The Happiness Advantage
The Happiness Advantage
The Happiness Advantage
I’ve been reading a fantastic book, The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. It provides great insight into what makes us happy and how to be happier. For the next few weeks, I’ll share with you some of Achor’s strategies, but I’ll start off by setting the foundation.
Apparently, we have it all backwards. We have become accustomed to thinking that if we work hard, we will become successful, and if we become successful, we will be happy. Unfortunately, this thought process is flawed and completely backwards.
More than a decade of research has proven that happiness actually fuels performance and causes us to be more productive, efficient, resilient, and creative. Happiness also leads to success in nearly every area of our life, including work, health, friendship, sociability, creativity, and energy. In short, when we are happy, we are smarter, more motivated, and more successful.
Unfortunately, we are less happy than we’ve ever been. A Harvard study in 2010 found that only 45% of workers surveyed were happy at their jobs, the lowest in 22 years of polling. Depression rates today are ten times higher than they were in 1960.
We used to think happiness was a set point that you are born with, leaving you little room to determine your happiness fate. We now know based on extensive research, that that is simply not the case. Our brains are absolutely amazing, and can actually be changed, a process called self-directed neuro-plasticity. By improving our mood and implementing happiness strategies, we can improve our happiness and experience the happiness advantage.
Happiness also leads to success in nearly every area of our life, including work, health, friendship, sociability, creativity, and energy.
Positive emotions cause our brain to create dopamine and serotonin, chemicals that not only make us feel good, but dial up the learning centers of our brains to higher levels.
What does this mean for us? People who put their head down and work hard, waiting for their success to drive their happiness are at a huge disadvantage, while people who capitalize on positivity are more successful and yes, happier.
Happiness is not a magical concept, and it does not need to occur in huge events. Something as small as a funny video clip or conversation with a friend can have an immediate boost in cognitive power and job performance.In fact, psychologists have found that positive emotions can “undo” physical stress and anxiety, a phenomenon they call the “undoing effect”.
Next week I’ll start exploring Achor’s strategies for improving your level of happiness!
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It’s your last month of 2024! What one small change in your routine could boost your well-being this month? 💪
Here are a few ideas:
-Practice gratitude while brushing your teeth
-Start a multi-vitamin
-Take the stairs or park further away
-Take deep breaths while you wait in line
-Leave your phone in the other room at dinner or in conversations with friends and family
Other ideas? Leave them in the comments below! #mindfulmonday #resilience #reset #newyear #giftofresilience
Thanksgiving is almost here.
It’s a time to gather with friends, family, and loved ones, even those who are a little bit “extra”.
We all have that one friend or family member who’s a little annoying. Maybe they give unsolicited advice on your love life or insist that they know “the right way” to load the dishwasher.
Yet, for many, you are about to be joined by them for a gathering to celebrate a holiday where we focus on gratitude. How can you channel your inner gratitude when they’re testing your Zen? 🧘♀️
🙏 Thank them for the practice. 🙏
That’s right, you are getting free resilience therapy, which is a great opportunity to practice dealing with challenging behavior.
🙏 Focus on their “gifts”. 🙏
Is Aunt Linda a little too good at karaoke night? Thank her for giving you stories that can light up any dull conversation. Everyone has unique gifts. When you are focused on them, it’s easier to let go of judgment and frustration.
🙏 They’re teaching you boundaries. 🙏
“I love you, and I prefer not to talk about my career plans right now.” “I appreciate your input, and I’ll consider it. Want some pie?.” Thank them for all the valuable boundary-setting practice, and then change the subject to their favorite topic.
I’m grateful for you. Tag someone you’re grateful for!
Want to change your life for the better? Embrace gratitude. 🙏 Before you get out of bed in the morning and before you go to bed at night, think of 3 things you are grateful for. Here’s how:
1. Specific - The more specific you can be, the better.
2. Savor - Internalize the good feeling for 15-20 seconds.
3. Share - Tell someone what you are grateful for and why.
You’ll improve your mindset, motivation, and mental health. #mindfulmonday #gratitude #mindfulness #thankful #resilience
Fri-yay! 🩷
Ever compare yourself to others?
What if you used that energy and mental bandwidth to become 1% better tomorrow than you are today? Success is not an outcome. It’s growth. #growthmindset
Protect your peace.✌️
Read Up on Resilience!
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Anne Grady is a Speaker, Author, and #TruthBomb Dropper.
Anne shares practical strategies that can be applied both personally and professionally to improve relationships, navigate change, and triumph over adversity. And she’ll make you laugh while she does it. Anne is a two time TEDx speaker, and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fast Company and Inc. magazines, CNN, ESPN, and FOX Business. She is the best selling author of 3 books. Her newest, Mind Over Moment: Harness the Power of Resilience, is available on Amazon now.
Easier said than done! Can’t we have both–success & happiness?
Definitely easier said than done. And yes, according to the research, happiness begets success. Stay tuned for next week’s post with some strategies to get there! 🙂 Hope you are doing well. miss you!
Great article. Makes sense. Let’s be happy! 🙂 Have a great week Anne!
Thanks Juanita! You too!
The video was great. I look forward to the next installment from the book.
Thanks Eddie!