3. Questions to Ponder
• Can money buy happiness?
• Are men happier than women because men
still hold the reins of power?
• Are people who go to work in suits happier
and more fulfilled than those who work in
overalls?
8. Happiness is a state of mind, not a set of
circumstances.*
Happiness is feeling good.
Happiness lies in the present moment.
Happiness is living a rich, full, and meaningful
life.
Happiness is the experience of joy,
contentment, or positive well being,
combined with a sense that one’s life is good,
meaningful, and worthwhile.
*Mary Yoke, M.A., M.M. Indiana University partial content credit.
11. Set Point Theory of Happiness
• A baseline or potential for happiness to which
we are bound to return, even after major
setbacks or celebrations.
• Genetically determined set point.
• Strong evidence for set point comes from
studies done with identical twins.
• Similar to the set point theory for weight.
12. Twin Studies*
T.J. Bouchard compared twins raised together
with twins separated in infancy and raised apart.
In middle age these subjects were asked to take a
subjective well-being questionnaire.
The identical twins were extremely similar to
each other in their happiness scores.
They were very similar even when they had been
raised apart!
*Bouchard TJ, Lykken DT, McGue M, Segal NL, Tellegen A (October 1990). “Sources of
Human Psychological Differences: the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart,” Science
250 (4978) : 223-8.
13.
14.
15. THE GOOD NEWS IS….
Just because your happiness set
point can’t be changed doesn’t
mean that your happiness
level cannot be changed!
16.
17. Life Circumstances
Would you be happier if:
• You had a bigger house?
• You could change your age?
• You had more $$$$?
• You were more beautiful?
18.
19. Temporary Circumstances
• Studies show that big and small life-events can
boost or deflate our happiness, but only for
about 3 months.
• We tend to revert to our genetically
determined set point.
24. Happiness Ideas*
1. Express gratitude
2. Cultivate optimism
3. Avoid over-thinking and social comparison
4. Practice acts of kindness
5. Nurture social relationships
6. Develop strategies for coping
*The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky.
25. More Happiness Ideas
7. Learn to forgive
8. Increase flow or “heightened awareness”
experiences
9. Savor life’s joys
10. Commit to your goals
11. Practice religion and spirituality
12. Take care of your body
26.
27.
28. Circle the choice that most applies to
you for the next 12 questions.
One is the lowest choice and 5 is the
highest choice.
29. 1. I tend to see the glass half-full rather than
half-empty.
1 2 3 4 5
2. I have very few regrets when I think about
my life.
1 2 3 4 5
30. 3. I’m not a worrier.
1 2 3 4 5
4. I frequently count my blessings.
1 2 3 4 5
31. 5. I have good friends.
1 2 3 4 5
6. I feel loved by important people in my life.
1 2 3 4 5
7. I sleep well.
1 2 3 4 5
32. 8. I am in relatively good health.
1 2 3 4 5
9. I do not anger easily.
1 2 3 4 5
10. I have people and/or activities in my life
that I feel passionate about.
1 2 3 4 5
33. 11. I believe in a Higher Power or feel some
spiritual connection to the universe.
1 2 3 4 5
12. I like myself.
1 2 3 4 5
34. How to Score Your Quiz
The higher your number, the more true it is for
you.
12-24 probably depressed
25-36 most likely unhappy
37-47 somewhat unhappy, but could be
happier
48-60 Life is good! You’re most likely quite
happy!
35.
36.
37.
38. YOUR HAPPINESS PLAN
Quizzes, checklists, and ACTION STEPS
http://www.actionforhappiness.org/take-action
http://www.dailygood.org/view.php?sid=215
http://www.oprah.com/packages/your-happiness-plan.html
39. Here’s Your Happiness Homework
• When you send your attendance
record, have all attendees write at least one
happiness action step aka intentional activity
they did or are doing.
• Positive stories or results? We LOVE those!
