You could be chosen for a high-profile project.

You could land a promotion.

You could find a better job.

…and then you’d be happy, right?

Not necessarily, according to research by Shawn Achor, author of The Happiness Advantage. While living, researching and lecturing at Harvard University, Achor spent over a decade studying the link between happiness and success. What he found from profiling thousands of Fortune 500 executives boils down to this one simple – and pretty profound – truth:

Success doesn’t bring happiness; happiness brings success.

In other words, if you want to be more successful, work on being happier. It’s easy to say, but tough to put into practice. So, if you need a little help with the process, here are a few of the tactics Achor recommends:

Stop equating future success with happiness.

Many people think that if they’re more successful (i.e., if they just get a raise, just land a promotion, just find a better job) they’ll be happier. Research, however, doesn’t support that notion – so neither should you.

Think of happiness as a work ethic.

Just as you must be disciplined with physical exercise to improve your body, you must be disciplined about your mindset to be happier. Integrate these proven “happiness habits” to build a work ethic that supports success:

• Be grateful. Each day, write down three new things you’re thankful for.
• Write down positive experiences. Spend just two minutes daily journaling a single, uplifting experience. This simple task helps you find more meaning in your work over time.
• Exercise. Every day! Even 10 minutes can train your brain that your actions make a difference.
• Meditate for two minutes. Press the pause button and just focus on your breathing to combat stress and – you guessed it – boost your happiness.
• Start each work day by sending a positive email. Sharing good news and praising others creates a cycle of positivity that improves connections and feelings of support.

Looking for more habits that promote happiness? Read our earlier post, Happy People Have These Habits.

View problems as challenges – not threats.

When changes in your department, company, industry occur; when the economic or political climate shifts; when unexpected bottlenecks, glitches or competitors crop up, the way you perceive them greatly impacts your ability to handle them. By framing problems constructively (i.e., as challenges and opportunities), you can increase your effectiveness in meeting them.

Want to build a happier (and ultimately more successful) organization?

Exact Staff’s experts can refer talented, experienced people with the personality traits and soft skills to help you build a more positive workplace. Whether your needs are short- or long-term, temporary or direct, our national employment agency can build the solution you need.