Are you ready to unlock the secrets of true happiness at work? Discover the transformative power of aligning your career with your Ikigai as we delve into Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project." You're invited to explore Rubin's insightful March resolutions: from launching a blog and savoring the fun of failure to asking for help and working smart. Learn how happiness at work can boost your performance, improve relationships, and foster cooperation. Our personal stories and experiences underscore the critical role of enthusiasm and passion in achieving both mastery and joy in your professional journey.

Ever wondered how taking on new challenges can expand your potential? Inspired by John Maxwell's "High Road Leadership," we discuss the profound impact of aiming higher in your endeavors. By embracing challenges, such as starting a blog, you don't just grow your skills; you expand your identity and social circles. Through engaging personal anecdotes, we reveal how risks and perceived failures can become your greatest learning opportunities. Embrace the art of experimentation and playfulness as essential elements for personal and professional growth and find out why aiming higher is a game-changer.

Coaching young athletes offers unique joys and challenges, and this episode brings those lessons into the spotlight. Discover how the perseverance required in sports translates into valuable life skills. We'll share strategies for working smarter, the importance of asking for help, and the concept of the "arrival fallacy," which reminds us that happiness is in the journey, not the destination. As we wrap up, we encourage you to set incremental yet meaningful goals to achieve greater fulfillment. Join Denise Russo and Sam Powell and aim higher in your work and contributions to society. Small steps can lead to significant differences in your overall satisfaction.

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Have you ever wondered why the atmosphere of your marriage can set the tone for your entire life? We're Denise Russo and Samantha Powell, and in this heartfelt episode of "What's on Your Bookshelf," we explore February's theme of love from "The Happiness Project." Join us as we discuss the profound influence that marital satisfaction and the dynamics of love have on overall happiness, especially after having children. We dive into key resolutions like quitting nagging, not expecting praise, fighting right, and giving proofs of love to strengthen our relationships.

Expressing appreciation and gratitude is more than just a nice gesture—it's a cornerstone of healthy relationships. Drawing insights from John Maxwell's "Everyone Communicates, Few Connect," and referencing "Solve for Happy" and "Atomic Habits," we underline the power of small gestures like the six-second hug to enhance relationships. Listen in as we share a humorous family anecdote about the importance of finding internal motivation and satisfaction in our actions, particularly in maintaining strong bonds with loved ones, including teenage children.

Communication is key to building healthy relationships, and we delve into John Gottman's research on the six-second kiss and how fewer unpleasant experiences contribute more to relationship satisfaction due to human negativity bias. We explore different conflict styles and the importance of managing conflicts with humor and affection. Lastly, we discuss integrating work into life, rather than seeking a work-life balance, and how personal happiness, especially within marriage, can significantly impact professional success. Join us for an engaging conversation on love, happiness, and the interconnectedness of our personal and professional lives.

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Ever wondered how small changes can revolutionize your happiness and energy levels? Join us as we unpack Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project" and its transformative January theme focused on boosting energy and vitality. From practical tips like going to sleep earlier and exercising better, to tossing, restoring, and organizing your space, we share personal anecdotes of both challenges and triumphs in our quest for a more energized life. Whether you're struggling to tackle nagging tasks or simply want to act more energetically, this episode promises actionable insights to set you on the path to sustained happiness.

Have you ever considered the profound impact of sleep on your overall well-being? In this episode, we delve into the nuances of improving sleep quality, from experimenting with sound frequencies and classical music to tracking sleep patterns with innovative tools like the Oura Ring and Fitbits. Sharing our unexpected discovery of using TV for sleep sounds, we discuss how cutting down on screen time before bed can significantly enhance your sleep quality. Drawing from "Atomic Habits," we emphasize the importance of establishing effective routines and highlight the intersection of sleep, energy, and overall wellness.

Clutter dragging you down? Discover the liberating power of decluttering as we dive into the emotional and psychological complexities of household clutter. Inspired by "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up," we share stories about generational hoarding tendencies and the emotional attachments we form with objects. Learn strategies for categorizing and overcoming different types of clutter, from nostalgic to freebie clutter, and how these small steps can lead to a more peaceful and energized living space. Tune in to uncover how intentional living and small, manageable changes can make a world of difference in your daily life.

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What if you could unlock the secrets to a happier life in just a few weeks? Join us as we dissect "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin, the third book in our 2024 happiness quest, and learn how to apply Rubin's year-long journey into a condensed month-per-week format. This episode kicks off with a powerful revelation on the need for change and challenges you to ask yourself: Do you believe you can be happier? What does happiness look like for you?

Next, we delve into the importance of mindset and belief systems, illustrating how our thoughts can often be the biggest barriers to achieving our goals. Drawing from personal experiences and insights from Sonia Lyubomirsky's "The How of Happiness," we explore how happiness is a subjective experience that can often be found in our immediate surroundings. We share strategies for shifting unconscious thought patterns and discuss how coaching can be a transformative tool in unlocking one’s potential.

In our final segment, we focus on practical steps for elevating happiness through self-awareness. Inspired by Rubin's practice of writing down "secrets of adulthood," we discuss how documenting personal philosophies can enhance both self-awareness and leadership skills. Reflecting on the ripple effect of personal happiness on others, particularly in a leadership context, we share anecdotes and insights on fostering happiness within teams. Plus, we give a shoutout to our incredible producer, Scott Miller, and invite you to share your happiness insights and expectations from "The Happiness Project." Thank you for being an integral part of our "What's On Your Bookshelf" community!

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How do we find happiness after a profound loss? In this episode, Sam and I conclude our journey through Mo Gaudet's "Solve for Happy," sharing an emotional reflection on the author's poignant insights into the loss of his son, Ali. We unravel the continuous process of resolving happiness, focusing on how illusions of self and suffering influence our perceptions. Through heartfelt discussions, including my own struggles with self-blame concerning my children's actions, we examine balancing expectations with reality in our quest for happiness.

Raising children not only transforms our lives but also demands self-growth. We reflect on the bittersweet reality of watching our children evolve from babies to pre-teens and the deep bonds that shape us as parents. A touching conversation with Vincent underscores the importance of cherishing the present moment and embracing our children's growing independence. We delve into the necessity of confronting and healing our pasts, emphasizing the joys and challenges of parental reflection.

Finally, we turn our focus to the impact of loss and the ways we celebrate and remember those who have passed. Drawing inspiration from Aiden's life and legacy, we emphasize living with gratitude and choice, inspired by the resilience of friends who have faced serious health challenges. Through a poignant conversation with my mom, we find peace and inspiration in daily life. Wrapping up, we highlight the transformative power of books, previewing our next read, "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin, and inviting you to join us on another enlightening journey through happiness literature.

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Can contemplating the universe’s design really lead to greater happiness? Join Denise Russo and Samantha Powell as they wrap up their enlightening series on happiness with a thought-provoking exploration of "Solve for Happy: Engineer Your Path to Joy." In this episode, we ponder the grand question of whether the universe is intentionally designed or merely random. Tune in to hear personal anecdotes, such as Denise's poignant story about artist Cody Fry and his evocative song "A Little More," as we discuss the profound impact that different perspectives can have on our quest for joy.

Relinquishing control can be the key to peace and happiness, and we delve into this idea by examining philosophical debates around intelligent design. We discuss how managing expectations and accepting life’s inevitable uncertainties—like loss and change—can help us cope better and find serenity. We also reflect on how our personal beliefs and religious backgrounds shape our acceptance of these complex concepts, finding common ground in our shared human experiences.

Navigating loss and embracing life’s unpredictability is a journey we all face. Reflecting on the story of Job from the Old Testament, we consider how recognizing a larger design at work can bring solace. By focusing on what we can control—our reactions and expectations—we can discover a balanced state of joy. This episode encourages listeners to actively embrace life with gratitude, transforming how we perceive events and enhancing our overall well-being. Join us as we conclude this remarkable year-long series, aiming to inspire a proactive approach to finding happiness.

Connect with us on our LinkedIn page School of Thoughts . We also value your reviews, subscribing, and sharing our podcast "What's On Your Bookshelf?" on Apple and Spotify.

Subscribe to our new YouTube channel.

Connect with us on our LinkedIn page School of Thoughts . We also value your reviews, subscribing, and sharing our podcast "What's On Your Bookshelf?" on Apple and Spotify.

Subscribe to our new YouTube channel.

When Mo Gawdat shared his personal story of loss in "Solve for Happy," he opened the door to a conversation many avoid: the sobering reality of death. Our latest episode takes these reflections further, as we navigate the intertwining of life's end with its beginning and how facing this ultimate truth can unexpectedly guide us toward happiness. With Gawdat's insights framing our discussion, we venture into the realms of life's cycles, both natural and personal, and how they mirror the acceptance and peace that can come with life's final chapter.

Music and literature often capture life's deepest truths, and in this episode, we draw from these wells of wisdom. From "Turn! Turn! Turn!" to "The Circle of Life," we examine how art reflects our journey through life and death, the resilience of nature, and the complex emotions tied to letting go. The conversation weaves through the peace that can accompany the end of life, and how that serenity contrasts with the pain left in the wake of departure. It's a poignant reminder that while death is inevitable, it's also a call to fully appreciate the living moments.

Our final thoughts turn to the personal impact of grief, inspired by Gawdat's own experience with the loss of his son. This story, although deeply individual, echoes a collective human experience, offering a glimpse into the profound ways loss reconfigures our existence. We reflect on how the awareness of our mortality can sharpen the way we love, live, and find joy in the seemingly mundane. Join us for these heartfelt discussions, where we seek to understand and find solace in the shared journey of life and death.

Additional Resources:

Order: Solve for Happy

Denise Russo's Website
www.schoolofthoughts.net

Denise Russo's Forbes Articles
Forbes Article Link

Samantha Powell's Website and Blog
Lead The Game

Connect with us on LinkedIn:
Denise Russo
Samantha Powell

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Connect with us on our LinkedIn page School of Thoughts . We also value your reviews, subscribing, and sharing our podcast "What's On Your Bookshelf?" on Apple and Spotify.

Subscribe to our new YouTube channel.

Connect with us on our LinkedIn page School of Thoughts . We also value your reviews, subscribing, and sharing our podcast "What's On Your Bookshelf?" on Apple and Spotify.

Subscribe to our new YouTube channel.