Module 1 — Intro to Happiness

Welcome to the Happiness Academy!

I’m so glad you’re here!

You are about to embark on an adventure that is going to change your life! You’re going to to spend the next 18 weeks or so discovering and uncovering so much about yourself. This course is all about increasing your personal happiness, but you’ll find that you have to wade through some of the mucky stuff in your life on this journey.

It’s so worth it!

There are over 225 studies that talk about the benefits of increasing personal happiness. Here are some of the things we’ve learned:

Happy people:

• Make more money and are more creative at work
• Are better leaders and negotiators
• Are more likely to have fulfilling relationships
• Have stronger immune systems
• Show more resilience to stress and trauma

Here’s how to get started and navigate each module:

1. Click on the “materials” tab above
   This provides links and any downloads you’ll need for this module.
2. Watch the video below
   In each module, the video will provide insightful information as well as how to complete your growth work for that module.
3. Check out the Resources section
   This has additional resources that you might find helpful and interesting.
4. Do the activities in the Growth Work section
   The Growth Work is at the bottom of this page.
   Growth Work is THE MOST IMPORTANT PART of the Happiness Academy! (I’m using shouty caps because I really, really want you to do the growth work in each module! It’s in the quiet moments when you are doing the growth work that the magic will happen.)

Growth Work

1. Take the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire and get your baseline number. Write your number at the top of page 132. You’ll take the questionnaire again at the very end of the course to see how you’ve changed.
2. Complete the “How Satisfied are You with Each Area of Your Life?” chart on page 4 in your workbook
3. Module 1 Insights & Actions on page 5 – what insights have you gained and what actions would you like to take as a result?
4. Daily Journaling pages 6 & 7 – two blank journal pages are included in your workbook.
5. One Big Takeaway – write one big insight from this module in the space on page 132, the last page of your workbook.

NOTE: Click the “Materials” button at the top to find your workbook and other materials. 

Resources

• What is Happiness? Psychology Today’s Definition
• Scholarly Article on the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire
• Greater Good Magazine | articles on Happiness