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A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment

Approx. 28 hours to complete

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Course Summary

The course teaches students the science of happiness and how to apply it in their daily lives.

Key Learning Points

The course focuses on evidence-based practices to increase happiness.
It covers topics such as gratitude, mindfulness, and kindness.
Students will learn how to apply these practices in their personal and professional lives.

Learning Outcomes

Develop an understanding of the science of happiness.
Learn evidence-based practices to increase happiness.
Apply these practices in personal and professional life.

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

No prior knowledge required.
A willingness to learn and apply evidence-based practices.

Course Difficulty Level

Beginner

Course Format

Online
Self-paced
Video Lectures

Similar Courses

The Science of Well-Being
Happiness and Fulfillment

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Description

What are the determinants of a happy and fulfilling life?

This is surely one of life’s biggest questions, and a question that has interested many of our ancestors. Buddha famously gave up his kingdom in search of happiness. Several Greek philosophers (from Aristotle to Epicurus and Plato to Socrates) had their own views on what it takes to be happy. And of course, we all have our own theories about happiness too. How valid are our theories? Until recently, if you wished for an answer to this question, you would've been forced to base it on discussions with spiritual leaders. Or, if you were lucky, you could've based it on late-night (and perhaps intoxicant-fueled) conversations with friends and family. Happily, all that has changed now. Over the past decade-and-a-half, scientists have gotten into the act big time. We now have a pretty good idea of what it takes to lead a happy and fulfilling life. This course, based on the award-winning class offered both at the Indian School of Business and at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, developed by Prof. Raj Raghunathan (aka "Dr. Happy-smarts") draws content from a variety of fields, including psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral decision theory to offer a tested and practical recipe for leading a life of happiness and fulfillment. Although not mandatory, reading Prof. Raj's forthcoming book, titled If you're so smart, why aren't you happy? can help you review and assimilate the material covered in this book at your leisure. For Coursera learners alone, the hardcover version of the book is available for a deep discount of 50%, plus shipping and handling. You can order the hardcover for 50% off by writing to Aaron at: Aaron@800ceoread.com. Please mention that you are a student of the "coursera happiness course" in your email. The course will feature guest appearances by several well-known thought leaders, including: - Dan Ariely (author of Predictably Irrational and, soon to be released, Irrationally Yours), - Ed Diener (“Dr. Happiness”), - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (author of Flow), By taking this course, you will discover the answers to questions such as: - Why aren’t the smart-and-the-successful as happy as they could—or should—be - What are the “7 Deadly Happiness Sins” that even the smart and the successful commit?, and - What are the “7 Habits of the Highly Happy” and how can you implement them in your life? By the end of the course, I expect students who have been diligent with the lectures and exercises to not just gain a deeper understanding of the science of happiness, but to also be significantly happier.

Outline

Module 1: Course intro and happiness measurement
Welcome to the course
Week 1 video 1: Genesis of the course
Week 1 Video 2: Happiness is a balloon!
Week 1 Video 3: What you can expect and what will it take!
Week 1 Video 4: Measuring happiness
Week 1 Video 5: Introducing the Seven Deadly Happiness Sins
About us: The Happiness Team at ISB
Guest speakers!
Information on graded components
Bonus: Optional readings!
Bonus: Optional readings!
Bonus: Optional readings!

Module 2: The 1st sin, habit, and exercise
Week 1 Video 6: Overview of 1st deadly happiness sin: Devaluing happiness
Week 1 Video 7: Devaluing happiness in job-choice
Week 1 Video 8: Three negative misconceptions about happiness
Week 1 Video 9: Why we devalue happiness: Part II
Week 1 Video 10: Prioritize but don't pursue Happiness
Week 1 Video 11: The 1st exercise: Defining and incorporating happiness
Week 1 Video 12: Summary
Bonus: Optional readings!
Bonus: Prof. Raj's paper "The Fundamental Happiness Paradox"
Bonus: Optional readings!
Bonus: Prof. Raj's paper "Prioritizing vs. Pursuing Happiness" (optional reading)
Assignment #1 (The 1st happiness exercise--defining and incorporating happiness): Important note
Bonus: Optional readings!
Bonus: Optional readings!

Module 3: The 2nd sin, habit, and exercise
Week 2 Video 1: The 2nd sin: Chasing superiority
Week 2 Video 2: Effects of chasing superiority on happiness
Week 2 Video 3: Is need for superiority important for success?
Week 2 Video 4: Flow is discovered
Week 2 Video 5: Characteristics of flow
Week 2 Video 6: When does flow happen
Week 2 Video 7: Why flow enhances happiness
Week 2 Video 8: Why flow enhances success
Week 2 Video 9: Getting flow back into your life
Week 2 Video 10: A practice for when things are not going well: Self-compassion
Week 2 Video 11: A practice for when things are going well: Gratitude
Week 2 Video 12: The 2nd happiness exercise: Expressing gratitude
Week 2 Video 13: Summary of week 2
Bonus: Optional readings!
Bonus: Optional readings!
Bonus: Optional readings!
Assignment #2 (The 2nd happiness exercise): Important note
Bonus: Optional readings!
Bonus: Optional readings!
Self-grading for assignment #2 (The 2nd happiness exercise--expressing gratitude)
Quiz 1

Module 4: The 3rd sin, habit and exercise
Week 3 Video 1: The need to be loved--or its opposite: the need to go it alone
Week 3 Video 2: Further evidence of our social nature
Week 3 Video 3: Why neediness lowers happiness
Week 3 Video 4: Why avoidance lowers happiness
Week 3 Video 5: Secure attachment
Week 3 Video 6: An alternative route to belongingness
Week 3 Video 7: Evidence for the need to love and give
Week 3 Video 8: Why the need to love and give enhances happiness
Week 3 Video 9: The rules for giving: When does giving enhance happiness and success?
Week 3 Video 10: The 3rd exercise: Creative altruism
Week 3 Video 11: Summary of week 3
Week 3 Video 12: Interview with Nipun Mehta (Optional)
Week 3 Video 13: Mid-course happiness measurement
Bonus: Optional readings!
Bonus: Optional readings!
Assignment #3 (The 3rd happiness exercise--creative altruism): Important note
Bonus: Optional readings!
Bonus: Optional readings!
Bonus: Optional readings!
Bonus: Optional readings!

Module 5: The 4th sin, habit and exercise
Week 4 Video 1: The 4th Sin: Being Overly Control Seeking
Week 4 Video 2: Why Being Overly Controlling of Others Lowers Happiness
Week 4 Video 3: Why Being Overly Controlling of Outcomes Lowers Happiness
Week 4 Video 4: The Desirability for Control (DC) and Maximizer Scales
Week 4 Video 5: Taking Personal Responsibility for Happiness
Week 4 Video 6: Obstacles to Taking Personal Responsibility
Week 4 Video 7: Internal and External Control as Compensatory Forces
Week 4 Video 8: Learning Simple Emotion Regulation Strategies
Week 4 Video 9: Appreciating Uncertainty and Lack of Control
Week 4 Video 10: The Importance of Leading a Healthier Lifestyle
Week 4 Video 11: Do's and Don'ts of a Healthier Lifestyle
Week 4 Video 12: The 4th Exercise: The Healthy Lifestyle Exercise
Week 4 Video 13: Summary of the Week
Bonus: Optional readings!
Bonus: Optional readings!
Assignment #4 (The 4th happiness exercise--healthy lifestyle): Important note
Self-grading for assignment #4 (The 4th happiness exercise: leading a healthy lifestyle)
Quiz 2

Module 6: The 5th sin, habit and exercise
Week 5 Video 1: Distrusting Others and Why Trust is Important
Week 5 Video 2: Instinctive distrust and proactive trust
Week 5 Video 3: The (hidden) Benefits of Proactive Trust
Week 5 Video 4: Perceived vs Actual Trust
Week 5 Video 5: Trust Scale
Week 5 Video 6: Three Strategies of Smart Trust
Bonus: Optional readings!
Assignment #5: The 5th happiness exercise--writing, but not sending, a letter of forgiveness: Instructions
Bonus: Optional readings!

Module 7: The 6th sin, habit, and exercise
Week 5 Video 7: The 6th Deadly Happiness Sin--Distrusting Life
Week 5 Video 8: Process (vs. Outcome) as a Source of Happiness
Week 5 Video 9: Pre-Occurrence Preference and Post-Occurrence Non-Judgmentalism
Week 5 Video 10: Three Strategies for Instilling the Dispassionate Pursuit of Passion
Week 5 Video 11: Going Spiritual
Week 5 Video 12: The 6th Happiness Exercise-Three Good Things with a Twist
Week 5 Video 13: Summary of Week 5
Bonus: Optional readings!
Bonus: Optional readings!
Bonus: Optional readings!
Assignment #6: (The 6th happiness exercise--3 good things with a twist): Important note
Bonus: Optional readings!

Module 8: The 7th sin, habit, and exercise
Week 6, Video 1: The 7th Deadly Sin: Ignoring The Source Within
Week 6, Video 2: Stepping Outside The “GATE”
Week 6, Video 3: Being A Fly In The Wall
Week 6, Video 4: Flying Into The Present
Week 6, Video 5: The Benefits Of Mindfulness I
Week 6, Video 6: The Benefits Of Mindfulness II
Week 6, Video 7: Motivational Obstacles To Mindfulness
Week 6, Video 8: Cognitive Obstacles To Mindfulness
Week 6, Video 9: Some Other Obstacles To Mindfulness, Including Logistical Ones
Week 6, Video 10: The 7th Happiness Exercise: The “Presence Practice”
Week 6, Video 11: Summary Of Week 6
The 7th assignment (The 7th happiness exercise--presence practice): Important note
Self-grading for assignment #7: Presence practice

Module 9: Summary and concluding Remarks
Week 6, Video 12: Two Approaches To MBA
Week 6, Video 13: The 7 Happiness Sustaining Strategies
Week 6, Video 14: Six-week Post-Course Mindfulness Camp
Week 6, Video 15: Goodbye…And Hello!
Self-grading for video watching
Self-grading: Watching course video lectures
Final exam (Part 1)

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the secrets to happiness in this highly-rated course on Coursera. Users rave about the insightful content and engaging lectures, making it a must-take for anyone looking to improve their well-being.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The course provides practical tools for improving happiness and well-being.

Pros from User Reviews

Insightful and engaging lectures
Practical tools for improving happiness
Helpful exercises and activities
Expert instruction from a renowned professor

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the content repetitive
Not suitable for those looking for a quick fix
Requires a significant time commitment
May not be applicable to all cultures or backgrounds

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