Shawn Achor : The happy secret to better work

                                   

TEDxBloomington 2011

Shawn Achor : The happy secret to better work (transcript)

Summary

We believe if we work harder, we’ll be more successful, and if we’re more successful if we work harder. It's because we are taught that this is the foundation way on  how to have our motivation by school and companies. Our brain is thought that we always change the goal post of what success looked like. We hit one target and we’re going to change it. We’ve pushed happiness over the cognitive horizon, as a society. Thus we think that we have to be successful, then we’d be happier.

However, in fact, our brains work in the opposite order. Our brain at positive performs significantly better than at negative, neutral or stressed. It means that if we can find a way of becoming positive in the present, then our brains work even more successful as we're able to work harder, faster and more intelligently. We don't seek success firstly but we need to be positive always. It'll bring you happiness and success.

The way the speaker found is to write down three new things that you’re grateful for, for 21 days in a row. Your brain is trained and starts a pattern of scanning the world for the positive.

This is the formula for happiness and success that is opposite of what everyone thinks. Only you know the secret way that happiness really works for your success.

Words in this story

console / comfort (someone) at a time of grief or disappointment.

comfort, sympathize with, commiserate with, show compassion for,

prestigious / inspiring respect and admiration. having high status.

ripple / a small wave or series of waves on the surface of water, especially as caused by an object dropping into it or a slight breeze.