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Rocky Mountain Ruby 2023 - The pursuit of happiness. by Dustin Haefele-Tschanz Who in this world would say ‘no’ to being a little happier? Luckily for us there has been a lot of wonderful scientific studies done on human happiness. This talk will cover a number of my favorite studies in this field, and how they can be applied to life and careers in tech.
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## Summary of 'The Pursuit of Happiness' In this talk presented at the Rocky Mountain Ruby 2023 conference, **Dustin Haefele-Tschanz** explores the science behind happiness through the lens of positive psychology. He discusses various studies and examples that illuminate ways to enhance happiness in both personal and professional life. ### Key Points - **Introduction to Positive Psychology** - Focuses on the scientific study of well-being, initiated by Martin Seligman in 1998, contrasting with traditional psychology centered on mental health issues. - Haefele-Tschanz shares personal experiences and highlights the importance of studying happiness. - **Does Money Buy Happiness?** - In a study by Daniel Kahneman (2010), happiness was found to increase with income up to $60,000-$90,000, showing diminishing returns beyond that range. - A more recent study by Matthew Killingsworth (2021) indicated that happiness continues to rise with income up to $200,000, revealing nuanced insights into the income-happiness relationship. - The importance of discussing salary in the workplace is emphasized, with a light-hearted suggestion to ask for raises based on these findings. - **Experiential vs. Material Purchases** - Research shows that spending on experiences yields greater happiness than material possessions. People are encouraged to prioritize experiences in their budgets, such as traveling, attending concerts, or participating in conferences. - **Pro-social Spending** - A study from British Columbia revealed that spending on others and charitable donations correlates positively with happiness, while personal spending does not. - Haefele-Tschanz encourages involvement with local nonprofits and supporting causes that resonate personally, as this can yield significant personal fulfillment. - **Miswanting Concept** - Miswanting refers to the misjudgment of what will actually bring happiness, leading to dissatisfaction post-purchase or experience. - Being aware of this can help individuals make better decisions regarding sources of future happiness. - **Eliminating Negatives** - Strategies such as automating tedious tasks or navigating around known stressors can improve overall happiness. - The speaker suggests practical approaches, like using a Roomba for cleaning or prioritizing remote work, to simplify life. - **General Insights on Happiness** - Happiness levels peak at around 18 years, decline until roughly 47, then begin to rise again. - Strong relationships and engaging in creative activities are linked to increased happiness. ### Conclusion Haefele-Tschanz wraps up by highlighting the importance of community, mentorship, and taking action based on research findings to foster happiness in our lives. By integrating studies from positive psychology into daily practices, individuals can make informed choices that enhance their well-being.
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