INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • An engaging, deeply researched guide to flourishing in a world of increasing stress and negativity—the inspiration for one of the most popular TED Talks of all time “Powerful [and] charming . . . A book for just about anyone . . . The philosophies in this book are easily the best wire frames to build a happy and successful life.”—Medium Happiness is not the belief that we don’t need to change; it is the realization that we can. Our most commonly held formula for success is broken. Conventional wisdom holds that once we succeed, we’ll be happy; that once we get that great job, win that next promotion, lose those five pounds, happiness will follow. But the science reveals this formula to be backward: Happiness fuels success, not the other way around. Research shows that happy employees are more productive, more creative, and better problem solvers than their unhappy peers. And positive people are significantly healthier and less stressed and enjoy deeper social interaction than the less positive people around them. Drawing on original research—including one of the largest studies of happiness ever conducted—and work in boardrooms and classrooms across forty-two countries, Shawn Achor shows us how to rewire our brains for positivity and optimism to reap the happiness advantage in our lives, our careers, and even our health. His strategies include: • The Tetris Effect: how to retrain our brains to spot patterns of possibility so we can see and seize opportunities all around us • Social Investment: how to earn the dividends of a strong social support network • The Ripple Effect: how to spread positive change within our teams, companies, and families By turns fascinating, hopeful, and timely, The Happiness Advantage reveals how small shifts in our mind-set and habits can produce big gains at work, at home, and elsewhere.
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"The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor is another very powerful book which is a must read for anyone who desires to excel in work or life. Achor puts the conventional wisdom that if we work hard we will be more successful, and if we are more successful then we will be a happy person, on its head. According to him this formula actually works in reverse; happiness fuels success, not the other way round. Using stories and case studies from his work, Achor has crafted seven principles which explain how we can reprogram our brains to become more positive in order to gain a competitive edge at work. Rather than stressing how to become happier at work, it is a book about how to reap the benefits of a happier and a more positive mind-set to achieve the extraordinary in our work and in our lives."
— Shahid (4 out of 5 stars)
" EVERYONE should listen to this! Starting in elementary school!:) "
— Lee, 3/22/2018" Happiness is everything!!! This book proves its importance:) "
— Lee, 3/12/2018" Too often we think that we will be happy after a certain thing happens (graduation, new job, kids are potty trained). The author gives examples through psychological studies on how happiness leads to success in life (however you want to define success) and not the other way around. Then he gives action items that can be done to increase happiness daily. I thought this was a really good book and I recommend it to anyone looking to improve. "
— Michael, 2/12/2014" A wonderful summary of positive psychology's lessons and suggestions told in a very accessible manner. Achor is a public speaker and trainer and writes with that clarity and directness. He tells great stories full of humor and lessons. "
— Keith, 2/6/2014" I'd give it more like 3.5 stars (It'd be 4 stars except he takes entirely too long to really get into the book). I think everyone would find benefit in reading this book. In general this book talks about/advertises for the field of positive psychology. The main point is that success comes from happiness, not the other way around. The book is full of interesting scientific studies that show how small specific behaviors (for example writing down 3 things you are grateful for on a daily basis) do have a huge effect on our overall positivity and productivity. He gives real practical tools to implement to make ourselves more positive and content with life, which will in turn influence those around us. I liked the combination of stories and science that was effective at keeping the book interesting and informative. I took some notes and plan to implement his strategies to improve my own happiness. "
— Devin, 2/6/2014" Shawn Achor is very smart, and he has some good concepts in this book. Bit heavily focused on how this applies to business, and specifically big corporate businesses. But still good. "
— Kira, 2/2/2014" I loved this book. There's a great TED talk by the author if you're looking for a tl;dr. "
— Armand, 1/17/2014" Some of it a blinding glimpse of the obvious. But I was able to cull more than a few takeaways. "
— Gail, 12/28/2013" Perfect book to read at the turn of the new year. My resolution is to approach my life and work with more active positivity and happiness, and this book provides compelling, researched, practical guidance for creating a personal culture of happiness that can affect everyone I share my life with. "
— Aaron, 12/14/2013" so far, i think it's great. might as well be happy, right? "
— Sheila, 12/7/2013" I found this book beyond entertaining and enlightening...it's filled with important information and not just for success at work, but for success and real enduring happiness in life! I highly recommend it! "
— Sally, 11/26/2013" I absolutely recommend - most of the concepts are things that I think we're all aware of in the back of our minds, but it's worth hearing again! "
— Keets, 9/13/2013" fairly obvious and repetitive. A few good references to key research. "
— Martin, 6/3/2013" I don't read non fiction "very often" [read: like... NEVER]... but this one was pretty fabulous! "
— Julie, 4/22/2013" This book is not your typical "be happy" book. The book goes through real data and examples on how being happy helps foster success. "
— Ashley, 3/25/2013" Fantastic! Need to be read and reflected upon, as it is something we think we know and are good at, while we mostly act differently. Following the principles might be harder than one thinks, but the reward is beyond what one can imagine! "
— Torstein, 2/23/2013" MUST READ BOOK If you care about being and remaining happy!!! Intuitive principles that create happiness backed up scientifically. "
— Julienna, 1/14/2013" Pretty good. I liked all the anecdotes and examples, kept this book light and easy to become engaged with. It did slow down a bit towards the end. But I think that Achor's writing style is very accessable by the layman. "
— Jesse, 10/29/2012" I like positive psychology but this book was a little fluffy. "
— Sarah, 7/24/2012" I listened to this audio book after seeing the author's TED talk online. I enjoyed the book so much that I've bought my own copy. There are some really great ideas in this book about simple, concrete things you can do to make yourself a happier person. And who doesn't want that? "
— Blaine, 5/8/2012" The science behind the reasons to be happy. (And how!) Eye-opening and fun read. "
— Danielle, 10/14/2011" I loved the scientific approach this book takes toward a topic many people feel is subjective. I highly recommend this book whether for business, teaching, coaching or parenting. It is very well written and well organized. "
— Julie, 10/3/2011" Helpful summary of positive psychology. I'm all jazzed to try some of his simple ideas to be grateful, optimistic and joyful. Quick to read and good follow up to The Happiness Project. "
— Anne, 8/5/2011" Very well written book about positive thinking. I learned lots of useful ideas. "
— Mert, 6/13/2011" This book takes several "common sense" ideas, and even several gospel principles, and provides some very interesting data/studies to back them up. "
— Rob, 5/2/2011" A good book with some good points. Well worth the read. "
— Christoffer, 4/2/2011" Fantastic read, don't let the title fool you into thinking this is just a happy go lucky kind of book. The specific psychological studies cited and discussed make this more of an evidenced backed look on why making a choice to be happy is the secret to success. "
— Travis, 12/27/2010" Happiness leads to success.happy people are more successful. "
— Anu, 12/12/2010" Surprisingly interesting and informative. Worth the read. "
— Jason, 12/1/2010" Everyone should read this book. The science behind the benefit of happiness is incredible and inspiring. Happiness leads to success not the other way around. This book is transformative! "
— melody, 11/11/2010" My friend helped write this book, and it's an interesting a quick nonfiction read. "
— Kate, 9/21/2010Shawn Achor is the winner of more than a dozen distinguished teaching awards at Harvard University, where he delivered lectures on positive psychology in the most popular class at Harvard. He has become one of the world’s leading expert on the connection between happiness and success. His research on happiness made the cover of Harvard Business Review, his TED talk is one of the most popular all time, and his lecture airing on PBS has been seen by millions. Currently he teaches for the Advanced Management Program at Wharton Business School, and collaborates on research with Yale and Columbia University.