Happiness is a Competitive Advantage

Happiness is a Competitive Advantage

Can positivity gain you a competitive advantage? Emphatically yes, says Harvard-trained “happiness researcher” Shawn Achor. According to Achor, author of The Happiness Advantage, “If you can raise somebody’s level of positivity in the present, then their brain experiences what we now call a happiness advantage. Your brain at positive performs significantly better than at negative, neutral, or stressed. Your intelligence rises. Your creativity rises. Your energy levels rise.”

A positive start to your day may increase your productivity by around 30%, says Achor. And this isn’t a bad year for some self-TLC, output-based incentives aside.

This Inc. article describes a morning routine that primes you for a constructive, positive day. For an optimal morning, Achor suggests a few deliberate minutes on gratitude, meditation, exercise, and an expression of kindness. The latter serves to boost your network as well as your mood. Specifically, try emailing or texting a different person every morning with a message of support, praise, or thankfulness. “People who do this become known as positive leaders with strong social connections–the greatest predictor of long-term happiness,” writes Inc.

By the way, New Mexico is a fabulous place to integrate morning outdoor activities into your daily life! If you’re looking to buy a business, you can sustain a high quality of life while saving money in our beautiful, affordable cities. Learn more about opportunities to buy a business in New Mexico here.