On today's show, we are speaking with #1 New York Times and international bestselling author, Gretchen Rubin. She has written several books including The Happiness Project and Better Than Before. Gretchen is a happiness and good habit expert. She recently started a weekly podcast with her sister, Happier with Gretchen Rubin. Gretchen lives in New York with her husband and two daughters.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Nature vs. nurture when it comes to being happy
• The foundation for happiness
• Your external environment affects your internal environment
• The power of making your bed
• Some people thrive in chaos
• How possessions CAN make us happy
• Simplicity vs. abundance lovers
• Under buyers vs. over buyers
• Major life changes create space for new habits
• Different people need to approach habit change differently
• We infect the people around us with emotions
• The one minute rule
• Using lists to clear your mind for creativity
• Respecting our individual differences when it comes to habits and happiness
• Success in the past CAN determine success in the present
• Buying the best won't make you happiest
• Most decisions don't require extensive research
• Things become easier when you are clear about what you want
• The negative side of habits
• Habits are a good servant but a bad master

Related Links:

Gretchen Rubin's website

Follow Gretchen Rubin on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Happier with Gretchen Rubin (Gretchen's podcast)

Gretchen Rubin - Better Than Before (book)

Gretchen Rubin - The Happiness Project (book)

Gretchen Rubin's Quiz: The Four Tendencies

Barry Schwartz - The Paradox of Choice (book)

Gary Taubes - Why We Get Fat (book)

Related Shows:

207: Gretchen Rubin – Are You An Upholder, Questioner, Obliger Or A Rebel?

105: Sharon Salzberg – Real Happiness: The Power Of Meditation

123: Jonathan Fields – How To Live A Good Life • Breakthroughs Require Uncertainty • Money And Happiness Are Byproducts, Not The Goal

211: Meik Wiking – What Is Happiness (Lykke)? • The Lost Wallet Experiment • Helper’s High

242: Sarah Knight – You Do You • Happiness In Imperfection • Managing Anxiety

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