Solve for Happy: Engineer Your Path to Joy

Mo Gawdat

In 2001 Mo Gawdat realised that despite his incredible “material” success, he was desperately unhappy. A lifelong learner, he attacked the problem as a truly engineer he was, would: examining all the provable facts and scrupulously applying logic and brain power. Eventually, his countless hours of research and science proved successful, and he discovered the equation for permanent happiness.

Thirteen years later, Mo’s algorithm would be put to the ultimate test. After the sudden death of his son, Ali, Mo and his family turned to his equation and it saved them from despair. In dealing with the horrible loss, Mo found his mission: he would pull off the type of Google X “moonshot” goal that he and his colleagues were always aiming for: he would share his equation with the world and help as many people as possible become happier.

In “Solve for Happy” the author questions some of the most fundamental aspects of our existence, shares the underlying reasons for suffering, and plots out a step-by-step process for achieving lifelong happiness and enduring contentment. He shows us how to view life through a clear lens, teaching us how to dispel the illusions that cloud our thinking; overcome the brain’s blind spots; and embrace five ultimate truths.

No matter what obstacles we face, what burdens we bear, what trials we’ve experienced, we can all be content with our present situation and optimistic about the future.

PS) This is a personal book to me, that I always return and listen to every 6 months.