Aug 19 2012: Thanks for the references. I'm looking for references about his comment that job sucess is predicted by social support, optimism levels, & the ability to see stress as a challenge. I skimmed the two articles on his slide but they seem to focus on positive affect only.
Aug 19 2012: Unhappiness is only one motivator, but happiness can also be a great motivator as well (usually a more productive motivator, too). There's a section here that had a good explanation of happiness as a great motivator:
http://web.archive.org/web/20090507170749/http://www.gethappy.net/v209.htm
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A reply on Talk: Shawn Achor: The happy secret to better work
A comment on Conversation: Wouldn't happiness bring about professional and personal stagnation?
http://web.archive.org/web/20090507170749/http://www.gethappy.net/v209.htm