Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The Happiness Advantage

Let's slow it down, shall we?


I have a desire to get more intellectual, so that means you're going to be taken on the ride with me whether you'd like to or not. Lately I've only been feeding my brain with business details, spreadsheets and the occasional leisure-read of my favorite blogs - but there's a need for new thoughts to expand my brain and get my creative centers firing.


Today I'm sharing a TED Talk (love 'em) that was published 15 months ago but was recently brought to my attention. Shawn Achor, researcher and teacher of positive psychology, walks us through the first time positive psychology crept into his youthful mind and in the twelve minutes of footage had me convinced that my brain is capable of showing me any world I want to see.


In his humorous presentation, he inspires me to challenge myself to reverse the formula I've always used for happiness and success.


For many of us, our picture of success is measured as the following:


If you work harder, you'll be more successful | If you're more successful, you'll be happy


I don't know if it's the same for you, but when I work harder and am successful - I just keep placing the bar higher and higher. While I may experience short-term elation and pride, I'm never fully being satisfied with my accomplishments nor experiencing the "happiness" I'd expected in all the hard work placed into my goals.


Shawn challenges us to re-write the formula for ourselves by training our brain (as we train our bodies) to seek out the happiness and optimism in the world. He cites that your external world does not predict your happiness - but rather the way your brain processes the world around you can create happiness and boost productivity, creativity, understanding, clarity and attitude.


Afterall, perception is reality.


If you do anything today, please click 'play' below and engage in an inspirational conversation with your subconscious:


[ted id=1344]


The Happiness Advantage is also a book you can find on Amazon - I'll be downloading it for my Kindle on iPad soon!


heart JE

4 comments

brooke lyn said...

why are TED talks so great! i watched the one yesterday about how our 30s are not the new 20s. it was a good reminder.

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[…] talked here before about tricking your mind with body language, loving the work you do to gain a happiness advantage and even making yourself kick it into gear with 30 is not the new […]