Solve for Happy

Engineer Your Path to Joy

By: Mo Gawdat

Narrated by: Mo Gawdat

Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

Mo Gawdat is a remarkable thinker and the Chief Business Officer at Google's [X], an elite team of engineers that comprise Google's futuristic "dream factory." Applying his superior skills of logic and problem solving to the issue of happiness, he proposes an algorithm based on an understanding of how the brain takes in and processes joy and sadness. Then he solves for happy.

In 2001 Mo Gawdat realized that despite his incredible success, he was desperately unhappy. A lifelong learner, he attacked the problem as an engineer would: examining all the provable facts and scrupulously applying logic. Eventually, his countless hours of research and science proved successful, and he discovered the equation for permanent happiness.

Thirteen years later, Mo's algorithm would be put to the ultimate test. After the sudden death of his son, Ali, Mo and his family turned to his equation—and it saved them from despair. In dealing with the horrible loss, Mo found his mission: he would pull off the type of "moonshot" goal that he and his colleagues were always aiming for—he would share his equation with the world and help as many people as possible become happier.

In Solve for Happy Mo questions some of the most fundamental aspects of our existence, shares the underlying reasons for suffering, and plots out a step-by-step process for achieving lifelong happiness and enduring contentment. He shows us how to view life through a clear lens, teaching us how to dispel the illusions that cloud our thinking; overcome the brain's blind spots; and embrace five ultimate truths.

No matter what obstacles we face, what burdens we bear, what trials we've experienced, we can all be content with our present situation and optimistic about the future.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2017 Mo Gawdat (P)2017 S&S Audio

Thought Provoking

Great book for anyone, especially a scientist like me (veterinarian), who is not faithless but doesn't believe the rhetoric of the ages but also doesn't have any answers. In essence, it makes sense to me.

Heading back in for a second listen.

Not to sound immature but...

Mind. Blown. I am listening to this book for the second time, this time with my 13 year old. If she gets it, she will be 35 years ahead of me and avoid a lot of misery. If Mo started a religion, I'd join. This is not your standard self-help book. Neither is this a guy writing to make money off your existential angst. He had all the money he needed before he wrote the book. He also experienced a significant loss, so I believe he can talk about pain and suffering. This is a book to listen to over and over again. Practical steps and sage advice on how to reset your brain to solve for happy.

I have looked for happiness my whole life

I have looked for happiness and peace my whole life not knowing that it is within me already. This book has given me a new perspective . I appreciate so much that Mo Gawdat opened his heart and had the courage to write this book and share his story. It is our story that he tells.
I am really at a loss for words to describe how this book has effected me. It enabled me to validate my feelings and beliefs and opened my eyes to profound truths that will forever change the way I look at life, the world , life's events ,my friends family and myself. Thank you Mo.

Great book, up until the last chapter when...

the author start discussing the mathematic probability for the existence of a creator. Left out of the discussion a small but crucial detail: who created the creator? The author could benefit from reading The Selfish Gene book on evolution by Richard Dawkins, in that book, Dawkins discuss the difference between 'pure random luck' and 'the results of randomness tied to cumulative adaptation'. I enjoyed the majority of this great book, not only enjoyed the reading but I am also working on applying it's wisdom to my daily life, I am happy to report that I am happier because of that :). Thank you Mo (and Ali) for a great book that can be life changing, I take what I consider useful and I appreciate you.

Think different, let bygones bygones, be happy.

Forgetting about the past loss, focusing on what's left in your tank, cherishing what makes your day, and always be happy.

Fabulous, incredibly well read by Mo himself.

Great all around, but the chapter about time is my favorite. Truly a work of art.

Nothing New Here

If you are familiar with The genre, you will recognize the quotes and platitudes found in many other book offerings submitted by other players in this field of literature. Quotes, parables et al, are here as in most books purchased by those seeking answers to the all too difficult question in the pointless effort to find happiness. This book ends as all of these books do with statements of the obvious, culminating to the answer that most simply wont understand.. or will fall away from and will lead to purchasing a similar book down the line.

If I may be so bold, stop searching. Being happy requires a lot of non-effort which most people can’t seem figure out just how that is done. Or not done as it were. Most , like myself, aren’t built that way and keep searching to find that magic bullet that will take away that “feeling” of “not happy”

Power of Now retold, honest, and heartfelt

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, it is insightful and passionate.

What did you like best about this story?

Mo's heartfelt tone and story told in his words

Which character – as performed by Mo Gawdat – was your favorite?

himself

What did you learn from Solve for Happy that you would use in your daily life?

It is the many times told story of change your thoughts, change your life. Make peace with the ugly and be peaceful in your pain.
Do not fight and just follow the path of life.

Any additional comments?

This is a retold story spoken by Ekhart Tolle and many others. At times it feels like Power of Now retold and rewritten n another tone. The similarities are eerily the same. Sprinkle in a bit of engineer and I Do Not Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, you'd arrive here.
The book is compelling and honest.At time is is difficult to listen with dry eyes. Mo's pain is real and so is his resolve to carry the torch for Ali.

Best Book Ever

I usually don't like to read but I try to read one book a year just to keep this habit in my life. Also, it usually takes me 2 to 3 months till I finish reading that book. However, when I got solve for happy I finished it in 5 days only, because it was really interesting and full of knowledge. Moreover, I got this book as audible to send it to my father to listen to it and I know it will make him happy. I highly recommend to get it and you I'm sure it will help your understanding of happiness.

Unbelievable!!

Thank you for sharing your beautiful story.
I love Ali too now, and he has changed my life.