About this item
In chasing “the good life,” many of us sacrifice our relationships, our health, and our sanity, but at the end of the day, we still find ourselves with lives and work that bring us little fulfillment. Life isn't about the pursuit of happiness, which is superficial and fleeting. It’s about meaning, which helps us realize our full potential, and knowing that our lives and work matter—regardless of circumstances. Dr. Alex Pattakos and Elaine Dundon, two bestselling authors and leaders of the Meaning Movement, give readers The OPA! Way: Finding Joy & Meaning in Everyday Life & Work. Inspired by the wisdom of ancient Greek philosophy and traditional village values, and backed by years of research, The OPA! Way provides a breakthrough approach and practical tools to renew your outlook and rejuvenate your life.
About the Author
Alex Pattakos, Ph.D., affectionately nicknamed "Dr. Meaning," is widely respected as a modern-day Greek philosopher and pioneer in transformational thinking. He is the co-founder of the GLOBAL MEANING INSTITUTE (www.globalmeaninginstitute.com) , co-creator of MEANINGology® (the study and practice of meaning in life, work, and society) , and co-author with Elaine Dundon of the award-winning, Greek-inspired book, "The OPA! Way: Finding Joy & Meaning in Everyday Life & Work," which is grounded in Greek philosophy, mythology, and culture and backed by years of Meaning research. His previous book, "Prisoners of Our Thoughts," is based on the wisdom of the world-renown psychiatrist and existential philosopher, Dr. Viktor Frankl (author of the classic best-seller, "Man's Search for Meaning") , who personally urged Dr. Pattakos to write it, and includes a Foreword by the late Dr. Stephen R. Covey (author of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People") . "Prisoners of Our Thoughts" is currently available in 22 languages and multiple formats. A 3rd edition, revised and expanded with four new chapters, of "Prisoners of Our Thoughts," co-authored with Elaine Dundon, will be released in January 2017.
Dr. Pattakos is a former therapist and mental health administrator, political campaign organizer, community/economic development policy planner, and full-time professor of public and business administration (including graduate program head) . He's worked closely with the White House under several Presidential administrations in the USA on social and economic policy matters, and served as an adviser to the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He was also one of the initial faculty evaluators for the Innovations in American Government Awards Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, and an elected member of the National Council of the American Society for Public Administration. He is a past president of Renaissance Business Associates (RBA) , an international, nonprofit association of people committed to elevating the human spirit in the workplace. During his tenure as president, RBA was active in Australia, Canada, Europe, Nigeria, South Africa, and the USA. He is currently a member of the International Academic Board, The International Center for Leading Studies, based in Athens, Greece, and is an active member of both the American Society for Public Administration and the International Network on Personal Meaning.
Alex understands the challenges facing people in today's uncertain times. Through his public speaking, work with Fortune 500 companies, governments, and nonprofit organizations, and university teaching, Dr. Pattakos has helped people at all levels build their capacities for personal and organizational transformation with a focus on and authentic commitment to meaningful value and goals that make a pos
