Principle #6: The 20-Second Rule
"Common sense is not common action" (145). I feel like this quote should be on the front of this book. Being happy should be easy, right? Wrong. Humans make very odd decisions when it comes to being truly happy. Achor boils it down to two concepts: knowledge and action. Knowledge is the easier of the two, but without action it has no power. Just think of the New Year's Resolutions that often go unanswered. It is funny to think that we are the most advanced animals on the planet but our decisions often do not always reflect our intellect.
To make ourselves accomplish our goals, Achor suggests that willpower alone is not the way to address the situation. We will sometimes find the negative energy creep in and that willpower is used on the wrong side of the fulcrum. If we wait 20 seconds, we can give our brains a chance to think of the consequences. Essentially, "Save time by adding time" (164).
Principle #7: Social Investment
Another concept I learned from my chronic diagnosis: I am only as strong as the team I surround myself with. Success is not a path paved by one individual. Strength of social relationships is something that distinguishes happy people. Socialness is a natural instinct and a necessary one if you are following the happiness advantage. As an extrovert, I find this one very easy to abide by. However, I know that this is more challenging for others and therefore something that needs to be worked towards.
"The Happiness Advantage"
I loved this concept. I have already found myself trying to implement these principles in my daily life (especially when it comes to closing the ice cream lid for 20 seconds- and trust me, it works!). As they say, happiness is contagious. Hopefully by reading and reviewing this book, I have done my part in helping the ripple effect of happiness spread around the world.
"Common sense is not common action" (145). I feel like this quote should be on the front of this book. Being happy should be easy, right? Wrong. Humans make very odd decisions when it comes to being truly happy. Achor boils it down to two concepts: knowledge and action. Knowledge is the easier of the two, but without action it has no power. Just think of the New Year's Resolutions that often go unanswered. It is funny to think that we are the most advanced animals on the planet but our decisions often do not always reflect our intellect.
To make ourselves accomplish our goals, Achor suggests that willpower alone is not the way to address the situation. We will sometimes find the negative energy creep in and that willpower is used on the wrong side of the fulcrum. If we wait 20 seconds, we can give our brains a chance to think of the consequences. Essentially, "Save time by adding time" (164).
Principle #7: Social Investment
Another concept I learned from my chronic diagnosis: I am only as strong as the team I surround myself with. Success is not a path paved by one individual. Strength of social relationships is something that distinguishes happy people. Socialness is a natural instinct and a necessary one if you are following the happiness advantage. As an extrovert, I find this one very easy to abide by. However, I know that this is more challenging for others and therefore something that needs to be worked towards.
"The Happiness Advantage"
I loved this concept. I have already found myself trying to implement these principles in my daily life (especially when it comes to closing the ice cream lid for 20 seconds- and trust me, it works!). As they say, happiness is contagious. Hopefully by reading and reviewing this book, I have done my part in helping the ripple effect of happiness spread around the world.