1.1 The Happiness Advantage
Happiness Boosts Productivity
Despite conventional wisdom that enforces a “work hard and then you will be happy” attitude, the opposite is actually true and can be shown through data. Shawn Achor, a leading expert on the connection between happiness and success, demonstrates that happiness boosts productivity. Achor is also the author of The Happiness Advantage, which shows the impact of positive psychology. His TED talk below demonstrates some of his research, and also shows you five different ways to train your brain to have a more positive outlook.
Group Application 1.1: Which Happy Secret is the Easiest/Hardest to Adopt?
The Happy Secret to Better Work by Shawn Achor
The Happiness Advantage
“Your brain, when positive, performs significantly better than it does when negative, neutral, or stressed. Your intelligence rises, your creativity rises, and your energy levels rise. You also work harder, faster, and more intelligently.”
Which of Achor’s recommended ways to train your brain is the easiest to adopt and why? Which is the hardest to adopt and why?
A. The Three Gratitudes each day – Make a list of three things you are grateful for each day. This teaches your brain to scan the world not for the negative but for the positive.
B. Journaling – Writing about one positive experience in the last twenty-four hours allows your brain to relive it.
C. Exercise – Exercise teaches your brain that your behavior matters.
D. Meditation – Meditation allows your brain to get over the cultural ADHD that we have been creating by trying to do multiple tasks at once. It allows our brains to focus on the task at hand.
E. Random Acts of Kindness – Praise or thank someone each day in your social support network—either in person or online.