I just finished reading a fascinating little book entitled The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. In it, he contends that most of us follow a formula that has been taught to us overtly or
more subtly by our schools, our employer, our parents or society and that is: if you work hard, you’ll become successful, and then you’ll be happy. Anchor says this pattern of belief
explains what most often motivates us in life. And guess what? He also says this formula is broken. It doesn’t work.
Anchor contends that the relationship between happiness and success works the other way around, and that science now shows that happiness is the forerunner of success, not merely the
result. And that happiness and optimism actually fuel performance and achievement – giving us the competitive edge. He calls that the Happiness Advantage, thus the title of his
terrific book. The book makes a compelling case and I would recommend it highly. It contains some concrete suggestions for a happier life.
