Happiness Interview Assignment

Interview Schedule
Questions for both the participants:
o What does happiness mean to you personally?
o Would you like to describe a moment where you felt truly happy?
o Are there specific daily habits or routines that positively impact your happiness?
o How do you navigate challenges while maintaining a sense of happiness in your daily
life?
Probing questions for participant 1:
o As you mentioned earlier that satisfaction leads to happiness for you so with respect
to subjective satisfaction with Life on a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with
your life overall?
o Would you like to share aspects of your life that contribute to your overall life
satisfaction?
o You also mentioned that fulfilment in personal and professional life is a very
important aspect for you for happiness so how do you strike a balance between your
personal and professional life for sustained happiness?
o I would also like to ask how does your personal and professional life align with your
sense of alignment?
o Are there any challenges in balancing your personal and professional life and how do
you overcome them?
Probing questions for participant 2:
o You mentioned that being content in your life gives you sense of happiness so how do
you define contentment in your life?
o Would you like to share when you felt content despite challenges?
o You mentioned that being in your social circle or with your friends, gives you great
extent of happiness so would you like to elaborate about how your social circle
contribute to your overall happiness?
o Would you like to share social interactions that boosts your mood and give you
happiness?
o Would you like to share an experience with just being present between your loved
ones gave you joy and happiness?
Questions for both the participants:
o How do you maintain a sense of happiness during challenging times?
 o Would you like to share a specific instance where you found happiness in adversity?
Probing question for participant 1:
o You mentioned that looking at a positive side during challenging times is very
important to maintain happiness would you like to elaborate on what factors motivates
you to look at the positive side and focus on working towards happiness?
Probing questions for participant 2:
o I would like to ask that as you mentioned that staying with your loved ones and
staying calm in challenging times, give you sense of happiness would you like to
elaborate?
o You also mention that practising mindfulness also gives you a sense of happiness so
how do you incorporate mindfulness in your daily life?
Questions for both the participants:
o Reflecting on achievements how do you perceive the relationship between achieving
goals and happiness?
o Are there particular accomplishments that stand out as sources of happiness for you?
o What is the role of gratitude in happiness?
Probing question for participant 2:
o According to you, gratitude means being thankful for your loved ones and for
everything you got, would you please like to elaborate how you practise gratitude in
your daily life?
Questions for both the participants:
o How does and personal growth contribute to your happiness?
o Would you like to share any instance where personal development brought you joy?
o How do external factors such as societal events affect your overall happiness?
Probing question for participant 1:
o According to you, societal events or any external factors does not affect your
happiness so are there any other external factors that hamper your happiness?
Questions for both the participants:
o Reflecting on childhood influences would you like to share aspects of your childhood
that shaped your understanding of happiness?
o How have these early influences evolved as you've grown older?
Probing question for participant 1:
o You mentioned that being able to do things on your own is what shaped your sense of
happiness would you like to elaborate?
Probing question for participant 2:
o You mentioned that competing with others shaped your sense of happiness so would
you like to elaborate or sure any instance related to it?
Questions for both the participants:
o Reflecting on personal values how do your personal values align with your pursuit of
happiness?
o Are there moments when you felt a conflict between your values and the pursuit of
happiness?
Probing question for participant 1:
o You mentioned that most of the times you feel there is a conflict between your values
and happiness would you like to share how do you manage it?
Probing question for participant 2:
o According to you, your personal values and your pursuit of happiness rarely conflict
with each other Would you like to share some instances?
Questions for both the participants:
o How does your physical well-being impact your overall happiness?
o Would you like to share where prioritising physical health positively affected your
mood?
Probing question for participant 1:
o You mentioned only specific kind of physical activity impact your overall happiness.
Would you like to elaborate?
Probing question for participant 2:
o According to you, physical activity impacts overall happiness of almost everyone
would you like to elaborate and explain this view of yours?
Questions for both the participants:
o Based on our discussion, what do you consider the key factors contributing to your
happiness?
o How do these factors interact and influence each other in your life?
o Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences on happiness. In closing, what
message or advice would you offer to others seeking a happier and more fulfilling
life?
Summary Report
Participant 1
A 21-year-old female participant from Bombay who is pursuing her bachelor's degree unfolds
her perspective on happiness, life satisfaction, personal growth, and the intricate balance
between personal and professional life.

The participant perceives happiness as being surrounded by loved ones, having the freedom
to make her own choices, finding joy in little things, and enjoying a relaxing day. Notably,
reciprocating feelings for others and cooking tasty meals contribute significantly to her
happiness. She rates her current life satisfaction as 9 on a scale of 10, attributing it to aspects
like independence, personal growth, and the ability to strike a balance between personal and
professional life.

In her pursuit of balancing personal and professional life, she emphasises the importance of
not letting them interfere with each other. Her optimism and focus on the positive side during
challenging times serve as motivators, along with her intrinsic drive to not let herself down
and achieve her goals. While she acknowledges the role of achievement in her happiness, she
finds true fulfilment in seeing happiness reflected on the faces of her loved ones.

For her, personal growth entails self-discovery, autonomy, and the ability to navigate tough
situations independently. Moving out of her house and handling responsibilities on her own
have been pivotal moments in her journey towards personal growth and happiness. She
asserts that external factors do not significantly impact her happiness, as she remains
steadfast in her ability to shape her own happiness through her choices and autonomy.

The participant acknowledges occasional conflicts between her values and happiness but
manages them by aligning her values with the happiness she seeks to achieve. She recognises
the positive impact of specific physical activities, such as yoga and breathing techniques, on
her overall mood.

In offering advice to others seeking a happier and more fulfilling life, she emphasizes the
importance of self-belief and self-reliance. She suggests that true happiness is experienced
when one can depend on themselves for everything.
In conclusion, the participant's insights shed light on the multifaceted nature of happiness, life
satisfaction, and personal growth. Her journey reflects a resilient spirit, a commitment to self-
discovery, and a proactive approach to achieving and maintaining happiness amidst life's
challenges.

Participant 2
A 21-year-old male pursuing his bachelor's degree in Bombay, reveals profound insights into
his perception and pursuit of happiness.

The participant defines happiness as the feeling of contentment in life. To him, being content
entails recognising the positive aspects of situations and knowing how to navigate life
effectively. He finds joy in social interactions, particularly within his social circle, where he
experiences a sense of belongingness. Additionally, connecting with strangers and learning
their stories uplifts his mood and brings him joy. During challenging times, he seeks solace in
the company of loved ones, relying on familial support to overcome adversity. The
participant adopts mindfulness techniques, such as journaling and meditating, to navigate
through challenging situations, emphasising the role of gratitude in his life. Rather than
expressing gratitude verbally, he demonstrates it through acts of service to his loved ones.

Personal growth, for the participant, involves being a kind person to others, which contributes
to his happiness. He reminisces about his childhood, where competitiveness and winning
competitions brought him happiness. Despite challenges, he believes personal values rarely
conflict with happiness, as he priorities aligning his actions with his values.

The participant highlights the importance of physical activity in enhancing overall happiness.
He explains that engaging in physical activity releases hormones essential for well-being,
advocating for its significance in achieving happiness.

In offering advice to others seeking a happier and more fulfilling life, the participant
emphasises the importance of pursuing one's passions wholeheartedly. He suggests
dedicating oneself fully to endeavours, believing that commitment and effort lead to
happiness.
In conclusion, the participant's perspective on happiness underscores the significance of
positive social interactions, mindfulness practices, alignment with personal values, and
physical activity in fostering well-being and fulfillment. His insights offer valuable
considerations for individuals striving to enhance their happiness and lead more fulfilling
lives.

Both the participants were thanked and debriefed about the interview.