What Really Makes Us Happy? Insights from Yale's Science of Well-Being, Part One

Welcome to our March series on well-being, inspired by Yale's renowned Science of Well-Being course by Professor Laurie Santos. In this first episode, we dive into the core misconceptions about happiness and explore how our minds can sometimes trick us into chasing the wrong goals—like believing that a promotion or more money will automatically bring joy. We break down the science behind what truly makes us happy, discussing what factors play critical roles in boosting our overall well-being. We also examine the impact of social media on our perceptions of happiness and share actionable mindset shifts that can help you adopt an abundance mentality. Given the wealth of information offered in this course, we are splitting this conversation into two episodes. Part One will focus on what are misconceptions about happiness, how our minds trick us, and what actually makes us happy. Part Two will focus on how to apply practical strategies to increase your well-being and happiness. Tune in and join us on this journey to rethink what truly brings joy and to set the stage for a more fulfilling year! For questions or comments, reach out to us at [email protected]. Enjoy the episode! The Science of Well Being course (free) The New Era of Positive Psychology TED Talk by Martin Seligman (2004) The Surprising Science of Happiness TED Talk by Dan Gilbert  Learn your character strengths Use your strengths to boost happiness Connect with us on LinkedIn: Bill Taber and Anastasia Taber