Description
Book SynopsisTechnology--at least in theory--is improving our productivity, efficiency, and communication. The one thing it's not doing is making us happier. We are experiencing historically high levels of depression and dissatisfaction. But it doesn't have to be that way. Technology can drive--not diminish--human happiness. Our brains receive 11 million bits of information every second but can only process 40 bits at any given time. Thanks to the latest technology, you have a say in what information you consume. We now have the tools to train our brains to scan the world for the positive, trumping our genes and our environment to reach our full potential. Knowing that technology is here to stay and will continue to evolve in form and function, we need to know how to navigate the future to achieve a better balance between technology, productivity, and wellbeing. In The Future of Happiness, author Amy Blankson, co-founder of the global positive psychology consulting firm GoodThink, unveils five strategies that successful individuals can use to not just survive--but to actually thrive--in the Digital Age: Stay grounded to focus and channel your energy with intention Know thyself through app-driven data to strive toward your potential Train your brain to develop and sustain an optimistic mindset Create a habitat for happiness to maximize the spaces and places in which you live, work, and learn Be a conscious innovator to actively shape your future By rethinking when, where, why and how you use technology, you will not only able to influence your own wellbeing but also help shape the future of your community. Discover how futuristic technologies can transform the idea of "I'll be happy when ..." to your way of being now.
Trade Review"Too often, the concept of personal happiness is left out of discussions about technology and the future of our world. The Future of Happiness is a timely reminder about the importance of happiness, meaning, and our fragile, promising selves." --Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking "The Future of Happiness gave me tactical tips in the first few minutes and a genuinely happier life by the end. In an age of endless interruptions, this book couldn't have arrived at a better time." --Neil Pasricha, New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Equation and The Book of Awesome "Volumes have been written about how bad technology can be for us, but Amy Blankson is the first author I've seen to lay out a simple, achievable path to explain how to stay grounded and balanced in the digital era." --Laszlo Bock, former head of people operations at Google and bestselling author of Work Rules! "Rather than fighting against the digital movement, we need higher-level help to harness it for our greatest joy, success, connection, and fulfillment. Amy's book is the perfect pathway to this--offering amazing new strategies to help us access more joy and meaning while at the same time leveraging the power of technology to enhance and enrich our lives." --Kathy Caprino, MA, "Brave Up" writer, speaker, coach, and leadership developer "Sometimes innovation doesn't have to be a brand-new technology, but a segment clearly redefined that can lead to greater well-being. I am so happy to see Amy address the link between technology and happiness. This book is long overdue for both professionals and parents, and I'm sure will be wonderfully received globally." --John Stix, public speaker and founder of KidsWifi
Table of ContentsForeword Introduction Part One: The Three Burning Questions of the Digital Era Where Are We Heading? Would We Be Better Without Tech? What Will Happiness Look Like? Part Two: The Five Strategies Strategy #1 Stay Grounded How to Focus and Channel Your Energy with Intention The Challenge: Navigating Digital Distraction and Addiction The Strategy: Grounding Ourselves with Intention Strategy #2 Know Thyself How Quantifying Yourself Helps Eliminate Limiting Beliefs on Your Potential The Challenge: Recognizing Limiting Beliefs The Strategy: Magnifying Your Microdecisions Strategy #3 Train Your Brain How to Put Together the Building Blocks of a Smarter, Happier Mind The Challenge: Dealing With a Brain That Has a Mind of Its Own The Strategy: Optimizing Your Mindset Strategy #4 Create a Habitat for Happiness How to Build Greater Happiness into Our Homes, Workplaces and Communities The Challenge: Deciding Whether Technology Is Our Friend or Foe? The Strategy: Reshaping Spaces, Places, and the Fences in Between Strategy #5 Innovate Consciously How to Use Your Innate Power to Shape the Future of Technology and Happiness The Challenge: Seeking a Happiness Upgrade The Strategy: Creating a Balanced New World A Concluding Letter Summary of Key Points Glossary Technology Referenced Notes Index Acknowledgments About the Author About GoodThink
