Happiness interview: Daniel Pink.

From time to time, I post short interviews with interesting people about their insights on happiness. During my research, I’ve noticed that I often learn more from one person’s highly idiosyncratic experiences than I do from sources that detail universal principles or cite up-to-date studies.

Today’s interview is with Daniel Pink. He’s written three provocative, fascinating books on the changing nature of work: Free Agent Nation, A Whole New Mind, and most recently, The Adventures of Johnny Bunko. I was particularly interested in The Adventures of Johnny Bunko, because it was written in the form of a comic, and I’ve become intrigued with the possibilities of comics for non-fiction.

In fact, after I read The Adventures of Johnny Bunko, I was so enthralled that I got in touch with Dan Pink, and we had a conversation that inspired me to experiment with comics myself – I’m actually working with a comics artist to write my own very short comic about happiness.

I’m such a fan that I can’t wait to see what Dan Pink will come out next – he’s working on a book about the science and economics of human motivation. Just my kind of thing. You can read more on his blog, Daniel Pink.

Gretchen: What’s a simple activity that consistently makes you happier?
Dan: Running. It always elevates my mood. Also, nothing is more satisfying than writing 500 words that don't stink. Alas, *that* activity is never simple for me.

Gretchen: What’s something you know now about happiness that you didn’t know when you were 18 years old?
Dan: That ceasing to care what other people think is one of the most liberating acts in life.

Gretchen: Is there anything you find yourself doing repeatedly that gets in the way of your happiness?
Dan: Not working. By that I don't mean taking vacations or indulging in leisure. I mean doing things that are tension-relieving rather than goal-achieving and that cause me to reach the end of the day having accomplished nothing. Like now.

Gretchen: Is there a happiness mantra or motto that you’ve find very helpful?
Dan: The tortoise won.

Gretchen: Is there anything that you see people around you doing or saying that adds a lot to their happiness, or detracts a lot from their happiness?
Dan: On the positive side, I find that people who do a lot of socializing tend to be pretty happy. That surprises me a bit, since I'm not a big glad-hander or party-goer. But the evidence seems clear. On the negative side, I see lots of people who are essentially sleepwalking -- do the same things, in the same ways, over and over again. I don't think they're necessarily unhappy. But I don't think they're truly awake. And wakefulness seems to be a prerequisite for happiness.

Gretchen: Have you ever been surprised that something you expected would make you very happy, didn’t – or vice versa?
Dan: Not exactly. But the more I think about these things, the more I realize that being married -- or, more accurately, being married to the person to whom I'm married -- has produced happiness well in excess of any reasonable expectation.

*
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Comments

[Shanel Yang]

"The tortoise won." I love it! : )

[Carolyn S.]

Dan Pink is one of my favorite authors and speakers. In fact, it was through his blog that I learned about the Happiness Project and also about writer/illustrator Franke James whose work makes me smile.
I think it's wonderful that he recognizes the true happiness of being married to just the right person. Also, a friend of mine said once that at "our age", i.e. over 50, living in a home you love is a great source of happiness.

[DonnaS]

How sweet and refreshing that he feels so positive about his marriage. What a nice compliment to his spouse!

[kerry]

I love your site...I've worked with Carrie & Danielle and found you through them. Today I nominated you for a blog award that someone gave me ... www.snickerdoodles.typepad.com
It seems like it could be a chain letter kinda thing but I found some great new blogs through my award so it doesn't hurt to share the love. All the best!

[Phyllis]

I happened upon your site through a link on Daniel Pink's site. I've been reading up on personality lately (enneograms) and just last night read something about one of the personality types especially seeks out happiness. I thought it was interesting and perhaps serendipitous that a day later I would find your site.

I absolutely LOVE Daniel Pink's mantra. I am going to remember it for my own use.

[Lee Baldwin]

Hello Gretchen,

I really like your site and the positive tone you manage to strike whenever I visit. Call by www.themechanicsofhappiness.com and see if there is grist for your mill or food for your soul there. I'm going to add you to my blogroll.

Lee.

[Patty Breslin]

I am not sure what it is (may have to do with advanced maturity and paying more attention) but there are definitly more people around (like Daniel Pink) that speak to my soul on what it really mans to be alive and awake...and happy. I used to feel that I must be crazy- but alas, they are!

[viki psihoyos]

We are all over Pink! His advice on following what's fun, interesting, challenging, meaningful should be followed by all.
By the way, great site, Gretchen, I am bookmarking now. :)
Viki
http://blog.madcaplogic.com/

[Hope]

Very interesting work you are doing. Wondering if you were part of the scientific research on watching television and the 'conclusion' that the more television one watches the less happy they are?

[dumbass]

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[aron]

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[aron]

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[aron]

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[dumbass]

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