The Happiness Advantage

The Happiness Advantage The seven principles of positive psychology that fuel success and performance at work Shaun Achor   .. when we are positive our brains become more engaged, creative, motivated, energetic, resilient and productive….   Recommended by Vivian, I found this book both fascinating and affirming. Grounded in quality research (well hopefully, the author is a fancy Harvard researcher) but written in a conversational style, the book makes a great pitch for why and how we might develop a more positive (balanced) outlook. It is not about becoming a scary, ever-smiling, bubble-living unicorn lover but about making sure we are as aware of all the awesomeness around us as we are of everything that is not awesome in our view.   Achor references Carol Dweck and other researchers working the field of ‘growth mindset’ and draws attention to neuroplasticity and the amazing ability we have to restructure our brains. He outlines how this is possible with regard to attributes such as creativity, positivity, resilience and offers some nice practical ways to do this.   He offers other perspectives on why it is more effective to focus feedback on the positive (not exclusively but significantly) for example,   ‘You can eliminate depression without making someone happy. You can cure anxiety without teaching someone optimism….If all you strive for is diminishing the bad, you’ll only attain the average and you’ll miss out entirely on the opportunity to exceed the average’   If you ignore the fact the book is more focussed on the value of these ideas for increasing the productivity of business teams ( corporate bankers etc presumably have more money to buy books ) it has really valuable information and inspiration for anyone who works with children and young people.   It is quite a quick and easy read, a great reminder for us all especially at the moment when so much seems grim that  actually there is still a whole lot to be thankful for!   Jane   First 3 people to email Figen will receive a copy of this book for your kindle. If you were too slow it will be in the IICS library when Jane returns it.