'Engineering Happiness'

He draws inspiration from his personal experiences, including the tragic loss of his son, which led him on a journey to understand the nature of happiness. Through his engineering lens, he breaks down happiness into manageable components, providing readers with a practical framework to navigate life's challenges.

At the core of his philosophy is the idea that happiness is an equation that can be calculated and solved. 

He introduces the formula:

According to Gawdat, our happiness is determined by the interplay between our perceptions of events and our expectations. The key lies in managing and, when necessary, recalibrating these expectations to align with reality. 

Instead of chasing an elusive ideal of constant joy, he encourages focusing on developing resilience and the ability to find joy in the midst of adversity.

"Solve for Happy" invites us to embrace a new paradigm for happiness—one rooted in rationality, resilience, and a genuine understanding of ourselves. If you haven’t read it - put it high on your list of Holiday reads.



Justin Kiley