What is the Happiness Advantage? Do you have it? How can you get it?

Shawn Achor, is an author of the Happiness Advantage in addition to being an inspirational and energizing speaker. Achor and his research show us how success and happiness are interconnected. He shares how we can apply practices to create sustainable positive changes. It’s no surprise that gratitude, appreciation and praise build and strengthen both happiness and success.

Here are three actions to help create sustainable positive change:

• Think of three new things you’re grateful for every day. This 45 second investment in your life can supersede genes and decades of experience.
• Do 15 minutes of cardio every day. The effects of cardio can be as effective as taking an antidepressant.
• Write a two-minute email praising or thanking a person you know. “If you do this for three days in a row, you’ll become addicted to it,” Achor said. “This increases your social connections, and social connections are the greatest predictor of success.”

Here’s a challenge for the month of November:  Engage in at least 2 of the 3 actions every day for the month. All three would be less than 20 minute a day. Chances are good that each of us could benefits from positive focus, and 20 minutes a day is a small window of time. Another tip is to start the day with the two-minute email. It helps set the tone for the rest of the day, for you and the recipient!

Imagine what it would be like to work and live among people who committed to positive and sustainable changes.