The Happiness Advantage
How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life
by Shawn Achor
“Shawn Achor is funny, self-deprecating, and devastating to my notions of what his field is all about... I’m butter to his knife.”
“Achor transports us to his virtual classroom, a journey along which we glean the seven secrets of happiness. The Happiness Advantage reveals the most important discoveries coming out of modern psychology.”
The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work is a book written by Shawn Achor, a positive psychology researcher and speaker. The book presents the idea that happiness is not just a byproduct of success, but can actually lead to it. According to Achor, when individuals are happy and positive, their brains become more engaged, creative, motivated, and productive.
The book is divided into seven chapters, each of which focuses on a different principle of positive psychology. The first principle is the "Happiness Advantage," which is the idea that happiness leads to success, not the other way around. The second principle is "The Fulcrum and the Lever," which explains how small changes in our mindset can lead to big changes in our performance. The third principle is "The Tetris Effect," which is the idea that when we are in a positive state, we are more likely to see and take advantage of opportunities.
The fourth principle is "The Zorro Circle," which is the idea that by focusing on small, manageable goals, we can create a sense of accomplishment and build momentum towards larger goals. The fifth principle is "The 20-second Rule," which is the idea that by making small changes in our environment, we can make it easier to engage in positive behaviors. The sixth principle is "Social Investment," which is the idea that investing in social connections can lead to greater happiness and success. The seventh principle is "The Happiness Multiplier," which is the idea that when we are happy and positive, we are more likely to spread those feelings to others.
Throughout the book, Achor provides numerous examples and studies to support the principles he presents, and also includes practical tips and exercises that readers can use to apply the principles in their own lives. He also emphasizes the importance of taking action, stating that simply reading the book or learning about positive psychology is not enough.
In summary, The Happiness Advantage presents the idea that happiness leads to success, rather than the other way around. The book is divided into seven chapters, each of which focuses on a different principle of positive psychology, such as the "Happiness Advantage," "The Fulcrum and the Lever," and "The Tetris Effect." The book provides practical tips and exercises that readers can use to apply the principles in their own lives, and emphasizes the importance of taking action. It is a good read for individuals who want to improve their performance and success in their personal and professional lives by cultivating a positive mindset.
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