Summary

“Be you because everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde

Susanna Halonen is the one and only Happyologist. Her mission is to teach others to find happiness from within so they can succeed in their career, relationships and life. She is an accredited life coach, a positive psychology practitioner and a published researcher. She is also the author of columnist for Huffington Post and has held keynote talks at numerous conferences including three TEDx events.

Having mastered the science of happiness both literally and personally. She left an unhappy corporate life to complete a Masters of Science in Applied Positive Psychology and to become a qualified life coach. She quit pessimistic thinking and trained herself to become an optimist. Along the way, coining the title ‘Happyologist’.

Much like a personal trainer helps their clients to create stronger and fitter bodies so they can reach their health goals, Susanna helps her clients to create happier, more productive and more creative minds so they can reach their life and career goals. After all, it’s happiness that fuels success, not success that fuels happiness (and science has proved that!).

In this episode we chat about the five elements of what it takes to live with greater happiness, productivity and fulfillment. We also chat about being a coach, self publishing and what it takes to be a TED talk presenter.

Enjoy this show and until next time, peace, passion & purpose.

Key Take Outs

• Do what you like and experiment in life.

• Passion has no limits.

• Live aligned with the 5 elements of passion.

1. Be authentic. Know yourself, your values and your beliefs and allow them to guide you in life.
2. Have purpose. Ask and question the why behind everything you do and make sure it connects with your true authentic self.
3. Learn and grow. The magic that lays in this fundamental human gift and need are powerful beyond words.
4. Connect with your inner and outer tribes. Surrounding yourself by likeminded successful people is your sure way to excelling in the life your desire.
5. Play with your strengths. This is a sure way to bring more passion and purpose into your life and also a great way to be of greater service in this world.

• Happiness can be achieved at a higher level and more often. It may not be possible to always be 100% happy nor is it essential. Our human emotions of negativity are a survival trait to get us away from danger however by practicing happiness and incorporating the above elements you can certainly release yourself from attachment to any negative emotions so that you can move forward more quickly, comfortably and happily in life.

• Our negativity bias. This is our human survival instinct. The focus on the negative of a situation to keep us from harm. It is important to remember this however also know that we do not have the dangers that perhaps we once had. We need to still allow them to be used when appropriate but try to create more positivity. A higher level of optimism and positively is more powerful in leading a rich and fulfilled life that is aligned with your own purpose.

Do you have any routines and rituals that you believe contribute to your success?

Gratitude practice. Morning and evening routines which include: having a lemon-ginger drink, yoga and meditation practice and closing out the day fresh and without technology.

What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?

Be you. Don’t listen to what others may tell you that you can and cannot do. Listen to your gut and follow your intuition.

Her interpretation of success

Living a life that is true to you.

What is your number one productivity advice?

Prioritise and each day focus on just 2 activities.

Quick round questions

Favourite Food

Cheesburgers & Chips

Favourite Leisure Activitiy

Dressage

Favourite book(s)

What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey

The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work by Shawn Achor

Screw Finding Your Passion: It’s Within You, Let’s Unlock it. by Susanna Halonen

Quote

“And everyday the world will drag you by the hand yelling, “this is important, and this is important, and this. You need to worry about this, and this, and this.” And each day it’s up to you to yank your hand back and say, “no, this is what’s important.”

What does living life with passion and purpose mean?

Living those five passion principles that we discussed. Be your authentic self, having a clear why, learning and growing, connecting with your tribe and playing with your strengths because that is when you will really be your most happiest and fulfilled self.

How to find Susanna and other links

You can find out more about Susanna and all that she does at her website, Happyologist, here.

If you are interested in some coaching with Susanna please email her, she has closed the doors but has offered to open them for the week this show is launched. Tell her you came from The Hidden Why.