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 5 pounds, happiness will follow. But recent discoveries in the field of positive* psychology* have shown that this formula* is actually backward: Happiness drives success, not the other way around. When we are positive, our brains become more focused, creative, energetic, resilient*, and productive at work.

    In this book, Shawn Achor, who spent over 10 years living, researching, and lecturing at Harvard University, draws on his own research — including one of the largest studies of happiness and potential* at Harvard and others at companies like UBS and KPMG—to fix* this broken formula. Using stories and case studies from his work with thousands of Fortune 500 executives* in 42 countries, Achor explains how we can reprogram our brains to become more positive in order to gain a competitive edge* at work.

    Summing up seven practical principles that have been tried and tested everywhere, stretching from Argentina to Zimbabwe, he shows us how we can capitalize* on the happiness advantage to improve our performance and realize our potential.

    A must-read for everyone trying to excel* in a world of increasing workloads, stress, and negativity, the book teaches readers how to benefit from a happier mind-set to achieve the best in our work and lives.(SD-Agencies)