Emotional Equations: Simple Steps for Creating Happiness + Success in Business + Life Paperback – February 12, 2013

Chip Conley wrote one of my favorite business books...ever...PEAK, exploring how great companies get their mojo from Maslow. Changing Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs into Transformation Pyramids for employees, customers, and investors, Conley, Founder and then the CEO of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, the second largest boutique hotel group in the country, delivered a recession-tested road map for transforming companies.If you are expecting Conley's latest offering, EMOTIONAL EQUATIONS, to be more of the same you may be disappointed. In fact, he has an emotional equation for that: Disappointment = Expectations - Reality. In fact, Conley has written an ambitious, courageous book that is a logical extension of the emotional intelligence he displayed in PEAK.This is a genre-busting work...it's a business book, no it's a self-help book, no it's a psychology text, no it's faith based. It happens to be all wrapped into one.Conley explores emotions in a fresh way, using mathematics to tap into a deeper understanding. This is a thought provoking book, best read when you have the time to explore and consider your own reactions and feelings.Here are some of the equations:Happiness = Wanting What You Have/Having What You Want (division)Regret = Disappointment + Responsibility (addition)Authenticity = Self-Awareness x Courage (multiplication)Wisdom = The Square Root of Experience (my personal favorite, and a bit of higher order math)The book is divided into four major sections, "Dealing With Difficult Times", "Getting to Most Out of Your Work Life", "Defining Who You Are" and "Finding Contentment." Feeling anxious? Go to that chapter. Curious about Integrity? There's a chapter for that as well.My favorite chapter deals with Happiness. Happiness = Wanting What You Have/Having What You Want. Conley explores the hedonic treadmill, studies that suggest that up to 50% of happiness is predetermined genetically (Jonathon Haidt, THE HAPPINESS HYPOTHESIS, calls is the "cortical lottery"), and the powerful role of gratitude plays in determining happiness.Conley draws from the ancient philosophers, the positive psychology movement, and the works of Barry Schwartz (THE PARADOX OF CHOICE, another must read) to help validate his own thoughts and musings. As an author he is definitely working without a net. At times, the emotions that arise from circumstances from his life, give the book a raw feel. His examples of famous and infamous people also help define the math behind the emotions.Don't dismiss this book as too "touchy-feely." Understanding, controlling, and changing emotions is tough work. What Chip Conley has done in EMOTIONAL EQUATIONS is offer, as the subtitle states, "Simple Truths for Creating Happiness & Success."

I know Chip Conley through our association as fellow CEOs in Young Presidents' Organization. I first met him when I wrote to him that I thought his book PEAK was brilliant and extremely helpful. From our first meeting I was struck by Chip's depth of character. Here is a highly successful executive and author who is humble and caring and leads from the heart--a truly authentic human being. It is that authenticity that gives Emotional Equations its considerable power.Sure enough, when I read Chip's formula for authenticity (Authenticity = Self-Awareness x Courage), I knew that he had gotten it right.One of Chip's big innovations in Emotional Equations is to use the rational construct of an equation in order to probe deeply into the completely different construct of emotions. Great and memorable insights instantly follow. You could do a whole book on just his equation of Despair = Suffering - Meaning. Another thought provoking equation: Disappointment = Expectations - Reality. You could use that as a basis of conflict management or establishing better communication with colleagues or loved ones. Speaking of colleagues, how about Workaholism = What Are You Running From? / What Are You Living For? Deeply understanding the wisdom of that equation could change someone's life.In his humility Chip does not claim that his formulas are cast in stone. Rather, he offers them as a doorway to contemplation and exploration, so you discover your own deeper truth. I highly recommend this ingenious, soulful, and groundbreaking book

This book is definitely through provoking, and lends me some tools to use in life, but the belief that reducing emotions into formulas and using them like mantras to repair your life seems overly simplistic.

I loved PEAK and this book too. Chip's writing style is very pragmatic. The depths to which human feelings are explored is amazing. He translates the cognitive processes which dictate our emotional responses into simplified formulas for understanding. This can be used to add joy, or reduce suffering, despite the whims of our automatic thoughts and responses. These otherwise concrete ways of thinking can magically transform into malleable processes.The chapters where he delves into the pitfalls, where we all must grow as humans to fully actualize our potential, add significant grit to the self-examining reader. Wherever you are in life, this book will aid in your reflection and help identify the journey to be taken towards making one's self a whole, adept, and powerful in responding to life's circumstances. If you are an introspective person seeking a guidebook which will help alter your thinking, and which logically outlines the the rules for living a satisfying and adventurous life, give this book a chance to enlighten you.

This book is okay, not great... I didn't realize when I bought this book that it was written by a business man and not a legitimate expert. I feel like it is a long book that boils down to a grouping of motivational posters. I think a list of the emotional equations would have been just as effective.... Not what I was expecting. Great concept, just wish it was more insightful.

Buy this book NOW - if you are interested in learning more about your psyche and spirit. EE provides tools to help you understand your mindset and create an authentic and joyful life. Chip is masterful in uniting both the business and spiritual worlds. I treasure the beautiful nuggets of wisdom! Chip is a genius....love PEAK as well.

Great book. I read a lot of "self help" and psychology oriented books. I have many friends who are psychologists / counselors, etc. It is profound in its simplicity. The equations give you tangible formulas to work out your emotions. Ive also taken an interest in Logo Therapy reading Victor Frankel and this book addresses some of his work as well. Dont wait go get it.

Chip Conley has read numerous books written by smart people and has combined the wisdom of others to share with those of us interested in continual growth.I highly recommend Chip Conley's books as well as his workshops in Baja, Mexico.It will be time well spent.Susan ONealSan Miguel de Allende, Mexico

I love the clever use of the equation structure of mathematics to bring some of the same conciseness mathematics provides to self improvement and mental health. As long as you don't try too much with the equations (subtract the same value from each side etc) it works well. I was also drawn in by the very personal account by the author of his own challenging life experiences.There is a lot of scope to be creative with the approaches described in this book, whereby you can make a lot of it your own, as well as benefiting from the rich insights provided in the formulae given.

Great book, the book was received in great conditions. I have rented this book at the library 4 months ago and I decided to buy it to ensure that I will always remember the concepts wrote in this book. It's the only book that have provided me a shift of perspective in my life, I am more happier and successful since I have this new understanding of my own life and emotions.I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand their own emotions and being able to manage them more efficiently. I am a stronger individual thanks to Chip Conley!