• The Happiness Advantage

  • The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work
  • By: Shawn Achor
  • Narrated by: Shawn Achor
  • Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (9,810 ratings)

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The Happiness Advantage  By  cover art

The Happiness Advantage

By: Shawn Achor
Narrated by: Shawn Achor
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Publisher's summary

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.

©2010 Shawn Achor (P)2010 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Shawn Achor is funny, self-deprecating, and devastating to my notions of what his field is all about…. I'm butter to his knife." (The Boston Globe)

"Achor bases his training on a burgeoning body of research on the positive psychology movement, which emphasizes instilling resiliency and positive attitudes." (The Wall Street Journal)

“Achor transports us to his virtual classroom, a journey along which we glean the seven secrets of happiness. The Happiness Advantage reveals the most important discoveries coming out of modern psychology.” (Rom Brafman, bestselling co-author of Sway and Click)

Featured Article: How to Be Happier, According to These Smile-Inducing Audiobooks


"Happiness" seems like this abstract concept we keep reaching for but will never be able to actually grasp, right? Wrong—at least according to the following authors. Here is a list of the best audiobooks to help you find your pathway to happiness. Some are step-by-step guides; others are personal accounts of finding the way to a genuinely happy life. Whichever style you prefer, there's an audiobook about happiness that will fit your journey.

What listeners say about The Happiness Advantage

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lasting Changes

Not your typical self help book, these changes last. IF you actually apply them. I loved it!

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Slow start but worth it to keep listening.

I was feeling like "where's the meat" during the first couple of chapters but after things started to become more relatable and relevant. Chapter 12 of 16 was definitely my favorite.

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Love When Authors Narrate Their Own Work

Would you listen to The Happiness Advantage again? Why?

I've listened to this book now four times (slow learner, I guess). Each time, I get something new out of it. Love the practical tips, as well as the info about what's behind them.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

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Most Significant "self help" book in a century

Would you consider the audio edition of The Happiness Advantage to be better than the print version?

Watch the TedX talk by Shawn and you could be compelled to buy this audio book. I purchased the audio and kindle versions. Absolutely awesome

What other book might you compare The Happiness Advantage to and why?

Every other book written on self-help but this one is backed by scientific evidence. HIGHLY recommend this as an "investment" in your immediate and future happiness !

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amazing book

This is an amazing book that provides practical examples on how to become more successful.

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Loved it!

The true principles from this book have helped me so much! It totally changed the way I viewed my situation and helped me to get back to being happy.

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Inspiring!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Shawn Achor has a way with words, and a simple easy to absorb style, with an irresistible sense of humour. This book has inspired me to make the seven (simple and realistic) changes I need to live a more content life! I will be recommending this book to everyone I know!

What about Shawn Achor’s performance did you like?

I enjoyed the way he made the information accessible to everyone, simple, funny, realistic, and inspirational! Simple not to be confused with uninformative, this book is jammed with highly useful information, research, and real life tips. Shawn is able to convey the information in a way that shifts your whole persepective on the ways you have looked at everything prior to reading this. Definitely got my rose 'tinted' glasses on now!

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This book continues to enrich my life.

Loving and applying it. A must read for increasing productivity and getting out of an unhealthy habit.

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great!!

great book but very long!! I know at my work week and my coworkers completely different in a positive way thanks to this book!

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A must read!

I loved this book and all the principles. I think it should be required reading for all college students! Great advice backed up with science for a happier life!!

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