I found the book to be an interesting read. Although, I have to admit that after a while the studies and their results got a little boring so I started skipping to the ‘In 59 seconds or less’ section where he concludes the studies and gives a set of to-dos to make the best of those results. I’ve made a list of those below:
1. Keeping a diary to keep a happier future. On the following days write about:
- Monday Thanksgiving: Write 3 things you are grateful about
- Terrific Tuesdays: Write abt an experience from the past that blew you away.
- Future Fantastic: Imagine everything’s gone write where would you be?
- Thursday Dear: Write to an important person in your life
- Friday Review: Look back a the week and write abt three things that went well
2. Buy experiences not goods. It’s better to give than receive.
3. Smile. Sit Up. Act Happy.
4. In interviews:
- Find out what you genuinely like about the organisation and/or the job.
- Give a genuine compliment to the interviewer
- Chat about a non-job related topic
- Be interested
- Be enthusiastic
- Smile and maintain eye contact
- Talk about weaknesses early
- Don’t overreact to mistakes
5. Franklin Effect: People like you more if they carry out a favour for you. Pratfall effect: The occasional slip-up can enhance your likeability.
6. To avoid suffering from the bystander effect, if unfortunate enough to be in such a situation, find a friend face and tell them exactly what you need.
7. Favours for strangers have the greatest ‘return value’. For maximum return ask for a return favour quickly.
8. To achieve goals do the following
- My goal is to..
- I believe I can achieve this goal because..
- To achieve this goal, I will..
- This will be achieved by…
- My reward for achieving this will be…
9. Doublethink: For any goal
- Think about two biggest benefits
- Think about two biggest hurdles
- Elaborate on biggest benefit
- Elaborate on biggest hurdle
- Elaborate on second-biggest benefit
- Elaborate on second-biggest hurdle
10. Eat slowly to eat less. Make a taller drink to drink less. Keep food out of sight to keep out of mind. Focus on food to eat less. Own small crockery. Keep a food diary. Regret and reflection. Use more energy. Put a mirror on the kitchen wall. Don’t fall for ‘diet’ packs.
11. For creative solutions to a problem, do the following:
- What problem are you trying to solve?
- Change perspectives.
- Play with the problem.
- Ask difficult questions.
12. Try a brief touch on upper arm to get someone to help you.
13. When you experience an event with a potential to make you angry ask the following about the event
- Did it make you stronger or make you aware of a strength that you had?
- Did it make you appreciate aspects of your life?
- Did it help you become a wiser person or strengthen a relationship?
- Did it help you become more compassionate?
- Did it help you become more skilled at communicating?
14. Relationships have several physical and psychological benefits. To improve your the longevity of the relationship do the following:
- Day 1: Write about the deepest feelings of your relationship
- Day 2: Think about a relationship that is inferior to yours
- Day3: Write about an important positive quality of your partner
Akshat Rathi 