08 Apr Happiness as a path to success
by C. Clinton Sidle
In an editorial in the New York Times last week David Brooks argued that most of us pay attention to the wrong things when it comes to happiness and success. We want to believe that success and material gain bring happiness, but that works only up to a certain point. As a nation, for instance, we have become much wealthier over the last 50 years but have experienced no measureable increase in overall happiness. We also know from studies over the last two decades that neither financial gain nor winning the next promotion brings lasting happiness. These things exist on the surface of life, but what brings true happiness lies much deeper.
Nonetheless, we are stuck believing that success drives happiness. The real truth, however, lies the other way around. If there is one thing I have learned over the last decade of my work, it’s that after a certain threshold is met, it is happiness that actually drives success. Even more than that though, it’s not only that what makes you happy also makes you successful, but also, more likely to do good in the world.
Why? First, your odds of success are greatly increased when you put your time and energy towards things that make you tick. There is an emerging body of research showing that immersion in a meaningful activity matching your talents gives you a feeling of competence, confidence, and enjoyment, and allows you to perform at a higher level. In other words, happiness brings success. Second, the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to extend yourself into the world in positive ways. Think of it. When you feel good about yourself, you are more predisposed to being supportive, charitable, cooperative, and productive. It just makes sense.
So what, then, makes you happy?
Read more from this Huffington Post article – here
And please note…this is almost exactly what we’re presenting at our Primacy of Positivity Event (Sydney) on May 15. Come and have the experience of your life…click here for more details and to register