Happiness Isn’t The Outcome Of Success, It’s The Fuel

Happiness always seems to be just around the corner, waiting for us after we achieve the next goal. Yet contrary to that train of thought, research suggests that happiness doesn’t come as a result of success — it actually helps fuel success.

Psychologist Shawn Achor spent over a decade researching happiness at Harvard University and wrote in the The Happiness Advantage that:

When we are positive, our brains become more engaged, creative, motivated, energetic, resilient, and productive at work.

Happiness is a key ingredient to better performance, which leads to success. Amongst a few other activities, Achor recommends meditation, investing in relationships, and spending more money on experiences and less on possessions in order to become happier. Various studies and meta analyses have shown happiness to be correlated to success in many different contexts (including work, health, creativity and sociability).

For even for the most pragmatic of us, that means happiness becomes much more than just a vague destination. Prioritising our happiness doesn’t just bring us short-term pleasure; it also could pave the way for future success.

The happy secret to better work [Via Farnam Street]