Shift focus from individual “me-time” and self-care to “we” activities, as Robert’s work shows this offers huge benefits for overall well-being.
Spend time with people in teams, clubs, and other venues outside of homes and workplaces to boost happiness, trust in fellow citizens, and improve society.
Actively join clubs, go to third places, and meet neighbors to build community bonds and trust that make us all happier.
Shift from passive optimism to active hope by seeing potential positive directions and actively working to make them happen.
Learn about the science of the mind to guide yourself towards what truly makes you happy, as your mind can sometimes mislead you.
Understand that personal wealth is not a direct measure of happiness, as research shows no direct correlation between money and well-being.
Actively work to provide valuable social connection opportunities for children and teenagers, recognizing the challenges of modern life in doing so.
Promote a cultural shift where society, including leaders, prioritizes “we” over “I” and invests in social capital through policies and funding.
Support legislative efforts, like the National Strategy for Social Connection Act, that aim to reduce loneliness and boost social capital through government initiatives.
Advocate for government investment in tax incentives for third places, and prioritize town planning that creates plazas and parks to foster natural social connection.
Support and advocate for government funding of public pools, parks, little leagues, and other community spaces that facilitate social interaction and shared interests.
Advocate for policies, such as a fair minimum wage, that ensure people have sufficient free time to join social clubs, classes, and connect with their community.
Encourage governments to disseminate best practices and set norms for social connection, particularly for institutions like school districts, to create opportunities for parents and students to connect.
Advocate for governments to prioritize maximizing the well-being of their people, rather than solely focusing on economic metrics like GDP.
Question the sole focus on economic growth in policy-making, as it often fails to deliver the greatest happiness to the greatest number of people.
Implement public policies based on their cost-effectiveness in creating well-being, considering both initial spending and subsequent savings from improved societal health.
Understand that investing in well-being initiatives, such as third places and community clubs, can lead to significant long-term savings for governments by reducing healthcare costs and crime.
Actively make the case for investing in initiatives critical for people’s well-being, highlighting their potential to save the state significant money.
Recognize and address loneliness as a significant health risk, comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and advocate for solutions.
Understand that loneliness and social isolation significantly drive healthcare costs, making investment in social connection a fiscally responsible policy.
Recognize that social isolation contributes to increased violence, including road rage, air rage, and other aggressive outbursts in daily life.
Address political extremism by fostering social connection, as isolation can lead individuals to seek meaning in extreme political ideologies.
Recognize that past generations successfully rebuilt social capital by making cultural changes, demonstrating that current societal problems are not insurmountable.
Asking really strong questions is a superpower, implying it’s a valuable skill to cultivate for personal and professional growth.
To achieve incredible heights, show up with something radically different in your approach or offerings.
The greatest rewards always come from the greatest risks, suggesting that taking significant risks can lead to substantial gains.