The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life
- Downloads：8913
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-10-20 06:57:04
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Shawn Achor
- ISBN：0307591557
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
- Download
Summary
Our most commonly held formula for success is broken。
Conventional wisdom holds that if we work hard we will be more successful， and if we are more successful， then we'll be happy。 If we can just find that great job， win that next promotion， lose those five pounds， happiness will follow。 But recent discoveries in the field of positive psychology have shown that this formula is actually backward: Happiness fuels success， not the other way around。
When we are positive， our brains become more engaged， creative， motivated， energetic， resilient， and productive at work。 This isn't just an empty mantra。 This discovery has been repeatedly borne out by rigorous research in psychology and neuroscience， management studies， and the bottom lines of organizations around the globe。
In The Happiness Advantage， Shawn Achor， who spent over a decade living， researching， and lecturing at Harvard University， draws on his own research--including one of the largest studies of happiness and potential at Harvard and others at companies like UBS and KPMG--to fix this broken formula。 Using stories and case studies from his work with thousands of Fortune 500 executives in 42 countries， Achor explains how we can reprogram our brains to become more positive in order to gain a competitive edge at work。
Isolating seven practical， actionable principles that have been tried and tested everywhere from classrooms to boardrooms， stretching from Argentina to Zimbabwe， he shows us how we can capitalize on the Happiness Advantage to improve our performance and maximize our potential。 Among the principles he outlines:
- The Tetris Effect: how to retrain our brains to spot patterns of possibility， so we can see--and seize--opportunities wherever we look。
- The Zorro Circle: how to channel our efforts on small， manageable goals， to gain the leverage to gradually conquer bigger and bigger ones。
- Social Investment: how to reap the dividends of investing in one of the greatest predictors of success and happiness--our social support network
A must-read for everyone trying to excel in a world of increasing workloads， stress， and negativity， The Happiness Advantage isn't only about how to become happier at work。 It's about how to reap the benefits of a happier and more positive mind-set to achieve the extraordinary in our work and in our lives。
Conventional wisdom holds that if we work hard we will be more successful， and if we are more successful， then we'll be happy。 If we can just find that great job， win that next promotion， lose those five pounds， happiness will follow。 But recent discoveries in the field of positive psychology have shown that this formula is actually backward: Happiness fuels success， not the other way around。
When we are positive， our brains become more engaged， creative， motivated， energetic， resilient， and productive at work。 This isn't just an empty mantra。 This discovery has been repeatedly borne out by rigorous research in psychology and neuroscience， management studies， and the bottom lines of organizations around the globe。
In The Happiness Advantage， Shawn Achor， who spent over a decade living， researching， and lecturing at Harvard University， draws on his own research--including one of the largest studies of happiness and potential at Harvard and others at companies like UBS and KPMG--to fix this broken formula。 Using stories and case studies from his work with thousands of Fortune 500 executives in 42 countries， Achor explains how we can reprogram our brains to become more positive in order to gain a competitive edge at work。
Isolating seven practical， actionable principles that have been tried and tested everywhere from classrooms to boardrooms， stretching from Argentina to Zimbabwe， he shows us how we can capitalize on the Happiness Advantage to improve our performance and maximize our potential。 Among the principles he outlines:
- The Tetris Effect: how to retrain our brains to spot patterns of possibility， so we can see--and seize--opportunities wherever we look。
- The Zorro Circle: how to channel our efforts on small， manageable goals， to gain the leverage to gradually conquer bigger and bigger ones。
- Social Investment: how to reap the dividends of investing in one of the greatest predictors of success and happiness--our social support network
A must-read for everyone trying to excel in a world of increasing workloads， stress， and negativity， The Happiness Advantage isn't only about how to become happier at work。 It's about how to reap the benefits of a happier and more positive mind-set to achieve the extraordinary in our work and in our lives。
Reviews
Mitra Mirshafiee
，
Unlike what current productivity books are all about， this one had some solid original content。 I very much enjoyed reading about his ideas and stories。 Also， I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to have a higher quality of living and improve their mindset。 Unlike what current productivity books are all about， this one had some solid original content。 I very much enjoyed reading about his ideas and stories。 Also， I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to have a higher quality of living and improve their mindset。 。。。more
Kristin
，
This book feels like the keeper of one of the best kept secrets to a fulfilled life。 The author grounds this book in world renown research and studies from experts around the world， but delivers it with the approachability and encouragement of your brother。 Infused with humor and countless real world studies， this is THE BOOK for leaders and those who want high performing teams， stronger families， and more successful， well-rounded lives。 I highly recommend this book for people of all ages。
Chris Cahill
，
Solid book。 A lot of takeaways for me about how my mood and happiness can impact my family， co workers， employees， friends， and any one I come in contact with。 Will revisit this one in the future。
Anna
，
Saw this as available from the library and decided to give it a shot - overall enjoyed and made for some easy listening。 Author’s writing and narration makes it captivating enough and took a few pieces from it that made it worthwhile。 As someone tends to skew more positive， mainly felt like it gave me a ‘name’ for some strategies that work well for me already and share some of the scientific research behind it。 Not saying it’s earth breaking， but took it for what it was and appreciated some tech Saw this as available from the library and decided to give it a shot - overall enjoyed and made for some easy listening。 Author’s writing and narration makes it captivating enough and took a few pieces from it that made it worthwhile。 As someone tends to skew more positive， mainly felt like it gave me a ‘name’ for some strategies that work well for me already and share some of the scientific research behind it。 Not saying it’s earth breaking， but took it for what it was and appreciated some techniques and ideas that I can continue to hone/use in the future。 。。。more
Shameek Vidyarthi
，
I have read quite a few non-fiction books and this one stands out best。 It kind of synthesizes a number of theories into one。
Wendy Doyle
，
I liked the concepts in this book。 I felt like it was really long。 I think I’d prefer to actually take his class as opposed to just reading about his ideas。
Melissa Morse
，
Many of the principles discussed here are similar to other books I have read， due to the nature of the topic， however the presentation is very different。 It was helpful to hear about the various studies that were researched and real life examples used。 Some of the author's experiments that were shared made me laugh as I could picture doing something similar。 While the idea of positive psychology is not new to me I found the suggestions in this book very interesting with each easily able to be im Many of the principles discussed here are similar to other books I have read， due to the nature of the topic， however the presentation is very different。 It was helpful to hear about the various studies that were researched and real life examples used。 Some of the author's experiments that were shared made me laugh as I could picture doing something similar。 While the idea of positive psychology is not new to me I found the suggestions in this book very interesting with each easily able to be implemented into daily life to increase happiness within yourself and your surroundings。 。。。more
Sherry Cruz
，
3。5
Courtney
，
I definitely remember starting this and thinking "meh"。 Nothing I hadn't heard before。 I definitely remember starting this and thinking "meh"。 Nothing I hadn't heard before。 。。。more
Sandeep Kulshrestha
，
This book is phenomenal to say the least。 As a positive psychology practitioner， this is my "go to" book for any interventions in the space of business and consulting。 Highly recommended！ This book is phenomenal to say the least。 As a positive psychology practitioner， this is my "go to" book for any interventions in the space of business and consulting。 Highly recommended！ 。。。more
Jennie
，
Self-help books tend to annoy me because they spend 20 pages trying to convince you to read this book and another 20 to assure you that the author knows what they’re talking about。 If I spend >$10 on this book， just know I believe you enough and I don’t need to be convinced further。 Otherwise， a good read about building more positive habits to ensure happiness。 I liked how the book centred on taking small steps because being happy doesn’t come easily but through repetitive practices can come eas Self-help books tend to annoy me because they spend 20 pages trying to convince you to read this book and another 20 to assure you that the author knows what they’re talking about。 If I spend >$10 on this book， just know I believe you enough and I don’t need to be convinced further。 Otherwise， a good read about building more positive habits to ensure happiness。 I liked how the book centred on taking small steps because being happy doesn’t come easily but through repetitive practices can come easier which felt realistic。 Could be a little repetitive as the 7 points all link together and a little slow because at times the material was a bit dry but overall helpful and not too preachy and unrealistic。 。。。more
Lizzie Perry
，
Phenomenal！ I thoroughly enjoyed each part of this book。 After seeing Shawn Achor speak earlier this year I was eager to read this to go further in depth of his principles he outlines in The Happiness Advantage。 I could not suggest this enough！
Melanie
，
I don't love that the title and cover scream self-help; however， I definitely enjoy the book overall。 It's an engaging， quick read about how happiness leads to success and about the neuroplasticity involved in making both happen。 I don't love that the title and cover scream self-help; however， I definitely enjoy the book overall。 It's an engaging， quick read about how happiness leads to success and about the neuroplasticity involved in making both happen。 。。。more
Julia Wang
，
This book is geared for novices in positive psychology， so due to my background， the book was a bit uneventful for me。 Save for his personal anecdotes， I didn't glean much。 The book is a super easy read with quick wit and humor sprinkled in。 The book is well organized with different "principles" of the happiness advantage occupying their own chapter。 Each layer of the Happiness Advantage cake is stuffed with data， anecdotes， examples of positive psychology tidbits and his personal experiences be This book is geared for novices in positive psychology， so due to my background， the book was a bit uneventful for me。 Save for his personal anecdotes， I didn't glean much。 The book is a super easy read with quick wit and humor sprinkled in。 The book is well organized with different "principles" of the happiness advantage occupying their own chapter。 Each layer of the Happiness Advantage cake is stuffed with data， anecdotes， examples of positive psychology tidbits and his personal experiences being a consultant for positive psychology in various workplaces。 However， I felt that these sections could have been more rich as the supporting evidence was a bit bland and superficial。 At the end of the book， Shawn Achor puts the icing on top by synthesizing how each principle should work in concert and not in silos。 He then talks about the ripple effects of spreading the Happiness Advantage through emotional contagion。 。。。more
Inese
，
Best positive psihology book that I’ve read。 Simple principles and advice to follow。 Loved the charming writing style of the author and good structure of the book- very easy to comprehend。 Enjoyed the results of real life psihology tests describes in the book， that confirm the author’s statements。 Loved this book！ A must read for everyone interested in psihology。
Evan Zatsick
，
this book is so simple， yet very powerful。 It’s not that I was even surprised or amazed by the information， it’s that these simple ideas dictate so much of our lives。 I actually found myself getting annoyed at how simple it all sounded， yet it’s so hard for me to put these principles into any sort of practice。 Backed by a solid amount of research， it’s easy for me to find some inspiration from this book。
Ana Vaz
，
3，5☆
Miranda
，
There’s something so satisfying when authors are able connect research with actionable takeaways。My takeaways from this book 1。 Mindset matters - if you believe you’re going to fail， you’re going to fail2。 Our neural pathways are constantly shaping and reshaping - training our brains to look for the positive 3。 Control what you can control4。 We’re better together - social networks are critical
Tara
，
Great introduction to positive psychology。
Meegen
，
Really interesting。 Loved it
Christopher
，
Title says it allThe book summarizes several other habits and self-help book with the additional touch of happiness in each chapter。 Furthermore offers scientific proofs of each point wich is paramount for the reader to take in consideration any future ímprovements to include in their lifes。
Julia Ledra
，
Amei esse livro！Ainda faltam alguns meses pra terminar o ano， mas por enquanto esse é o melhor livro que eu li em 2022。As ideias dele sobre como ser feliz são incríveis。 Não sei se eu que sou ignorante， mas não conhecia quase nenhuma e adorei aprender mais sobre como a felicidade é basicamente um precursor para o sucesso。Mas o que eu mais amei nesse livro é que ele não só chega pra você e fala "isso é importante， faça aquilo， porque xyz"。 Ele primeiro te conta uma história de algum caso ou estud Amei esse livro！Ainda faltam alguns meses pra terminar o ano， mas por enquanto esse é o melhor livro que eu li em 2022。As ideias dele sobre como ser feliz são incríveis。 Não sei se eu que sou ignorante， mas não conhecia quase nenhuma e adorei aprender mais sobre como a felicidade é basicamente um precursor para o sucesso。Mas o que eu mais amei nesse livro é que ele não só chega pra você e fala "isso é importante， faça aquilo， porque xyz"。 Ele primeiro te conta uma história de algum caso ou estudo que mostre， na prática， esse conceito， e depois te explica ele。 E eu acho genial esse jeito de ensinar as coisas， porque você já entende o motivo disso ser importante antes dele explicar para você。 E daí você se interessa em aprender e lembra melhor das mensagens。 Porque mesmo que você não lembre exatamente de uma explicação， você lembra da histórinha por trás dela。Sério， genial！E eu sei que vários outros livros de autoajuda usam essa técnica de contar exemplos e histórinhas， mas nesse livro eu senti que foi diferente， porque realmente são histórias muito diferentes。 Não é como se ele usasse casos parecidos pra justificar a mesma coisa。 São ideias complementares， mas que olham a felicidade por outro ponto de vista。 E isso foi ótimo no livro， porque ele não caiu no cliché de livros de autoajuda que enrolam o leitor por 300 páginas quando a mensagem poderia ser passada em 30 （eu tenho um ranço enorme desse tipo de livro。。。）。Esse é o tipo de livro que eu fiz anotações em quase todas as páginas， poderia falar sobre ele por horas sem cansar e recomendo para absolutamente todo mundo。Mesmo quem não gosta de ler pode gostar desse livro， porque os capítulos são super curtinhos， super fáceis de ler， bem digeridos e gostosos de consumir。Eu li ele no kindle e não vejo a hora de comprar uma versão física pra ler de novo e anotar ele inteiro。 Amei ele demais mesmo！！！ 。。。more
Keitha Smith
，
Well worth reading。
Tyrell
，
“。。the more you believe in your own ability to success the more likely it is that you will。”Mind over matter -> this book truly offers some insightful information into the concept of happiness。 The main point being made is that being happy will lead you to success; not always the other way around。
Lonnie
，
This was selected for my book club。 And this was a tough book to rate; on one hand we could all stand to be happier and what "easier way" to do it than to enact seven basic principles to help be a better you。 On the negative side the author does like to mention Harvard a lot。 A lot。 We are introduced to a bit of storytelling， from great philosophers who discuss what makes the brain actually 'tic' toward happiness to the authors own downfalls and uphill battles that help shape him into the motiva This was selected for my book club。 And this was a tough book to rate; on one hand we could all stand to be happier and what "easier way" to do it than to enact seven basic principles to help be a better you。 On the negative side the author does like to mention Harvard a lot。 A lot。 We are introduced to a bit of storytelling， from great philosophers who discuss what makes the brain actually 'tic' toward happiness to the authors own downfalls and uphill battles that help shape him into the motivational trainer that he is today; however Shawn does more than motivate， but actually gets to the root of your issue。 Feeling more down than usual？ Write in a happiness journal。 Were you passed up for that promotion。 Smile at yourself in the mirror for ten seconds and try not to smile back。 Obviously I am stretching what was over two hundred pages of well written， inspirational dribble into a few sentences of a seemingly scathing review， but many of the practices he used were already discussed and done by others。 It's rehashed and over done， but this time there's a smiley face book staring back at you from the bookshelf。 （Seriously， the book is a yellow beacon with a creepy smiling line pointing upwards）。 It's never wrong to smile when you're feeling sad， but much of the Happiness Advantage I felt was after I finished the last page。 。。。more
Kristy
，
I wish this could be required reading for everyone， but especially teenagers。 These are great principles to live by and I love how the end of the book talks about how one person really can make a difference。
Nadia Somani
，
Absolutely loved this book。 The author did an excellent job at highlighting 7 key principles of the happiness advantage。 These principles seem so easy to implement if you actually want to make changes in your life。 I also especially enjoyed that he used examples from his life & work， which were also coupled with academic research。
Danielle Hadley
，
I think there were some really interesting and humorous points throughout the book that made it enjoyable and provoking。 Everything seemed quite logical and actionable and I look forward to applying it to every day routines。 With that said， I wouldn’t say anything in this book was mind blowing， and drew on a lot of other psychology and sociology therories like Csikszentmihalyi， Gladwell， etc。
Rachel Little
，
What a journey with this book！！ I started it back in March for work， but my desire to read it quickly fizzled out。 I just don't do well with non-fiction - it doesn't grip my attention well。 After waiting months for the audiobook loan to come through， I was able to finish it pretty quickly then。 Achor enjoys making his audience laugh while teaching you how to be happy。 This is definitely a good mindset book if you need a boost。 What a journey with this book！！ I started it back in March for work， but my desire to read it quickly fizzled out。 I just don't do well with non-fiction - it doesn't grip my attention well。 After waiting months for the audiobook loan to come through， I was able to finish it pretty quickly then。 Achor enjoys making his audience laugh while teaching you how to be happy。 This is definitely a good mindset book if you need a boost。 。。。more
Pietro Zambelli Villanueva
，