happier.com blog | a personal trainer for your happiness » contests

Congratulations to Steve for Winning The Happiness Facts Contest

happier.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:17:05 +0000

We asked people to submit their favorite happiness facts and Steve was the winner of a gift certificate to zappos.com.

Recent Mentions of happier.com in the News

happier.com — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:42:36 +0000

10/3/09 – Mary Jones of The Mary Jones Show talked with happier’s Andrew Rosenthal about tips for measuring your happiness and learning more about strengths..

Here you can listen to the interview (9:15) using the player, below.

Mary has developed her Happiness Meter, which we wanted to share with you:

At any point during your day, or at many points during your day, ask yourself, “How happy am I feeling right now?” Don’t worry about how happy you were yesterday or how you hope to feel tomorrow, but right now.

On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest, assign a number to your level of happiness at the moment.

1: Despondent (A black cloud)

2: Stressed/frazzled (Your hair standing)

3: Content (A comfy chair)

4: Pretty darn happy! (Smiley face)

5: Ecstatic (You doing a cartwheel)

If you peg yourself at a 2, for example, have an arsenal of things that you can instantly do, anywhere, that will raise your number to a 3. You can positively raise your Happiness Meter number, at any time (we seem to forget that we have control over a lot of this, don’t we?).

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10/12/9 – The folks at AlleyDog .com, a blog search engine, just recognized us as a Top Psych blog on the web. Check us out here.

“I’m pleased to let you know that you blog was selected as on of the very best and is included on Top Psych.” -Dr. Doug Kaufman, AlleyDog.com

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10/14/09 – Over at Guy Kawasaki’s Alltop page, Catherine Fass, wrote about our blog post on how physical spaces can influence creativity.

“It’s been proven that the physical space you’re in influences the space you’re in psychologically. And recently, scientists have discovered that the workspace environment you’re in can influence creativity levels as well. Happier.com has listed ten tips to help you set the scene for creativity.”

Catherine can be found on twitter as well @catherinefaas

Guy Kawasaki tweeted about our blog post to his followers. Guy is an original employee of Apple, most recently the author of Reality Check, and can be found on twitter @guykawasaki

And please check us out on the Positive Psychology page on Alltop

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10/15/09 – Susan King over at His and Hers Depression Blog wrote a about her experience with happier.com

“I recently came across a new website with a different twist on depression. It’s called happier. Instead of focusing on the things that make us depressed and trying to overcome those negative feelings, this site focuses on doing things that make you happier…. Happier is something most of us would love to be so I would suggest having a look at this new website. I sure liked what I saw!”

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10/16/09 – The folks at venture beat selected us as runners up for their contest to win a spot to attend and showcase our technology at the Web 2.0 Summit After the Dark party in San Francisco. We would have loved to win but are also happy to have been recognized.

Are you a member of the media interested in getting in learning more about happier.com? Email us or learn more online.

happier.com is a personal trainer for your happiness. With more than a dozen tools and tests to help you measure, track and improve your happiness, you can trust the happier.com experts to help you reach your goals. Exclusive videos and a popular blog mean there’s something new to learn every day. Download the free iPhone application or find what you’re looking for with the Positive Psychology Practitioner Directory. happier.com is on Facebook, LinkedIn, and twitter and has meetup groups in Washington, Philadelphia, and Portland, with more planned. Click here for a social media press release from our launch.

Benji Loves happier.com and Tells Us Why – You Can Win Too

happier.com — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:11:47 +0000

We sometimes run promotions at happier.com for registering (it’s free!) and for joining as a paid subscriber (starting at $5/month!). Recently, happier.com user Benji won a $100 amazon.com gift certificate through a contest. We asked him to describe what he likes about the site. Below is what he sent in:

Reaching the age of early 40s, I found myself stuck in the middle age crisis, coupled with financial impact from the tsunami, I have been unhealthy in both psychologically and behaviorally at home and in business. One day, a friend of mine introduce me to Happier.com

My addiction to happier.com started from the video by Dr Martin Seligman who explained what is ‘positive psychology’.
Then followed with a plan to make myself happier everyday.

What I have to do is to follow your “Have a good day”, and “Three Good Things” at the very beginning. The journal that I need to described what has happened today give a fresh reflection on how well I did today, giving me a sense of satisfaction. What actually makes me happy is simply spending more time with my eight year old son, and when I draft the journey, I found I am maximizing my happiness by being with him, reading books and playing on-line games together. Even a 30-minutes is enough for both of us reaching each other communicate together.

Nowaday, I become more open-mindedness and more assertive during my interactions with people, at daily life and career life, and thus, I am more happier I could say. So, I will keep on the exercises and I believe Happier.com will assist me to become more resilience and bounce back from career adversity.

Cheers!
Benji

What is Your Favorite Happiness Fact, Quote or Finding? Share With Us and You Could Win A Zappos.com Certificate!

happier.com — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:14:32 +0000

What is your favorite happiness fact? It could be a surprising research finding, or a great quote. Be sure to fill out the questions below. Each valid submission before Thursday 10/1 enters you into a raffle for a $10 gift certificate to zappos.com. Selected happiness facts will be published on happier.com, on twitter (from @happier) and in other sources.

The details: Whenever you give us permission, we’ll make sure to credit you. You can enter as many unique facts as you want, prior to 10/1. Each entry counts toward the gift certificate raffle. And if multiple people enter the same fact, we won’t count it against you. You still have a chance to win.

Just use the form below or click here.

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Who uses happier.com? Sherry – Winner of The Happiest Moment Contest

happier.com — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:39:34 +0000

The winner, with her prize

A few months ago, fans of happier.com on Facebook participated in the Your Happiest Moment Contest. After selecting finalists, the entire happier.com community voted on a winner. And happier.com user Sherrry won, for her picture, below.

Here's the picture which won the contest!

We asked Sherry what she thought of the site, and this is what she said:

I’m thrilled to be the winner of happier.com’s “Happiest Moment” contest. The winning photo was snapped at a moment when my son was full of exhilaration, playing frisbee with me on the beach while my beau was taking a surfing lesson. It was one of those moments in which “my cup runneth over” with joy and gratitude. So isn’t it great that I now have four beautiful mugs to remind me how FULL my cup of happiness and gratefulness can be every day of my life?!!!

I’ve been following happier.com on facebook for months and just signed up as a member of their new website. I love the wide variety of daily tips, tools, and tests that happier.com offers. But what I love most is being connected to a community of like-minded people who want to bring more joy and vitality into their lives. I know in my heart that it is possible to be happier and to spread that good feeling to everyone I meet; happier.com helps me do this — in so many ways. Thanks for helping so many people experience that “cup runneth over” feeling of delight!

Sherry Richert Belul

Author, Simply Celebrate: 101 Ways to Turn Ordinary Days into an Extraordinary Life

happier.com Member Sherry Wins “Your Happiest Moment” contest

happier.com — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:37:04 +0000

happier.com user Sherry from California was the winner of the Your Happiest Moment contest. Sherry’s picture, below, was selected as one of four finalists and voted on by members of the happier.com community and fans on our facebook page.

The winning caption:

There is no happier moment for a mother than when her child is really loving life. This was a perfect moment in Huntington Beach when my son and I were playing frisbee together, looking for sea shells, and eating breakfast pastries while my beau was taking a surfing lesson. It was one of those days where we laughed all day long and wanted for nothing.

Sherry has won a set of 4 custom mugs with her winning picture from the happier.com store on zazzle. This is your place to buy custom happier.com merchandise including t-shirts and tote bags.

Congratulations on winning, Sherry!

Not yet a fan on facebook? Please become a fan of our facebook page for access to special opportunities like contests and “ask an expert” sessions.

Not yet a follower on twitter? Please follow us (@happier) for tweets from the experts, links to interesting news and analysis and updates from the team at happier.com.

Noted: Revised on 9/22 to reflect the winner’s name, “Sherry” instead of “Nicole,” due to a previous mistake.

Please Vote Today and Help Choose a Winner of the “Your Happiest Moment” Contest

Andrew Rosenthal — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:04:14 +0000

Earlier this month we told you about the “Your Happiest Moment” contest. We asked you to visit our facebook page and submit a picture of you at your happiest moment. Thanks to everyone who entered — we received responses from all over the world.

Now it’s time to pick a winner. The person who wins will receive a set of mugs with the winner’s picture on them, to be reminded of “your happiest moment” every morning.

Please help us pick a winner

The happier.com team has picked four semi-finalists for the contest. We’ll award the entry to the picture that gets the most votes and comments on the facebook page, by 11:59pm EST on Sunday, August 2nd. To vote, please visit the facebook photo album and select your favorite picture. The click “like” or leave a comment to vote for that picture. Remember to read the caption to see why the picture represents “Your Happiest Moment.”

Remember to add us on facebook!

If you’re on facebook, please become a fan of the happier.com page.
The Four Finalists – click on each to vote

Photo 1. Free as a bird, not a care in the world, exploring my beautiful country - bliss...

Photo 2 There is no happier moment for a mother than when her child is really loving life. This was a perfect moment in Huntington Beach when my son and I were playing frisbee together, looking for sea shells, and eating breakfast pastries while my beau was taking a surfing lesson. It was one of those days where we laughed all day long and wanted for nothing.

Photo 3 Sometimes your happiest moments come when loved ones realize their goals and dreams. Our family had been challenged by divorce when my children were 9 and 10. I had nearly full custody, and my son, daughter and I virtually "grew up" together. We climbed unimaginable mountains and experienced many cherished moments. This photo captures my happiest moment, taken May 2, 2009. It is of our "new" family, taken the night before my daughter Brittany's marriage to her college sweetheart, Matt. I am now married to Jim -- an amazing husband and stepfather. My son Blake was his sister's man-of-honor. Both children graduated from college recently and live full and happy lives. The depth of our love and happiness just continues to grow!

Photo4 April 2, 2009. The day Richard and I got married in Santa Rosa, California. A private ceremony with just our dearest friends as Best Man and Maid of Honor - we laughed, cried, played, exchanged original heartfelt vows and simply enjoyed each other's company and every moment as the day unfolded. It was not about everything going perfect, no mistakes, etc. It was about accepting everything as already perfect, no matter the circumstances.

Remember - click through on the photo and sign into facebook then click “like” or leave a comment to vote in favor of the picture. You can vote for 1 or more of the pictures, with no more than one vote allowed per person, per day, for each photo. Feel free to have your friends vote too… all votes count!

What Happens on Twitter…. Stays on Twitter

Andrew Rosenthal — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:03:04 +0000

happier.com is on twitter using the name @happier

If you were following us on twitter, you would have had a chance to win one of ten premium subscriptions valued at $29.99 each.

What happens on twitter …. stays on twitter

The only way to participate in contests like this one is to be a follower on twitter. Otherwise, you’ll miss out! So, be sure to follow @happier for access to special contests, live interaction with experts and other surprises.

Here are some of the recent winners of a free six-month subscription:

Pamela Court, From Coon Rapids, MN @pamkakes

Nancy, tweeting as @coachnj

Sarene S, in Washington, DC tweeting as @sarene21

MichaelKiser in Conneticut, tweeting as @michaelkiser

Barry Zweibel in Chicagoland, Illinois tweeting as @ggci

Jenndaniels in MN is tweeting as @jenndaniels

Lindsay Neumann is tweeting as @neuLindsay

Gordon Young in Houston, Texas is tweeting @PMPCoach

Ailsa Hay is tweeting as @AilsaHay

Sohma G. Dawling is tweeting as @sohma_g

Want to follow us on twitter? Here’s a live stream of our account, with the option to follow @happier

International Happiness Day is July 10 – Five Ways to Celebrate

happier.com — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:55:30 +0000

Tomorrow, July 10, 2009 marks the first ever International Happiness Day. Organized by a diverse group of faculty, practitioners, and enthusiasts, the effort’s goal is to get people focused on happiness.

Why is it in important to focus on happiness?

Intentionality matters. David Pollay writes that “it’s up to us” to pursue happiness.
Happiness is contagious. Research shows that knowing someone who is happy makes you 15.3% more likely to be happy yourself.
The science of happiness is evolving. The recent World Congress on Positive Psychology was the springboard for the 51% challenge. Enable flourishing.

Five ways to celebrate international happiness day:

Brag. No, seriously…. participating in the Your Happiest Moment contest by sharing a picture of you at your best.

Do something for yourself. Is an old grudge dragging you down? Still caught up in something from months, or even years ago? Confront the past grudge with accuracy and honesty with the Letting Go of Grudges exercise developed by Dr. Martin Seligman.

Do something with others. Meetup groups about the science of happiness are growing quickly. HappierPhilly gets together in two weeks. HappierDC has 80 members. Emiliya Zhivotovskaya leads the the 400-person strong Happiness Club NY. Lionel Ketchian’s HappinessClubs.com lists opportunities for seniors, teens, and everyone else to get involved on a local level.

Discover your strengths through the free VIA Strengths Assessment on happier.com or through other groundbreaking tools like the Realise2

Have a happiness party. For instructions, visit the 5,000 person+ happiness day group on facebook.

Any other suggestions for how to celebrate International Happiness Day? Feel free to leave comments!

What is Your Happiest Moment? Share and Win!

Andrew Rosenthal — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:33:09 +0000

What is your happiest moment? Have you captured it in a picture? Share your happiest moment with the happier.com community for a chance to win a custom prize pack. And, since happiness is contagious, you’ll be making a difference, just by sharing your picture.

Here’s all the info:

Compete in the “happiest moment” contest for your chance to win a prize back ($50 value) of items customized with your happiest moment picture!

All you have to do is post your happiest photo on the happier.com facebook fan club and write no more than three sentences explaining why that picture is your happiest! Then, a community of our users will judge the pictures to determine which photo is the happiest. Good luck and may the happiest photo win!
The contest begins today and all photos must be submitted by July 13th. After the submission period ends, the happier.com user community, along with our staff, will vote to select the happiest moment contest winner.

Instructions

To enter, post your happiest photo on the happier.com wall by pressing the photo icon under the “Attach” section on the Share box. Also, it goes without saying that the photo needs to be appropriate for ALL members of the happier.com community for viewing. After posting you picture, all you have to do is write no more than three sentences explaining why that picture is your happiest, and then wait for the results!

happiest moment contest – instructions for submission

Questions? Post a note on the facebook group wall and we’ll respond right there.