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Learner Reviews & Feedback for A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment by Indian School of Business

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5,808 ratings

About the Course

What are the determinants of a happy and fulfilling life? This is surely one of life’s biggest questions, and a question that has interested many of our ancestors. Buddha famously gave up his kingdom in search of happiness. Several Greek philosophers (from Aristotle to Epicurus and Plato to Socrates) had their own views on what it takes to be happy. And of course, we all have our own theories about happiness too. How valid are our theories? Until recently, if you wished for an answer to this question, you would've been forced to base it on discussions with spiritual leaders. Or, if you were lucky, you could've based it on late-night (and perhaps intoxicant-fueled) conversations with friends and family. Happily, all that has changed now. Over the past decade-and-a-half, scientists have gotten into the act big time. We now have a pretty good idea of what it takes to lead a happy and fulfilling life. This course, based on the award-winning class offered both at the Indian School of Business and at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, developed by Prof. Raj Raghunathan (aka "Dr. Happy-smarts") draws content from a variety of fields, including psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral decision theory to offer a tested and practical recipe for leading a life of happiness and fulfillment. Although not mandatory, reading Prof. Raj's forthcoming book, titled If you're so smart, why aren't you happy? can help you review and assimilate the material covered in this book at your leisure. For Coursera learners alone, the hardcover version of the book is available for a deep discount of 50%, plus shipping and handling. You can order the hardcover for 50% off by writing to Aaron at: Aaron@800ceoread.com. Please mention that you are a student of the "coursera happiness course" in your email. The course will feature guest appearances by several well-known thought leaders, including: - Dan Ariely (author of Predictably Irrational and, soon to be released, Irrationally Yours), - Ed Diener (“Dr. Happiness”), - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (author of Flow), By taking this course, you will discover the answers to questions such as: - Why aren’t the smart-and-the-successful as happy as they could—or should—be - What are the “7 Deadly Happiness Sins” that even the smart and the successful commit?, and - What are the “7 Habits of the Highly Happy” and how can you implement them in your life? By the end of the course, I expect students who have been diligent with the lectures and exercises to not just gain a deeper understanding of the science of happiness, but to also be significantly happier....

Top reviews

CR

Apr 23, 2018

Excellent course, Professor Raj is great. I found it very helpful to see what types of personality traits I have that may contribute to my happiness level and possible approaches to dealing with them.

LS

Jan 23, 2017

This course is a joy! I cannot recommend it highly enough. Practical advice based on long-term research, interviews with worldwide experts on the topics discussed, and a fabulous professor. So great!

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126 - 150 of 2,036 Reviews for A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment

By Shobana

Nov 30, 2016

Awesome Course. Very structured, organised and clear for academic learning. Professionally done with ample scientific research studies to support every point that is referred in the course. Assignments are well done with creative learning. Also personally it is a great way, gateway to enrich or nurture one's happiness levels.

Dr Raj Happy Smarts smiles in the videos and enthusiastic interaction inspires to learn to be HAPPY.

This is my first online course and highly appreciate the inputs from the entire team. Dont wait to enrol for the COURSE.

By AJ Z

Aug 19, 2015

This course is one of the best offerings I've taken from Coursera. Due to Raj, Catherine and the team, the content, research, production with graphics, and readings ----- the weeks' lessons far exceeded my expectations. The trick with learning is applying what I have learned, so that is my intent. Hats off to enhancing sometimes hard-to-grasp concepts through video, interviews and quizzes. The online format and technical process worked 100% fine for me without any problems or glitches. I have been happy with everything! Thank you! Learner ID

By Sirah C

Apr 8, 2016

This is a wonderful course that teaches us much needed strategies to mitigate our problems(or view of) and learn tactics and habits that will help us lead a happier life. Some of the content feels like its basic, but its a much needed reminder. I appreciated the expertise interviews that are incorporated into this course. There is important science behind the concept of being happy and you learn it here. Professor Raj has an optimistic style of teaching and it brightens the course work and mood within the course. I would take it again.

By Barbara P

Mar 26, 2016

The course was excellent. My regret was that I didn't have sufficient time to devote to it - tax time and extra courses perhaps weren't the best idea. I'm a little down-hearted not being able to complete it, but realize I learned a lot, have started to meditate, and did manage to read 3 of the optional books suggested by Dr.Raj. I have noted others to read in the months ahead, including (most definitely) his own new book. Best wishes and thank you to everyone who worked so hard putting this course together. Barbara Phillips-Conroy

By M. F

Jun 7, 2022

This course was super duper fun. For someone who like me, I always felt weird why my happiness always lasts for a short period of time. This course teaches us what is our definition of happiness, what is the factor affecting our happiness & how to overcome that problem. For example, an individual sacrifices their happiness to chase superiority like wanting to be the most popular, prettiest, and powerful. And how to overcome those problems. I highly recommended this course as it can change your POV and mindset about what is happiness.

By Kannan S

Jul 15, 2020

Great course content and methodical approach on fundamentals; comprehensive coverage of each and every topic that helped in understanding concepts; plethora of reading materials to substantiate the learning in the video sessions; pragmatic approach to some of the abstract topics helped in absorbing the essence of the course theme. All in all, a very significant attempt that has been very cohesive and yet simplistic in introducing and reinstating facts on happiness and fulfillment. Great job by the IBS team and Prof. Raj Raghunathan

By Patricia S P

Sep 14, 2017

This course is very important to live better and be happier, appreciate everything good and bad, know to surround yourself with people who contribute to my life and not that I consume my energy, to always go forward, to thank, to have more control internal, to have goals but taking care to prioritize my happiness, to trust people in general.

The course requires a lot of time, 8 hours per week, if the mother tongue is not English. But definitely worth it.

In short, happiness is a serious matter with which every person should commit.

By Joly F Z

Mar 21, 2016

I have not fully finished this course, but would love to recommend this one to people in all different fields. I do think our education system fails as it only teaches us about how to make a living, not how to actually live. This course is fantastic in the sense that it brings happiness to surface, break it down and make it more tangible. The lecturers are very engaging, the best I've seen on Coursera so far. Thank you for putting this course together and I truly believe this helps many people like myself to be happier in life.

By Lori W

Aug 17, 2020

Lots of great ideas to change your mindset and behaviors to incorporate more "happiness" qualities into your life. Dr. Raj was pleasant to listen to and watch! I would take more classes that he taught. he made learning fun and entertaining. Great teacher! The class brought many behavior to the forefront that I didn't even realize that I was (or was not) doing to be happier. I will definitely take many of these tactics back to my staff to implement during professional learning. Everyone can benefit from something in this class.

By Shiva G

Jan 6, 2016

I have been reading / researching on Happiness / Success for many years; I think this was was the most comprehensive material on this topic I have seen. Many of my beliefs, thought process, day-to-day interaction methodologies, my approach towards life, etc. were validated. Dr. Raj Raghunathan has done an amazing job and I am sure many people must have become 'happier' after attending this course.

THANK YOU Dr. Happy Smart!

P.S. My daughter is freshmen in UT Austin; I have requested her to be part of your course there soon...

By Vinita J

Oct 11, 2020

I have learnt a lot through this course. So many small things that we never thought off will discuss here. These are valuable towards happiness. I am totally agree that we should chase the happiness . we never give weight age to our life and work towards our happiness level. We should measure our happiness level. I am amazed to go through this course and understand better about life of happiness. Thanks to Mr.Raj and his entire team. Online course was so lively , looks as if physical classroom is going on.

Excellent course.

By Priya S

Oct 7, 2016

An excellent course. Over a period of few weeks, a gradual change happened. The first most important step was making happiness enhancing decisions rather than proving myself right. Each of the exercises was very useful, especially the I forgive letter. The creative altruistic exercise was lots of fun. The expressing gratitude exercise was very moving. Birds eye view of MBA was very thought provoking and summed up the entire session differently and was very insightful.

Thanks a lot Prof. Raj and team for the ALOHAF course.

By Erin K

Jan 30, 2016

What a wonderful experience taking this class has been...I have really enjoyed Prof. Raj's videos and learning about human nature in regards to our happiness levels...I believe this to be a beneficial class for anyone and everyone to take and have expressed my excitement for it on many occasions with those I come in contact with...THANK YOU for the amazing work on putting this beneficiary course together...I hope to have the opportunity to continually review the content and continue to learn and grow in a positive way...

By Mimibullybug Q

Nov 12, 2015

What an uplifting and inspiring course!

From this, you will get so much information that directly links to many other psychology studies, what a great introduction to the mind and it's workings!

The video's are humorous, engaging and with so many guest speakers you are exposed to many varied viewpoints, which sets you off researching.

I do want to add, that although the course title describes its aims perfectly, I feel it does not do the knowledge contained within, justice!

Inspiring Work Raj Raghunathan!!

By Victor M C N

Jul 25, 2016

Simplemente el profesor y su grupo de colaboradores se encargaron a mi parecer de un excelente curso, pero ademas se tomaron el trabajo de traducirlo y eso le aumenta la calidad para quienes no hablamos bien el ingles y tenemos ganas de llevar una vida plena de felicidad, para mi este curso es de 10 y me gustaría me recomendaran mas cursos similares a estos, De igual manera le pongo 10 a la institución que decidió apoyarlos en este excelente proyecto. Soy mexicano y radico en Cancun Quintana Roo, saludos.

By Carolina A C V H

Dec 28, 2015

Este curso es realmente fantástico, la descripción no le hace real juicio a lo que en cada semana te vas encontrando, accedes a él sin mayores expectativas, pero personalmente me sucedió que cada semana fue mejor que la anterior. Lo mejor que he visto, el profesor de excelencia, los temas maravillosos. El único problema sería para aquellas personas que no hablan inglés, puesto que no todas las clases tienen subtítulos en español, salvo por ese detalle, que ojalá arreglaran, es un gran aporte a la vida.

By Anand G

Feb 1, 2017

I would like to thank Prof Raj and his team as well as Coursera team who have taken so many pains to device such a beautiful course. I strongly recommend this course for everyone. We all desire to live a happy and productive life. Somehow, we unknowingly make decisions which reduce our happiness. Similarly, our ignorance also stops us from taking a few more steps which can improve upon our happiness. Prof Raj's course actually targets both- mistakes we make as well as positive steps we need to take.

By Jana T

Mar 18, 2020

I'm really happy that I've followed this course and I would recommend it to everyone!

The teacher Raj is awesome and motivating, the contents of the course is very interesting and possible to follow even with a schedule of a full-time working person.

Without exaggerating i feel happier after taking this class because it helped me realize what's important in life and what makes me happy.

I sometimes go back to the class and watch again some of the videos to remind myself certain points of the course.

By Diego M

Mar 3, 2016

One of the most impactful courses I've ever worked through. Really just an incredible achievement, the actionable and lovable focus of the course really pulled me in and never let go. On paper I didn't do the assignments but I actually did everything suggested in the course and it really has helped my happiness, satisfaction, self-compassion, and I now chase flow rather than superiority.

Thank you is not enough, I'm so grateful to all the staff, Raj, and all the guest speakers. Best course ever.

By Cecilia B

Jul 29, 2017

Es un curso muy bueno, ya que te va llevando a tomar responsabilidad por la propia felicidad, reflexionando qué hacemos para evadir dicha responsabilidad (7 "pecados") y qué podemos hacer de forma muy práctica y aplicable en la vida diaria (7 hábitos) para tomar nuestra responsabilidad. Los ejercicios al final de cada módulo también muy buenos para aplicar lo aprendido en la propia vida. 100% lo recomiendo, al finalizar el curso incrementarás tus niveles de felicidad y plenitud, garantizado!!

By Akhil B

Sep 30, 2015

This course has been really eye opener. The research on happiness done by Prof. Mr Raj is amazing. The way the course is designed is very nice. There are systematic contents in every week. I must the exercises also are very good and I did not feel that I am doing this course on virtual platform.

Kudos to all the team who have really put an effort to make this course available on Coursera! I would highly recommend this course to all my friends, colleagues and relatives.

Cheers and Thank you.

By brinda m

Jun 4, 2020

just go for it even if u think yo are happy enough it will help you to make someone else happy and thats what its all about be happy and make ur surroundings happy too and the instructor is just awesome he is one of best and sounds really soothing and joyful and the same time his humour is at another level i promise u it will be really fun filled course for everyone and those assignments are something which makes this course really amazing :)

i have found mine happiness now its ur time :)

By Padmarao A

Mar 31, 2021

This is the first Coursera class I signed up for. I am so happy to choose this course to start my latest journey of learning. Professor Raj is full of energy. It is evident that a lifetime of study and research went in to putting together this course. The presentation is very lively throughout. The exercises were thoughtfully designed and made me think to come up with genuine answers that actually mean something to me. Kudos to Prof Raj and everyone involved in bringing out this course.

By Anita B

Oct 9, 2015

THE COURSE HAS BEEN SUCH AN EYE OPENER AT DEFINING ONE SELF,THE JOURNEY OF LEARNING THE WRONG AND COORECTING IT TOO.IT HELPED IDENTIFY AND SIMPLFY FRO ME MY LIFE..IT CONNECTED ME TO MYSELF,...I CAN SAY I UNDERSTAND BETTER,,I GAINED INSIGHT AND WITH THAT THE ABILITY TO ACCEPT MY SELF AND MY SITUATIONS AND ALSO TO CONNECT THE DOTS AS I CAN SAY..

THANKS A LOT A BIGGGG LOT..TO EACH AND EVERY ONE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TEAM OF COURSERA THIS COURSE IS EXCELLENT...PROF RAJ YOURE TOO GOOD!!!!!

By SANJEEV S

Oct 27, 2019

This is a wonderful course, and I would recomend all the readers to undergo and complete this course. In this course I have discovered a lot of simple ways to cultivate happiness and fulfillment that can be easily attained in my daily schedule. With this I am also sure of spreading happiness and fulfillment mantra in my organiation and my past and present peer groups.

I would also like to thank Prof Raj for bringing forth this course, in an easy to understand and implement format.