Professor Aaker's Research on Happiness

Professor Aaker at Stanford GSB has been known for research of happiness. She found that pursuit of happiness alone is often an endless act that can evaporate quickly. You are happy on average for only three days after a promotion. However, she suggests us to chase effectiveness and meaningfulness which will result in a deeper sense of happiness in the long term.

I also love the 8 weird principles she showed us based on research done over 10+ years:
(1) Time shift: First how many hours of deep, hard thinking do you get done each day? In corporations, there are often too many meetings and not enough deep, hard thinking. Another interesting finding is that the most productive time is often between noon and 3pm within corporations. They are the most creative at 3pm-6pm. She suggests that we try to block out time to do deep, hard thinking - and to think creatively. Also spending time with Others brings happiness, unsurprisingly!
(2) Work on projects you LOVE (not like): It releases happiness in your brain! People become more effective when the brain releases endorphines! Most corporate professionals can't think of such happy moments at work. SAD! She suggests that we think hard on creating projects that the employees LOVE! Interestingly the two top frustrations at work are: too many projects and too many EMAILS! :) (that's why our Mokini project is important).
Research has found that people often anticipate pleasure before vacations but the pleasure quickly gets overwhelmed by workload as soon as they return from vacation. According to the research, you just keep "planning the trips" but do not actually take them, to just enjoy the endorphines and not suffer from the post-vacation stress.
Also, stop complaining! Research shows that complaints produce more disutility than utility. Even when you want to provide negative feedback, try to use a "sandwich", say "yes, and..." or "I'm curious..." (rather than "I'm confused").
(3) Reframe expectations: An example: http://bit.ly/LouisCK10 People take technology for granted today and forget about the very recent past. Lowering expectations brings happiness.
(4) Create a reward system: Rewards make people happy. Try to create rewards, even small ones. Make unhappy or stressful things feel better by creating "emotional buffering", such as chocolate chips, candles, flowers, runs, beverages!
(5) Carve out clear areas of incompetence: Claim areas of incompetence! Admit it. It improves your life and work tremendously.
(6) Cultivate emotion contagion
(7) Create sticky memories: the "who" and "what" are important. Research (in the US) has also found that morning and night memories are stickier, as well as Christmas - the most memorable holiday.
A few tips:
"Perceived" free time is important!
Social skills: Typically there are 8 close committed relationships. family, close friends, siblings, partners, etc.
Dancing: makes people happy!
Volunteering: People who report time and money report greater well-being!
Being Part of SOmething Bigger
Not money! you just need enough money to live happily. Research also found that spending money on your friends and people you care actually makes you happier.
(8) Improve sense of humor!

She also discussed the "Six Selves Model": friends, parent, partner, work, community/spirituality, and health, which are the foundations of personal happiness. Try to allocate time over these different areas. Although you can be very busy, identify "temporal sweetspots". Allocate quality attention to each spot, even if it's temporal. She further suggested listing favorite traditions to build habits. Brand those traditions, like "Hot Tub Nights".