The Happiness Advantage - The Importance of Finding Joy

As we dive deeper into aspects of Positive Psychology, one of the key things to note is that research continually shows that happiness is often a PRECURSOR to success, not a result of success.

The "happiness advantage" was popularized by positive psychology researcher Shawn Achor in his book "The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life." Achor's book presents the concept of the happiness advantage, which suggests that happiness and positive emotions can lead to increased success and well-being in various aspects of life, including work.

According to Achor, being happy actually gives us a significant advantage in life. When we have a positive mindset and experience genuine happiness, our brains are primed for success, fueling our productivity, creativity, and resilience. We become more motivated, focused, and able to overcome obstacles with a positive outlook. Feeling joy and experiencing happiness helps us build better relationships, boosts our energy levels, and improves our overall satisfaction with life. It's not just a result of success but a catalyst for it!

So, why wait for success to be happy when happiness itself can lead us there? By cultivating a positive attitude, practicing gratitude, and finding joy in the little things, we tap into the happiness advantage. It's about recognizing that our mindset has the power to shape our reality. When we choose happiness, we unleash our potential and unlock new opportunities. Here are some tips for implementing the ideas in Achor's book building upon happiness as a catalyst for success:

1. Seek out Positive Emotions: The power of positive emotions cannot be underestimated. Positive emotions, such as joy, gratitude, and optimism, have a significant impact on our well-being and success. Seek out activities that bring you joy and make you feel good. Exercise, sunlight, reading a good book, a walk with your loved ones - all of these activities can help you experience positive feelings and help set a foundation of positivity.
2. Embrace a Positive Mindset Shift: The happiness advantage emphasizes the significance of shifting our mindset to focus on the positive. Be mindful and reflect on how you have been feeling, and lean in to the joyful moments day over day. Recognizing those emotions can help shift your perspective.
3. ‍Train Your Optimistic Brain: The Tetris Effect describes how our brains tend to get stuck in repeatable patterns. If we are continuously seeing the negative and searching for mistakes, we train our brains into more pessimistic ways of thinking. As we seek and reflect on more positive experiences, we are training our brains to become more optimistic.
4. Use Small Victories to Catalyze Success: Happiness is not just a result of success; it is also a catalyst for success. When we are happy, our brains perform better. We become more motivated, productive, and effective in our work. By setting short term goals and achieving those items, we can create a positive cycle where increased performance leads to greater success and, in turn, more happiness.
5. Build Greater Social Connections: Sustaining positive relationships and social connections is imperative for our overall wellness and happiness. Building strong connections with others, fostering a supportive network, and cultivating positive interactions contribute to overall well-being, and, ultimately, to our success. If you are struggling to build strong relationships, focus on active listening and gratitude, showing people that you deeply care and appreciate them.
6. Be Resilient and Fail Upwards: Happiness equips us with the resilience and adaptability needed to navigate challenges. When we experience challenges and failure, we have a choice for how that will impact our outlook on ourselves. Work on choosing the outlook that helps you continuously improve and fail up for future success.  Instead of seeing obstacles as roadblocks, you see them as temporary bumps in the road.

Reflection/Activity: Identify Three Positive Work Moments

Take a few moments at the end of the workday to reflect on three positive moments or experiences that occurred during your workday. These moments can be interactions, accomplishments, or even small wins. Write them down in your work-focused journal and explore the following questions:

1. What were the specific events or situations that brought positivity to your workday?
2. How did these moments make you feel in terms of your job satisfaction, motivation, or overall well-being at work?
3. In what ways did these positive work moments align with the concepts of the happiness advantage, such as positive emotions, mindset shift, or social connections within the workplace?
4. How can you intentionally create more of these positive moments in your work life?
5. Reflecting on these positive work moments, what insights or lessons can you draw to enhance your overall work experience?

Engaging in this reflective exercise with a work focus allows you to acknowledge and appreciate the positive aspects of your work life. As you can, continue identifying and exploring the positive moments to appreciate various aspects of your work life. As you reinforce the notion that happiness and positivity can be found in your professional journey, you can create a ripple effect that will open up doors for helping you grow in your career and in your life.

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