Emotional Equations

Simple Truths for Creating Happiness + Success

By: Chip Conley

Narrated by: Chip Conley

Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Using brilliantly simple math that illuminates universal emotional truths, Emotional Equations crystallizes some of life’s toughest challenges into manageable facets that listeners can see clearly—and bits they can control. Popular motivational speaker and best-selling author Chip Conley has created an exciting, new, immediately accessible visual lexicon for mastering the age of uncertainty. Making mathematics out of emotions may seem a counterintuitive idea, but it’s an inspiring and incredibly effective one in Chip Conley’s hands.

When Conley, dynamic author of the best-selling Peak, suffered a series of tragedies, he began using what he came to call “Emotional Equations” (like Joy = Love – Fear) to help him focus on the variables in life that he could deal with, rather than ruminating on the unchangeable constants he couldn’t, like the bad economy, death, and taxes. Now this award-winning entrepreneur shares his amazing new self-help paradigm with the rest of us.

Emotional Equations offers an immediately understandable means of identifying the elements in our lives that we can change, those we can’t, and how they interact to create the emotions that define us and can help or hurt our progress through life. Equations like “Despair = Suffering – Meaning” and “Happiness = Wanting What You Have/Having What You Want” (which Chip presented at the prestigious TED conference) have been reviewed for mathematical and psychological accuracy by experts. Conley shows how to solve them through life examples and stories of inspiring people and role models who have worked them through in their own lives.

In these turbulent times, when so many are trying to become “superhuman” to deal with our own and the world’s problems, Emotional Equations arms listeners with effective formulas for becoming super human beings.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2012 Chip Conley (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

“If you want to understand (or persuade) your boss, sister, neighbor, or teenager, it helps to have an emotional equation. Chip Conley built one of the most innovative, customer-inspiring businesses of the last 20 years. He’s a leader who clearly understands the value of analyzing emotions.” (Chip Heath, co-author of Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard)

“ Emotional Equations offers a splendid menu of rules-of-thumb for a satisfied, meaningful life. Chip Conley has tried what he advises; his equations to live by are clever, useful, and profound.” (Daniel Goleman, author of Leadership: The Power of Emotional Intelligence)

"Chip Conley makes the case that great business leaders don't have to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Rather than superhuman, the best leaders - at work and at home - are simply super humans who know how to use their internal resources effectively. Emotional Equations offers practical advice so you can make your emotions work for you rather than against you." (Marci Shimoff, author of Love for No Reason)

It all adds up.

What insight do you think you???ll apply from Emotional Equations?

When working on something myself I find the insights offered by Chip worth a review, a think through. Putting the slip ups and misfortunes into a simple formula box is like an instant Meditation.

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!

What made the experience of listening to Emotional Equations the most enjoyable?

Loved Chip Conley's voice~the information that is given is very unique. I found myself taking the long way to and from work just to get more time by myself to listen to this book!

Any additional comments?

Emotional Equations is so intelligently written and delivered. I Recommend this to everyone. I think it's Brilliant!

A really unique pont of view

What did you love best about Emotional Equations?

I loved the author's passion for what he is talking about. He was all engaged.

What other book might you compare Emotional Equations to and why?

I would compare this book to Freakonimics and Outliers because it puts old understandings in a whole new light.

Have you listened to any of Chip Conley???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to anything else by Chip Conley.

What insight do you think you???ll apply from Emotional Equations?

I will apply the equations from this book as I consider my own tensions in day to day life.

Best for times like this.

this is what I needed for such times as this. I am using all the equations to apply to my situation and I know the joy I now have is by no accident.

Extremely interesting

Combining math and the social sciences, this is such a unique way at looking at emotions. I really enjoyed the concept and tried to make my own Emotional Equations. I keep a cheet-sheet of equations in my pocket that I refer to. Very fun read.

Major game changer.

It is great ot have him narrating his own work, as he knows exactly where he wants to put emphasis and this gives the text and information some personality. Makes it easier to listen to. The only reason the sory category has a four star is because theres some repetition which I realize was the result of Chips decision to make the book practical even if read or used in a non linear fashion. So on my first listen through there were times I tuned out a bit because it was text I had heard before.
There is a LOT of information in Chips ground breaking book. This is not a once through and done work, so it is great to be able to go through different chapters to listen and take notes. Chip does a very good job of breaking own complex ideas into approachable concepts with clear explanations and applicable examples.
I expect this will be a book I refer to many times to reinforce the life changing principles.

Highly recommend for anyone interested in personal growth or who works with emotional healing such as school counselors, therapists.

A Wealth of Beneficial Information

Would you consider the audio edition of Emotional Equations to be better than the print version?

I fully endorse listening to the audio CD over print as it's perfect to listen to when getting up in the morning or doing the dishes. My bird also enjoyed listening to Chip's voice.

Who was your favorite character and why?

No character, it was only Chip! He's great!

What does Chip Conley bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Listening to Chip brings a personal view into his life and who he is as a person. There were times when I felt like he was in the room with me.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

At times I did giggle or was saddened by Chip's stories.

Any additional comments?

Great listen - I will definitely listen to more of Chip's work.

Great tools for the mind

Good read if your looking to learn how to balance emotions. I would highly reccomend.

Meh from a great business thinker

I really like the author’s general approach to business. His other books are great. This one seems like trying to force emotional understanding into math equations (albeit awkwardly). The first few chapters are very good. The rest of the book unfortunately does not hit the mark. It’s interesting information but not meaningful. I don’t think complex emotions can be summarized in a this plus that equation. Not my favorite book from Mr. Conley.