Eight Steps To Happiness

Eight Steps to Happiness is the companion volume to a three-part ABC television series, Making Australia Happy, that goes to air in September 2010.

People yearn to live meaningful and fulfilling lives. Measures of national happiness in the western world since World War II have revealed that being more affluent doesn't necessarily make us happier.

In this timely program, the authors Dr Tony Grant and Alison Leigh bring us the latest findings of happiness research – and show that happiness is within our grasp and how we can achieve it. While genetics and life circumstances play a significant role in happiness levels, 40 per cent is within an individual's personal control. You can't change the cards you were dealt in life, but you can change how you deal with them.

The book will take readers step-by-step through the program, from a questionnaire to assess their happiness levels as a starting point, to simple, practical changes they can make. Readers will learn how to evaluate all aspects of their life, including dietary and sleeping habits, and the crucial elements of the happiness tool kit: mindfulness, altruism, gratitude and social connections.

About The Authors

Dr Tony Grant is a Coaching Psychologist. He established the world's first Coaching Psychology Unit at Sydney University where he is the director. His books on coaching have been translated into eight languages, and he is widely recognised as a key pioneer of coaching technology.

Alison Leigh is the Editorial Director of the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers, continuing a distinguished career as a journalist and broadcaster over three decades. She has played a leading role in producing science television programs in Australia, and serves on the advisory council of the Australian Science Festival.