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  • Published: 1 November 2011
  • ISBN: 9780753539477
  • Imprint: Virgin Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 256
  • RRP: $29.99

The Happiness Advantage

The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology that Fuel Success and Performance at Work




Traditional psychology tells us that success makes us happy. Discover why this isn't true and what steps you can take to really become successful and happier

Most people want to be successful in life. And of course, everyone wants to be happy. When it comes to the pursuit of success and happiness, most people assume the same formula: if you work hard, you will become successful, and once you become successful, then you'll be happy. The only problem is that a decade of cutting-edge research in the field of positive psychology has proven that this formula is backwards. Success does not beget happiness.

Based on the largest study ever conducted on happiness and human potential (a survey conducted by the author of more than 1,600 students), Harvard lecturer Shawn Achor shares seven core principles of positive psychology that each one of us can use to improve our performance, grow our careers, and gain a competitive edge at work. He reveals how happiness actually fuels success and performance, not the other way around. Why? Because when we are happier and more positive we are more engaged, creative, resilient to stress, and productive. The Happiness Advantage will appeal to anyone who wants practical advice on how to become happier and also more successful.

  • Published: 1 November 2011
  • ISBN: 9780753539477
  • Imprint: Virgin Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 256
  • RRP: $29.99

About the author

Shawn Achor

Shawn Achor is CEO of consultancy firm Good Think Inc. He gives 150 lectures a year on the science of human potential, speaking to audiences recently at Google, Adobe, UBS and Johnson and Johnson. He is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review and Psychology Today. His TED talk on the Happiness Advantage has been viewed over 3 million times.

Also by Shawn Achor

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Praise for The Happiness Advantage

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"

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....

Wall Street Journal