We often think “happiness is merely the result of success, not the precursor to success.” The author, the pioneer of positive psychology, suggests to think in the other way around: when we’re happier, we will become more successful. When I was playing Civilization V, I had to keep my citizens “happy” in order to keep up their productivity. But how come I failed to think I had to do the same thing for myself, even playing it several hours a day?
Achor gives us a hint. We are, for our careers, trained to “constantly scan for the negative” (called the Tetris Effect). Be it engineers, doctors, and lawyers. Sometimes, we extend the attitude unnecessarily beyond our professional life, hurting our friends and loved ones.
He goes on to stresse the importance of social investment for success, with a grim statistics telling Harvard students have only 0.5 sexual partners during their college life. He noticed the students tend to isolate themselves at library for studycations, despite social ties appearing the strongest factor for long-term success.
With that said, it makes us to ponder upon how to live, when ‘social distancing’ is advised and occasionally forced. A million deaths so far are undoubtedly awful, but how much we’re willing or obliged to sacrifice happiness to prevent another million remains the biggest, ongoing moral conundrum of our times.
After all, reversing the way of thinking as to happiness can enable us to be present at the moment and embracing and overcoming challenges. As Leo Tolstoy wrote, “if you want to be happy, be.”
:)