This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Why are we getting richer but not happier? Why do lottery winners not have sustained happiness? Why are bronze medalists often happier than silver medalists? “The first step to being happy is to understand why we’re often unhappy,” says economist and entrepreneur Nat Ware. In an entertaining and enlightening talk, Nat shows that we’re bad predictors of happiness, and explains why this is. We make decisions based on actual outcomes, Nat says, but our happiness depends on relative outcomes. We’ve been seduced into a way of life that conspires against our contentment by making it near impossible for reality to live up to our expectations. It is this expectation gap – the gap between our expectations and reality – that Nat argues is a key reason we’re unhappy. Nat challenges us to not relegate happiness to the world of art and the realm of hippies, but to start taking happiness seriously. The answer is not to simply lower our expectations, but rather to change the very way in which we make decisions.

Nat Ware is an economist, entrepreneur, and international development specialist. He is a Rhodes Scholar based at Oxford University, whose research focuses on social impact, poverty alleviation, and the economics of happiness. He is the Founder and CEO of 180 Degrees Consulting, the world’s largest university-based consultancy, with operations in 24 countries and over 4000 consultants worldwide. 180 Degrees has provided over US$50M worth of consulting services to non-profits and social enterprises so they can operate more effectively (www.180dc.org). Nat has lectured on innovation, strategy and global business at The University of Sydney, and was awarded the Saïd Prize for Top MBA Student at Oxford. He is a frequent keynote speaker at international conferences and events, and has consulted for many of the world's largest foundations and non-profit organizations. His other TEDx talk “Free Charities from The Idea of Charity” can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpzvnbsma2U.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

The World Happiness Report states “Over 1 billion adults suffer from anxiety and depression.” How do we get to happy? Jacqueline Way, Founder of www.365give.ca shares a secret to happiness so simple a 3 – year old can do it. Jacqueline is a mother of three boys and social good activist dedicated to changing the world 1 give, 1 day at a time. You will learn through her powerful story how your body is hard-wired for giving. Researchers from all over the world have been studying the science and physiological of giving for decades. They’ve discovered giving makes you happy, makes you high, is our bodies natural “Fountain of Youth” and reduces stress. Her inspirational journey with her son and thousands of children will inspire you start a daily giving habit that will make you happy and change the world.

Jacqueline Way is the founder of www.356give.ca a charitable organization dedicated to educating, empowering, and inspiring children to change the world "one give, one day at a time." You can reach Jacqueline at jacquelineway365give@gmail.com

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What makes you happy? How do you achieve ‘happiness’? Nick (Nattavudh) Powdthavee, is an economist at the London School of Economics, a professor in the economics of happiness and the author of ‘The Happiness Equation’. He will be adding his sprinkle of happiness to TEDxGhent 2014.

Happiness economist

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life? If you think it's fame and money, you're not alone – but, according to psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, you're mistaken. As the director of 75-year-old study on adult development, Waldinger has unprecedented access to data on true happiness and satisfaction. In this talk, he shares three important lessons learned from the study as well as some practical, old-as-the-hills wisdom on how to build a fulfilling, long life.

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Dr Ilona Boniwell is one of the most prominent positive psychology academics in Europe. Her first bestselling book, Positive Psychology in a Nutshell, has been translated into many languages. She is the author or editor of five other books including the Oxford Handbook of Happiness. She founded the European Network of Positive Psychology and the first Masters in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) in Europe. Currently, she teaches at l'Ecole Centrale Paris and assists the Government of Bhutan in developing a framework for happiness-based public policy, at the request of the UN. Her research and applied interests include: psychology of time, resilience, eudaimonic well-being and applications of positive psychology to leadership, coaching and education.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Harvard Business School professor Michael Norton's counterintuitive talk challenges the way we think about money. If you think money can't buy happiness, maybe you're not spending it right.

Learn more about TEDxCambridge at http://www.tedxcambridge.com.

In a rapidly modernising world we have increasing standards of living and economic growth. We indulge in luxuries and strive to be successful citizens and to be rich. However, what about our happiness levels? Nina Porter explores why money can’t buy happiness. 6th Form student at Taunton School. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

You already possess the tool you need to control your own happiness. Emma Seppälä explores the science behind harnessing your state of mind and how it can ultimately lead to success.

“Thank you for giving me my life back,” shared one veteran who was helped by Emma Seppälä, Ph.D., to overcome trauma during a study that used non-traditional ways to help veterans successfully cope with post-traumatic stress disorder. In her new book, The Happiness Track, Dr. Seppälä shares how to apply the science of happiness in one’s life in order to accelerate success (www.emmaseppala.com/book/). As it turns out, happiness is not as elusive as it once seemed. Using findings from cognitive psychology and neuroscience, Dr. Seppälä simplifies happiness so that anyone can enjoy it. As the Science Director of Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, Dr. Seppälä is a “leading expert on health psychology, well-being, and resilience.” She’s a frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review, Psychology Today and Scientific American Mind. She’s the founder and editor-in-chief of Fulfillment Daily, a news site dedicated to the science of happiness.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

This talk is about what you can learn from the Danes - among the happiest people in the world and planting seeds of happiness.

Author of the book “Heureux comme un Danois” (Happy as a Dane) and named one of the “24 women of 2012” according to the French magazine L’Express. She is part of the advisory committee for the Positive Economy Forum since 2012, an initiative lead by Jacques Attali under the sponsorship of the President of the French Republic. Watch her talk about what you can learn from the Danes - among the happiest people in the world!

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

What are the active ingredients for a happier and fulfilling life? Positive psychology, happiness and resilience expert, Vanessa King of Action for Happiness, unlocks the Ten Keys to Happier Living. The areas science shows we can most easily take action – for ourselves and to contribute to a happier world. A talk to share!

Vanessa King is a leading expert on the practical application of the science of happiness, resilience and wellbeing in our everyday lives, communities and in organisations. She regularly speaks all around the world on topics such as: Why Happiness Matters, Why Happiness is a Serious Business, How to Build your Resilience, 5 Questions about Happiness, Simple Skills for Psychological Wellbeing, and the 10 Keys to Happier Living.
Vanessa is a Board Member and Lead Positive Psychology and Workplace Expert for Action for Happiness

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx