How to Become Antifragile
The SPIRE Model
In his Big Think+ expert class, positive psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar addresses the "happiness paradox," suggesting that instead of avoiding hardship, embracing it can lead to greater happiness through the SPIRE model, fostering an "antifragile" mindset.
Spiritual Well-Being
Positive psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar argues that viewing work merely as an obligation limits fulfillment, but by identifying meaningful aspects of your job, you can transform it into a calling, enhancing your spiritual well-being and overall happiness.
Physical Well-Being
Positive psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar emphasizes that while stress can enhance performance, it’s crucial to balance it with recovery—through mini, mid, and macro-level strategies—to prevent burnout and promote overall well-being.
Intellectual Well-Being
Curiosity, when nurtured through deep engagement with material, enhances intellectual well-being and is linked to longer, more productive lives, emphasizing the importance of slow learning and dedicated time for exploration and analysis.
Relational Well-Being
Positive psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar emphasizes that improving relational well-being, a key aspect of happiness, can be achieved through simple acts of giving, which enhance connection and foster healthier relationships, ultimately benefiting both ourselves and others.
Emotional Well-Being
To enhance emotional well-being, positive psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar suggests practicing gratitude regularly, accepting painful emotions, cultivating appreciation, and reflecting on daily accomplishments, rather than limiting expressions of thanks to just once a year.
Resilience is a great quality to have. But positive psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar says antifragility is even better, and you can develop it by cultivating your Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Relational, and Emotional Well-being — or what he calls the SPIRE model of happiness.
Learning Objectives
- Write a calling description.
- Build mini-, mid-, and macro-level recoveries into your routine.
- Make a learning plan to engage with stimulating topics.
- Tap into the power of giving and practice servant leadership.
- Implement a gratitude ritual.