Episode 36

full
Published on:

6th Jun 2021

He Traveled the Globe to Study Happiness and This is What He Learned | E36 Ali Binazir

Imagine if you had two years to travel the globe in order to better understand happiness. Where would you go?

I’m assuming the Nordic countries who I hear always rank high on the World Happiness Report. Potentially Australia and New Zealand? They seem to be happy down there.

What about places that aren’t known for happiness but more so the opposite? I feel like it would be important to understand that perspective.

Well, that’s exactly what today’s guest did.

Joining me on the podcast is Dr. Ali Binazir who is an author, speaker, and clinical hypnotherapist. But if you asked Ali today, his primary title would be Happiness Engineer.

During this episode, we are going to dive into happiness, particularly why it isn’t something you are trying to find but instead engineer into your life.

This is a great conversation to tune into if you’ve been looking for practical ways to feel more fulfilled. Dr. Binazir shares many prescriptive methods that you could act upon today.

 

Key Takeaways:

[1:42] What Ali learned traveling the globe studying happiness

[17:20] 5 Pillars of Human Thriving

[21:53] Why do good people stay in bad relationships

[26:41] 3 C’s of an optimal venue

[35:01] Novelty Night

[39:13] The story of 3 bricklayers

[43:25] Why is sleep so critical?

[52:41] How meditation can help balance you in this chaotic world

[58:36] How to stay motivated to workout

 

Favorite Quotes:

[11:40] “We are designed to cooperate. That is how this wimpy little creature with no fangs or claws or fur became the most dominant species on the planet.”

[21:25] “I always say texting is how I lose friends. Talking is how I make friends.”

[34:43] “Just recognize if you’re the one that is willing to do that you have a huge advantage but so many people are still cowering in fear.”

[43:58] “My time at McKinsey was when I looked like I was on top of the world but I was really at the very bottom.”

 

Mentions:

Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World by Vivek Murthy

The WEIRDest People in the World: How the West Became Psychologically Peculiar and Particularly Prosperous by Joseph Henrich

Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence by Esther Perel

Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker

Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do Is Healthy and Rewarding by Daniel Lieberman

 

More of Ali:

https://happinessengineering.com/

drali@happinessengineering.com

http://taoofdating.com/

Medium: https://dralibinazir.medium.com/ (I suggest checking out “9 Simple Strategies to Read More Books: How I Read 150+ Books a Year”)

 

Books:

The Tao of Dating: The Smart Woman's Guide to Being Absolutely Irresistible by Ali Binazir

Should I Go to Medical School?: An Irreverent Guide to the Pros and Cons of a Career in Medicine by Ali Binazir

 

Courses:

Super Charisma: How to Be a Transformative Speaker (https://drali.teachable.com/p/super-charisma-public-speaking)

 

More of TSIR:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

Show artwork for FI Minded: Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It

About the Podcast

FI Minded: Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It
Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It
Want to achieve financial independence without missing out on the fun?

FI Minded is for anyone who wants to achieve financial freedom, live life on their own terms, and, most importantly, enjoy the journey along the way!

Whether you’re just starting to think about financial independence or already deep into the process, FI Minded gives you the tools and inspiration to make FI a reality - without giving up the things you love.

Each episode, we’ll cover topics like:
*Financial Independence Strategies: Simple, actionable advice to reach FI faster (if that’s your goal).
*Work Optionality: Transitioning from the corporate grind (no more "one more year syndrome") to a life of freedom and flexibility.
*Lifestyle Design: How to build a life that aligns with your values, goals, and dreams.
*Stories from the FI Community: Real people sharing their journeys to FI and what they’ve learned.
*Fun with FI: How to save your future and enjoy your current life through CoastFI, mini-retirements, travel, or just making the most of your time.
*Fighting Burnout: Balancing saving for your future while staying mentally healthy.

Some of our past guests include:
Carl Jensen (1500 Days), Jeremy Schneider (Personal Finance Club), Nick Loper (Side Hustle Show), Andrew Giancola (The Personal Finance Podcast), Jordan Grumet (Earn & Invest), Jill Sirianni (Frugal Friends), Jacking Cummings-Koski (Catching Up to FI), Jesse Cramer (Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors), Diania Merriam (Optimal Finance Daily), Rachael Camp (Work Optional), Jillian Johnsrud (Retire Often), Sean Mullaney (FI Tax Guy), Joel Larsgaard (How to Money), Erin Lowry (Broke Millennial).
Support This Show