Episode 36

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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/

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FI Minded - Financial Independence, Early Retirement & Lifestyle Design
Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It
Pursuing financial independence, financial freedom, or early retirement often leads to the same questions: How do I become financially independent? How much should I save? What happens after I reach FI?

FI Minded helps you use money to create more freedom, without turning your entire life into a financial optimization project.

Host Justin Peters explores the decisions behind building a flexible, work-optional life, from reaching financial independence and navigating Coast FI and Slow FI to spending your money, changing careers, stepping away from work, and figuring out what comes after FI.

Each episode combines practical personal finance with conversations about early retirement, lifestyle design, work, spending, healthcare, self-employment, and life after financial independence. The goal isn't simply to reach FI as quickly as possible. It's to make progress toward financial freedom while actually enjoying your life along the way.

On FI Minded, you'll learn how to:
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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), Rachael Camp (Work Optional), Jillian Johnsrud (Retire Often), Sean Mullaney (FI Tax Guy), Jill Sirianni (Frugal Friends), Jackie Cummings-Koski (Catching Up to FI), Joel Larsgaard (How to Money), Cody Garrett (Measure Twice), Jesse Cramer (Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors), Jess (The Fioneers), Chris Hutchins (All The Hacks), Diania Merriam (EconoMe), Andy Hill (Marriage Kids Money), Fritz Gilbert (Retirement Manifesto), Maggie Tucker (Inside Out Money), Cody Berman (The Financial Independence Show), Joe Saul-Sehy (Stacking Benjamins), Doug Cunnington (Mile High FI), and and others helping you rethink how to approach financial independence.
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