We all know someone or maybe you are someone who walks into work every morning happy to be there. They greet you with a smile and pleasant conversation. Nothing seems to shake their positive attitude. There have been multiple researches that happy and satisfied people are somewhat more successful at the workplace.
Most researchers have assumed that
the accomplishment of such indicators of success in the workplace causes a
person to be happy. In fact, the alternative hypothesis—that happiness causes
success—may be equally plausible. In this article, we review the available literature
to support the idea that happiness is an important precursor and determinant of
career success.
Our focus on positive emotions is
not arbitrary. We argue that happiness leads to success precisely through the
experience of positive affect. Although the exact mechanism is still unclear,
several pathways are likely. First, prior research suggests that positive
emotions are associated with approach-oriented behavior (Elliot & Thrash,
2002; Watson, Wiese, Vaidya, & Tellegen, 1999). That is, people in a good
mood are more likely to enter novel situations, interact with other people, and
pursue new goals (Carver, 2003). Positive emotions also signal that life is
good and that no threats are readily apparent (Cantor et al., 1991) According
to Fredrickson (1998, 2001), a safe and comfortable environment allows one to
“broaden and build” intellectual, social, and physical resources, which can be
called on in later times of need. Armed with previously acquired resources and
primed to pursue new goals, people who experience positive affect are
particularly well suited to experience success. In the literature review that
follows, we seek to demonstrate that happy people enjoy more success in the
workplace than their less happy peers and that such success is triggered by the
experience of positive emotions
According to an independent study
commissioned by The American Express “The Life Twist Study” Most Americans
today define their own success based on being healthy (85%), having a job they
love (75%), having time to pursue passions (69%), continuing to learn and do
new things (65%), and being able to make a difference in people’s lives (62%).
All of these factors scored much higher as contributors to success than simply
having a lot of money (33%).When they assess themselves against these standards;
Americans feel that they are measuring up. Nearly six in 10 consider themselves
to be a success either most of the time (47%) or all of the time (11%).
Based on these studies the key to
happiness in your career is to look at life with a positive attitude. Enjoying life for what it is can create a
career and a life that is fulfilling and rewarding/
2008; Julia K. Boehm and Sonja Lyubomirsky
,Journal of Career Assessment Julia K.
Does Happiness Promote Career
Success
2013, The Futures Company, The Life Twist Study
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