Don't Worry, Be Happy

Most people have always thought that if we work hard, we’ll be more successful, and if

we’re more successful, then we’ll be happier. Well that just may not be the case at all.

That’s where Shawn Achor comes in. In his book, The Happiness Advantage, he refers to “rigorous research in psychology and neuroscience, management studies, and the bottom lines of organizations around the globe” when he says that “happiness fuels success, not the other way around”.

Happiness is contagious, just as a bad attitude is. Try it. Walk into a room of your peers or staff with a big smile and just be basically courteous. With few exceptions, very soon everyone will have a smile.

Just as your bad attitude affects the people you work with, so will a good attitude. And as an added bonus, it could very well bring you more success.

For those of you who don’t think there’s anything to this notion of happiness then ask yourself why Shawn Achor’s TED Talk has had over 7.5 million views.

“Okay, so what if I’m happier at work? What’s in it for me?” I’m glad you asked. Your trickle down happiness is going to directly affect your staff, which in turn will result in:

• better quality of work
• better customer service
• conscious acts of kindness
• teamwork
• openness
• innovation
• cooperation
• fewer sick days
• higher motivation
• achieving potential

Should I keep going?

Abraham Lincoln once said:

“People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”