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

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)

Very useful book!

Enjoyed listening to this book! Lots of good information and strategies to use in our day to day lives. Thank you!

Too many stories and very few advices

The content is very powerful. However, it spends more time describing the advantage of happiness and very few time on how to be there. He does a good job advising on how to get new habits though. I would skim through the book again to get only key ideas but i don't think I'd read it again.

A solid reminder

A solid reminder if what's most important, supported by interesting science and many
compelling examples.

Latest Harvard Uni research.

Latest scientific reasearch on happiness straight out of Harvard University. Presented in such a way that is both relevant and helpful to individuals.

Must read for everyone who knows how to read

This is one of those life changing books that should be on everybody's book shelf. if you don't have a book shelf, you should start with this one!!

Very interesting book

The author is very funny and has a lot of enthusiasm which keeps the book interesting. He also references many studies to prove his points. I find myself referencing them too since they can be used in every day life, not just in the business world. Great read!!! :)

Great Book

I really liked this book it provided me with great principles that I could apply in lide. being happy is not something to take advantage of and this book actually helps you explore your own habits in relation to your happiness great read.

This book is a must read if you want to elevate performance at work

Loved this book. Lays out core principles, scientifically based, on how success comes from happiness and not the other way around. Includes specific practical steps to follow. Narrated by the author himself who has an easy to listen to engaging voice. Already starting his next book. So good. So inspiring. And practical.

I highly recommend this book

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

Great tangible tips you can use to become a more positive person.

What did you learn from The Happiness Advantage that you would use in your daily life?

Too many tips to list. The tips were easily put into practice.

Happiness, the Key to Success

This is not just another positive thinking book. It presents solid evidence that proves that we are really at our best when we are happy. Not only that, but our happiness has a ripple effect on all those around us. It may sound like common sense, and in truth we know this innately. Unfortunately, some of us corporate executive types forget this as we analyze facts and figures and are constantly focused on increasing sales and doubling productivity. In seven principles and a humorous and often self-deprecating style, the author helps us to look at the level of happiness we allow ourselves to exhibit and presents concrete ways to improve on it. Great job, Shawn Achor. Thanks for showing me that I really do take myself too seriously sometimes!