Learn How To

Turn everyday interactions into meaningful connections

Take practical steps to feel connected to something bigger than yourself

Assemble your life experiences into a coherent narrative

Build a culture of meaning in your workplace, organization, or home

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Course Syllabus

Introduction to Building a Meaningful Life

Video: Welcome to the Course

Video: Introduce Yourself to the Course Community

Video: What is Meaning?

Video: The Difference Between a Meaningful Life and a Happy Life

Video: The Crisis of meaning

Video: The 4 Pillars of Meaning

Exercise: Take the Quiz: What’s Your Pillar of Meaning?

Belonging

Video: What is Belonging?

Video: The Importance of High-Quality Connections

Video: How to Build Belonging in Your Own Life

Exercise: Build Your Sense of Belonging

Purpose

Video: What is Purpose?

Video: How to Uncover Your Purpose

Video: A Practical Question to Find Purpose

Exercise: Small Purpose to Larger Purpose

Video: How to Find Your Purpose at Work

Exercise: Service Mindset

Exercise: Take the Via Character Strengths Finder

Storytelling

Video: What is Storytelling?

Video: Redemptive Stories and Contamination Stories

Video: How Stories Shape Us

Video: How to Practice Storytelling

Exercise: Life Map

Exercise: Counter-Factual Thinking for Good

Transcendence

Video: What is Transcendence?

Video: How You Can Tap into Transcendence

Exercise: Micro-Ways to Become Part of Something Better

Build a Culture of Meaning

Video: What are Cultures of Meaning

Video: How to Build a Culture of Meaning

Exercise: Tangible Traces of a Culture of Meaning

Video: How to Foster a Meaning Mindset

Leverage real-world expertise

Apply breakthrough insights from today’s leading thinkers to your social enterprise.

Adopt best practices

Learn tried and true methods to amplify your impact from the best in the business.

Enjoy lifetime access

Revisit courses, refresh your knowledge, and brush up on your skills at any time.

"Inspiring course! I would recommend it to any entrepreneur to examine their way they run their business.”

Andrea

Course Description

In this course, psychologist and author Emily Esfahani Smith uses the latest research findings along with insights from philosophers to identify and explain the pillars of a meaningful life. She’ll provide case studies and share concrete strategies and tools for implementing these pillars in your own life in a practical, everyday manner.
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About
the Instructor

Emily Esfahani Smith
Author of The Power of Meaning, instructor in positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, columnist for The New Criterion, and editor at the Stanford University's Hoover Institution.

About
the Instructor

Emily Esfahani Smith
Author of The Power of Meaning, instructor in positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, columnist for The New Criterion, and editor at the Stanford University's Hoover Institution.

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Our community comes from a range of countries and socioeconomic backgrounds; differences in pricing standards and privilege shouldn't prevent access. Therefore, this course is 'pay what you can.' In order to continue to provide access to as many people as possible, we appreciate whatever you are able to contribute to help keep our courses running. Please note that a payment is NOT required to take this course.
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