"While many of us may think that more effort equals more success leading to more happiness, we might achieve more if we turned this idea upside-down".

I’ve been thinking about how much we learn as Human Resources Professionals at our monthly events and how I should make more of an effort to build on this learning by testing it and sharing it within my network and colleagues. 

At a recent meeting, our group was challenged to re-think what makes us “successful and “happy”.

I learned that while many of us may think that more effort equals more success leading to more happiness, we might achieve more if we turned this idea upside-down.

What if more happiness results in more productivity and more success? 

And what if you could cultivate more happiness in your life with a few simple, daily, exercises. While I’ve never been someone to believe that there are quick fixes to every challenge, I also think that positive psychology makes a lot of sense. Consider the job search process. People often apply for hundreds of jobs with little or no results. Studies show that this strong effort often leads to discouragement. Perhaps that’s reason enough to consider giving some of the new thinking on happiness a try.  Here are five ideas to get you started.

5. Start the day by writing down a few of the little things that you are truly grateful for

Keep a pen and paper next to your bed or next to your coffeemaker. When you start your day, write down three things you are grateful for from the day before. Choose anything you want. They don’t have to be big things. They also don’t have to relate to your work.  The key here is the process of thinking about these things for a few minutes everyday so that you can help re-wire your brain into a positive mindset.

4. When you wake up everyday, strike a pose like a happy warrior

Psychologist Amy Cuddy says that if we can change our body posture we can change our life. She discovered in her research that when we do high power poses, such as the “wonder woman pose” or the “happy warrior pose”, we can feel more confident.  In other words, our bodies change our mindset.  â€œIf you wake in fetal pose and open yourself up like the guy on the subway taking up too much space - soon enough you’ll feel like a happy warrior,” says Cuddy.   

3 Tell someone how much you appreciate them.  

Research suggests that small acts of kindness are linked to happiness. Make a commitment everyday to send someone a note that acknowledges, in a meaningful way, how much they are appreciated. Try doing it for a week. At the end of the week, take a moment to review all the notes you sent. Studies show that remembering these good deeds can make you feel happy when you think about them.  Write down all of the nice things you did on that paper beside the coffee maker to double the effect.

2. Just breath

Find two minutes every day to meditate. Yes,  I said 2 minutes. Happiness author Shawn Achor says that meditation can re-wire your brain to work more optimistically in just 21 days.  â€œIn just a two-minute span of time done for 21 days in a row, we can actually rewire your brain, allowing your brain to actually work more optimistically and more successfully.” The key appears to be more about consistency than the length of time you spend meditating.

1. Look someone in the eye and give them a big smile

Research suggests that one of the ways you can rewire your brain to think more positively is through smiling. Smiling is contagious – try smiling at someone for a few minutes and ask them to remain stone faced and watch what happens. Smiling helps to create a positive mind-set. It might also help to relieve stress and lower blood pressure.   Shawn Anchor, CEO of Good Think, explains “People who cultivate a positive mind-set perform better in the face of challenge. I call this the “happiness advantage”—every business outcome shows improvement when the brain is positive. I’ve observed this effect in my role as a researcher and lecturer in 48 countries on the connection between employee happiness and success.” 

For more learning visit:

https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are

https://www.ted.com/playlists/4/what_makes_you_happy

https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200901/the-pursuit-happiness