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1 min read Reviews

The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work — Shawn Achor (Review)

Shawn Achor’s The Happiness Advantage explains how positive psychology principles fuel resilience, creativity, and long-term success at work.
Book cover of The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor — positive psychology and performance.

Summary

Shawn Achor’s The Happiness Advantage presents the idea that happiness is not the result of success — it is the cause of it. Drawing on research in positive psychology, Achor outlines seven principles that increase resilience, productivity, creativity, and performance. Rather than relying on vague optimism, the book provides practical strategies for training the brain toward positivity, improving habits, and building supportive social environments.

Who This Book Is For

  • Readers interested in mindset, resilience, and cognitive habits
  • Professionals looking to improve performance and motivation
  • Teams or managers wanting to strengthen morale
  • Anyone curious about evidence-backed approaches to well-being and success

Key Takeaways

  • Happiness fuels performance: Positive emotion enhances creativity, learning, and productivity.
  • The Tetris Effect: Training the brain to scan for opportunities builds optimism and resilience.
  • Falling up: Setbacks can become growth experiences with reframing.
  • Social support is crucial: Strong relationships are one of the biggest predictors of success.
  • Small positive habits compound: Gratitude, journaling, and exercise reshape thinking patterns.

Strengths

  • Research-driven yet accessible
  • Offers practical, short exercises backed by studies
  • Motivating examples that show measurable change
  • Balanced blend of science and real-world application

Weaknesses

  • Some studies have replication-crisis limitations
  • Advice can feel familiar if you’ve read other positive-psychology books
  • Occasional corporate-style storytelling may feel polished

Verdict

A hopeful and practical guide to positive psychology in action. Achor makes a strong case that cultivating happiness and resilience first leads to greater performance, better habits, and more satisfying work and life outcomes.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)

Where to Get It

Buy on Amazon (see disclosure)

Published by:

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