Thread by @bbourque

Some people will NEVER be happy.

They're waiting for that new partner, promotion, or Porsche.

Here's why they've got it backwards:

1. Happiness drives success, not the other way around.

Read that again.

You won't suddenly be happy because you're successful.

You're more likely to be successful if you're happy.

Here's why:

2. Your brain runs best on happiness

As explained by Shawn Achor in The Happiness Advantage:

• A happy mind works more effectively
• A happy mind sees opportunity that others miss
• A happy mind is more creative and innovative

Happiness ==> success

3. Yeah, but...

Maybe you're not a happy person.

Sure, some people have higher baselines of happiness than others.

But here's the good news...

4. Happiness is not just a mood, it's a work ethic.

Happiness can be increased with certain behaviors:

• Pursue meaningful goals
• Cultivate optimism and gratitude
• Scan the world for opportunities
• Maintain meaningful social relationships

ANYONE can do those things.

5. There are lots of other small ways to increase your sense of happiness.

Here are some of them:

6. Exercise your strengths

• A feeling of mastery, or at least competence, is powerful.

• Each time you use a skill you experience a burst of positivity.

7. Commit acts of kindness

• Giving to friends and strangers can decrease your stress and enhance mental health

8. Spend money to DO things (not have things)

• Money can buy happiness when spent on positive experiences with other people.

9. Infuse positivity into your surroundings

• A picture of your family, for example, can provide a boost of positivity with a single glance.

10. Find something to look forward to

• One study found that just thinking about watching your favorite movie raised endorphin levels by 27%

11. Spend time outside

• Spending 20 minutes outside boosts your mood, broadens thinking and improves memory.

12. Exercise

• Physical exercise boosts endorphins, reduces stress and enhances work performance.

13. Use positive language

• How you talk creates your reality

• If you describe the world favorably, you'll view it more favorably.

14. Meditate

• Reduce negative emotions and increase your sense of calm and wellbeing.

TLDR:

To be more successful, try increasing your happiness first.

There are simple ways that even unhappy people can use to become happier today.

Go forth and get happy my friends.

These ideas come from Shawn Achor @shawnachor - The Happiness Advantage.

Read his book for an in-depth guide that will change how you live and work.

If you want your friends to be happier and more successful:

• Go back to the first tweet and retweet

• Follow me for more tips on startups, marketing and life @bbourque