We’ve got it all wrong. What I mean is, we think that if we are successful then we’ll be happy. It turns out, our logic is flawed. The great news is we can fix this!
What if how you think is more powerful than being successful? In other words, what if you could be happy then succeed? Doesn’t that sound counterintuitive?
Let me ask you this. Have you ever thought any of these things:
- If I just get a job, then I’ll be happy.
- When I get that promotion, life will be great.
- I want a good paying job and then everything will be OK.
- I am miserable in my job and I need a new one.
We think that if we achieve something that will make us happy, but the reality is, that when you are happy, you’re more likely to achieve success and value it more!
How our thoughts lead to happiness, productivity and more
Well, if you are like most people, I am wagering that these thoughts are pretty common. But I’ve got news for you.
Research and studies prove that these thoughts do not work in your favor. Shawn Achor worked for over 10 years at Harvard and has conducted research on happiness and human potential. He is working with organizations to help them re-program the thinking of their employees to make them more productive (and happy).
Achor states in his TEDx Talk (video below)
Only 25 percent of job successes are predicted by I.Q. 75 percent of job successes are predicted by your optimism levels, your social support and your ability to see stress as a challenge instead of as a threat.
Here is Shawn in action at TEDx Bloomington. He is funny, factual and a fast talker. This is a quick 12 minute video worth every minute of your time. Please, watch it!
Your Assignment
Now that you’ve watched it, how will you behave differently this week and for the next 21 days?
For the next 21 days…
Start today with your gratitude journal, as Achor recommends. Take 2 minutes every day to recount the positive things from the day prior! What you are doing is training your brain to think positively. Please, don’t you owe it to yourself to be happy? This is within your control.
Be happy then succeed!
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
