422. Happiness: There's a Science to It
Scott Wilhite
Scott was in a corporate job he hated, with a mindset he called “grumpaholic.” Feeling miserable, he ran a fantasy jackpot scenario in his head, and he asked himself, “If I win the Powerball and $32 million, what will I do?” After quickly imagining his first several days as a millionaire, he began to suspect lack of money was not his problem. He knew he had to discover what was missing.
Scott Wilhite is an award-winning commercial filmmaker turned social entrepreneur. As a writer, producer, and director he was enjoying a promising creative career without actually…enjoying it. This all changed when he was introduced to the world of positive psychology and discovered what happens when you deliberately, consciously choose what you mentally focus on. He has since created the Feed Your Happy app, authored a mindset course on the 7 Core Skills of Everyday Happiness, and founded nCOURAGE.LIFE.
How Did You Start Using Your Talents?
“I started out in advertising writing copy for websites. I love the creative field. Then, I got into radio, then TV and, from there, into the producer/director seat. I developed a talent for visualizing stories in my head and scripting them out. Writing, producing and directing commercials, short films and documentaries really made me come alive, to be able to use my talents in that way.”
The Most Impactful Turning Point?
Fed up with corporate life, Scott had given his notice. On his last day on the job he encountered a co-worker who was talking excitedly about a book he was reading about happiness. (See “On His Bookshelf” below.) “I knew I had to have that book! That was the beginning of my understanding that happiness is a skill. To learn that there are actual skills I could learn, to experience happiness, totally floored me. That’s when life started to open up for me. I was no longer looking outside myself for something to change.”
The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?
“Remember that you get what you expect. So, change your limiting belief system. It’s not circumstances that are limiting you. By changing your thought patterns, you can change your experiences. You’ll be able to be in control and dictate some good things in your life.”
Steps to Success from Scott Wilhite
1.Learn about the science of happiness. Happiness is a skill that can be learned.Use repetition to get better at using these skills for happiness.
2. Look for the lessons life is offering and learn from them.
3. Focus on your bigger picture vision instead of living in the past; but DO let yourself learn from the past.
4.Cultivate gratitude. You can’t be grateful and unhappy at the same time.
On His Bookshelf
Top Tools on His Browser
TEDxBloomington – Shawn Achor – “The Happiness Advantage: Linking Positive Brains to Performance”
Connecting With Scott Wilhite
Website: www.nCOURAGE.LIFE
Twitter: ncouragetv
Free Gift
FREE: The first chapter of Scott’s new book, “The 7 Core Skills of Everyday Happiness: Scientifically Proven Skills for a Happier, More Meaningful Life.” Visit his website www.nCourage.life. Use “Contact Us” to request your free chapter.
