negativity is reinforced by our environment, such as medical evaluations and performance reviews, which highlight problems rather than successes.

Happiness depends largely on our attitude and actions. Studies show that life circumstances account for only 10% of our happiness, while 90% is based on our mindset and intentional activities. There are actionable steps we can take to increase happiness:
1. Three Walks: Regular physical activity boosts mood and can even aid in recovery from depression.

2. 20-Minute Replay: Writing about positive experiences helps us relive them and boosts happiness.

3. Random Acts of Kindness: Performing kind acts increases happiness and well-being.

4. Complete Unplug: Taking breaks from technology helps us recharge.

5. Hit Flow: Engaging fully in activities we enjoy can lead to a state of flow, enhancing happiness.

6. 2-Minute Meditations: Meditation can rewire our brains to reduce stress and increase happiness.

7. Five Gratitudes: Regularly listing things we’re grateful for can improve our mood and health.

A study of nuns revealed that those with positive attitudes lived longer and healthier lives. This demonstrates the powerful link between happiness and longevity. By choosing to be happy first, we can improve not only the quality of our lives but also our lifespan.

Remember, you can learn to be happier through these practices. Happy people aren’t those who have everything—they make the best of everything. Start with happiness, and everything else will follow.

Can Happiness Really Be the Secret to Tom Hanks' Success?

When Neil Pasricha, the author, started his blog "1000 Awesome Things," his only goal was to write 1000 awesome things for 1000 days. But as the stats began to climb, Neil got hooked on the numbers and set a new goal: 50,000 hits. When one of his posts went viral, Neil reached his goal, but it felt too easy. So, he aimed for a million hits, then ten million, and eventually, he wanted his blog to be a bestseller.

After achieving commercial success, Neil realized external goals didn’t fulfill him. He began to understand the importance of intrinsic motivation—doing things for himself rather than for others. Studies show that external rewards can actually diminish the quality of our work and our intrinsic interest. For example, Dr. Teresa Amabile’s experiments revealed that students who were promised rewards for their creative work produced lower-quality projects than those who weren’t.

This idea resonated with Neil. He remembered how much he loved writing for his college's comedy newspaper without getting paid. But when he wrote for a New York City comedy startup for money, his passion faded.

The journey taught Neil that true success comes from within. We need to set goals that align with our personal values and passions. Teddy Roosevelt said it best: "It is not the critic who counts...the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena."

Inspiring stories of resilience and self-acceptance, like that of Buddha and the lines from Rudyard Kipling’s poem "If—," emphasize treating triumph and disaster the same. They remind us to keep going for our own satisfaction, not external validation.

So, remember, do it for you. Embrace your intrinsic motivation and let external criticisms fall away. This will not only protect you from the sting of criticism but also lead to more fulfilling and creative outcomes.

John Lennon and Teddy Roosevelt Inspire a Journey to Intrinsic Motivation

Imagine you have a problem-scanning machine in your head, the amygdala, constantly looking for threats. It's an ancient part of our brain designed to keep us safe, but now it often sends us into stress mode over modern-day worries. Daniel Goleman calls this the Amygdala Hijack, where our emotions take over our actions.

But we also have the prefrontal cortex, the rational part of our brain. This "serenity-now mood tape" helps us think things through and make rational decisions. It's a war between these two parts of our brain, and understanding this can help us manage our worst days.

Another battle we face is between wanting more and having enough. We've shifted from a Culture of Enough to a Culture of More over the past century. Pop Momand, through his comic strip "Keeping Up with the Joneses," highlighted how this constant race for more drains us.

Even billionaires struggle with this. Kurt Vonnegut once told a story about his friend Joseph Heller. At a party hosted by a billionaire, Vonnegut asked Heller how he felt knowing their host made more money in a day than his novel "Catch-22" had ever earned. Heller replied, "I've got something he can never have. The knowledge that I've got enough."

This idea is echoed by Greek philosopher Epictetus and even the Rolling Stones: having enough is true wealth.

A classic story of a Mexican fisherman and a tourist illustrates this perfectly. The fisherman lives a simple, fulfilling life, and the tourist suggests a plan to make millions, only to end up living the same life the fisherman already has.

On your worst days, remember the lottery. You've already won it by being alive. Most people who have ever lived are dead. You have the privilege to experience life, to breathe, to enjoy sunsets, and to be among the wealthiest people in the world. When stress hits, zoom out and remember how lucky you are to be here. You've already won.

Is Your Amygdala Hijacking Your Happiness in the Pursuit of 'More'?

"Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life," Steve Jobs once said. This perspective often pushes away all external expectations and fears, leaving only what is truly important. We are already naked, so why not follow our hearts?

Mr. Wilson, a high school guidance counselor, was a beloved figure, always smiling, helping students, and clearly loving his job. But when he was forced to retire at 65, he seemed lost. A week later, he passed away from a heart attack. His story highlights that mandatory retirement can strip away our purpose and passion, leaving us adrift.

Thomas Jefferson believed in never being idle, while Teddy Roosevelt saw hard work as life’s greatest prize. In Okinawa, there's no concept of retirement; instead, they have "ikigai" – the reason you wake up in the morning. Studies have shown that having an ikigai can significantly increase longevity and quality of life. Researchers found that 95% of those with an ikigai were still alive after seven years compared to 83% without one.

Retirement is a relatively new and Western concept, introduced by Germany in 1889 to free up jobs for younger people. However, it’s based on outdated assumptions. Work provides social connection, structure, stimulation, and a sense of purpose – the 4 S’s.

William Safire, a renowned columnist, wrote an Op-Ed titled "Never Retire," echoing the sentiment that the brain needs exercise to avoid atrophy. He believed in continuously changing and finding new challenges, rather than withdrawing from active life.

Work enriches our lives in numerous ways beyond just financial gain. It offers social interaction, a structured schedule, daily stimulation, and a sense of being part of something larger. These elements contribute to our overall happiness and fulfillment.

The dream of retirement as endless leisure is flawed. We don’t actually want to do nothing; we want to do something we love. Challenges keep us engaged and alive. The real goal should be to find and pursue our ikigai, ensuring we always have a reason to get up in the morning.

Remembering Mr. Wilson’s story and the lessons from Okinawa, let’s reject the outdated concept of retirement. Instead, let’s keep learning, growing, and contributing, finding joy and purpose in every day.

Steve Jobs and the Ikigai: The Case Against Retirement

Harvard Business School graduates often feel rich, surrounded by opulence and poised for high-paying jobs. The average salary of a fresh graduate is around $120,000, which is significantly higher than the average American salary of $24,000. 

However, the reality behind these figures involves working extremely long hours. People like Mark who joined a consulting firm in Houston, and Ryan in private equity in New York, often work eighty to one hundred hours a week. Even Sonia in Silicon Valley, despite loving her tech job, puts in about eighty hours weekly. This intense work schedule raises the question: Are they truly making that much money?

To understand this better, consider hourly wages. If Harvard grads make $120,000 a year but work eighty-five hours a week, their effective hourly rate is similar to that of an elementary school teacher or a retail assistant manager, who also end up making around $28 per hour when factoring in their actual work hours. The trick to making more money, then, isn't necessarily about having a high annual salary but about valuing your time and ensuring you are compensated well per hour.

So, how can you make more money than a Harvard MBA? Either work more hours to increase your annual earnings or work fewer hours but ensure you are highly compensated for each hour. The key takeaway is to always know your hourly rate and strive to spend your time on activities you love, thereby maximizing both your earnings and job satisfaction. Remember, life is short, and every hour counts.

Is a Harvard MBA Truly Wealthy When Working 80-Hour Weeks?

For years, we have seen business leaders burn out, sometimes quite spectacularly. The pressure of constant doing and thinking becomes too much—anxiety attacks, heart issues, even suicides. But there's a way to avoid this fate, and it's called the Space Scribble. It's a strategy for balancing high doing and high thinking without burning out, as demonstrated by successful CEOs and authors who seem to effortlessly navigate their demanding lives.

The Space Scribble is simple yet profound. It involves understanding where you are—whether you're in the doing, thinking, or burning zone—and knowing when to create space. Because space is crucial. It's not just about taking a vacation; it's about allowing your brain to rest and wander, leading to moments of clarity and creativity. Think of Newton under the apple tree or Archimedes in his bath—those eureka moments happened during periods of space.

Creating space can be transformative. Consider NASA engineer Jim Crocker, who, stressed by the Hubble Telescope's malfunction, found a solution not in the lab but in a relaxing shower. Or Alfred Hitchcock, who deliberately switched to storytelling when stuck on a screenplay, allowing creativity to flow. Even Nicole Katsuras, an abstract painter, finds her best work emerges from the 'void,' a mental space free from distractions.

But how do you create this space in a busy life? The key is the 3 Removals: hacking away at choice, time, and access. Simplify decisions, set shorter deadlines to increase focus, and limit access to your brain by controlling interruptions. This approach can dramatically free up mental energy, enabling you to focus on what truly matters.

Remember the Space Scribble: balance between doing and thinking, and create space to live a fuller, happier life. By removing unnecessary choices, constraining time, and protecting your brain from constant access, you can find the balance that prevents burnout and allows for creativity and productivity to flourish. As poet W. H. Davies once wrote, life is poor if we don't have the time to "stand and stare." So, create the space you need to enjoy life's beauty and opportunities.

Space Scribble: The Secret to Preventing Burnout, Inspired by NASA and Newton

When Neil Pasricha was five, his mother told him happiness was the key to life. At school, when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, Neil wrote "happy." They said he didn’t understand the assignment. Neil told them they didn’t understand life. 

This wisdom stuck with him, and it’s echoed in John Lennon’s famous quote. Later, a childhood trauma made him quit swimming. At eight, he was coerced into going down a slide into a pool, but the person who promised to catch him didn't. Neil nearly drowned and developed a fear of swimming.

Two main barriers held him back: he didn’t think he could swim, and he didn’t want to. This fear persisted until he met Leslie, who loved swimming. To be part of her world, Neil signed up for swimming lessons. Nervously, he went to his first class and realized he wasn’t alone in his fear. With practice, he overcame his fear and learned to swim.

This experience taught Neil the power of action. Instead of thinking "I can" or "I want to", start with "I do". Jerry Seinfeld uses a similar method to write comedy. He marks each day he writes with a red X on his calendar, motivating him to keep the streak going. Ramit Sethi, struggling to go to the gym, found success by placing his gym clothes beside his bed, making it easier to get ready in the morning.

Isaac Newton’s First Law of Physics supports this: an object in motion stays in motion. Action creates motivation, not the other way around. Nike’s slogan, "Just Do It," captures this perfectly. In "Home Alone," Kevin learns to face his fears by taking action, advising an old man to call his estranged son: the worst outcome is knowing and not being afraid anymore.

The lesson is clear: start doing, and confidence and motivation will follow. Whether it’s swimming, writing, or facing personal fears, just do it.

Can John Lennon and Jerry Seinfeld Teach Us the Secret to Overcoming Fears?

At 29, freshly divorced and ready to dive back into the dating world, Neil Pasricha found himself embracing his quirks and authenticity. Online dating led him to fascinating people like a burlesque dancer and a ballet director, and for the first time, he truly loved who he was. The key to mastering your most important relationship? Be you, unabashedly.

Take Rosey Grier, for example. This NFL giant embraced his love for needlepoint, defying stereotypes and societal expectations. His authenticity was his strength, and it led him to a fulfilling life beyond football. As John Lennon said, “It’s weird not to be weird.” Embrace your quirks and passions, and you'll find happiness.

Consider the wisdom of Gandhi: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” It’s all about aligning your true self with your actions. To help find your authentic self, try the Saturday Morning Test, the Bench Test, and the Five People Test. These exercises reveal passions and align you with your true self.

Reflect on the insights of Bronnie Ware, a nurse who documented the top regrets of the dying, most of which center around authenticity. Living true to yourself and keeping in touch with friends are keys to a regret-free life. By being you, you remove regrets and live fully.

Remember, you are the sum of the five people you surround yourself with. Choose wisely, as they shape your reality. The same applies to partners; their happiness can greatly influence yours. Aim to be with someone whose positivity matches or exceeds your own.

In essence, embrace your weirdness, be authentic, and surround yourself with positivity. Doing so not only brings happiness but also ensures a life aligned with your true self.

Embrace Your Weirdness: Lessons from Rosey Grier, John Lennon, and Gandhi

Neil was scrolling through The New York Times and saw a headline that caught his eye: “Extra Calcium and Vitamin D Aren’t Necessary.” Neil felt relieved since he wasn’t taking any. Then, he saw a headline on the Toronto Star: “Go on the Offense and Get Your Vitamin D.” What? Two major newspapers giving completely opposite advice! What was he supposed to do now?

This reminded him of a CEO he once knew. When Neil told him some people liked the new corporate meeting and some didn’t, he said, “Don’t take advice. You’ve done your research; you own the meeting. You get to decide. All advice conflicts. Have you heard that ninety-seven percent of lung cancer patients are smokers and ninety-seven percent of smokers never get lung cancer?” Neil didn’t know if that was true, but it made him think. “Become creatively indifferent to all advice. Hear it, but decide for yourself.”

While clicking through those opposing headlines, Neil thought about the most common advice we all know—clichés. Things like “A rolling stone gathers no moss” and “Actions speak louder than words.” But even clichés conflict! This showed him that there’s no such thing as rock-solid advice. Everyone has a different opinion, and advice is never objectively true in all situations.

Have you ever told people what you’re naming your baby? Or asked for career advice? Everyone says something different. Remember: Advice reflects the adviser’s thoughts, not yours. Happy people know when to stop taking advice and start listening to themselves. Charles Varlet wrote back in 1872, “When we ask advice we are usually looking for an accomplice.” That’s why we like certain advice and not others.

So what’s the single best piece of advice you’ll ever take? Don’t take advice. The answers are inside you. Think deeply and decide what’s best. Go forth and be happy. And don’t take advice.

Are Conflicting Headlines and Advice Driving You Crazy?

The traditional belief in hard work leading to success and happiness is flawed. Instead, happiness should be the starting point. When we begin with happiness, we feel better, perform better, and achieve more. Happiness isn’t just a result of success; it’s a precursor to it.

Our brains are often wired to focus on negativity due to survival instincts, which can hinder our happiness today. However, happiness largely depends on our attitude and actions, with studies suggesting that life circumstances account for only 10% of our happiness, while 90% is based on our mindset and intentional activities.

There are several effective ways to increase happiness, such as regular physical activity, writing about positive experiences, performing random acts of kindness, taking breaks from technology, engaging in activities we enjoy, meditating, and practicing gratitude.

It’s also important to understand intrinsic motivation. Doing things for ourselves rather than for external rewards leads to more fulfilling and creative outcomes. Happiness and success come from within, and we need to set goals that align with our personal values and passions.

Balancing the rational and emotional parts of our brain can help manage stress and anxiety, while a shift from a Culture of More to a Culture of Enough can bring contentment. Embracing the idea of having enough is true wealth.

Additionally, the concept of retirement is outdated. Rather than withdrawing from active life, we should continuously find new challenges and pursue our passions, ensuring we always have a reason to get up in the morning.

Understanding the value of our time and striving to spend it on activities we love is crucial. It’s not just about working more hours but about ensuring we are compensated well per hour and finding job satisfaction.

To avoid burnout, it’s essential to create space for our brains to rest and wander, allowing for moments of clarity and creativity. Simplifying decisions, setting shorter deadlines, and controlling interruptions can dramatically free up mental energy.

Finally, embracing our authenticity, surrounding ourselves with positivity, and living true to ourselves are keys to happiness. We should listen to our inner voice and make decisions based on what feels right for us, rather than relying on conflicting external advice.

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