Hi, I’m arthur brooks, the haPpiness Professor

Happiness is not a destination—it’s a direction

here’s the truth:

The data will only get you so far.

On my own search for a happier life, I had to look in places where the research couldn't fully explain life's most ineffable questions.
Why am I alive? What is my life's meaning? These are metaphysical questions beyond the scope of research.
Put differently, the full experience of happiness lives at the intersection of science and metaphysics.

On my own search for a happier life, I had to look in places where the research couldn't fully explain life's most ineffable questions. Why am I alive? What is my life's meaning? These are metaphysical questions beyond the scope of research.
Put differently, the full experience of happiness lives at the intersection of science and spirituality.

Who is Dr. Arthur Brooks?

Professor at Harvard University

Where I teach at the Kennedy School and the Business School.

NYT Bestselling author

Of From Strength to Strength and Build the Life You Want (with Oprah Winfrey), and a dozen other books.

National Columnist

At The Atlantic, where I write my “How to Build a Life” column—my essays have recently been compiled into a book called The Happiness Files.

International Keynote Speaker

Sharing insights with everyone ranging from CEOs of Fortune 500 companies to thought leaders, universities, and faith-based leaders.

Former President of a Global Think Tank

I led the American Enterprise Institute for a decade, focused on public policy, culture, and human flourishing.

And Most Importantly of All...

A lifelong student of the science of happiness and love, as well as a husband, father, grandfather, and Catholic.

Before all those accolades, I dropped out of college to play the French horn in Barcelona.

I didn’t take the traditional route through academia.

At 19, I walked away from college to become a professional French horn player. That decision led to me playing on stages across Europe with the City Orchestra of Barcelona—and also to my wife Ester.

But even as I lived out that dream, I couldn’t shake the deeper questions. So I started studying again; in hotel rooms, on buses, between rehearsals ... slowly piecing together my undergraduate degree through distance learning.

It was an unorthodox path. But it taught me what no straight-line education ever could:

You don’t have to do life in the “right” order to build a meaningful one.

people are often surprised to learn:

I’m not naturally happy. That’s why I know this works.

Like so many others, happiness hasn’t come easy for me. I’ve started a lot more days with a frown than a smile.

Happiness isn’t my natural disposition. I’ve learned how to get happier—through science, faith, and daily practice. I even track my happiness on a spreadsheet.

Happiness is never a “done” job. It is a bit like hygiene—you can’t do it once and stay clean forever.

“Literally one of my favorite people in the world. Find Arthur Brooks on YouTube, read his books if you want to be a better person. It’s all very actionable.”

Sal DiStefano

Mind Pump Media

“If you don’t follow Arthur please do because there is always something that you can take away and implement in your day-to-day life.”

Maria Shriver

Journalist and former First Lady of California

“Arthur Brooks is one of my very favorite thinkers. Witty, wise, and insatiably curious, he is one of the few intellectuals who can reliably weave scientific research and everyday observations into what we all really need: succinct advice for a good life.”

Angela Duckworth

Founder and CEO of Character Lab and author of Grit

This is what happiness looks like for me. What does it look like for you?

Satisfaction

Satisfaction isn’t about having everything I want. It’s about wanting what I have.

It’s not about achieving a goal, but making progress toward one each day and enjoying the process.

And satisfaction means understanding my sacrifices and struggles as part of that process as well.

Enjoyment

Quality time with my wife, kids, and grandkids gives me an immense sense of enjoyment. That’s because enjoyment is more than pleasure: It involves people and memory.

I look for enjoyment by spending time doing what I love–listening to music, discussing ideas, goofing around–with the people I love most.

Meaning

Meaning is the why of my life: The reason I am alive, and that for which I would give my life as well.

For me, this is my faith as a Catholic, my family, my friends, and my country.

Other people have a different why, and that’s great. But happiness requires knowing what that is, and living according to it.