'Real friends are useless': Arthur Brooks on true happiness and goals for your tomorrow

MSNBC13 minutes read

Arthur Brooks' new book explains that happiness consists of satisfaction, enjoyment, and meaning, with envy being harmful while gratitude is vital. The book emphasizes self-management, investing in faith, family, friends, and work, and prioritizing genuine relationships for true happiness.

Insights

  • Happiness is a multifaceted concept encompassing satisfaction, enjoyment, and meaning, with envy being detrimental while gratitude and peace are essential components.
  • The pursuit of happiness involves emotional self-management, prioritizing faith, family, friends, and work, emphasizing the importance of genuine relationships over superficial ones for personal growth and fulfillment.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • How can happiness be achieved?

    By investing in faith, family, friends, and work.

  • What are the key components of happiness?

    Gratitude and peace.

  • How does the book emphasize emotional self-management?

    By taking control of one's life.

  • What role does faith play in achieving happiness?

    It includes a transcendental aspect in daily life.

  • Why are real friendships important for happiness?

    To prioritize genuine relationships for personal growth.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Build the Life You Want: Finding Happiness"

  • Arthur Brooks has a new book titled "Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier" with Oprah Winfrey.
  • Happiness is not just a feeling but a combination of satisfaction, enjoyment, and meaning.
  • Envy is detrimental to happiness, while gratitude and peace are key components.
  • Money, fame, and power do not lead to happiness, according to the book.
  • The book emphasizes emotional self-management and taking control of one's life.
  • Happiness is a direction, not a destination, and can be achieved by investing in faith, family, friends, and work.
  • Faith is not limited to organized religion but includes a transcendental aspect in daily life.
  • Building real friendships and relationships is crucial in a world dominated by social media.
  • The importance of diversity and complementarity in relationships is highlighted for true happiness.
  • To start the journey towards happiness, create a checklist of daily deposits into faith, family, friends, and work.

09:05

"Daily Reading, Family Calls, True Friendships"

  • Set a goal to read a spiritually enriching book for 15 minutes daily, focusing on deep wisdom and mysteries of life.
  • Make a commitment to call a family member every day to nurture relationships and connections.
  • Identify and prioritize real friends over transactional ones, investing time and effort in maintaining these genuine relationships for personal growth and fulfillment.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.