The Happiness Advantage is a book written by Shawn Achor that discusses the relationship between happiness and success. Achor argues that the conventional wisdom, which holds that success leads to happiness, is actually backwards. Instead, he suggests that happiness leads to success.
Main Ideas - Happiness Advantage
According to Achor, there is a wealth of scientific evidence to support this idea. For example, studies have shown that people who are happier tend to be more productive, more creative, and more resilient. They are also more likely to have strong social connections and to be in good physical health. In other words, happiness gives us an advantage in many areas of our lives.
Achor suggests that one of the key reasons for this is that happiness changes the way we perceive and interact with the world around us. When we are happy, we are more likely to see opportunities and to take positive action. We are also more likely to experience flow, which is a state of deep engagement and enjoyment that occurs when we are fully absorbed in an activity. Flow is known to be associated with higher levels of performance and productivity.
In addition to the benefits of happiness for individuals, Achor also discusses the impact that happiness can have on organizations. He argues that happy employees are more likely to be loyal, engaged, and productive, which can lead to improved performance and profitability. He suggests that companies that prioritize the well-being of their employees are likely to be more successful in the long run.
One of the key themes of The Happiness Advantage is that happiness is not something that we are doomed to chase after forever. Instead, Achor argues that it is something that we can cultivate and build upon. He discusses the importance of focusing on the present moment and developing gratitude and positive relationships as key strategies for increasing happiness.
Achor also discusses the role of our brain in shaping our experience of happiness. He suggests that our brains are like gardens, and that we have the power to cultivate positive thoughts and emotions just as we might cultivate flowers and vegetables. He discusses the importance of setting and achieving goals, as well as developing a growth mindset, as ways to foster happiness.
TOC Chapters in Happiness Advantage
Part 1 Positive psychology at work
- Discovering the happiness advantage ;
- The happiness advantage at work ;
- Change is possible
Part 2 Seven principles
- Principle #1. The happiness advantage ;
- Principle #2. The fulcrum and the lever ;
- Principle #3. The Tetris effect ;
- Principle #4. Falling up ;
- Principle #5. The Zorro circle ;
- Principle #6. The 20-second rule ;
- Principle #7. Social investment
Part 3 - The ripple effect
- Spreading the happiness advantage at work, at home, and beyond.
Additional Takeaways from Happiness Advantage Book
Achor also discusses the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between work and other areas of life. He suggests that it is important to make time for activities that bring us joy and fulfillment, and to set boundaries to protect our well-being.
Achor talks about the role of mindset in shaping our experience of happiness and success. He argues that our mindset plays a crucial role in determining how we perceive and respond to challenges and setbacks. A fixed mindset, which assumes that our abilities are fixed and unchanging, can lead to a fear of failure and a tendency to give up when faced with challenges. In contrast, a growth mindset, which assumes that our abilities can be developed through effort and practice, can lead to a greater sense of resilience and a greater willingness to take on challenges.
One of the key takeaways from The Happiness Advantage is that happiness is a skill that we can develop and cultivate. Achor suggests that by focusing on the present moment, setting and achieving goals, and developing positive relationships and a growth mindset, we can increase our happiness and, in turn, our success.
Quotes from Happiness Advantage
"Happiness is not the belief that we don't need to change; it's the realization that we can."
"The Tetris Effect—When our brains get stuck in a pattern that focuses on stress, negativity, and failure, we set ourselves up to fail. This principle teaches us how to retrain our brains to spot patterns of possibility, so we can see—and seize—opportunity wherever we look.
Habits are like financial capital – forming one today is an investment that will automatically give out returns for years to come.
If we study merely what is average, we will remain merely average.
When we encounter an unexpected challenge of threat the only way to save ourselves is to hold on tight to the people around us and not let go.
Without action, knowledge is often meaningless. As Aristotle put it, to be excellent we cannot simply think or feel excellent, we must act excellently.
In conclusion, The Happiness Advantage is a thought-provoking and inspiring book that offers a wealth of insights and practical strategies for increasing happiness and success.
