YORKTON - Saskatoon-based author Ron Morris will be in Yorkton this weekend promoting his book Happiness: The 40% Solution.
Morris, who has coaching designations and licensed in a number of assessment tools, including Social Styles, DiSC, and has made a deep dive study of Character Strengths said his book is “an easy read, where a complex topic has been filtered into easy understandable bites. It illustrates how simple changes in our personal lives can greatly enhance our happiness and relieve stress. It shows that we have control of about 40% of how happy we are.”
Morris, who previously wrote The Power of WOW! Customer Service in 2003 told Yorkton This Week it felt like the time was right for such a book.
“The idea sprung from my observation that the world is made up of too many people that aren't happy until you're not happy,” he said. “I have always believed that it's possible to change people's lot in life, but only if they have an interest in that outcome!
“I believe that although we have more than we have ever had, we are less happy, and less optimistic than at any point in history. This is born out by high end studies. We need to be thankful for all that we do, have. So happiness, I think, is worth promoting, especially in an increasingly divided world.”
Interestingly, the book was inspired by another book.
“A book that I read by a Harvard prof, Shawn Achor, entitled The Happiness Advantage really impacted me and inspired me to learn more,” he explained. “He made a complex topic understandable and relatable to a layman such as me. It led me to read works and studies by other leading psychologists like Martin Seligman, Sonya Lyubomirsky, Dan Gilbert, Carol Dweck, Neil Pasricha, Angela Duckworth and more. I even drew some inspiration from the Dalai Lama.”
Morris said the book took about a year to write and editing another year and a half.
“Writing and researching were actually fun. Editing, not so much,” he said.
Morris said he feels the best element of the book is “the science behind happiness, tied in with the experiences of clients I have worked with, and have been willing to share their stories,” but in the end added, “I think the blend of these two elements combined with some personal anecdote make it fun, easy to read and relatable.”
That helps create a book of interest given its important topic, said Morris.
“The topic of happiness and stress relief should be top of mind for everyone, as we are assailed from all sides right now,” he said. “We have to deal with threats outside of our borders, inside our borders, as well as drugs, homelessness and crime. My position is not to bury our head in the sand, but rather to do something for our own mental and physical health.”
Morris will be at Coles in the Parkland Mall Saturday and Sunday.
