While taking I/O psychology, not only did I learn about the industrial and organizational aspects of psychology, I also learned about how happiness can lead to our success in our future work and careers. Throughout the semester, we were assigned to read Achor’s The Happiness Advantage, a novel in which the author goes on to explain how just how to be happy in order to be successful not just in work, but in life as well.
He goes on to explain the “Happiness Advantage”, which is the realization that we can change minds and ourselves to be more happy. He lays out 7 principles in order to reach the Happiness Advantage:
Principle 1: The Happiness Advantage
Principle 2: The Fulcrum and the Lever
Principle 3: The Tetris Effect
Principle 4: Falling Up
Principle 5: The Zorro Circle
Principle 6: The 20- Second Rule
Principle 7: Social Investment
In The Happiness Advantage at Work, Achor talks about how happiness is a way to be successful, it paves a way for success. Achor had mentioned that businesses, like banks, were one of the first to adopt the way of positive psychology. This is interesting, as I had thought that schools and universities would adopt positive psychology in order to help students in school, and in turn helping them use this way of thinking in their future careers. It is amazing how the principles of positive psychology are able to change people’s mindsets, so that they are happier with what they are doing, and thus making them more successful. I believe that this idea of happiness leading to success is very true. When you are not happy with what you are doing, you might be depressed or stressed and this will come through in the work that you are doing. However, if you have a positive mindset going into your work, this will be reflected through a high quality end result. I believe this is an important thing to do all throughout life, whether it be for work,, school, relationships, etc. Having a happier or positive input, can result in a more appealing outcome. I hope to use positive psychology as I begin to learn more about the principles, and I hope that these principles are reflected in anything I do in the future.
