Hi Everyone,

The year 2016 is almost ready for the history books. It seems like an especially remarkable year for many — for a variety of reasons — good and bad. Over the course of the year I have shared a lot of personal ups and downs, as well as made a commitment to improve the utility of this project. This quarter I have attempted to do that by learning and sharing the wisdom of two extraordinary individuals. One notable for his ability and passion to create experiences and habitats that create joy, and another for being the figurehead of one of the largest and most successful MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) on creating happiness. I hope you enjoy the articles and the ideas from these thought leaders, and the information is able to help you create more joy and happiness in your own life, as well as the lives of those you care about.

Business, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: This quarter I sat down with the legendary Chip Conley to talk about creating and delivering joy (and a lot about festivals too). Chip has written several best sellers, is the founder of the Joie de Vivre Boutique Hotel Group, and holds executive positions in strategy at both Airbnb and Everfest. My interview with Chip can be viewed here.

Health and Wellness: I was also fortunate enough to interview Dr. Raj Raghunathan, a world-renown expert on happiness. Raj wrote the book, If You Are So Smart, Why Aren’t You Happy? He also maintains the online course: A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment. It is one of the top courses offered by Coursera, and has had over 75,000 students. My interview with Raj  can be viewed here.

Life Experience: This quarter I made it to the East Coast to present my research on workplace wellness, but the more notable life experience this quarter happened closer to home. I got to expereince an escape room at EscapeSF in San Francisco. I also experienced my first “float” (i.e. sensory deprivation tank) at FLOAT in Oakland.

Float | Oakland, California

Float | Oakland, California

Contribution: It was exciting to be a small part of a big win for my friend, Chris Tsakalakis. Chris had open-heart surgery in 2009, at which time he wasn’t sure how much time he had left here. Fortunately, he’s now thriving and this year set the American Heart Association’s all-time Heart Walk donation record, bringing in over $100,000 for the charity.

A few weeks ago I was working at the dining room table, which is flanked by our playroom and a makeshift art studio for the kids. My daughter sat next to me as I typed away and said, “papa, you’re always practicing your work; you are a really good worker; I wish I could be a good worker like you.” Being the psychology nerd I am, I talk to her a lot about the importance of deliberate practice, so the idea of practice is a familiar concept around our house. When she shared her observation I felt a little piece of me begin to die inside, but I saved it from peril by uttering these words, “Sloane, you’re always practicing your play; you are really good at playing; I wish I could be as good at play as you.”

We agreed after this exchange to teach each other our respective trades. As such, you might see her popping up more in the life experience section as I get educated in the coming year.

Wishing you and yours an abundance of joy, happiness and play in 2017.

In health,
Dr. Rucker

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x