CONVERSATIONS WITH
SHAWN ACHOR CONTINUED
P: It’s been said that authors spend their lives writing
one book, telling one connected story. How does Big
Potential fit in with The Happiness Advantage and
Before Happiness?
S: I think that statement is true. The Happiness Advantage
was about how individual choices toward happiness result in
major positive changes in our educational, business and
health outcomes. Big Potential is about realizing that those
choices were best viewed not individually, but rather as inter-
connected choices. We are better together.
P: How can the spa industry benefit from the ideas in
Big Potential?
S: When we seek happiness alone, we suffer. We need to
connect more deeply with one another as we strive against
“When we seek happiness
alone, we suffer. We need
to connect more deeply
with one another as we
strive against the apathy,
sickness and depression of
the modern world.”
the apathy, sickness and depression of the modern world
(depression rates have literally doubled). But when we can
connect in the right way, we can actually all shine brighter
together. Moreover, Big Potential simply validates the impor-
tance of seeking a community as we pursue well-being.
Trying to do it alone makes those mountains more steep.
P: What’s something that a Pulse reader could do
today to start improving their life and reaching their
potential?
S: Practice gratitude daily with someone—a family member,
friend or co-worker. Everyone thinks that they are grateful,
but it’s all about practice. So, find a friend with whom to
share one new positive thing that’s occurred over the past 24
hours, and your optimism level 21 days later will be signifi-
cantly higher. We can even observe how this creates changes
in the neural pathways in the brain. n
QUICK QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES? Spending
time with my 4 year old son. whatever he wants to
do is my hobby.
FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION? South Africa.
HOW WOULD YOU SPEND YOUR IDEAL DAY OFF?
with my family, hiking somewhere.
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL? C.S. Lewis
IF YOU WEREN’T A RESEARCHER,
AUTHOR AND SPEAKER, WHAT
WOULD YOU BE? A movie director.
FAVORITE BOOK? The Great Divorce
by CS Lewis.
FAVORITE SONG? “Days Like This”
by van Morrison, or “Born at the
Right Time” by Paul Simon.
SHAWN was the kickoff keynote speaker at the
2018 ISPA Conference & Expo in Phoenix, Arizona.
For a recap of his inspiring keynote address, flip
to page 30 of this issue of Pulse.
66
PULSE
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November 2018