summary ofIf You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Happy?Book by Raj Raghunathan

first KEY POINT

Encouragement from others reminds us how to be happy

Sonja Lyubomirsky — a positive psychology researcher — defines happiness as “the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one's life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile.” Many benefits come from being happy. For instance, happiness boosts productivity, makes you resilient, helps you recover from stress quickly, and primes you to perform at your best. But as great as all these benefits are, not everyone can enjoy them because many are unhappy.Raj Raghunathan needed to reconnect with his friend after 30 years to understand what happiness felt like. Raghunathan’s friend reminded him of how he lived his life when he was younger. He tells of an instance when Raghunathan had an important impending exam and wasn’t willing to stay up all night like his classmates. Instead, he went to bed and had 10 hours of sleep. Also, Raghunathan’s friend recalled how Raghunathan showed up at a formal dinner party in a parrot-green shirt and sunflower-yellow bell bottoms when others wore spiffy blue blazers and khaki slacks. Everyone made fun of him at the party that day, but he wasn’t bothered. As Raghunathan listened to all the stories his friend recalled, he longed for his past self. He kept wondering what had become of him and how he had lost his innocence. Raghunathan realized he was happier as a kid than an adult and was eager to find out what was killing his happiness.

This summary gives insight into what can hinder your happiness and how to improve your happiness level. You will also discover that the pursuit of happiness and fulfillment is not just about becoming better, kinder, and more compassionate but also about becoming more successful.