Happiness Through Gratitude with AJ Jacobs, Chase Jarvis

There's a common misconception that artists have a monopoly on creativity… But the very act of making waves—no matter the career—is a creative one. The Chase Jarvis LIVE Show is an exploration of creativity, self-discovery, entrepreneurship, hard-earned lessons, and so much more. Chase sits down with the world's top creators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders and unpacks actionable, valuable insights to help you live your dreams in career, hobby, and life.

About this episode:

AJ Jacobs is a multiple NYT bestselling author, a journalist, a lecturer as well as a warm and hilarious human soul. He’s on this week's podcast and is…SO GOOD. In this show, we learn why AJ intentionally puts himself in the most extraordinary circumstances … like when he strove to be “the world’s healthiest man” going from Dad bod to ultimate health (Book = Drop Dead Healthy). Or when he lived according to the Bible for a year, beard, goats and all… (Book = The Year of Living Biblically). In this episode we have a blast, learn and laugh a lot, and discuss AJ’s new book Thanks a Thousand, which chronicles his journey of gratitude in the same lovable – but brilliantly insightful – way. AJ has more tools in his toolbelt for being happy, healthy and productive than nearly anyone I’ve met. 

• If you’re struggling with feeling like your life is too boring to write about, or put on Instagram or build your wildest dreams upon…try doing what AJ does and immerse yourself into an experiment. Make your life interesting by putting yourself into extraordinary circumstances. Interesting circumstances = interesting life.
• AJ realized that somehow the more energy he put into making himself happy, the more miserable he got. When he flipped the script and focused on making others happy, even at what he thought was his own happiness’ expense, he became increasingly happier. Paradoxical, but effective!
• NOT fake it till you make it….but fake it til you feel it. “It’s easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than to think your way into a new way of acting.” Don’t let yourself get stuck in the cycles of endless thinking and planning. Take action.
• …and a hundred or so more hilarious and wise takeaways from AJ

About AJ:

A.J. Jacobs is an author, journalist, lecturer and human guinea pig. He has written four New York Times bestsellers that combine memoir, science, humor and a dash of self-help. He is also an editor at large at Esquire magazine, a commentator on NPR and a columnist for Mental Floss magazine. He helped build a family tree of the entire world and held the biggest family reunion ever in 2015. His first bestseller is The Know-It-All: One Man’s Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World