Ta-da! Here’s the one-minute video for my new book, Happier at Home, on “Ten ways to be happier at home.” Some of the “ways” are serious; some are a bit goofy.

Thanks so much to Chris Gelles who created it.

What do you think? What strategies would you add?

If seeing this book trailer made you think, “Goodness, Gretchen, I want to pre-order Happier at Home right this minute,” then here are the links you need! Pre-orders are a big help to me, so thanks for pre-ordering.

If you want to know more about the book, you can…

read about it;

listen to an excerpt from the audio-book;

sample an excerpt from the chapter on “Time.”

Each week, I post a video about some Pigeon of Discontent raised by a reader. Because, as much as we try to find the Bluebird of Happiness, we’re also plagued by those small but pesky Pigeons of Discontent.

This week’s Pigeon of Discontent, suggested by a reader, is: “I check my email constantly.”

 

If you want to read more about this resolution, check out…

Find a way to unplug from technology, or, how to escape the cubicle in your pocket.

11 tips for boosting your sense of quiet focus.

Have you found any great strategies for keeping email your servant, not your master?

You can check out the archives of videos here. It’s crazy–my YouTube channel has passed the mark for one million viewers.

 

 

Each week, I post a video about some Pigeon of Discontent raised by a reader. Because, as much as we try to find the Bluebird of Happiness, we’re also plagued by those small but pesky Pigeons of Discontent.

This week’s Pigeon of Discontent, suggested by a reader, is: “Bad news of the world makes me unhappy.”

 

If you want to read more about this resolution, check out…

The “negativity bias, ” or, bad feelings are stronger than good.

 7 tips for handling criticism.

Do you think I’m correct that some people seem to be highly affected by bad news of natural disasters, true crime, or alarming social trends, while other people seem to be much less personally disturbed by this kind of news? That’s just my own observation, so I’m curious to hear if it rings true to others.

You can check out the archives of videos here. It’s crazy–my YouTube channel has passed the mark for one million viewers.

Each week, I post a video about some Pigeon of Discontent raised by a reader. Because, as much as we try to find the Bluebird of Happiness, we’re also plagued by those small but pesky Pigeons of Discontent.

This week’s Pigeon of Discontent, suggested by a reader, is: “I’m a perfectionist, and I fear failure.”

 

If you want to read more about this resolution, check out…

Enjoy the fun of failure.

7 tips for handling criticism.

Lower the bar.

Post your own Pigeon of Discontent. But be fast! I’m considering changing the subject of the videos, so I may only do a few more Pigeons of Discontent. Time to try something new (and risk failure…)

You can check out the archives of videos here. It’s crazy–my YouTube channel has passed the mark for one million viewers.

Each week, I post a video about some Pigeon of Discontent that a reader has raised in the comments. Because, as much as we try to find the Bluebird of Happiness, we’re also plagued by the Pigeons of Discontent.

These aren’t the major happiness challenges that we face, but rather, those little nagging problems that settle into roost.

I’m constantly surprised by what a big happiness boost I can get from small changes. As Samuel Johnson wrote–and I love this quotation so much that I quoted it in Happier at Home– “It is by studying little things that we attain the great art of having as little misery and as much happiness as possible.” Tackling small nuisances has a big influence on my day.

What Pigeon of Discontent is messing with you lately? Please post your suggestions below, as fodder for possible future videos. If you’d like to see previous Pigeon videos, you can find them here.

I think I’m going to switch to a different subject for the weekly videos; I’m still thinking through my new idea–but I’m really excited about it. So if you have a Pigeon of Discontent, mention it now!

Each week, I post a video about some Pigeon of Discontent raised by a reader. Because, as much as we try to find the Bluebird of Happiness, we’re also plagued by those small but pesky Pigeons of Discontent.

This week’s Pigeon of Discontent, suggested by a reader, is: “I get distracted when I work from home.“

 

If you want to read more about this resolution, check out…

Problem with procrastination? Try this: Do nothing.

7 tips for avoiding procrastination: Without delay is the easiest way.

Have you found any good strategies for getting work done at home–or for fighting distractions, generally? It’s hard, and it seems as though it’s getting harder all the time.

You can post your own Pigeon of Discontent at any time; also, from time to time, I’ll make a special call for suggestions.

You can check out the archives of videos here. It’s crazy–my YouTube channel has passed the mark for one million viewers.