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  • The Happiness Advantage

  • The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work
  • Written by: Shawn Achor
  • Narrated by: Shawn Achor
  • Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (419 ratings)

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The Happiness Advantage

Written by: Shawn Achor
Narrated by: Shawn Achor
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Publisher's Summary

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER An engaging, deeply researched guide to flourishing in a world of increasing stress and negativity—the inspiration for one of the most popular TED Talks of all time

“Powerful [and] charming . . . A book for just about anyone . . . The philosophies in this book are easily the best wire frames to build a happy and successful life.”—Medium

Happiness is not the belief that we don’t need to change; it is the realization that we can.

Our most commonly held formula for success is broken. Conventional wisdom holds that once we succeed, we’ll be happy; that once we get that great job, win that next promotion, lose those five pounds, happiness will follow. But the science reveals this formula to be backward: Happiness fuels success, not the other way around.

Research shows that happy employees are more productive, more creative, and better problem solvers than their unhappy peers. And positive people are significantly healthier and less stressed and enjoy deeper social interaction than the less positive people around them.

Drawing on original research—including one of the largest studies of happiness ever conducted—and work in boardrooms and classrooms across forty-two countries, Shawn Achor shows us how to rewire our brains for positivity and optimism to reap the happiness advantage in our lives, our careers, and even our health. His strategies include:

The Tetris Effect: how to retrain our brains to spot patterns of possibility so we can see and seize opportunities all around us
Social Investment: how to earn the dividends of a strong social support network
The Ripple Effect: how to spread positive change within our teams, companies, and families

By turns fascinating, hopeful, and timely, The Happiness Advantage reveals how small shifts in our mind-set and habits can produce big gains at work, at home, and elsewhere.

©2010 Shawn Achor (P)2010 Random House Audio

What the critics say

"Shawn Achor is funny, self-deprecating, and devastating to my notions of what his field is all about…. I'm butter to his knife." (The Boston Globe)

"Achor bases his training on a burgeoning body of research on the positive psychology movement, which emphasizes instilling resiliency and positive attitudes." (The Wall Street Journal)

“Achor transports us to his virtual classroom, a journey along which we glean the seven secrets of happiness. The Happiness Advantage reveals the most important discoveries coming out of modern psychology.” (Rom Brafman, bestselling co-author of Sway and Click)

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What listeners say about The Happiness Advantage

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Amazing content for all

After watching his TED talk about positive psychology, I immediately bought both of his current books and started listening to this one. I love every aspect of this book, as I learned after listening to it the second and third time, if you think you already do some of the things he writes about or if you think you’re fine but other people in your life need to adapt the habits, you’re looking past bettering yourself for an easy out. Loved every page of this book, will keep it to re listen every few months for a refresher.

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4 people found this helpful

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I’ve listened to it three times!

I love this book, it’s a great resource to come back to when you’re struggling in any aspect of your life.
This is a good one to reframe your mindset and pick you up!

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2 people found this helpful

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Perhaps the most important book

Perhaps the most important book I've ever read in my life. Within top 4 for sure.

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Fantastic!

Hands down the best business book I've ever listened to. Far exceeded my expectations...I even listened to it a second time.

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Simply perfect for this moment in time

I just kept getting hit with poynient information that made me smile. So many things I can implement in my personal life and business. Absolutely a must read/listen. I ordered the hard copy as a turn to page references.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing book.

This book will definitely help who ever wants to improve their quality of life. If anyone around you thinks that you need to be happy in life than you are right now, this is a must read. For those who are already very happy, this book will arm you to make your loved ones happier.

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  • 2019-10-05

Thanks Shawn !

Hey Shawn, awesome book if you are reading this... Your ability to translate psychology into practical use in the business world and one's personal life is something to be proud of. You are making a difference in peoples' lives and I recommend anyone who believes that they could use a "edge" in anything that relates to relationships, mental health, and empathy for others read your book !!!

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Great book!

It’s proof showing that when we focus on what we do want, rather then what we don’t want, we arrive at our goals quicker and have a ripple effect far greater then ourselves.

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Happiness Defined on the Backs of Tortured Animals

Review is in the title. So ironic that happiness research stems from horrible animal testing and research. Pass.

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Shallow and Boring

The only reason this book is well-rated is for the fear of being labelled a Negative Nancy. Not worth the time.

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