Consulting firm looking for Singapore's Happiest Person

Channel NewsAsia 19 Mar 08;

SINGAPORE : A local consulting firm is looking for Singapore's happiest person. It is part of an effort to organise a well-being conference, which will be held in April.

A number one airport, and one of the busiest ports in the world - Singapore tops the charts in various rankings.

But when it comes to happiness, a recent survey found that nine in 10 Singaporeans are stressed out.

So it looks like leadership-consulting firm Global Leadership Academy has a daunting task.

The Singapore-based company is embarking on an inaugural search for Singapore's Happiest Person.

This is part of its "The New Science of Happiness and Well-Being Conference", to be held in April.

Philip Merry, Founder, Global Leadership Academy, said, "I want people to just look at (the fact) that happiness is all around you, but most of all it's inside, and we don't spend enough time just counting our blessings and realising just how fortunate we are."

To find that person who suits the bill, the firm will choose from a pool of people who are above 18, in a two-week campaign, which started on March 16.

Anyone can nominate a Singapore citizen by email (happiest@simply-happy.com), to be included in the pool.

The "chosen one" will be judged on their smile, ability to bring happiness to others and how he or she remains positive.

A strong sense of belonging and community is also a prerequisite.

But do these qualify as the attributes of Singapore's Happiest Person?

Some of the attributes cited by people Channel NewsAsia spoke to include "being successful", "money", "security and love", and "family support and friends".

Organisers will reveal the identity of Singapore's Happiest Person on April 4. - CNA/ms

Hunt for the happiest person in Singapore
Straits Times 20 Mar 08;

RECENT surveys may have found that nine in 10 Singaporeans out there feel that life is stressful and they need more fun.

But it is not deterring one man's search for the elusive 'one' who is happy.

Led by the appropriately named Mr Philip Merry, chief executive officer and founder of Global Leadership Academy (GLA), the hunt for Singapore's Happiest Person began on Sunday and will continue till March 30.

Singaporeans can nominate anyone they know, but that person has to be above the age of 18, with a smiley disposition and a strong sense of belonging.

He or she also must contribute to society and be happy 'no matter what life throws at them', said Mr Merry, a 58-year-old trainer.

The effort is part of a well-being conference to be held in the middle of next month - the New Science of Happiness and Well-Being Conference.

But Mr Merry's mission might be a daunting one - the 2006 Happy Planet Index report ranked Singapore a low 131 among 178 countries surveyed.

Those results were echoed

in the advertising and marketing firm Grey Group's Eye On Asia 16-nation survey last year, which found 90 per cent of Singaporeans are less than happy.

Mr Merry, who has been based in Singapore since 1990, admits that Singaporeans do consider themselves less happy than many despite material wealth and economic success.

There is a difference between being successful and being happy, he noted.

'Success is getting what you want. But happiness is wanting what you get,' he said.

Still, Mr Merry is confident that there are people out there 'infecting others with his or her sunny disposition'.

He happily declares that he has already got three candidates since Sunday.

He concluded: 'Everyone searches for happiness - be it in success in career, in relationships, or in life. Some people may have already found it...

' They are the people who are with ready smiles no matter what, and with whom others want to be around.'

The top three candidates will be revealed on April 4 and Singapore's Happiest Person will be revealed at the conference.

Nominations for the happiest Singaporeans should be sent to happiest@simply-happy.com or mailed to 'Singapore's Happiest Person', GLA, Level 31, Six Battery Road, Singapore 049909