Nataly Kogan on How to Be Happier [VIDEO]

Kira M. Newman Mar 17, 2013 Tweet

Nataly Kogan’s happiness realization took place in Vienna at the age of 13. She and her family were in “horrid refugee housing,” but her father insisted that they enjoy little things like a day at the zoo.

That’s the anecdotal inspiration for Happier, an app that lets you record and share little happy moments. The experimental inspiration comes from happiness studies that show that writing down positive things about your day makes you happier, less anxious, and more optimistic.

Now, if Happier users sip a soothing latte, meet an old friend, or snuggle with their cat, they can post a photo to record the experience and share with friends – and hopefully, get a little bit happier.

Kogan and her orange shoes came to our SXSW Startup Celebration sponsored by CEA and .CO. She explained why we think about happiness wrong, what’s the problem with “positive entrepreneur porn,” and why entrepreneurs should strive to be not happy, but happier. Here’s the video.

Tech Cocktail’s SXSW video series is part of the Tech Cocktail Conversations podcast - subscribe on iTunes.

Editor’s Note: Thank you to Yappem, the title sponsor of Tech Cocktail’s special SXSW video series. And thank you to Keep America Beautiful, the supporting video sponsor.