59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot - By Richard Wiseman

Be warned - this book is going to prove many of your preconceived notions and assumptions wrong.  We all have so many beliefs about various subjects including productivity, happiness or how to bring up our children in the best possible manner possible.  When you read this book many of your assumptions will turn out to be wrong.  And all this is based on scientific research.

Key Points

"Yale Goal Study" is a myth.  It never happened.

Happiness - 

Happier you are, more successful you are likely to be.  Usually we think it to be in reverse order.  Happiness improves your confidence, immunity and ability to resolve conflict. It means you will have better relationship, better health and fulfilling career.

Most people think money will make them happier.  It does.  However the effect are not long lasting.  If you win a lottery you will be happy but with time you will get adjusted to the fact you won the money.

Those is Forbes 100 Wealthiest list are only slightly happier than average american.

Once basic necessities of life are met more money does not increase the happiness proportionately.

For example buying a new car or house can make us happier for the moment, but then we get used to them in some time and the increased happiness is not longer there.

So how to have long term happiness?

Diary -

Write about your thinking and deep thoughts in a diary.  This will help you to offload some of your trauma or negative thought and make you happier.  Take 10 to 15 mins each day and write on of the following.

Attitude of Gratitude - Having a sense of gratitude increases the happiness many folds.  Write about 5 things you are happy about in your diary.  You can write about simple things you are thankful about.  For example being able to witness the beautiful sunrise or sunset, having a healthy body or having a tasty dinner.  This increases your happiness dramatically.

Describe the best future self.  Spend each day imagining and writing about the ideal future you think about.  This improves the happiness.

Affectionate Writing - Write a short letter to the person who is important in your life and and write to them how important to you and how much you care about them.

Persuasion - 

How can we persuade others including our children to do some activity.  Usually we think rewarding them is a good way.  But research shows that offering them reward can have the opposite effect.  It can make them think that they are being made to work on that activity which means they do not like that activity.

Recent studies show that small rewards are better at motivating people.  The rewards should be a surprise and encouraging comments work better. Rewarding with more money makes the people think that they must not be liking the work hence they are being paid more.

Creativity - 

Common belief is that group creativity is better than individual creativity.  Similarly we also beleive that more can be achieved when a group works on a task as compared to same number of people acting alone.  However research show that it is not necessary true.  Individuals work harder that average effort of each individual in a group.

Attraction - 

Relationships - 

Stress - 

Decision Making - 

Parenting - 

Richard Wiseman is a wise man indeed and his tips are easy to read, understand and practical.  I would suggest this book for people who