PNTV: The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris (

[@thekrrib]

Only Self Help book that actually helped me. Highly recommend it to anyone suffering from limited thinking patterns (PTSD), depression or spiral thinking.

[@HeroicBrian]

Thanks for sharing!! Zak | Team Optimize

[@henrysteinberger]

I'm a psychologist and I prescribe this book, The Happiness Trap, to many, perhaps most, of my clients. It is very accessible. I also suggest Russ Harris' book, ACT Made Simple for learning how to do ACT. I greatly appreciate Russ's generosity in sharing his many worksheets and other offerings.

[@HeroicBrian]

Amazing! Thanks for sharing! -Zak | Team Optimize

[@transformxruby]

couldnt agree more - i wish i had (could make ) the time to go back and study sports psychology now

[@Maddy-vj3gb]

I have read this book multiple times because of the powerful effect it has had on my life. My anxiety has been so much more manageable since practicing ACT and mindfulness. I like this video as a reminder of the book's key teachings. Great summary, easy to understand and to the point.

[@BrunoValleBR]

Do you think it's worth reading the book after watching the video?

[@stephenhogg6154]

Is ACT not a 'method' to develop from being 'other directed' with an 'external locus of control, to being 'inner directed' with an 'internal locus of control'?

[@jimwillows2819]

@@BrunoValleBR Absolutely!

[@Sylar-451]

Same here. Saved my life for sure. Makes so much sense

[@aiyanakaizen9652]

Yessssss! We are obsessed with happiness. So much so, when people feel an emotion outside of that, we start "Feeling Sorry" for them or ourselves. Complete bull! We mask and pity anything/anyone who is not happy, even for a moment. Glad to see you cover this, Brian. Off topic alert...great Adam's apple (did I just make it weird? Lol!)

[@themothermarkos]

I attended an intensive therapy course in London to help me with my stammer, also as a tool to look deeper into my rooted anxiety and depression. While I was there, as a creative, I networked every single night. I was so terrified of feeling exposed, of stammering, of being a fully emotional and feeling creator. I have always been highly sensitive to emotions and atmospheres, I was constantly told that I was overly sensitive and that I needed to catch up in multiple areas of my life. This especially amplified once I went to university, where everyone's individual abilities and goals were all swept with the same grading brush. We were all told that to get anywhere, we all have to do the same thing. I have built my life by never doing the same thing as anyone else, by being creative and using what I thought was constant anxiety, was actually the high processing speeds from my dyslexia. While I was in London, I made more career progression than literally three years of university. It's a strange and pleasant awakening. All I did was lean into that excitement and be myself and be completely receiving of all this amazing creative energy and the realisation that i really get what the most successful people in my field get. I also know that this therapy and this approach is a daily practise and I felt myself falling into the happiness trap. Thank you for this video.

[@AllanGildea]

Top class Brian, excellent. Thank you.

[@alexisdominguez3133]

Thank you so much, I have been struggling with overthinking for two weeks or so, recently I have been trying to get ahold of my thoughts and nothing worked. This thought scares me as I couldn't stop thinking about, what if the devil was after me. I did as you said and am letting the emotions go through, even though it is frightful I know nothing will happen. Thank you once again and God bless you.

[@HFXmermaid]

Thank you. I enjoyed the book and sent your video to people to get an idea of the book and encourage them to read it!

[@queencityminis]

This book can be life changing for anyone who reads it and applies it. Every human should read this book. It makes so much sense and is very practical. I also love that it's based on scientific fact and research. I am more inclined to do something if there's evidence it works.

[@HeroicBrian]

Hello, thanks for watching and have a great day! 😀 - Team Heroic Enjoy a free trial of the Heroic app, TODAY! www.heroic.us

[@omercanduna8532]

Suffering = Pain x Resistance I love that formula!

[@HeroicBrian]

Same! Zak | Team Optimize

[@mikamycat603]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ thank you for the video

[@HeroicBrian]

Thank YOU Mika! We appreciate you Hero, have an awesome day ahead! ❤️ - Team Heroic Get the Heroic App and start Activating your Heroic Potential, TODAY! Join free: heroic.us/join

[@TristineBarry]

Thank you!!

[@HeroicBrian]

Thanks for watching Tristine, have a wonderful day ahead! 😊 - Team Heroic Get the Heroic App and start Activating your Heroic Potential, TODAY! Join free: heroic.us/join

[@strongsociety]

Thanks for the in-depth review of this. Going to be working on my values, now!

[@HeroicBrian]

Thanks for watching, have a great day! 😀 - Team Heroic Get the NEW Heroic App and start Activating your best, TODAY! Try 14 Days free: heroic.us/join

[@richardcabeza2087]

Excellent summary: you are a very good speaker and presenter

[@hol-upLIL-bit]

Thank you !!!!! Confidence gap is my one favorite of all time.

[@mcat8490]

I use THT in my private practice as a MFT. I had the pleasure of meeting Russ a few years ago, and you are spot on with his definitions and purpose..thank you for the refresher!

[@theruggedscholar1544]

Values give me the reason and cause for doing my best, in every area of my life, every day of my life. Values demand I have love, compassion, and high standards, for myself and others. Also, I really identify with visualization, because I forgot to visualize, this morning. Visualizing properly is so important!

[@MichaelHplus]

Very nicely delivered. Thank you

[@ignaciomontero3493]

Great class, Brian! I can see you only teach content you believe to be very valuable and you are passionate about. You are adding so much value to us! I’ll definitely subscribe to philosophers notes!

[@Messi10947]

Thank you that was really helpful

[@HeroicBrian]

Thanks for watching and have an awesome day 🙌 - Team Heroic Get the NEW Heroic App and start Activating your best, TODAY! Try 14 Days free: heroic.us/join

[@rhammond2k]

You succeeded in helping me to gain insights into letting go of the "struggle switch" and focusing on my values. What would I do if I was not driven by fears? Write more books and make movies. Speaking of which, when will you write a book, Brian? You have a wealth of wisdom and experience to share with the world. Thanks.

[@HeroicBrian]

2021! :)

[@davidmonroe2008]

Wow you are so amazing at your work

[@HeroicBrian]

Thank you so much 😀

[@JdhMac]

Brian, I just picked up both The Happiness Trap and The Confidence Gap and I was wondering if you would recommend reading one before the other or anything like that?. Thank you kindly in advance Sir. Love your channel !.

[@robinbrandt2323]

Thanks man ordered the book

[@dougieboy28]

Wow a great find and more than I expected. I'll be signing up :)

[@HeroicBrian]

Awesome and thanks!!

[@LegendaryJoshua]

Very interesting concepts! I'll need to check out the book!

[@prosperityok]

awesome job! neat, concise and deep. congrats!

[@HeroicBrian]

Thanks, Fabian!!

[@strictlybizness2013]

Love it thanks a lot for your wisdom.

[@ledatheophylactou6877]

like your work! It's unique!

[@silvja8868]

That was sooo great!!

[@HariKrishnan-pf1ec]

great one bro . ..thanks

[@gadibarak4579]

Great stuff

[@HeroicBrian]

Thank you for your kind words! - Yssa & Team Optimize Optimize is now free! Sign up/tell your friends! www.optimize.me

[@paulstone7655]

One critical thought comes to mind here with this book and method: What if someone experienced real trauma (e.g. sexual abuse, raised in a brainwashing cult etc), how is this method of "struggle switch" meant to help them? Allowing truly damaging thoughts to just "be" instead of showing a way out, helping people see things in a rational/objective light seems far more appropriate than letting people rewire their minds to accept something that simply isn't true or wasn't right. I feel this book is ideal for the mainstream (tackling the warped way we can interpret the world), but maybe not complete for those who need help adjusting to life outside of a cult or intense trauma by actual injustice and wickedness 🤔

[@queencityminis]

The author suggests working with a therapist for serious trauma like rape, torture, child abuse etc. I have personally worked through trauma on my own bc I couldn't afford a therapist. It can certainly be done, if necessary. I think understanding how the brain has evolved to look for potential danger and relive past trauma helps normalize the experience of Post Traumatic Stress and it only becomes a disorder if you struggle against the experience and fear you can't live a purposeful life while coexisting with these thoughts and images. This book shows you how to live your life even in the company of negative thoughts and feelings, which is very valuable to anyone, especially people with trauma. Just a single four hour session of ACT helped cut hospital visits of Schizophrenic patients in half. I think these methods and techniques are hugely beneficial to a wide range of people. I wish I had access to this book when I was working through my own trauma. It would have helped enormously.

[@richardsrensen4219]

you get me buy a lot of books Brian

[@HeroicBrian]

Haha, awesome! :) Zak | Team Optimize

[@romanr7948]

Brian, on the topic of happiness I'd suggest the method used by the people behind the Actual Freedom Trust website. Some of its material is presented in a structured form on Github. I don't want to list links here to avoid having this message blocked, but you will be able to find this by Googling "Actual Freedom Trust". They are claiming that it's possible to be happy practically always.

[@Opyoyd]

My God Brian. Just watching you is exhausting. I'm a creative and my mindset is more introverted. I don't think that will change. I guess we're all different. One of my values is to find a tribe who share my rather nihilistic/anarchic aversion to capitalist society and it's prejudicial laws. Or do you think I'm just not committed enough?

[@hydroponics_aditya956]

Be an observer whenever I am feeling pain & also pleasure

[@incomeifycom]

As you were writing the 6 core principles, I was thinking, "How is it that he remembered all of those so quickly and well." Then you stopped and talked about "making it stick"! Lol Excellent ideas. Thank you for sharing! :)

[@HeroicBrian]

:)

[@redval4900]

nice video brian and i did not understand the concept you explained at 14:50 i.e; hold the space for it ! can you please explain

[@becomingV]

Observe self reminds me of the supervisor, remember? Forget what book that was from. Fantastic ... Love ACT, totally believe in writing down your values and living it moment to moment. Instant success :)

[@mahalnakonde2848]

I love your research ability and the effort you put night in and out. I appreciate you a lot. saves me from reading all of this good stuff. don't have enough time to read.

[@GertReunesstottertherapeut]

great work! Gert from Belgium

[@goodvibesman1729]

Hi,it's awsome as always ,but I have a question how can I put all what I have learned from you in practice

[@HeroicBrian]

Thx! One day at a time! little by little...

[@johannaprisma4316]

Thank u

[@stephenhogg6154]

Is ACT not a 'method' to develop from being 'other directed' with an 'external locus of responsibility, to being 'inner detected' with an 'internal locus of responsibility'?

[@HeroicBrian]

It sounds like it could be! What do you think? Zak | Team Optimize

[@brad3950]

I aspire to do nothing. I dont want to work or not work. I dont want to sit on my ass, I dont want to eat or be hungry, sleep or be tired. I dont feel a drive in any direction, I simply exist through life. If I wasn't limited by my fears or emotions, what would I do? I'd be dead. Because I'm taking emotion out of the equation itd be an easy choice. I dont focus on the negative, I just fail to find the positive. Everythings just neutral, and mundane and just... not a life I want to live. There is no version of my life I want to live, there is no direction to start heading to make it better. I'm 24 and gave been dealing with psych for 12 years, so now officially over half my life. And I really don't think there's a solution for people like me.

[@HeroicBrian]

Brad! Thank you for being so open and courageous in sharing this comment. Are you already an Optimize Member? If not, we'd love to make sure you can check out all we have available. If a video chat could be helpful, please let me know. We have an awesome community that I'd love for you to get to know (if you're open to it). If there's anything we can do, please let us know. My email is [e-mail] , please reach out if we can be of service. -Calman | Team Optimize

[@camillaholmberg3951]

Hi, your comment is really heartbreaking and saddened me deeply. I obviously don't know you but I want to share some things that has helped me. I don't know if "dealing with psych" means you've been in treatment for depression for 12 years, but if it doesn't mean that than I really think you need to seek help. Also, if you are taking antidepressants, you should analyse whether they are worsening the feeling of numbness and indifference. It's a common side effect. But it's Very important that you talk to your doctor first and quit them gradually to avoid severe adversaries. The core for treating depression is to start Doing (things you used to like) first, then the lust and motivation will eventually follow. But if you just stop doing things that used to be meaningful and fun the lust will never come. Isolation always leads to and worsens depression. Ssek out "finding friends"- apps, go to the local library if it's not closed and other places where you are surrounded by people. Another suggestion would be to join a discord/Facebook group/forum/gaming or something that allows for some social contact. But absolutely don't join or consume/google things that are sad, like discussing traumas, how terrible people are, how pointless life is etc, that will make you even more sad. It's important to limit the time spent ruminating and thinking, since that's also the root cause of depression. Easier said than done, but reading books in metacognition therapy helped me with that. Do the things you used to enjoy even just a little bit, it's not gonna feel fun right now, but in the long term it will increase. Also eating healthy and being active/doing things, I'm sure you are extremely tired, but it can increase energy and mood. Healthy Ready made Freezer food is perfectly fine if that's all you have energy for. Take vitamin D supplements, you probably aren't spending much time outside in the sun. Try to think of places, foods, experiences you right now or at least at point in your life wanted to try. Or google for things like that. Just to find something even just a little bit intriguing that sparks some curiosity. E.g. scrolling pinterest or your local restaurants, can you say there are absolutely no food that would be a little bit interesting to have tried in life? Have you had souvlaki? Gnoochi ala sorrentina? Pho? Char siu buns? Indian food other than tikka masala? Dream away! Have you seen pics and videos of Menton and Nice in France, of Singapore, lauterbrunnen in Switzerland etc, I'm telling you I've spent a lot of time when dealing with terrible mental health exploring the world through youtube and blogs, and have made plans for so many destinations. And when suicidal thoughts pop up nowadays I think of all these potential experiences, travels, eating that delicious burger again, etc. I'm not gonna be able to do if I don't stay. Of course sometimes it feels like it still wouldn't be worth it, but then I try to remind myself that this level of suffering will easen a bit in a while and not do drastic action in affect. Cause the truth is, I, and probably you to, don't want to die, we want the suffering to end. And there are ways to easen it even if it takes time. Lastly, try to often think "how can I help myself/be kind to myself right now" "what would a confident person do" "what is good long term, and not short term" "what would I advise my future child to do" at times when you are anxious, have an impulse to avoid something out of fear or indifference, don't wanna eat, want to do something harmful, basically any situation. I wish you all the best.

[@brad3950]

@@camillaholmberg3951 thank you for your well worded comment. Im sorry to say none of it is new to me. I've been seeing a few psychiatrists professionally over my dozen years in treatment. I've been on countless medications, even experimental ones not yet approved. Nothing works that way. I eat healthy and work out because even though it does not make me better psychologically, it helps me physically live out my daily duties. I dont have any hobbies or interests like I said. There is nothing that interests me, I can look at countless pictures of food or locations but none of it can spark anything in me. I force myself to do things like you suggested, but at the end of the day im just forcing myself to do something I dont want to do, and no matter how much I do it I still won't 'want' too. There is no experience i want to live, and I've searched for over half my life to find anything that can cause a spark. I feel like a psychopath but I get to feel guilt and remorse.

[@camillaholmberg3951]

@@brad3950 I was afraid that you had already tried everything without any sufficient results. It took me five years of all kinds of therapy/meds with no improvement/getting worse and worse until it almost out of nowhere really started getting better and the things learned actually started working better and better. But 12 years, that's god damn cruel. I really hope it gets better for you.

[@brad3950]

@@camillaholmberg3951 thanks, I hope yours stays on the up and up :)

[@ThePainkiller1982]

and by "defusing" you mean "metacognition"?

[@EdgarBeja]

awesome! you should review Living in the moment by Noah Elkrief :) Have a great day

[@jeffh296]

very well done sir

[@mav6232]

Brian, you read a lot! Have you got any advise on how t get the most out of non-fiction book and apply it to your life as oppose to just reading heaps of books just for reading sake

[@mav6232]

have you read the art of happiness by the Dalai Lama?

[@huffj22]

is there an audio version of this book anywhere i can't seem to find one

[@otikamporn]

Oh! This is from Buddhism.

[@HeroicBrian]

Thanks for watching. Have a great day! 😀 - Team Heroic Enjoy a free trial of the Heroic app, TODAY! www.heroic.us

[@andyhucksby5975]

But I DO have to visualise going to the grocery store... Thanks for the video, it was helpful but your throwaway comment did make me feel a bit pathetic. Please bear in mind that people with serious anxiety disorders are as likely to try to learn such techniques as people just trying to optimise a healthy brain.

[@prometheus9443]

LOL, I thought the same thing when he said that: "There are a lot of people out there for whom this IS a problem. He shouldn't just assume it's nothing for everyone.

[@georgebarber3280]

Epic video

[@HeroicBrian]

Thanks for watching. We appreciate YOU ❤ - Team Heroic Get the Heroic App and start Activating your Soul Force, TODAY! Join free: heroic.us/join

[@juisjuis551]

That was great?

[@kellymortgage]

One of the most boring books I have ever read. I can’t believe I wasted my time reading this. He is too wordy. I would have preferred the Cliff Notes version or audio.

[@froggydoodle808]

That's...what this video is.