There is a right way and a wrong way to finding happiness.

Unfortunately, most of us are only familiar with the wrong way: pursuing happiness.

Paradoxically, our greatest pain comes from trying to pursue happiness. “I’ll be happy when”.

Declan Edwards is a world-renowned Happiness Expert, a leader in positive psychology (the non-toxic kind), who has transformed the lives of high performers all across the world.

Declan walks through the art of finding happiness and meaning that aren’t reliant on external factors like getting that promotion, a nice car, or a house.

If you are someone who feels like your cup is always half full, then this episode is for you

In This Episode Declan Share

Why happiness is a skill that can be learned and practised
The relationship between happiness and success
Why high performers often fall victim to the moving goalposts phenomenon
The science behind the hedonic treadmill and hedonic adaptation
Why happiness needs a PR makeover
The difference between joy, connection, meaning and purpose
Why emotions are not inconveniences to be avoided
Practical ways to build emotional intelligence and self-awareness
How to reconnect with your body and understand what emotions are telling you
The parenting paradox and what it teaches us about happiness
Why connection is one of the strongest predictors of long-term wellbeing
The five foundational skills for cultivating happiness
How journaling can help you identify life's early warning signs
Declan's top habits for staying at the top

Key Quotes

“Success at the cost of happiness is one of the most common forms of failure.”

“Our brains have this funny tendency to always be moving the goalposts for happiness.”

“We get too caught up being human doings and forget to be human beings.”

Timestamps

(00:00) Success versus happiness

(02:31) Is happiness what we should be aiming for?

(05:17) Declan's journey into happiness research

(08:30) Why high performers keep moving the goalposts

(09:19) The hedonic treadmill explained

(12:51) Why happiness needs a PR makeover

(16:37) The role of emotions in a happy life

(19:03) Getting out of your head and back into your body

(19:55) Building emotional literacy and awareness

(23:28) How becoming a parent changed Declan's perspective

(29:58) Internal stability versus external stability

(33:02) The five foundational happiness skills

(37:31) Gratitude, journaling and retraining the brain

(41:05) Life gives us a poke, then a push, then a punch

(42:04) Connection, belonging and the Harvard Study

(46:39) Declan's new book, How to Be Happy

(49:12) Three habits that help Declan stay at the top

Declan Edwards

🟩 More about Declan Edwards: https://www.rorywarnock.com/

Jess Spendlove

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Stay At The Top

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