In this special Season 2 opener, Carey welcomes author, speaker, researcher, and staunch advocate of Positive Psychology to her office, Shawn Achor. Part of Shawn’s mission is to challenge the modern idea of equating happiness with pleasure and replace it with an ancient Greek definition- namely, that happiness is the consistent growth towards our ultimate potential. It’s a broad and ambitious goal, but Shawn’s teaching on how to implement this practice is anything but broad. His experience as both a world-class researcher and someone who has personally struggled with anxiety/depression allows him to come ready with a psychology-backed list of small habits and activities that can change the way you deal with stress, and in turn changing the way you lead and perform. Keep listening to hear more about Shawn’s beginnings in Positive Psychology, his thoughts on the supposed phenomenon of “Toxic Positivity” in the age of social media, and why “Scanning for Gratitude'' is one of the most powerful practices for anyone trying to be happier and more present in daily life.

Resources and Links

• Shawn’s Website
• His Latest (And Favorite) Book - Big Potential
• Ted Talk on The Happiness Advantage

Timestamps

• 2:30 - Redefining Happiness as Pursuit of Our Full Potential
• 9:00 - Thinking Holistically to Achieve Happiness
• 12:05 - Shawn’s Story of Discovering Positive Psychology at Harvard
• 16:50 - Managing Stress, NOT Eliminating It
• 24:30 - Identifying Stress and Acknowledging its Meaning
• 27:25 - Focusing on Solutions to Avoid Mental Fragmentation
• 29: 40 - “Toxic Positivity” - It’s More About Ignorance
• 32: 45 - Everyday Example of Avoiding Narrow Thinking
• 35:20 - Implementing Positive Psychology in the Thick of Covid-19
• 37:50 - Getting Practical: What Habits Can Make You Happier?
• 42:32 - “Scanning for Gratitude”
• 44:05 - Mirror Neurons in Stress/Uncertainty
• 46:45 - Carey: Just Start Somewhere and Be Intentional
• 48:17 - Shawn’s Book and Where to Find Him

In this special look back at 2021, Carey invites us to listen to some of her favorite stories of perseverance from top performers and their hard-won truths about leading others across a wide range of fields. Don’t miss out on this chance to hear the best moments of last year from world-class leaders, including NYT’s bestselling author and mountaineer Alison Levine, USMC Brigadier General Len Anderson, CEO and Cybersecurity expert Theresa Payton, and Morgan Stanley Vice Chairman Carla Harris. You’ll also hear from psychologists Ethan Kross and Dr. Amy Cuddy on the science of personal growth and how it can deeply inform our ability to perform and lead. Sports legends Hilary Knight and Gabrielle Reece, to legendary sports agent, Molly Fletcher on peak performance, and much, much more!
Jump on in and as always, thanks for listening!

Guest Time Stamps

02:24 - Alison Levine

07:25 - Brigadier General Len Anderson

13:20 - Nate Boyer

18:21 - Dr. Amy Cuddy

25:18 - Theresa Payton

30:00 - Hilary Knight

34:54 - Gabrielle Reece

39:49 - Michael Clinton

45:43 - Marc Polymeropoulos

49:40 - Dave Robinson

54:23 - Ethan Kross

1:01:03 - Adrienne Bankert

1:05:39 - Molly Fletcher

1:10:48 - Dorie Clark

1:15:28 Carla Harris