The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work

"The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life" by Shawn Achor is a compelling book that turns traditional thinking about happiness and success on its head. Based on positive psychology principles and research, Achor proposes that happiness is not just a result of success but a precursor to it. Here’s a summary of key concepts and insights from the book, which I find particularly relevant and insightful:- Positive Psychology at Work: Achor, who spent over a decade at Harvard University studying happiness, draws on his own research and that of others in the field of positive psychology to argue that a positive mindset can significantly increase motivation, efficiency, resilience, creativity, and, ultimately, success in the workplace.- The Happiness Advantage: The core idea of the book is that individuals who cultivate a positive mindset experience a 'happiness advantage'. This advantage manifests as enhanced brain function, which in turn leads to better problem-solving abilities, creativity, and job performance. Achor presents seven principles that individuals can use to improve their happiness and success rates.- Seven Principles: These principles include the power of positive psychology, the fulcrum and the lever (changing your experience of reality through mindset), the Tetris Effect (training your brain to spot patterns of possibility), falling up (finding the path out of failure), the Zorro Circle (focusing on small, manageable goals to gain control over the bigger picture), the 20-second rule (reducing barriers to change with small energy adjustments), and social investment (relying on social support to overcome challenges).- Evidence-Based Strategies: Achor provides practical, evidence-based strategies for increasing happiness and productivity. These include gratitude exercises, the practice of positive journaling, exercise, meditation, and fostering social connections.- Applications in the Workplace: The book also delves into how organizations can apply these principles to create happier and more productive work environments. Achor discusses how positive leadership and a culture that prioritizes happiness can lead to significant improvements in job satisfaction, engagement, and performance.From a professional standpoint, especially for someone with a background in psychology and business, "The Happiness Advantage" offers valuable insights into how positive psychological practices can be leveraged for personal growth and organizational improvement. The book supports the idea that fostering a positive mindset and happiness in individuals can lead to more profound success and fulfillment, not just in their personal lives but also in their professional endeavors. Achor’s work is a testament to the power of positive psychology in transforming workplaces and enhancing leadership effectiveness, making it a valuable resource for consultants aiming to drive positive change in organizations.

I cannot remember why I decided to add The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology that Fuel Success and Performance at Work. to my Kindle. It sat unread for months. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. I was intrigued by the way Shawn presented key psychological theories in an easy to read format. While the heavy emphasis on business applications and life at Harvard were not of direct interest, I could apply what he was saying to my general life.After reading the book, I understand why people struggle to perform at their optimal level when they do not harbor a positive attitude. While the ability to retrain a negative or positive brain is possible, it requires dedication to the process of adjusting one's mindset. Shawn provides insight into how this can be accomplished along with ways to short circuit bad habits that have a deleterious effect on one's outlook. In the latter chapters, he focuses on concrete ways to modify one's behavior. The road to change can be arduous, but Shawn provides a road map that can be followed.I can see how his key ideas could enhance K-12 education. Far too often the motto in American schools is to work hard and then you will be successful and happy. This runs counter to the latest psychological theories of happiness and success. Current theories shared by Shawn show that "When we are happy-when our mindset and mood are positive-we are smarter, more motivated, and thus more successful. Happiness is the center, and success revolves around it."While quantifying levels of happiness in a classroom situation may be tricky. Shawn points to the emotions of joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride amusement, inspiration, awe and love. How many American classrooms exhibit these qualities? Scientific data illustrates how positive emotions fuel brain chemicals. These chemicals make it easier for the brain to process new information and retrieve it quicker and can also aid analysis and problem solving. Just this simple morsel of information could make a huge difference in the productivity level of struggling students.The rest of the book has a treasure trove of information that can be applied to the classroom. I recommend this book to teachers who feel under pressure to raise the achievement levels of a low performing classroom as well as teachers who are lucky to be in an environment where test scores are not an issue. Understanding the mechanisms associated with happiness will shed light on a number of issues that will improve classroom environments as well as the overall quality of life.