The Happiness Equation

In addition to being an author and entrepreneur, Neil Pasricha is also a podcaster and public speaker. Neil is known for being an advocate for positivity and simple pleasures. International bestsellers such as The Happiness Equation and The Book of Awesome are among his best-known works.

My decision to read the book was based on the two podcasts I listened to with him.

The book, however, could have been better. After a great start, it went downhill. While the chapters on happiness and living longer were excellent, the rest of the book was disappointing. Even though I enjoyed the author’s positivity when discussing various subjects, I wasn’t particularly fascinated. If you’ve read anything about habits, motivations, happiness, or positive psychology, you won’t find anything new in this book.

Pasricha divides his book into 9 secrets and I will just mention one: Never retain. Although our society focuses on retirement, having a purpose in life and being stimulated is so important. In Okinawa, they don’t even have a word for “retirement”. There is a Japanese word called ikigai, which means “the reason for waking up in the morning”. Rather than retiring, Paschira recommends “seizing the opportunity of an exhilarating second wind”.

I will never retire. I plan to travel the world while doing work that I love and enjoy!