What we’re going to share here might be the most important nugget of info we have.
When we ask others, “Does being happy lead to success?” this is what we hear: “No way, José! Are you kidding? Success comes from hard work! Nuttin to do with being happy!”
Now they’re really wound up. They say, “What would happen if I stopped pushing myself? After all, I’ve got plenty of time to be happy! I’ll be happy after my promotion, after my next deal. I can be happy when I die.” (Ok, they don’t usually say that last one, but you get the point.
For years, we’ve been taught that if we work hard enough we’ll be successful, and then maybe we can be happy. The problem is that we’ve got it backwards.
The new research in positive psychology shows that happiness actually leads to success. Research in neuroscience also backs this up.
Here’s what happens in your brain when you’re happy:
–>Your brain is flooded with feel-good chemicals, like serotonin and dopamine. When your brain is juiced on these chemicals you naturally feel more motivated and ready to take on the world.
In this state, you’re able to think more creatively and quickly and you can solve problems at a higher level.
In other words, you’re not only feeling positive but you’re thinking positive too. (A side benefit is that other people like being around you more!
Old way of thinking: Work hard and be successful, then you can be happy.
New way of thinking: Find happiness first as a direct path to success.
You don’t have to wait to get to some goal before feeling satisfied, on track, confident, and juiced up!
Here’s one simple thing you can do to boost your happy juices:
Every day for the next week write down 3 unique things that you appreciate. They don’t have to be big things. We wrote more than 3 just for kicks, ’cause it’s hard to stop when you get started.
Here they are:
- The infectious enthusiasm of my friend’s 3 year old daughter
- Feeling rested after a good night sleep
- Feeling my shoulders drop and my tension unwind as I breathe deeply.
- The birds splashing in the birdbath filled with rainwater from the storm last night
- Pharrell Williams singing “Happy”
Start today by noticing three things you can appreciate. Then tomorrow notice three different things. Write them down.
Do this for a week, then see if you can write 5 things.
Eventually you might fill up a whole page.
And as you do, notice how you feel. You’ll notice that you’re feeling calmer, more relaxed and more joyful.
You’ll also start noticing more and more things going right in your life. And isn’t that a big part of success?