Author: Robert Brooks

As I have noted at the beginning of each of my June articles, this will be my last column until September. Two years ago, on the 25th anniversary of my first website article, I reflected on the many themes I had addressed in my first 250 articles. How quickly these last two years have flown by. As…

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I recently read The Happiness Advantage by psychologist Shawn Achor for the third time. He is a leading proponent of positive psychology. I have often cited Achor’s work, most recently in my articles about “the chicken or the egg”. In those columns, I focused on whether success leads to happiness or whether happiness provides the…

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Last week, I spoke at a two-day Lifestyle Medicine and Wellness Coaching Immersion conference at Harvard Medical School. I was invited by my friend and colleague, Dr. Beth Frates, a faculty member at HMS and the Past President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM). Beth is widely known for her publications and contributions…

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Have you ever faced misconceptions about ideas you’ve shared that you believe are positive, but others interpret very differently? I remember several such moments in my career. In the late 1980s, there was a strong focus on the importance of self-esteem. Many books were published on ways to boost self-esteem in ourselves, our children, or…

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In my December article, I discussed the concept of “mattering,” with a focus on helping children and adolescents feel that they matter. In last month’s article, I described actions that can be taken in settings such as the workplace to convey to people that they are valued. I also introduced the work of Dr. Zach…

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In last month’s article, I discussed the concept of “mattering.” I quoted a 12-year-old girl I was seeing in therapy who felt her parents bestowed all their love on her older sister and younger brother but none on her. She saw herself as an “outcast” in the family. She expressed this feeling of exclusion with…

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During my lengthy career, I have heard comments from patients that stood out among the many discussions we had. They represented, often in just a few words, thoughts and emotions that captured key issues in the person’s life. In turn, patients have informed me about comments I made that proved significant to them, words they…

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Last month, I discussed the research and writings of Shawn Achor and Arthur Brooks (no relation) on happiness and success. Both observed that although many believe our successes and achievements lead to happiness, it is actually happiness that creates the foundation for success. Achor, referring to the question, “What came first, the chicken or the…

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Almost 15 years ago, I read The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor, a psychologist who received his doctorate from Harvard University and is one of the leading voices in the field of positive psychology. The book is a treasure of important ideas and strategies supported by research and written in a reader-friendly, humorous style. Achor’s…

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Six years ago, I was reviewing research for a new book, Tenacity in Children: Nurturing the Seven Instincts for Lifetime Success, that I co-authored with my friend and colleague, Dr. Sam Goldstein. We labeled one of the seven instincts or inborn attributes “Compassionate Empathy,” defining “empathy” as understanding the world of another person on both…

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