Home > Work > 59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot
1 " researchers discovered that people who have just consumed caffeinated drinks were more likely to be swayed by arguments about various controversial topics.55 In short, good evidence that there really is no such thing as a free lunch or an innocent cup of coffee. "
― Richard Wiseman , 59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot
2 " When people can afford necessities in life, an increase in income dones not result in a significantly happier life. "
3 " Happiness doesn't just flow from success; it actually causes it. "
4 " Buy Experiences Not Goods. Want to buy happiness? Then spend your hard-earned cash on experiences. Go out for a meal. Go to a concert, cinema or theatre. Go on holiday. Go and learn how to pole dance. Go paintballing. Go bungee jumping. In fact, get involved in anything that provides an opportunity to do things with others, and then tell even more people about it afterwards. When it comes to happiness, remember that it is experiences that represent really good value for money. "
5 " materialism takes root in early childhood, and is driven mainly by low self-esteem. "
6 " Visualize Yourself Doing, Not Achieving. "
7 " When you gossip about another person, listeners unconsciously associate you with the characteristics you are describing, ultimately leading to those characteristics’ being “transferred” to you. So, say positive and pleasant things about friends and colleagues, and you are seen as a nice person. In contrast, constantly complain about their failings, and people will unconsciously apply the negative traits and incompetence to you. "
8 " We do not love people so much for the good they have done us, as for the good we do them. "
9 " The message is that people are more likely to agree with you when they have already said something positive. "
10 " The results from both studies clearly indicated that in terms of short- and long-term happiness, buying experiences made people feel better than buying products. "
11 " The message is clear – those who do not feel in control of their lives are less successful, and less psychologically and physically healthy, than those who do feel in control. "
12 " The message from this type of work is simple – if you want to cheer yourself up, behave like a happy person. "
13 " When it comes to happiness, remember, it is experiences that represent really good value for the money. "
14 " thinking and writing are very different. Thinking can often be somewhat unstructured, disorganized, and even chaotic. In contrast, writing encourages the creation of a story line and structure that help people make sense of what has happened and work toward a solution. In short, talking can add to a sense of confusion, but writing provides a more systematic, solution-based approach. "
15 " When trying to write your way to a happier life, expressing gratitude is just the tip of the iceberg. "
16 " In short, when it comes to an instant fix for everyday happiness, certain types of writing have a surprisingly quick and large impact. Expressing gratitude, thinking about a perfect future, and affectionate writing have been scientifically proven to work—and all they require is a pen, a piece of paper, and a few moments of your time. "
17 " You know, in this job we really need someone who is responsible.” The man thinks for a moment, then replies, “I am perfect for you. In my last job lots of things went badly wrong, and they always said that I was responsible. "
18 " compared to individuals, groups tend to be more dogmatic, better able to justify irrational actions, more likely to see their actions as highly moral, and more apt to form stereotypical views of outsiders. "
19 " Thanks to our capacity to adapt to ever greater fame and fortune, yesterday’s luxuries can soon become today’s necessities and tomorrow’s relics.”6 "
20 " if you want to cheer yourself up, behave like a happy person. "