Finding hope in a time of change: The Happytalism initiative
As the world navigates out of one of the most challenging socio-economic periods in human history, a new initiative is emerging to help people transform. Scientifically proven and internationally recognized, it’s making personal happiness and professional success achievable. This is Happytalism, and it’s already transforming lives.
A silver lining
There is no denying that Covid-19 has a devastating impact on the lives of people in the world. Emotionally, it has intensified feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Economically, it has disrupted the livelihoods and employment prospects of a large proportion of the global workforce. Finances and mental health can be inexorably linked in regular circumstances, but this perfect storm exacerbated both, making it doubly hard for people to cope.
So, as the pandemic continues to shape a new paradigm of society, it has created a demand for new thinking and innovative solutions to support those facing personal and professional hardships. One answer is an initiative called Happytalism, developed by a major insurance group in the Caribbean.
Positivity wins
Happytalism as a new economic and human development philosophy and paradigm, was founded, developed, and launched by Jayme Illien and Luis Gallardo during a 2006-2012 phase 1 campaign, which included the creation of the United Nations International Day of Happiness, and the first ever United Nations High Level Meeting on Happiness and Wellbeing: Defining a New Economic Paradigm held at United Nations headquarters in New York, NY.
This concept was further developed by innovation agency Ross | ReThink into a pan-Caribbean initiative, sponsored by Guardian Group. Together, they utilized some of the most respected global minds from the happiness and positivity space, to create a program to counter the emotional impact of the pandemic. A key component of this was financial wellbeing, which was provided by Ross | ReThink through its award winning Intangience™, business and brand building methodology.
The result is an innovative platform through which anyone in the world can gain profound insights on emotional and financial wellbeing in a crucial time of change. Anyone can benefit from this initiative by registering through happytalism.me
The platform places happiness at the center of human development but also creates an understanding of how to create profitable opportunities in the hands of business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Guardian Group’s CEO, Ravi Tewari, who envisioned the need for a regional initiative, describes Happytalism as “a catalyst for positive change. It brings a paradigm shift to how we approach well-being and innovation at both an individual and business level. It addresses how to achieve resurgence and resilience.”
Happiness in action
To help people apply Happytalism to their everyday lives, Guardian Group has funded this program making it available to anyone free of charge. Dr Tal Ben Shahar, one of the most globally renowned speakers and authors on happiness and positive psychology, is one of the key Happytalism contributors, and indicated that this partnership with Guardian Group “is about providing people with tools and techniques that can help them become more resilient and better able to deal with challenges.”
Beginning March 1st, 2022, as a three-month initiative, Dr Shahar will discuss ‘The Path of Happiness’ through a series of audio insights, workshops, and private sessions. He will be joined by Mohit Mukherjee, founding director of the United Nations Centre for Executive Education at University for Peace, who will present the role of design thinking, social entrepreneurship, and positive leadership in nurturing a state of wellbeing. Gallardo, who defined the ideology behind Happytalism, will also join the live sessions to share his thoughts with the attendees.
Ernie Ross, founder of Ross | ReThink and creator of Intangience™ , will provide insights from the methodology in demonstrating how both the unique thinking and strategies can reveal new opportunities and redefine businesses.
The formula to success
Intangience™ helps brands harness intangible values to create emotional connections with customers. It is underpinned by both purpose and shifts of perception, which is where it finds a common ground with Happytalism.
“Brands, like people themselves, create meaningful connections when they authentically seek to serve a larger purpose,” explains Ross. “Ironically, this has been proven to produce both greater happiness and more profits. It’s what perhaps a life of abundance and indeed Happytalism is all about.”
Shifting perceptions
Guardian Group’s three-month Happytalism initiative is the result of a huge investment which the organization believes is urgently required both in the region it serves and the world at large.
“Guardian Group has contributed in so many ways to the ever evolving and emerging needs of our communities during the pandemic,” says Ayesha Boucaud-Claxton, Head Group Branding and Communications. “Happytalism addresses the key areas of mental health and financial well-being. As the world takes its first stumbling steps out of the pandemic, it’s time to remind ourselves of that bright outlook on life. Happytalism provides the tools and techniques for showing us all how to get there.”
