How the science of happiness is making a difference to global lives
When life deals a challenging hand, sometimes more holistic coping mechanisms are needed to overcome it – something which this public initiative is making readily available to people around the world. Happytalism exists to bring everyone closer to emotional and financial resilience when they need it most.
Redirecting focus
In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, feelings of anxiety and depression increased by 25% across the globe, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Yet, many response strategies were not framed around the impact on mental health – instead, they were focused on reinforcing the economy.
The mantle of responsibility for addressing this shift was taken up by the largest financial and insurance firm in the Caribbean: Guardian Group. Working with innovation agency, Ross | ReThink, Guardian Group introduced a regional initiative made freely accessible to the public and themed Happytalism.
Developing a human philosophy
The Happytalism concept was initially founded, developed, and launched by Jayme Illien and Luis Gallardo as a new economic and human development philosophy and paradigm. It emerged in 2006 as part of a six-year 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 Well-being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm, held at United Nations headquarters in New York City.
Using its award-winning Intangience™ methodology, branding and innovation agency, Ross | ReThink, further developed the concept into a pan-Caribbean initiative, sponsored by Guardian Group. Together, they connected the best resources in positivity and the science of happiness to design an initiative to help alleviate the emotional and financial challenges posed by the pandemic.
Sharing life-changing advice
This collaborative effort has led to the creation of an online forum where participants can gain profound insights on emotional and financial well-being to help deal with personal and professional hardships.
These life-changing insights are freely shared online by some of the most esteemed proponents in their fields, including world-renowned positivity and happiness expert, best-selling author, and former Harvard professor, Dr. Tal Ben Shahar. Founder of the United Nations University for Peace Centre for Executive Education, Mohit Mukherjee, and branding-innovation expert, founder of Ross | ReThink, and creator of the award-winning Intangience™ methodology, Ernie Ross, also share their expert knowledge.
From Dr. Ben Shahar’s teachings on “The Path of Happiness”, through to Mukherjee’s live discussions on “Engineering Transformation”, to case studies and lectures by Ross on how to “Snatch Victory from the Jaws of Defeat”, thousands of participants are finding inspiration on how to achieve personal change and financial well-being in purposeful, meaningful ways.
You can’t change some circumstances, but you can change how you respond to them.
Dr. Tal Ben Shahar
Going beyond expectations
The success of Guardian Group’s Happytalism to date has been overwhelming, with over 3,000 people registering to be a part of this Caribbean-based initiative. It is a resource that can provide guidance and emotional relief through some of the most trying times.
Head of Group Branding and Communications at Guardian Group, Ayesha Boucaud-Claxton, who leads the initiative, described how moved she has been by the success of the initiative: “We anticipated that the Happytalism initiative would impact the lives of many, but the response has exceeded expectations and the testimonials are heartwarming. To know we touched one life significantly is enough, but to have thousands echoing the benefits fills me with such a humbling sense of accomplishment.”
And Guardian Group Chief Executive Officer, Ravi Tewari, who envisaged the urgent need for the initiative expressed how gratifying it felt to witness the outpouring of support from those who participated. “It underscores what we felt – that people need the support through these challenging times more than ever. I’m deeply grateful that the Happytalism initiative is contributing in a meaningful way.”