The key to success at work is being happy -- not the other way around, says Shawn Achor (TED Talk: The happy secret to better work). To learn more about his positive philosophy of the workplace, meet the people who laid the groundwork for his thinking, in this list of must-read books and articles on happiness. Learned Optimism Martin E. P. S...

"We think we have to be successful, then we'll be happier. But the real problem is our brains work in the opposite order," said Shawn Achor in his charming, immensely popular TED Talk from TEDxBloomington, "The happy secret to better work.” Achor is the CEO of consulting firm Good Think, which conducts research on positive psychology and helps p...

For 3000 years, the story of David and Goliath has seeped into our cultural consciousness. This is generally how the tale is told: a young shepherd does battle with a giant warrior and, using nothing but a slingshot, comes out victorious. But is this really what the Bible describes? In today’s talk, Malcolm Gladwell -- whose new book is title...

Whether you put on your cap and gown last week -- or last century -- these honest answers can give you some insight and guidance. “If you don't know what you want to do with the rest of your life, you're not a failure. Give yourself time and get yourself experience to figure things out.” -- Angela Duckworth (TED Talk: Grit -- the power of pass...

Bright, vivid color really does give us more energy -- and that’s just one of the things designer Ingrid Fetell Lee discovered in her 10-year search for the sources of joy. Few people would name their favorite color as gray or beige, yet our closets and our homes are often filled with these bland, neutral tones. When I studied color and its eff...

This 4-question quiz can help you identify the specific things that could make you happier right now, says writer Sam Horn. Just pick up a pen and paper. I had just wrapped up an intense two-day consulting job in Southern California. I was sitting in my rental car, trying to drum up the energy to drive to the airport and fly back to Washington,...

Behavioral economist Wendy de la Rosa regretted how much she was spending, but felt like she couldn’t stop. She shares the lifehack that got her spending under control -- and two other money-saving tricks. We all know that saving is important and something that we should be doing more of. Overall, though, most of us seem to be doing less and le...

When we manage a flash of mercy for someone we don’t like -- including ourselves -- we experience a great spiritual moment, says writer Anne Lamott. There are times in our lives -- scary, unsettling times -- when we know that we need help or answers but we’re not sure what kind, or even what the problem or question is. We look and look, tearing...

Whether you're staying put or going away, summer can be a great time to relax and try new things. So we asked TED speakers to recommend podcasts, books, TV shows, movies and more that have nourished their minds, spirits and bodies (yes, you'll find a link to a recipe for olive-cheese loaf below) in recent times. You can use the links here to ju...

On the morning of TED2017's first day, our TED Fellows continue to blow minds in session 2 of the TED Fellows Talks -- including a science demo featuring carnivorous plants, some gorgeous cultural mashups, and an introduction to the fish who won evolution. Do plants have brains? Well, no, but they’re certainly not dumb. And, in the case o...

Squishy, vivid, frozen, frothy – architect and artist Antonio Torres's wildly colorful and whimsical built spaces are often created using membranes filled with gases, liquids and organic materials, inviting people to crawl in, jump, touch and play. Here, we ask him about his incredible works and where his inspiration comes from. Tell m...

The greatest ideas of our time will be sparked by a simple question: "What if?" What if we had truly inclusive workplaces? What if we removed the inefficiencies that stand in the way of eliminating world hunger? What if we could deliver quality health care in the home? What if we took back our privacy online? At this year’s TED@UPS -- held on...