{"id":8182,"date":"2023-04-19T10:15:29","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T10:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/michael-bungay-stanier-2\/"},"modified":"2023-04-20T12:03:35","modified_gmt":"2023-04-20T12:03:35","slug":"tal-ben-shahar-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/tal-ben-shahar-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"The Pursuit of Happiness: Expert Insights from Positive Psychology Pioneer Tal Ben-Shahar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this article, I’m absolutely thrilled to be interviewing Tal Ben-Shahar<\/a>, a true pioneer in the field of positive psychology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve long been fascinated by his work on happiness, self-esteem, and personal growth, and have found his insights truly transformative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this exclusive interview, we’ll delve into Tal’s personal journey, explore the key principles of positive psychology, and discuss the impact of his groundbreaking work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy!<\/p>\n\n\n

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<\/path> <\/svg><\/span>Tal’s Books<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n
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\"happier\"<\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Happier<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>A practical guide to cultivating happiness<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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\"the<\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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The Pursuit of Perfect<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Avoid the pitfalls of perfectionism<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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\n\nRead <\/span> <\/path> <\/svg><\/span><\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"choose<\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Choose the Life You Want<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Learn how to make more aligned decisions<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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\n\nRead <\/span> <\/path> <\/svg><\/span><\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Tal Ben-Shahar Interview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Can you tell us about your background and how you became passionate about positive psychology and its applications for personal growth and well-being?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Initially, what got me interested in studying happiness was my own unhappiness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was doing well as an undergraduate student at Harvard, I was a top athlete, I had a well-paying job and good professional prospects\u2014and I was unhappy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was then that I realized that the internal matters more to one’s levels of wellbeing than the external, and it was then that I got into psychology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After studying positive psychology, and benefiting from it, I wanted to share what I learned with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Happiness has been a central theme of your work and career. Do you believe that happiness is a goal to be attained or do you subscribe to Viktor Frankl’s assertion that “it cannot be pursued; it must ensue”?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is research suggesting that those who value the pursuit of happiness, for whom happiness is important, are more likely to be lonely\u2014a characteristic that is closely linked to depression and\u2026unhappiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So do we need to lie to ourselves, and tell ourselves that actually, happiness is not important to us, even though we know of all the benefits thereof? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is self-deception the way to go? Or is neglecting happiness, ignoring its importance, the best option? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither option\u2014of self-deception or neglect\u2014is the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The resolution of the paradox lies in the need to pursue happiness indirectly\u2014in other words, to pursue those things that would lead to happiness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 1800s, British philosopher John Stuart Mill argued that \u201cThose only are happy who have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What could that object other than their own happiness be? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pursue meaning, cultivate relationships, exercise on a regular basis, express gratitude, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcac \u201cHappiness, not money or prestige, should be regarded as the ultimate currency\u2014the currency by which we take measure of our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. You have defined happiness as ‘the overall feeling of pleasure and meaning’. How can we strike the often delicate balance between the pleasure of immediate gratification and the meaning derived from deeper purpose?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We all need to find that balance for ourselves, through experimentation, trial and error. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to keep in mind that the definition which I present is based on much reflection and research, and yet at the same time is not the ultimate or only definition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pursuit of happiness is deeply intimate and personal, and I strongly urge each person to take the time to figure out what happiness means for them, and then experiment with different ways of pursuing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mahatma Gandhi titled his autobiography \u201cThe Story of My Experiments with Truth.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We would all do well to follow Gandhi\u2019s footsteps and experiment with happiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Your book “Choose the Life You Want” highlights the power of choice in shaping our lives. Can you offer any guidance on how to make more aligned decisions and life choices that contribute to our happiness?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The key is to take time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our fast-paced, crazy-busy world people do not take time to think about the choices they make, and as a result they react to life rather than create the life they want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcac \u201cThe best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Can you give our readers an insight into your daily routine and how this contributes to your own wellbeing?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I start the day with a ten-minute meditation session and end it with a two-minute gratitude session. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three times a week, at least, I exercise, and on alternate days I do yoga. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other than that, I work every morning\u2014writing or creating curriculum\u2014and spend a lot of time with my family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I\u2019m with family and friends, the phone or any other technology is off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Your Harvard Thesis was titled, ‘Restoring Self Esteem’s Self Esteem.’ Can you tell us more about the role of self-esteem in happiness?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most people believe that to raise self-esteem\u2014and through that happiness\u2014we need to receive more positive reinforcement and be validated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, research shows that what many teachers, parents, and managers do by giving positive feedback is make the other more dependent and not necessarily happier or more motivated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-esteem does not come from standing in front of the mirror and telling oneself how beautiful or successful or wonderful one is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It comes from hard work, specifically from effort directed at pursuing one\u2019s passions. There are no quick fixes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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