Wednesday, April 16, 2014

The Happiness Advantage - Book Review



I learned about this book from a Parkinson disease victim who recommended it. And I thought, if it can help her, it can help me.

And she was right.

This is a book that puts a lie to the myth that “…if we work hard we will be more successful, and if we are more successful, then we’ll be happy.” Strangely and wonderfully, the reverse is true, if we are happy and positive we are better at life and at work, “…our brains become more engaged, creative, motivated, energetic, resilient, and productive…” (And I need all of those right now).

My initial reactions were negative. This seemed to be some Disneyesque version of “whistle while you work.” But author Shawn Achor sites about a gazillion research studies proving the opposite, that happy people, employees, and teams, perform better that those that aren’t…by a lot. And companies are buying what he’s selling as he’s got the unusual job of traveling the world to consult with companies (big ones that can afford his fee) on how to get happier.

If you aren’t happy, and I’m suspecting that many of the folks reading this blog aren’t, he gives you seven (7) sure fire tips for getting happy.

For me, this is the unusual book where the message resonated more deeply than the writing. That’s not to say that Achor isn’t a competent writer, he is.  Let me put this another way, I am buying this book for friends who I think could be or should be happier.


Ooh, and here’s the theme song to this review - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U-rBZREQMw


Image credit: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_arcady31'>arcady31 / 123RF Stock Photo</a>
 

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