Need Help Navigating the Pursuit of Happiness?

NEW YORK, Sept. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States might not be the happiest country in the world, but it's getting there. The 2015 World Happiness Report ranks the U.S. 15th out of 158 countries, up from 17th place in 2013.

Why are we getting happier? Researchers are drawing all kinds of conclusions including the fact that some of our happiness is determined by genetics or "big events." However, there's plenty of proof to support the claims that happiness is much more under our complete control, and harnessing it might just be as simple as making a conscious choice and effort to be happy. So, how exactly can we do that? 

Well, for one thing, you can follow the sage advice of "Happy Harry" Edelson, legendary financial analyst, happiness guru and now, author. "I do things and I think about things differently from other people," says Mr. Edelson. He started life as a son of immigrants in the poorest neighborhood of New York City and worked his way up to become one of the most successful venture capitalists on the East Coast—well known for his famously happy disposition. What's the secret to his astounding success? "I don't have negative thoughts," answers Edelson.

If you have no idea how to rewire your mind to think positively, don't worry. Edelson's just released book, Positivity: How To Be Happier, Healthier, Smarter, and More Prosperous, breaks down his three-pronged approach to finding true and lasting happiness:

1. Work hard: For many people, the feeling of accomplishment after a good day of work is a great mood-lifter. The size of your salary doesn't even have a significant impact on this fulfillment, so long as it is high enough to stay out of poverty. However, the office isn't the only place that hard work counts. Edelson argues that self-education is imperative for a healthy—and therefore happy—mind. He developed "mind tricks" to calculate and read faster, and at 80 years old he still reads up to 600 pages of legal papers a day, as well as all preparatory materials for board meetings. And no matter what schedule he faces, Edelson insists, "there is always a lot of time left to read books."

2. Find solutions, not problems: When you're faced with a problem, it can be easy to get stuck thinking about how things went wrong. But that doesn't get you past the problem and it won't make you happy. Instead, Edelson suggests, put your mind in problem-solving mode and don't let negative thoughts drag you down. When he studied at Cornell Graduate School of Electrical Engineering, the work would sometimes overwhelm him. Instead of losing his head, Edelson spent his free time reading books to catch up on the material.

3. Think positively: Edelson may have had his sunny attitude since childhood, but very few people are born true optimists. The rest of us have to learn to identify any pessimistic thoughts as they pop up and teach ourselves to ignore or dismiss them. One tip that Edelson gives is to focus on the small but good parts of every day, like playing baseball or mowing the lawn. He says, "My whole life is built on these small moments."

For more strategies and tips on turning to the bright side of life, order your advance copy of Harry Edelson's Positivity: How to be Happier, Healthier, Smarter, and More Prosperous. The book is due out in September 2015 and can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com.

Media Contact:
Brenna Goodsitt
Dian Griesel International
212.825/3210

SOURCE Harry Edelson