Ideas worth spreading

The happy secret to better work

25,825,521 views |

Shawn Achor |

TEDxBloomington

• May 2011

We believe we should work hard in order to be happy, but could we be thinking about things backwards? In this fast-moving and very funny talk, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that, actually, happiness inspires us to be more productive.

We believe we should work hard in order to be happy, but could we be thinking about things backwards? In this fast-moving and very funny talk, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that, actually, happiness inspires us to be more productive.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxBloomington, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

Join the happiness movement.

About the speaker

Shawn Achor

See speaker profile

Shawn Achor is the CEO of Good Think Inc., where he researches and teaches about positive psychology.

Shawn Achor | Crown Business, 2013 | Book

Before Happiness

The follow-up to my previous book, The Happiness Advantage, this book includes the five essential elements we all need to develop a positive mindset for change.

Belle Beth Cooper | The Huffington Post, November 11, 2013 | Article

10 Simple Things You Can Do Today That Will Make You Happier, Backed by Science

A great article on how to bring happiness to life.

Shawn Achor | Harvard Business Review, January/February 2012 | Article

Positive Intelligence

This article made the cover of the HBR and showed that happiness provides a competitive advantage.

Laura Shin | Forbes, November 30, 2013 | Article

How To Be More Productive and Happier During Times of Stress

A good article summarizing new findings on happiness.

Tal Ben-Shahar | McGraw-Hill, 2007 | Book

This is a very accessible book written by the Harvard lecturer who turned me on to positive psychology.

Martin E. P. Seligman | Vintage, 2006 | Book

Learned Optimism

The book and the author that launched positive psychology.

Adam M. Grant | Penguin Books, 2014 | Book

This Wharton professor shows how giving at work can lead to greater happiness and success.

Daniel H. Pink | Riverhead Books, 2011 | Book

A good book to read in conjunction with The Happiness Advantage to create more successful companies. Pink has a great TED Talk, too — The puzzle of motivation.

Tom Rath | Missionday, 2013 | Book

Chock full of research findings on how to live a better life.

Alia J. Crum, et al. | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, April 2013 | Article

Rethinking stress: The role of mindsets in determining the stress response

Requires an academic connection, but useful.

Learn more

About TEDx

TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, "ideas worth spreading." It supports independent organizers who want to create a TED-like event in their own community.

Find a TEDx event near you

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxBloomington, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

Join the happiness movement.