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Short Cuts to Happiness: Life-Changing Lessons from My Barber
Sometimes even a New York Times –bestselling happiness expert could use some advice . . .
In his trailblazing Harvard courses, his internationally bestselling books, as well as his lectures and videos, positive psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar has shared his wisdom on finding fulfillment with people around the world. But even a happiness expert needs a sympathetic ear now and then. Tal found his—not in a fellow psychologist or guru, but in his longtime Israeli neighborhood barber, Avi, who (along with cutting hair) dispenses wisdom beyond his
Moving fast is important, but so is knowing when to wait.
The more you provide for your children, the less they gain for themselves.
If only people brought the same levels of commitment to their relationships as they do to their work.
The best way to gain trust is to give trust.
Short Cuts to Happiness distills two years of Tal and Avi’s revelatory barbershop talk into forty brief chapters to dip in and out of, or to enjoy straight through. Each one reminds us how easy it is to find common ground on the things that matter most—and how good it is to talk with a tried-and-true friend.
In his trailblazing Harvard courses, his internationally bestselling books, as well as his lectures and videos, positive psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar has shared his wisdom on finding fulfillment with people around the world. But even a happiness expert needs a sympathetic ear now and then. Tal found his—not in a fellow psychologist or guru, but in his longtime Israeli neighborhood barber, Avi, who (along with cutting hair) dispenses wisdom beyond his
Moving fast is important, but so is knowing when to wait.
The more you provide for your children, the less they gain for themselves.
If only people brought the same levels of commitment to their relationships as they do to their work.
The best way to gain trust is to give trust.
Short Cuts to Happiness distills two years of Tal and Avi’s revelatory barbershop talk into forty brief chapters to dip in and out of, or to enjoy straight through. Each one reminds us how easy it is to find common ground on the things that matter most—and how good it is to talk with a tried-and-true friend.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published October 2, 2018
39 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
Tal Ben-Shahar
35 books332 followersTal Ben-Shahar (Hebrew: טל בן-שחר, also known as Tal David Ben-Shachar) is an Israeli teacher and writer in the areas of positive psychology and leadership.
Tal Ben-Shahar taught at Harvard, where his classes on Positive Psychology and The Psychology of Leadership were among the most popular courses in the University's history. Today Tal teaches at the Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya.
Tal received his PhD in Organizational Behavior from Harvard University. His dissertation, completed in 2004, is titled "Restoring Self-Esteem's Self-Esteem: The Constructs of Dependent and Independent Competence and Worth." Additionally, he also holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Harvard in Philosophy and Psychology. His undergraduate thesis, completed in 1996, is titled "Honesty Pays: Bridging the Gap Between Moral Theory and Practice."
Tal consults and lectures around the world to executives in multi-national corporations, Fortune 500 companies, educational institutions, and the general public. Topics include leadership, education, ethics, happiness, self-esteem, resilience, goal setting, and mindfulness. He is the author of the international best sellers Happier and Being Happy, which have been translated into 25 languages.
[Sourced from his wikipedia article.]
Tal Ben-Shahar taught at Harvard, where his classes on Positive Psychology and The Psychology of Leadership were among the most popular courses in the University's history. Today Tal teaches at the Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya.
Tal received his PhD in Organizational Behavior from Harvard University. His dissertation, completed in 2004, is titled "Restoring Self-Esteem's Self-Esteem: The Constructs of Dependent and Independent Competence and Worth." Additionally, he also holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Harvard in Philosophy and Psychology. His undergraduate thesis, completed in 1996, is titled "Honesty Pays: Bridging the Gap Between Moral Theory and Practice."
Tal consults and lectures around the world to executives in multi-national corporations, Fortune 500 companies, educational institutions, and the general public. Topics include leadership, education, ethics, happiness, self-esteem, resilience, goal setting, and mindfulness. He is the author of the international best sellers Happier and Being Happy, which have been translated into 25 languages.
[Sourced from his wikipedia article.]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
December 9, 2021
This was a cute, heartwarming little book. I like how he compared and backed up the thoughts of his barber with scientists, philosophers, and psychologists. It just goes to show that not all people without degrees are uneducated.
January 14, 2026
The beautiful things about a good book is it's ability to instigate a variety of thoughts and ideas and emotions. Everytime Tal left Avi's salon he left with so much more than he came and I feel the same having read this book.
P.S I have never walked away from a book with as many movie, music and book suggestions.
P.S I have never walked away from a book with as many movie, music and book suggestions.
June 18, 2019
Brief book of good life lesson reminders.
December 22, 2022
A short and sweet book filled with gold. Each chapter has a reminder on the important things in life - reminders we all need in our world today. I will definitely be rereading whenever I find I need these reminders :)
August 29, 2023
Light-hearted, with good messages. It's just simple, which is nice.
December 19, 2021
3.5 stars.
this is light-cute-motivational book.
this is light-cute-motivational book.
July 3, 2019
I love the idea of SHORT CUTS TO HAPPINESS, with Harvard trailblazing teaching whiz and positive psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar turning to his barber for advice. He’s got the whole world of academia and tons of psychology research available to him, and he finds the guy who cuts his hair may be the wisest guru of them all. Fun, funny, inspirational, and definitely gift-worthy! 5/5
Pub Date 11 Sep 2018
Thanks to the The Experiment and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.
#ShortCutsToHappiness #NetGalley
Pub Date 11 Sep 2018
Thanks to the The Experiment and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.
#ShortCutsToHappiness #NetGalley
March 10, 2020
3,5/5 🌟
June 20, 2020
Incredibly boring book about a hairdresser who says very general small talk and the author who reads into it way too much.
September 10, 2025
I often find that reading a shorter book can be more thought provoking and feel like a more immersive experience than for a longer book. That was fully true for Tal Ben-Shahar's well-titled 2018 book, "Short Cuts to Happiness." While only two hours in listening length, I thought throughout each day about the vignettes graced to us by Avi Peretz, barber and philosopher extraordinaire, of an unnamed hair salon in Ramat HaSharon on Israel's central coast.
As soon as I had finished it, I started to reread it again. And would certainly pick it up and meditate on its lessons were it a book I had in my home. It is ripe for journaling or for cogitating on a long walk or perhaps a daily commute.
I found this sweet book because I have been going through the full works of audiobook performer, Neal Shah: a gifted narrator who seems well placed to read to us books from across the Middle East with perfect cultural aplomb.
One thing I would have really liked from this book is to have had a short introduction in their own voices by Mr. Peretz and Mr. Ben-Shahar in order to have heard them speak. In a book that has only two characters, it felt important to me to hear their real voices. I also felt slightly uncomfortable throughout at having the author scribe a story based entirely on someone's teachings without their permission or knowledge as it was happening when the lessons and the writing itself were so personal. I gathered from the last section, when the author asks Mr. Peretz his permission to share the teachings he had recorded, that perhaps the book's subject did not want additional credit or to have the location of his shop known (I suspect one could easily find it with effort applied). I do hope that the main subject was the recipient of much of the book's profits.
Thank you to both author and main character for this lovely share. It made me want to drink fresh squeezed juice in the shade of an umbrella in the Mediterranean sun. (But then again, doesn't everything?)
As soon as I had finished it, I started to reread it again. And would certainly pick it up and meditate on its lessons were it a book I had in my home. It is ripe for journaling or for cogitating on a long walk or perhaps a daily commute.
I found this sweet book because I have been going through the full works of audiobook performer, Neal Shah: a gifted narrator who seems well placed to read to us books from across the Middle East with perfect cultural aplomb.
One thing I would have really liked from this book is to have had a short introduction in their own voices by Mr. Peretz and Mr. Ben-Shahar in order to have heard them speak. In a book that has only two characters, it felt important to me to hear their real voices. I also felt slightly uncomfortable throughout at having the author scribe a story based entirely on someone's teachings without their permission or knowledge as it was happening when the lessons and the writing itself were so personal. I gathered from the last section, when the author asks Mr. Peretz his permission to share the teachings he had recorded, that perhaps the book's subject did not want additional credit or to have the location of his shop known (I suspect one could easily find it with effort applied). I do hope that the main subject was the recipient of much of the book's profits.
Thank you to both author and main character for this lovely share. It made me want to drink fresh squeezed juice in the shade of an umbrella in the Mediterranean sun. (But then again, doesn't everything?)
December 22, 2018
This is a book that should be kept in a place where it can be picked up and periodically perused. I admit, I read this book in the bathroom. And I must say, the bathroom setting is a perfect location for absorbing the lessons in the book. I think the book is best digested in individual chapters rather than reading it straight through. Each chapter of the book provides a basic life lesson. It’s a short book but it packs a big punch. The advice is sanguine, simple and relevant, yet so hard to follow as we all get caught up in life’s rat race. The big takeaway for me was to slow down and savor life’s everyday moments. Yes it’s cliche but it’s oh so true!
May 14, 2018
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
This is a lovely, quick read that focuses on very short bits of advice that Tal Ben-Shahar has mined from his barber over the course of two years. The advice is general and easily applies to all of our lives, with a focus on how to live a happy and contented life.
This is very light reading, and does good work in light-hearted reminders not to take life to seriously.
This is a lovely, quick read that focuses on very short bits of advice that Tal Ben-Shahar has mined from his barber over the course of two years. The advice is general and easily applies to all of our lives, with a focus on how to live a happy and contented life.
This is very light reading, and does good work in light-hearted reminders not to take life to seriously.
March 9, 2019
Tal Ben-Shahar has been going to the same barber for a very long time. One day he realized his barber had good, simple advice that he wanted to remember and share. So for 2 years he made notes, then got permission to create this book.
Iliked the little vignettes of wisdom presented here. The book would have been 5 stars if I actually had the book so I could look back and make notes.
A short, easy listen
Iliked the little vignettes of wisdom presented here. The book would have been 5 stars if I actually had the book so I could look back and make notes.
A short, easy listen
April 24, 2020
Enjoyable blend of folk wisdom and scientific insights
This is a rare book that matches the wisdom of the neighborhood barber with the empirical knowledge of psychology’s preeminent researchers.
It’s a quick yet deep read that nourishes the heart and soul while stimulating the mind. Kudos to the author for having the courage to acknowledge the street-wise as being as as valid and important as the lab-proven.
Easily recommended!
This is a rare book that matches the wisdom of the neighborhood barber with the empirical knowledge of psychology’s preeminent researchers.
It’s a quick yet deep read that nourishes the heart and soul while stimulating the mind. Kudos to the author for having the courage to acknowledge the street-wise as being as as valid and important as the lab-proven.
Easily recommended!
November 18, 2018
This tiny book caught my eye as I raced up the steps of our local library. I snagged it and I am very happy I did. I enjoyed reading it very much and know it was worth every minute I spent with it in my hot little hands!
May 14, 2019
picked this up more as a quick casual read. Not sure I would have enjoyed it, if I hadn't been reading it as a quick in passing book for the film festival when I had time and wanted something on the lighter side to read.
May 11, 2022
So many sweet anecdotes with great life lessons. We should all be blessed to have a teacher like Avi. Having the teacher is one thing, knowing you have the teacher and knowing how to implement the lessons is another.
Thank You Tal for sharing these snippets of life.
Thank You Tal for sharing these snippets of life.
September 22, 2022
I listened to the audio version, which fits in perfectly with the main theme of the book, based on conversations between the positive psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar and his neighborhood barber Avi. A light and easy listening book, it is full of general advice and good life lessons to remember.
September 1, 2018
#ShortCutsToHappiness #NetGalley
With simplicity and honesty, the author teaches us how to apply Positive Psychology in our lives. The book is subliminal and powerful. Excellent work!
With simplicity and honesty, the author teaches us how to apply Positive Psychology in our lives. The book is subliminal and powerful. Excellent work!
February 20, 2019
There is a lot to ponder in this message. Sit with it while you learn how it can help you and help others as well.
May 31, 2019
Small book with a world of life wisdom inside!
September 2, 2020
Life changing book!!!!
January 9, 2021
A light read, but heavy on life lessons. If only everybody reads this, the world would be a lot more kinder.
May 14, 2021
Short, but full of great insights
May 12, 2022
Nice book full of positive messages.
May 28, 2022
Concise important reminders with a bit unconventional setting.
October 21, 2022
比较鸡汤文，不过理发师阿维属于是现实生活中心态很好，活着不拧巴的人，他的确很幸福，这本书我觉得一般，可能影视化之后效果会更好？
December 23, 2022
Tal是我最爱的演讲者之一，然而他的书实在是难读下去，干货不多，偶尔来点鸡汤pourquoi pas。
February 14, 2023
Un bijou de livre que chacun devrait lire
April 15, 2023
Wise and thought-provoking
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews