This is a condensed slide deck from my Fall 2019 section of The Art of Self-Coaching at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Course materials are archived at https://www.edbatista.com/the-art-of-self-coaching-course.html

1. The art of
Photo by Jes [link]
Ed Batista
Class 8: UNHAPPINESS
Fall 2019
self-coaching

2. Unhappiness
Everyone you meet
is fighting a battle
you know nothing about.
~ Wendy Mass

3. Unhappiness
Photo by Jes [link]
The absence of happiness?
A legitimate feeling
A fruitful state

4. Positive
Photo by Susanne Nilsson [link]
psychology
Connections with today
Importance of meaning
Emotion regulation
Mental models

5. Downsides
Photo by Susanne Nilsson [link]
Banish unhappiness?
Peterson: Blame the victim
Agency  “I’m responsible”
& limits

6. Stoicism
Photo by Martin Fisch [link]

7. Stoicism
Photo by Martin Fisch [link]
Things do not touch the soul.
Our perturbations come only
from the opinion which is within.
~Marcus Aurelius

8. Stoicism
Photo by Martin Fisch [link]
Not “stoicism”
Equanimity ≠ Weary resignation

9. Stoicism
Photo by Martin Fisch [link]
What is happiness?
Equanimity & tranquility
(Eudaimonia, not mere pleasure)

10. Stoicism
Photo by Martin Fisch [link]
Cultivate equanimity & tranquility
Turn toward negative emotions
(Growth mindset)
(Meta-emotion)

11. Stoicism
Photo by Martin Fisch [link]
Distress stems from our beliefs & judgments
Turn infinite fears into finite ones
(Emotion management)
(Mental models)

12. Buddhism
Photo by Sarah J [link]

13. Buddhism
Photo by Sarah J [link]
Maybe the most important teaching
is to lighten up and relax.
~Pema Chödrön

14. Buddhism
Photo by Sarah J [link]
Seeking pleasure is an opportunity to observe
what we do in the face of pain.
~Pema Chödrön

15. Buddhism
Photo by Sarah J [link]
Resisting our addiction to avoiding pain
Being inquisitive & open to experience
(Comfort with discomfort)
(Mindfulness)

16. Buddhism
Photo by Sarah J [link]
What we call obstacles are really the way
the world teaches us where we’re stuck.
~Pema Chödrön
(Mental models)

17. Buddhism
Photo by Sarah J [link]
A strong feeling will arise, and instead of
simply letting it be there, we panic.
~Pema Chödrön
(Meta-emotion)

18. Buddhism
Photo by Sarah J [link]
Death is wanting to have every experience
confirm you and congratulate you and
make you feel completely together.
~Pema Chödrön
(Growth mindset)

19. Logotherapy
Photo courtesy of Rafael Delsin [link]

20. Logotherapy
Man’s search for meaning is the
primary motivation in his life.
~Viktor Frankl

21. Logotherapy
Everywhere man is confronted with fate,
with the chance of achieving something
through his own suffering.
~Viktor Frankl

22. Logotherapy
It is possible to practice the art of living
even in a concentration camp,
although suffering is omnipresent.
~ Viktor Frankl

23. Logotherapy
Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue.
~Viktor Frankl

24. Logotherapy
At odds with positive psychology?
Eudaimonia, not mere pleasure
The importance of meaning
Agency & responsibility

25. For next time…
Photo by Marco Ghitti [link]

26. Success
“Success Kid” photograph © Laney Griner, used with permission [link]

27. Success
Sonja Lyubomirsky on myths
David Foster Wallace on values
Peter Drucker (optional) on self-management
…and an exercise

28. Photo by dotmatchbox [link]
An exercise…

29. Photo by dotmatchbox [link]
Managing
Oneself Worksheet

30. Managing
Complete after doing the assigned readings
(A printed copy will make next week easier)
Oneself Worksheet

31. Other items…
Slides posted on my site
Weekly assignment due Tuesday 9pm
Today’s 1:1s in B206 (the usual location)