Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier

Explore the book’s stance on conflict and communication within families. How do the authors’ views either support or challenge your own experiences of family dynamics?

Brooks and Winfrey advocate for action over passivity when it comes to pursuing a happier life. Do you agree with this approach? Why or why not? Include concrete examples in support of your views.

Analyze the significance of metacognition in the context of emotional self-management, as presented in the book. How does thinking about thinking impact happiness?

Examine the principle of choosing positive emotions over negative ones, as described in Chapter 3. In what ways can emotional substitution be effective? What are the limitations of this approach?

Brooks and Winfrey acknowledge that unhappiness is a useful emotion, and that it is, in fact, a component of the various “macronutrients” of happiness. How does this stance complicate your understanding of the nature of happiness and unhappiness?

The authors reference Aristotle’s hierarchy of friendships, which delineates utility, pleasure, and virtue friendships. Do these categories resonate with your own experience of friendship? If so, which types of friendships are most common in your life, and why?

Explore the concept of forgiveness in relationships, as outlined in Chapter 5. How does forgiveness benefit individuals, and what strategies does the book suggest for fostering forgiveness in familial and romantic relationships?

Analyze the book’s perspective on work and its impact on happiness. How do the authors recommend finding intrinsic rewards in one’s career, and what advice is provided for achieving a healthy work-life balance?