The happiness advantage
by Shawn Achor · first published 2010
93% recommend7% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Science-based intro to positive psychology, short and well structured, mixing research with practical techniques like the 20-second rule for habits and exercise for mood. Suits anyone wanting better mental wellness.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Recent discoveries in the field of positive psychology have shown that happiness fuels success, not the other way around. Achor isolates seven practical, actionable principles that show how to capitalize on the Happiness Advantage to improve performance and maximize potential.
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I'm about to leave soon, so I'll make it quick: In a previous post I already lauded the book "The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work"[1]. The book is based on scientific results. In the chapter "The 20 second rule" the author talks about the "activation…
on “This Is Why You Don't Go to the Gym” ↗…> Exercise has such a profound effect on our happiness and well-being that it's actually been proven to be an effective strategy for overcoming depression. In a study cited in Shawn Achor's book, The Happiness Advantage, three groups of patients treated their depression with either medication, exercise, or a combination of the two. The results of this study really surprised me. Although all three groups experienced similar…
on “Should we stop believing Malcolm Gladwell?” ↗Hi, Recently my bike was stolen in my home city. I really, really loved my bike. So as you can imagine I was devastated... But Shawn Achor learned me in his book (The happiness advantage), that every setback has a way up. So I was thinking about some new opportunities that could be taken in advantage over this negative situation. To find my bike I've hung 'stolen bike' posters all over…
on “Just a new feature for instagram or idea for a total new app?” ↗Yikes! Here are some books I’d recommend for you: https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Advantage-Positive-Brain-Su... https://www.amazon.com/Daring-Greatly-Courage-Vulnerable-Tra... https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Be-Disliked-Phenomenon-Happin... https://www.amazon.com/One-Thing-Surprisingly-Extraordinary-...
on “The Power of Positive People” ↗If you like 59 seconds I'd also recommend the Happiness Advantage. Also based on scientific results and studies: http://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Advantage-Principles-Psychol...
on “Nobody's Going to Help You, and That's Awesome” ↗…(redundant?). Positive psychology does seem to have some common sense things going for it (ie, if you think something is impossible, it probably is, for you), but there are better books out there (cf "The Happiness Advantage" by Shawn Achor; he also did a TED talk that sums up some of the themes nicely: http://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_bet...)
on “The Powerlessness of Positive Thinking” ↗See also Shawn Achor's "Happiness Advantage" for similar themes from an employee POV.
on “New study shows we work harder when we are happy” ↗…browser in five different folders before you can open it, deleting the facebook app on your smartphone, or even packing away you video game consoles. While a completely different theme, a book called the happiness advantage has a chapter on adding obstacles to nudge yourself in the right direction. http://www.amazon.com/The-Happiness-Advantage-Principles-Per...
on “I am a successful software dev but I have a serious drinking problem” ↗I'd recommend The Happiness Advantage. Really changed my outlook on life for the positive. Author also did a TED talk on the subject called "The Happy Secret To Better Work". http://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_bet...…
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?” ↗I do the same thing, because my brother has it. For what it's worth, he went to a series of lectures from the guy that wrote this book: http://www.amazon.com/The-Happiness-Advantage-Principles-Per... It has helped him deal with things.
on “Researchers Find Missing Link Between the Brain and Immune System” ↗…see madmax108's comment, totally agree) 45. The Faithful Spy (Beautiful artwork describing a Christian pastor's fight against fascism during WW2) 46. Zero to One 47. You'll grow out of it 48. The Happiness advantage (Really fantastic book about the value of positive psychology) 49. Dreams from my father (Enlightening look into Obama's early days) 50. Ayoade on Ayoade (Entertaining, extremely scatter-brained, not…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2018?” ↗Dr. Bik Kwoon Tye could be a poster child for Dr. Seligman's work in the field of positive psychology! This story reminds me so much of a book I just finished reading: The Happiness Advantage. "Conventional wisdom holds that if we work hard we will be more successful, and if we are more successful, then we’ll be happy. If we can just find that great job, win that next promotion, lose those…
on “A 70-year-old's secret to a full and happy life” ↗Outliers, definitely the freakenomics books, I enjoyed Rich Dad Poor Dad, The Lean Startup, Power of Habit, Defining Decade (if your in your 20's, fantastic book), The Happiness Advantage, Great by Choice from Jim collins...
on “Ask HN: What habit have you dropped or picked up that improved your life?” ↗I've read "The Happiness Advantage" on (then-)emerging field of positive psychology, which I strongly recommend to anybody interested in improving their mental wellness. It's not too big, well structured, and contains both research as…
on “The Daily Habits of Happiness Experts” ↗I've almost finished reading "The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work".[1] It's based on scientific results, so it's not yet another esoteric self-help book. Now, back to your question: If…
on “How To Work From Home Like You Mean It ” ↗