
12 steps to Happiness
An online course for more fulfilled life
Life is just too short and too precious not to be happy. Your days are too valuable to not feel that you are thriving and living life to the fullest.
Yet happiness is sometimes so complex and elusive… can it really be pursued?
In fact… it can! Science of positive psychology figured out what habits, ways of thinking and behaviors might be inducive to our happiness. Building your own happiness remains an individual journey of exploration, creation, learning and building new habits focused on what makes you happy.
This course will help you in exactly that – make you happy by mapping out your own journey and taking your exploration a step further.
The focus will not only be on understanding the causes of happiness but on your learning and the implementation of the skills and approaches learnt that promote happiness in your own life.
What to expect from the course?
This course will offer you a framework for exploration of your own happiness. You will get a developed structure through which you will explore all different areas of happiness.
It is a guided process, with a lot of thought exchanges and support, in a small close-knitted group of 8.
12 Steps to Happiness course by Happiness Academy is:
based on science of positive psychology and neuroscience
focused on building habits, reflection on personal causes of our happiness and new insights
dealing with physical, mental, emotional and social aspects that impact our happiness
based on proven methods tested in real life and in scientific research

What will I learn?
Through 12 sessions you will be learning through readings, videos and discussions. Focus will be on practicing new life habits which will require participants to engage in mandatory pre and post-work between the calls.
This course will push you into proactively taking care of your happiness and wellbeing.
Each of the modules during these 3 months will focus on one skill, area or activity proven to make you happier, such as optimism, relationships, meaning, and kindness (see course outline for details).
By going through 12 Steps to Happiness by Happiness Academy course you will:
- become aware that happiness is something you cultivate and can impact and shape for yourself
- explore what makes you happy to better understand your own happiness
- learn science and theory behind happiness
- gain new ideas on how to increase own happiness
- develop strong habits of doing things that make you happy
- become happier by implementing the knowledge and habits learnt 🙂
After finishing this course you will move forward with your life happier and with habits that foster happiness.
You will also have rich knowledge about happiness and better understanding of what are the sources of your own happiness.
See more information about trainer.
Logistics, dates and price
12 virtual sessions via learning platform, each 2h long
The new group is starting in January 2023 – Applications are opening in the summer 2022! –
Limited to 8 participants
Fee: 680 EUR
Applications will open in the summer, but it’s best to signup up for the waiting list already via contact form!
12 Steps to Happiness course outline
Each of 12 modules based on research from different areas of positive psychology will have a slightly different focus. The goal of every module is developing a different aspect of an individual’s own happiness and wellbeing. If you would like to explore the topics of the different modules, have a look below:

1. Explore Happiness
Introduction and course overview. Get to know the 8 participants – be inspired. Participants will share expectations and goals for this course.
Explore what is happiness – the science of happiness, why does happiness matter? What things impact out happiness? Understand the recipe for a happy life.

2. Discover Presence in Your Life
What is presence and why does it matter? What is the link between presence and happiness? What is mindfulness? How to be more mindful? Exploring body sensations. Journaling.
Creating a space and environment that supports and facilitates happy habits. Spoiling ourselves.

3. Focus and Harness Positive Emotions
The importance of focus and its impact on happiness. The power of change. Focus on positive emotions. Exploring positive emotions. Zorro circle. Making good habits easy. Gratefulness and loving kindness.

4. Rediscover Playfulness and Build Flow
Building playful spontaneity.
Positive emotion – joy. Adventures, bucket lists and exploration.
Flow. Passions, being in the moment. Setting and meeting goals.

5. Become Your Own Best Friend
Self-compassion – accepting ourselves and treating ourselves as our own best friend. Building self-compassion. Self-compassion meditation.
Forgiveness and self-forgiveness.
META meditation of loving kindness.

6. Master Your Thoughts
The gap between thoughts and reality. Locus of control – I decide what story I tell myself. Awareness of own thoughts. Exploring meditation, journaling and self-talk. Techniques to control own thoughts.
“Half-way through the course” checkpoint.

7. Develop a Powerful Mindset
Growth mindset and it’s importance. Self-love. Introduction to strengths. Why strengths approach works.

8. Uncover Your Strengths
The importance of focusing on strengths. What are strengths? What are MY strengths? Applying your strengths. Overusing strengths. Using the environment to support our strengths.

9. Build Resilience
Values and strengths as a foundation for resilience. Equanimity. The power of hope. 4 types of resilience. Presence, mindfulness and appreciation.
Locus of control. Using strengths to build resilience. Values.

10. Live a Meaningful Life
Meaningful goals and contribution. Dreaming big. Life vision. My Best Self. Connecting meaning with own strengths and values. Building resources and symbols for our journey.

11. Connect with Others
Giving back and love. Random act of kindness. Social connections and Social Network Map. Link of social connections and happiness. Attachment theory. Touch. Romantic relationships. Friendships. Empathy. Gratitude and positive attitude. Vulnerability and social support.

12. Design Next Steps
Analyzing own learning from the course. Looking into journals. Rocking chair. Value revisited. Planning next steps. Pleasure and taking care of ourselve
The course is based on the knowledge built from a wide variety of positive psychology resources and neuroscience – from Seligman’s work, Sonya Lyubomirsky, Barbara Fredrickson, Dan Pink, Dan Gilbert, Barry Schwartz, Daniel Goleman, Richard Davidson, Viktor Frankl, Tal Ben Shahar’s and Shawn Achor, everything from foundation work of recognised authors all the way to the refreshing view of the “new”, young generation.
The foundation of the course is a broader context of psychology around happiness and most powerful methods of applying this knowledge – areas of psychology such as Emotional Intelligence, development of habits, learning of skills, newest findings about how the brain works, traits of different personalities and a range of different traits of human functioning that all have an impact on our happiness.
Many ideas come from personal stories and experiences. Although these stories are not firm references, they are powerful examples in which we can easily see principles of happiness “applied” and see what worked for these individuals.
What previous participants say
Matea Lay, Communications Manager, Croatia
I had an amazing experience with Happiness Academy course! Mirna is an amazing coach, motivated, smiling and full of energy. The course is well structured and I enjoyed learning new things. The groups are small so we all became friends and felt safe and free discusing delicate and personal topics and challenges, finding comfort and support in the group. I warmly recommend it! 🙂
Edita Jurak, Biochemistry Assistant Professor, Netherlands
Happiness academy is a terrific place to meet people and devote your time to being happy. Great techniques and discussions presented in a brilliant way by Mirna!
Stefan Fiedrich, psychologist, Germany
Mirna’s training has been a wonderful experience with great content, ideas and group dynamics! Mirna managed to give us a broad structured and science based overview on this vitally important field of applied psychology. Always enthusiastically and engaging, with interactive discussions and personal reflections and exercises! Even with a background as psychologist and prior knowledge in the field I learned new things and enjoy the nicely prepared and useful materials and resources. I can highly recommend the course to everyone who is interested in self development and life improvement. As for myself – I left every session inspired to reflect upon aspects of my life and with some ideas how they could be improved, and overall, a little bit happier than before 🙂
– Great job, Mirna & Hvala!
Christoph, software developer, Austria
When I met Mirna, I was immediately impressed. And since then I have heard tons of compliments about her. And what shall I say, everything I heard is nothing but the truth: Mirna is an excellent and passionate trainer. In her training sessions you will find a fruitful atmosphere for learning, experiencing and sharing. Also, be aware that Mirna’s positive Attitude is highly contagious 😀 And last but not least, what I like most about her, that she is very authentic and lives what she preaches.
Romy Solomon, Project Manager, Trainer and Facilitator, Spain/USA
Mirna certainly knows her stuff! I’ve found these online webinars and courses extremely useful, interesting, and helpful. Thank you Mirna for your dedication, passion, and knowledge.
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