DeepSummary
In this episode, Mo Gawdat, a former Google executive, shares his personal journey of finding happiness after the tragic loss of his son Ali in 2014. He recounts how despite achieving immense professional success and material wealth, he was deeply unhappy until that defining moment when his young daughter's heartbreak made him realize he needed to change. Driven by a mission to spread Ali's essence 'everywhere and part of everyone,' Mo embarked on a quest to engineer an algorithm for happiness.
Drawing from his engineering background, Mo developed a formula based on the idea that happiness is the absence of unhappiness, and unhappiness arises from unmet expectations. He explains how the 'happiness equation' of life events minus expectations can be controlled by adjusting one's perception and expectations. Mo stresses that happiness is a choice and provides techniques like questioning unhelpful thoughts, focusing on what one can control, and practicing acceptance.
Mo also differentiates between happiness (calm contentment) and positive emotions like joy, which are often misunderstood as happiness. He advocates finding happiness first before seeking pleasurable experiences. Throughout the episode, Mo offers insights from his books and personal experiences, inspiring the audience to embrace happiness as an engineerable state of being.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Happiness is a choice based on adjusting one's perceptions and expectations, not a result of external circumstances.
- Unhappiness is a natural survival alert system, but suffering arises from dwelling on unhappy thoughts unnecessarily.
- True happiness is a state of calm contentment, distinct from momentary positive emotions like joy or pleasure.
- Finding your baseline happiness equips you to then add positive experiences on top of that foundation.
- Rewiring your brain's patterns and limiting unhelpful thoughts is key to sustaining happiness.
- Consistent mindfulness practices like meditation build the ability to control your focus and thoughts.
- Pouring love on unhappy people is more effective than advising them, until they ask how to change.
- Being a model of happiness for your children is more powerful than telling them how to be happy.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful. All the birds on the trees were singing so happily.“ by Mo Gawdat
- “Happiness is the absence of unhappiness. So what is unhappiness? Unhappiness in the happiness equation, events minus expectations means a moment in your life where an event missed your expectation. You know what that means? It means that unhappiness is a survival mechanism.“ by Mo Gawdat
- “And I must have spoken about this probably thousands of times. And it hurts. It's the most painful thing, I believe, that a human could ever feel. Losing a child is very unlike our nature as humans. And yet somehow, four days after Ali died, I decided I needed to do something.“ by Mo Gawdat
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Episode Information
The Tony Robbins Podcast
Tony Robbins
3/21/24
Is happiness a choice? And if so, can it be engineered? Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Google X and founder of One Billion Happy, believes this is true. In fact, he's used his three decades of success in the tech industry to engineer his very own "happiness algorithm" to help all of us achieve this mind frame.
Gawdat began his mission to conquer happiness after experiencing the ultimate tragedy. In 2014, Mo suddenly lost his beloved son, Ali, which thrust him into depression and an existential reckoning with life's fragility. Rather than succumbing to this ultimate despair, Gawdat turned his grief into a catalyst for transformation. He soon embarked on a profound journey of self-discovery and healing, driven by a newfound mission to spread happiness and well-being to the world.
Drawing from his personal experience and extensive research, Mo has authored the international bestseller "Solve for Happy: Engineer Your Path to Joy” and continues to champion his message of happiness to millions worldwide. Via his writing, speaking engagements, and podcast, Gawdat offers practical tools and strategies for finding joy in the face of adversity.
Mo's commitment to spreading happiness has touched millions of lives. He continues to inspire people from all walks of life to embrace happiness as a fundamental choice, as well as empower them to engineer their own paths to fulfillment.
Tony and Sage Robbins are excited to share this special presentation from a 2022 private event with their Platinum Partners in Mexico. Let Mo Gawdat’s poignant insights help you create your own happiness journey today!
To watch this episode, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL7Cb2O6Lhk
Show Notes:
[00:15] Sage Robbins Intro
[00:55] The luckiest man you’ll ever meet
[03:00] An ultimatum leads to a new path
[04:05] How the birth of Ali gave Mo purpose
[05:31] “The more life gave me, the more unhappy I became”
[08:22] An engineering approach to creating happiness
[10:45] Mo details the tragic passing of his son
[11:45] Be everywhere and part of everyone
[14:03] Create happiness by making others happy
[15:09] The wisdom of Supertramp
[21:10] Happiness is the absence of unhappiness
[22:30] Mo’s algorithm
[23:45] Happiness is not a result of the events of your life
[27:45] “Happiness is a choice”
[28:43] The Happiness Equation
[32:45] The problem with dopamine
[35:45] Unhappiness is a survival mechanism
[39:18] Matthieu Ricard: The world’s happiest man?
[46:00] Accept the things you cannot change
[49:05] MIT Study
[51:00] Accept that pain never goes away
[53:56] Question #1 from audience: “How long did it take you to train your brain?
[01:00:19] Question #2 from audience: How can I use meditation to get to the happiness state?
[01:04:48] Question #3 from audience: How can I help someone else be happy?
[01:07:56] Question #4 from audience: How Can I find happiness when I’m constantly focusing on what could go wrong?
[01:14:47] Question #5 from audience: How can I best utilize your teachings with my children?
[01:21:00] Sign off