Ep. 52 Happiness Hacks: What Arthur C. Brooks Can Teach Us About Happiness

When we think about happiness, most of us think of fleeting moments—vacations, a night out, maybe crossing everything off the to-do list. But what if happiness wasn’t a lucky accident or a fleeting feeling? What if it was something you could actually learn to create?

That’s the question Arthur C. Brooks has spent years exploring—and the heart of what we unpack in this episode after seeing him speak live at the Dr. Phillips Center. Brooks is a Harvard professor, social scientist, and co-author (with Oprah!) of Build the Life You Want. His work helps break down happiness into something that feels less like a myth and more like a roadmap.

Here’s what stood out to us—and how we’re bringing more real joy (not toxic positivity) into midlife.

What Makes Us Happy? (Spoiler: It’s Not Winning the Lottery)

Brooks explains that 50% of our happiness is genetic—our set point. Another 25% is life circumstance. But that leaves the final 25% in our control: our habits, mindset, and daily practices.

That’s right: even if you’ve been through trauma, loss, or just a rough patch, your happiness isn’t fixed. And even winning the lottery won’t raise it permanently.

We’ve seen this as therapists. We’ve sat with clients who are terminally ill and yet deeply grateful. And others who are in emotional despair over seemingly small setbacks. What makes the difference isn’t circumstance—it’s how we show up to life.

Brooks’ Three-Part Definition of Happiness:

According to Brooks, happiness is made up of:

1. Enjoyment – Not just pleasure, but presence. Savoring small things that make you feel alive and grounded.

2. Satisfaction – A sense of forward motion and effectiveness. That feeling of "I went for it—and it worked."

3. Meaning – The deeper glue that binds your experiences into purpose. Making sense of what happens, even the hard stuff.

Making Meaning: The Real Superpower

We were especially moved by Brooks’ emphasis on meaning. The happiest people are those who can make meaning out of their experiences—even painful ones. It’s not about saying “everything happens for a reason.” (Please, never say that to someone in pain.)

It’s about deciding what you want to do with the hard things that happen. That’s where post-traumatic growth comes in. It’s about resilience, not denial.

 Four Key Habits for a Happier Life

These are the areas Brooks says matter most:

1. Faith or Transcendence – A sense of connection to something greater. This could be spirituality, time in nature, creating art, or simply experiencing awe. It doesn’t have to be religious.

2. Family and Friends – Relationships are everything. Not the number of people in your life, but the depth of your connections. Invest in them. Deepen conversations. Be present.

3. Meaningful Work – This doesn’t have to be your job. It can be creative work, volunteer work, or anything that feels like your contribution to the world.

4. Habits that Support Mental Health – Walking. Creating. Cleaning. Sorting puzzles (yes, really). These small, intentional practices can bring joy, flow, and a surprising amount of peace.

You Have More Control Than You Think

Here’s the tough-love truth: if you don’t like your life, it’s your responsibility to change it. And that’s actually empowering. Because while you can’t control what happens, you can control how you respond.

So whether you’re walking off stress, painting for joy, finding flow in cleaning out your closet, or simply having deeper conversations with friends—you’re building a life that’s rooted in something real. Not perfect. But real.

Because happiness isn’t something that lands on you. It’s something you build.

🎧 Listen Now

🌿 Ready to reconnect with yourself and build a more meaningful life? Check out the Midlife Masterclass —a 12-week experience designed to help you rediscover your vitality, purpose, and joy.