essay on happiness and success

Success Versus Happiness: What Is More Important?

According to psychologist Daniel Gilbert, who is a psychology professor at Harvard, happiness is the ultimate goal of virtually all the decisions we make in life (Gilbert, 2010).

Gilbert suggests that the measure of a good decision depends on whether that decision brings us pleasure, a sense of wellbeing, happiness or contentment.

Researchers have focused a lot more on happiness in the past few years and science has finally started to pay attention to what it really means to be happy.

According to research done by Sonja Lyubomirsky (2008) in the book The Happiness Diet , some portion of our happiness may actually be within our power to control.

Lyubomirsky has been studying happiness for nearly two decades, and her research is leading the way in scientific study for interventions that can help increase human happiness.

[Reviewer’s update:

Since this post was originally published, there have been several critiques of Lyubomirsky’s (2008) pie chart breakdown of the source and set points of our happiness. While Sheldon and Lyubomirsky (2021) have acknowledged that the original breakdown estimates were off, the core idea remains true: We can affect our own happiness, to some degree.]

But which comes first: Happiness or success?

The real truth is that happiness is often subjective and difficult to measure. Success is often judged externally or by comparison to other people.

Happiness is usually an attribute of an individual whereas success can be attributed to an individual or to a group.

Happiness is a goal that many people aspire to. Most people also have a strong desire to be successful in life and they tend to believe that through this success they will automatically become happier.

While we may never know with 100% certainty which one is more important, we do know that success and happiness are inextricably linked.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Happiness & Subjective Wellbeing Exercises for free . These detailed, science-based exercises will help you or your clients identify sources of authentic happiness and strategies to boost wellbeing.

This Article Contains:

The relationship between happiness and success, the difference between the two, which one is more important, does success bring happiness and fulfillment, 9 science-backed ways to become happier, building happiness worksheet, 4 simple activities that can promote happiness at work, recommended books, 10 quotes on happiness and success, a take-home message.

According to Lyubomirsky, King, and Diener (2005) numerous studies have shown that happy people tend to be successful across multiple domains in life, including work performance, health, income, friendship, and even marriage.

The authors have devised a conceptual model that accounts for these findings. They argue that the happiness-success link exists not only because success makes people happy, but also from the positive affect engendering success.

The study examined three classes of evidence, including:

• Cross-sectional
• Longitudinal
• Experimental

The results of the findings revealed that happiness is associated with and precedes numerous successful outcomes. Moreover, it was also discovered that certain behaviors tended to parallel that success.

The evidence suggests that the idea of positive affect , the hallmark of wellbeing, may actually be the cause of many of the desirable characteristics, resources, and successes correlated with such happiness.

The real question then becomes, what comes first, happiness or success? This is akin to the chicken and egg scenario as well.

If happiness comes first, then you must surmise that you have to figure out how to be happy before your success will come rolling in.

On the other side of the coin is the idea of success coming first, before happiness.

What does it take to really be happy? Do you have to be successful in order to be happy? There are most likely millions of people in the world who would disagree with you on that point because success does not guarantee happiness.

There are just as many people out there who deem themselves happy, while not necessarily successful, as there are successful people still trying to figure out how to be happy.

How do these two constructs tie together? That is the issue we will discuss.

According to the fight or flight theory, humans were not wired for happiness, they were wired for survival.

Many of us find ourselves rushing through life, chasing happiness. The problem is that we never quite get there.

For many of us, happiness is something we aspire to. Happiness is somewhere we get to someday. What we fail to recognize is that happiness is a state of mind, not a destination.

We know happiness is not a static state, because even the happiest people feel blue sometimes.

Norrish and Vella-Brodrick (2008) studied whether happiness is even a worthwhile pursuit. Happiness, the pursuit of it, and what it means to live a good life has been long debated.

People are increasingly looking for new ways to become happier.

This is indicated by the growing demand for self-help books and literature.

Only recently have social scientists begun to really study happiness. According to Norrish and Vella-Brodrick (2008), psychology has traditionally been a healing profession that has been mainly focused on pathology, dysfunction and mental illness.

Some social scientists have even gone as far as suggesting that investigating human emotions is a luxurious or even indulgent goal in comparison to the importance and the need to understand human suffering.

Some scholars in the field go as far as saying that psychology’s more traditional negative perspective ignores the more positive aspects of human functioning.

Thankfully this is rapidly changing with the advent of the positive psychology movement.

Everyone defines it differently. Some people may find happiness in simple small things like a day in the park or a happy moment. Other people may find happiness more of an elusive quality.

Research in positive psychology defines a happy person as someone who experiences frequent positive emotions , such as interest, joy and pride, and infrequent negative emotions such as sadness or anxiety (Lyubomirsky et al., 2005).

Happiness is also related to life satisfaction, appreciation of life and moments of pleasure.

Overall, happiness has to do with the positive experience of emotions.

According to Norby (2013), positive psychology helps provide methods that help us rethink the way we work. Not only does it provide us with tools that help inoculate us against stress , but it also shows us how we can achieve a state of happiness that is a more effective way to work or accomplish a task.

Norby compares our mind and brain to actors on a stage. The actors on the stage in your brain affect what you are thinking about and how to get to a possibility.

Shawn Achor , the author of “ Happiness Advantage ” undertook an experiment where he delivered three hours of positive psychology training to a group of people.

After the experiment, Achor returned to gauge the success of the training. The testing showed that in a very short period of time, the group measured significantly higher life satisfaction scores and lower stress scores than those who did not receive the training.

Achor’s (2016) seven principles of happiness – each introduced as a chapter in his book – include the following.

Seven principles of happiness

• The happiness advantage: How happiness gives your brain and organization the competitive edge
• The fulcrum and the lever: Changing your performance by changing your mindset
• The Tetris effect: Training your brain to capitalize on possibility
• Falling up: Capitalizing on the downs to build upward momentum
• The “Zorro” circle: How limiting your focus to small, manageable goals can expand your sphere of power
• The 20-second rule: How to turn bad habits into good ones by minimizing barriers to change
• Social investment: Why social support is your single greatest asset, or not to retreat into yourself

For additional information about what constitutes “happiness,” I would recommend Corey Keyes and Martin Seligman’s work on flourishing and the PERMA model (e.g., Keyes, 2002; Keyes & Haidt, 2003; Seligman, 2011; Seligman, 2018). For a nice summary, check out our article on Seligman’s PERMA+ model explained .]

What is success?

Defining success can also be challenging. The dictionary defines success as:

“The fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame.”

However, this definition falls short in many ways. Success is much more than mere financial success because you must also feel successful in other areas of life such as love and relationships, health, and more.

In the end, success is much more than just wealth and power.

• Barbara Bush defined success as how you treat others, from family to strangers.
• Albert Schweitzer defined success as loving what you do.
• Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh says success is all about living in accordance with your values.
• Author Maya Angelou believed success is about enjoying your work.
• Billionaire Richard Branson believes success is about engagement.

Thomas Edison recognized that success is a grind in his quote:

“Success is 1% Inspiration and 99% Perspiration.”

The best definition of success may just be author Stephen Covey’s definition when he stated that success is deeply individual.

“If you carefully consider what you want to be said of you in the funeral experience, you will find your definition of success.”

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When it comes right down to it, success and monetary wealth don’t necessarily equate to happiness and security.

It doesn’t do you much good in terms of your level of happiness if you are successful monetarily, but miserable in your personal life.

On the other hand, you may be incredibly happy with your personal life or other relationships, but still struggling with success or struggling financially.

Both of these indicators are interconnected in a sense. Happiness affects your level of success and your level of success affects your happiness.

The happiness set point

Norrish and Vella-Brodrick (2008) talk about the happiness set point, also called the dynamic equilibrium theory.

This idea surmises that despite changes in your individual circumstances, your level of happiness remains remarkably constant over time.

This happiness set point is believed to be caused by our tendency as humans to rapidly adapt to changes in our environment.

This process of constant adaptation is commonly referred to as the hedonic treadmill or homeostatic control.

In support of this theory, researchers found that happiness levels of lottery winners, although initially high, soon returned to their normal range of happiness.

The same thing was found with paralysis victims, who were initially high on negative affect.

If each of us has a happiness set point that concept challenges the viability of undertaking research or doing interventions designed to increase individual happiness.

Despite the assertion that attempting to increase happiness is challenging, recent research has resulted in some important new developments regarding the happiness set point.

Diener (2006) provided a revision of the original hedonic treadmill theory. This information was based on an evaluation of data from the Victoria Quality of Life Panel Study and the 1990 World Value Survey.

Diener’s 5 revisions to the original hedonic treadmill theory:

• Happiness set points are thought to be above neutral, with most people being relatively happy a significant portion of the time.
• Happiness set points may differ from individual to individual.
• Life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect may each have their own unique set points. Each of these may also exhibit different rates of hedonic adaptation.
• Certain life events such as the death of a spouse or the onset of a disability can result in significant changes to one’s happiness levels.
• The rates to which someone adapts to changes in circumstances may differ from individual to individual. (Those with positive coping strategies may return to baseline levels of happiness more rapidly than those who do not.)

Looking at these revisions we can surmise that happiness may actually be quite amenable to intervention.

Richard St. John, a marketer and success analyst talks about the idea that success is not a one-way street but a constant journey.

In his TED Talk , St. John talks about his personal journey of success.

St. John talks about the concept of reaching success and the fact that the work does not stop once you reach this point.

In order to continue being successful, you have to constantly create new ideas and new passions. You have to remember why you started doing what you are doing in the first place.

If you reach the pinnacle of your success and stop – you will not be able to keep the success going.

Each of us is taught at a young age that achieving certain milestones of success in life is important.

We work to do well in school, work to get into college, work to have a prestigious career, and then work on living in the right house or marrying the right person.

This happiness and success quest continues throughout our lives.

There is a misconception that each of these things will make us happy. The truth may very well be that none of these things really have anything to do with our level of happiness.

What really happens is we reach our individual goals and feel happy for a while. Eventually, we discover we need to set new goals to achieve an even higher level of success to get the same buzz.

All of this begs the question: Does success bring happiness and fulfillment?

Our happiness may have its own set point. When we achieve success, we feel happy, but this happiness doesn’t often last. Once the condition is met, we start looking for that next goal to pursue.

What we might eventually discover is the idea that happiness is not only about setting goals and achieving them, but in finding that sense of happiness and joy within ourselves and in our daily life.

Knowing this, it’s also important to examine some things you can do to feel happy at the moment.

It’s important to note that while accomplishment is indeed a necessary component of happiness, it’s just one piece of the puzzle, along with positive emotions, engagement, positive relationships, and meaning (Seligman, 2011).]

• Express gratitude.
• Practice something challenging.
• Connect with someone.
• Stop procrastinating.
• Be intellectually curious.
• Be open to new experiences.
• Express physical affection.
• Have compassion.
• Strengthen your relationships.

Expressing gratitude and feeling grateful can go a long way to happiness and joy. You can be thankfu l for many things such as your health, your children, your home, or even the fact that you have food to eat.

Thinking about the good things in life and stopping to smell the roses along the way can help you feel happier in the moment.

Keeping your brain active by practicing something challenging is another good tip.

Learning a new language, or playing an instrument or even learning yoga , can help you activate your natural endorphins or feel-good chemicals in the brain. Try doing something you can improve upon to challenge yourself.

Making powerful connections and connecting with other people is integral to your level of happiness and fulfillment in life.

It doesn’t matter if you connect over the phone, or in person, just the act of connecting can help you feel better.

Those who don’t continually put things off until tomorrow may also be happier. Getting things done helps you feel proactive and prideful. When you get things done, you feel a sense of accomplishment, which can help you feel happier.

Never stop learning or being curious! Reading a new book , watching a documentary or having meaningful conversations can help you feel better too.

Being open to new experiences can also help you boost your level of happiness. It doesn’t matter if you are trying a new food or trying out something like scuba diving. Trying new things can be fun and encouraging.

Expressing physical affection is also important. According to Virginia Satir, a respected American therapist, each of us needs four hugs a day just for survival! Eight hugs a day are suggested for maintenance and twelve hugs a day are suggested for growth.

Hugs create a sort of trickle-down effect and release of oxytocin, which can reduce stress and elevate your mood.

Developing compassion is also important. Those who are interested in other’s lives and other’s stories are usually happier than those solely concerned with themselves. Try doing little random acts of kindness for strangers or those you love, and notice how that makes you feel.

Strengthening your relationships is also important for your happiness. In one 80-year long study of 268 Harvard undergraduate males, researchers looked at every aspect of life from lifestyle to political views.

Scientists began tracking Harvard sophomores in 1938 during the great depression. They hoped that the longitudinal study would reveal clues to leading a happy and healthy life.

What they discovered was that relationships and how happy we are in these relationships have a very powerful influence on our health.

Close relationships mean even more than money or fame, and relationships are what keep people happy throughout their lives.

These important ties to other people help protect us from life’s discontent. They also protect us from mental and physical decline.

What this tells us is that relationships are integrally important for both our happiness and wellbeing.

Making it a habit to nurture your closest relationships and letting go of those that cause you pain or those that feel toxic can go a long way to helping you live a better life (Cherian, 2018).

Success and happiness | Motivated – The Official Steve Harvey

There are many ways to build happiness. The Building Happiness Worksheet includes a list of activities that have been found to help build a sustained level of happiness when practiced on a regular basis (Therapist Aid, 2012).

These may seem like simple things, but they can make a big difference when it comes to your level of happiness.

Getting a promotion, a new relationship or winning the lottery will only provide a temporary boost when it comes to happiness. Each of has a baseline or a set point we continually return to when it comes to happiness.

Maintaining a sustained level of happiness takes a little effort. Trying these exercises on a regular basis is a wonderful way to build lasting happiness and joy.

• Acts of Kindness
• Positive journaling
• Fostering relationships

Gratitude is a wonderful practice to engage in. Try writing down three things for which you are grateful for every day. These can be simple mundane things or big things.

The point is to get something down on paper, every day. Writing down statements of gratitude, even on your worst days, can help you focus on the positive aspects of your life.

Acts of Kindness are another thing you can do. Making a conscious effort to do something nice for someone for no reason at all can help you feel good. You might be shocked at how a simple act of kindness can turn your whole day around.

Exercise has many positive effects as well. Being physically active can help you increase your energy, boost your immune system, and give you a sense of accomplishment. Exercise can also reduce insomnia, stimulate brain growth, and act as an anti-depressant. Try taking a walk or a bike ride the next time you feel you need a boost.

Meditation has been linked with reduced anxiety and more positive emotions. Those who meditate on a regular basis may even permanently restructure their brain to create a sustained level of happiness.

Taking the time to engage in positive journaling is another happiness booster. Writing about the happy events in your life, or writing about a good day with friends can help you get into the habit of focusing on the positive.

Strong social connections and fostering relationships can also help you feel happier. It turns out that strong social connections are thought to be a powerful influence on our mood.

Those who dedicate time to spend with family or friends tend to show the highest levels of happiness. If you can’t spend time with someone in person, pick up the phone or send an email. Nothing is more powerful than spending time with those you care about.

• Connect with your peers.
• Get into the habit of thanking people.
• Walking meetings.
• Get into the habit of putting yourself first.

Connecting with your peers and taking steps to get to know them better can go a long way toward building happiness.

Moss suggests using your coffee break time to socialize at least once a week. She also suggests finding opportunities to drop by someone’s desk you are not familiar with to say hello.

A quick connection might also lead to more opportunities for collaboration.

It’s also important to get into the habit of saying thanks. You can do this by sending out a quick email of thanks before you leave for the day or texting someone about a job well done. A little praise goes a long way.

Taking a walking meeting is also a great option. We often feel tied to our desks, so walking and talking is a great option to get the juices flowing.

The more we get up from our desk and stretch and move, the more productive we are.

Finally, Moss suggests getting into the habit of you. What this really means is learning to put yourself first. Taking 20 minutes to read something that provides nothing but joy, taking 5 additional minutes to have a cup of coffee or enjoying a 15-minute nap can help you feel better.

Starting with small bits of time can give your brain the rest it needs to be more productive for the rest of the day.

Emotional control and good leadership, according to Moss, comes with a well-rested and productive brain. Moss (2016).

Happiness can even help us navigate change more effectively, according to Moss.

Emma Seppala, Science Director of Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education and author of the book “ The Happiness Track ” describes change like this:

“We can’t control our external circumstances, and things change constantly whether at work or in our personal lives. The only thing we can have a say over is our state of mind.”

Seppala also talks about the importance of building resilience and the ability to generate more inner peace, to stay calm in the face of chaos and to remain emotionally intelligent as we communicate with others.

We must cultivate this even in the midst of conflict or hurt feelings. All of this helps us make good decisions even when we’re feeling upset.

Seppala suggests building internal resilience by:

• Meditating.
• Doing breathing exercises.
• Engaging in an activity that helps train the nervous system to be calmer.

Doing so helps us calm that overwhelming feeling and navigate the ebbs and flows of life.

From a great selection of books on happiness and success, the following are highly recommended:

Unlocking Happiness at Work – Jennifer Moss and Shawn Achor

The book demonstrates how happiness can have a real impact on the bottom line. Unlocking happiness at work can:

• Fuel higher performance.
• Provide a greater sense of purpose.
• Spread passion throughout organizations.

Moss talks about how to be happier and make others happier through the power of habits, emotional intelligence and an innovative approach to work/life flow.

The book contains valuable case studies from companies like The Body Shop, Misfit Inc., Zappos, and Lululemon.

According to Moss, we are looking at happiness all wrong. In Moss’s opinion, happiness is a choice we must consciously make every day. Moss infers that society has fallen victim to false branding when it comes to happiness.

Moss suggests that happiness:

• Is intangible.
• Cannot be attained or achieved.
• Not something you chase.
• Happiness is sequential.

The more we pursue happiness, the harder it is to obtain. Happiness, in Moss’s opinion, comes after you work on building up traits like resilience , efficacy , optimism , hope , gratitude, and empathy .

So much of our time is consumed with work, that it behooves us to look at ways we can pursue happiness where we spend the bulk of our time.

Find the book on Amazon .

• The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg

By building positive habits we can turn the emotional state and bundle the fast-firing neurons in our brain to make happiness a permanent trait.

Drawing from the science of neuroplasticity, habits are built by modifying and repeating behaviors until we can move our conscious actions into the subconscious mind.

The book encourages us to focus on building new habits, one at a time. Although this may take a little time, according to Moss, once happiness is achieved the positive impacts are felt almost immediately.

To experience the book yourself, you can purchase it from Amazon .

Books about success

Books about success include old classics as well as new ones:

• How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey
• The Magic of Thinking BIG – David J. Schwartz, PH.D.
• Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
• When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing – Daniel H. Pink

Carnegie shows us how to go after the job we want, and get it, how to take the job we have and improve it and how to take any situation and make it work better for us.

His words can help you achieve success in both your business and personal life. The book also includes:

• Six ways to make people like you.
• Twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking.
• Nine ways to change people without arousing resentment.

The book can help you achieve your maximum potential.

The 7 Habits book describes each habit step-by-step:

• Habit 1: Be Proactive.
• Habit 2: Begin With The End In Mind.
• Habit 3: Put First Things First.
• Habit 4: Think Win-Win.
• Habit 5: Seek First To Understand Then Be Understood.
• Habit 6: Synergize.
• Habit 7: Sharpen The Saw.

Dr. Covey’s 7 Habits book is both inspiring and impactful.

The book contains strategies that can help you:

• Believe in your own success.
• Cure yourself of the fear of failure.
• Think and dream creatively.
• Believe that you are what you think you are.
• Make your attitudes your allies.
• Learn how to think positively.
• Turn defeat into victory.
• Use goals to help you grow.
• Think like a leader.

In the end, magnifying your thinking strategy can be a great recipe for success.

Hill’s study of these “best practices” was revolutionary for the time it was published in 1937.

In the book, Hill talks about a 13-step program that will set you on the path to wealth and success.

• Auto-suggestion
• Specialized knowledge
• Imagination
• Organized planning
• Persistence
• Power of the mastermind
• The subconscious mind
• The sixth sense
• How to outwit the six ghosts of fear

“All the breaks you need in life wait within your imagination. Imagination is the workshop of your mind, capable of turning mind energy into accomplishment and wealth.”

Napoleon Hill

Called the greatest motivational book of all time, the book outlines the path to success for hundreds of America’s most affluent people.

According to Pink, the time of day can have a big impact when it comes to the decision-making process.

Timing can also come into play in how well we learn and our ability to be effective and productive.

Pink’s research is drawn from psychology, biology, and economics. Pink offers helpful strategies in how we can best time our lives to succeed. The book also offers strategies for self-improvement and helps us understand how we can we use hidden patterns of our day to build the ideal schedule.

Books about happiness are also wide-ranging:

• The How of Happiness – Sonja Lyubomirsky
• Flourish – Martin Seligman
• Thinking Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman
• The Happiness Advantage – Shawn Achor

According to Lyubomirsky, happiness is the Holy Grail of science. In her research, she not only presents the scientific literature but also has a self-help component where she gives advice and recommendations on what to do based on research results.

Some of the research-based exercises in the book include things like practicing optimism when imagining the future, instructions in how best to savor life’s pleasures in the here and now and a thorough explanation of the importance of staying active to be happy.

The book outlines the four components of wellbeing:

• Positive emotions.
• Engagement with what one is doing.
• A sense of accomplishment.
• Good relationships.

The book is filled with research and stories that help illustrate each component. It is a rich resource for living a life that makes you happier.

Kahneman describes system 1 as fast, intuitive and emotional and system 2 as slower, more deliberate and more logical.

The book talks about the overconfidence on corporate strategies, the difficulties of predicting what might make us happy in the future and the profound effect of cognitive bias.

The book also reveals how we can tap into the benefits of both parts of our mind to facilitate change.

Published in 2010, the book helps you think differently in terms of what happiness and success are truly about.

According to the book, chasing after success, in the hopes that it will make you happy is not a plan that works for most people.

The book focuses on strategies that help create happiness in the moment while capitalizing on its many benefits when it comes to becoming more successful.

Many of us think that when we hit that next sales target or lose that five pounds that we will then be happy. We have learned to put success first and happiness second.

Achor believes that formula is broken. He promotes happiness first, success second. In Achor’s opinion, happiness leads to success much more than success leads to happiness.

According to the author, we become more successful when we are happier and more positive.

To recap, the book covers ten main points:

• Why we have the formula for success backward.
• How happiness promotes productivity.
• How happiness can improve our physical health.
• How we are primed for high performance.
• How happiness can undo the negative aftereffects of stress.
• How we can become happier and believe change is possible.
• Using meditation as a permanent happiness boost.
• The benefits of physical exercise.
• Turning away from the news.
• Realizing money can buy happiness if it’s spent on experiences versus things.

According to Achor, more than a decade of groundbreaking research in the field of positive psychology and neuroscience has proven that the relationship between happiness and success works the opposite of what we think, which is very refreshing thought.

17 Exercises To Increase Happiness and Wellbeing

Add these 17 Happiness & Subjective Well-Being Exercises [PDF] to your toolkit and help others experience greater purpose, meaning, and positive emotions.

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What we think determines what happens to us, so if we want to change our lives, we need to stretch our minds.

Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

Thomas A. Edison

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

Today is life–the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto.

Dale Carnegie

The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you’re in control of your life. If you don’t, life controls you.

Tony Robbins

Happiness doesn’t depend on what we have, but it does depend on how we feel toward what we have. We can be happy with little and miserable with much.

William D. Hoard

If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or objects.

Albert Einstein

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.

Albert Schweitzer

Until you are happy with who you are, you will never be happy with what you have.

Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.

Helen Keller

Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get.

Ingrid Bergman

When it comes right down to it, both happiness and success are interconnected in a sense. Happiness affects your level of success and your level of success affects your happiness.

Happiness is really a choice you can choose to make.

Many of us are so wrapped up in trying to get ahead that we forget that we can choose to be happy in the moment.

You can steal time out of your day to simply take a walk and enjoy nature. You can hug a friend or sit with a cup of tea.

You can take stock of your life and realize that you are very lucky to be exactly who you are.

Things don’t always make us happy nor does money or possessions or that perfect job. Relationships don’t necessarily make us feel happy if we are not already feeling that happiness within.

When it comes to the relationship between happiness and success, we can surmise that success is something we pursue while happiness is something we acquire.

According to Boehm and Lyubomirsky (2008) past research has demonstrated a relationship between happiness and workplace success.

For example:

• Happy people earn more money when compared to their less happy peers.
• Happy people also tend to display superior performance and perform more helpful acts.

Past research has often assumed that an employee is happy and satisfied because he or she is successful.

In the author’s review of the evidence, an alternative hypothesis may actually be more accurate, that happiness is a source of why particular employees are more successful than others (Boehm & Lyubomirsky, 2008).

The authors conclude that the evidence suggests that happiness is not correlated with workplace success, but that happiness often precedes measures of success and that the induction of positive affect leads to improved work outcomes.

In the end, we can’t always control our external circumstances because life is ever-changing.

The only thing we can have a say over is our state of mind. Whether or not you believe that happiness attracts success or not, choosing happiness is something you can do every day.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Happiness Exercises for free .

• Achor, S. (2016). The happiness advantage. Retrieved from http://goodthinkinc.com/resources/books/the-happiness-advantage/
• Boehm, J. K., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). Does happiness promote career success? Journal of Career Assessment, 16 (1), 101-116.
• Cherian, D. (2018, March 18). International Happiness Day: Science-backed ways to be happy. Gulf News. Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/lifestyle/international-happiness-day-science-backed-ways-to-be-happy-1.2190116
• Diener, E. (2006). Guidelines for national indicators of subjective well-being and ill-being.  Journal of Happiness Studies ,  7 (4), 397-404.
• Gilbert, D. (2010, May). Stumbling on happiness. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2010/05/happiness.aspx
• Keyes, C. L. M. (2002). The mental health continuum: From languishing to flourishing in life.  Journal of Health and Social Research , 43(2), 207–222.
• Keyes, C. L. M., & Haidt, J. (Eds.). (2003).  Flourishing: Positive psychology and the life well-lived.  American Psychological Association.
• Lyubomirsky, S., King, L., & Diener, E. (2005). The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success? Psychological Bulletin ,  131 (6), 803.-855.
• Lyubomirsky, S. (2008, April). The happiness diet. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2008/04/overthinking.aspx
• Moss, J. (2016). Unlocking happiness at work : How a data-driven happiness strategy fuels purpose, passion and performance. London, UK: Kogan Page.
• Norby M. (2013). Brain-based behavior: Our choices determine our happiness and success at work. Contract Management , 53 (8).
• Norrish, J. M., & Vella-Brodrick, D. A. (2008). Is the study of happiness a worthy scientific pursuit? Social Indicators Research ,  87 (3), 393-407.
• Seligman, M. E. P. (2011).  Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being.  Free Press.
• Seligman, M. E. P. (2018). PERMA and the building blocks of well-being.  The Journal of Positive Psychology ,  13 (4), 333–335.
• Sheldon, K. M., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2021). Revisiting the Sustainable Happiness Model and pie chart: can happiness be successfully pursued?  The Journal of Positive Psychology, 16 (2), 145–154.
• Therapist Aid. (2012). Building happiness (exercises). Retrieved from https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/building-happiness-exercises

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Ok. The article was ok, I just feel as though it didn’t really answer as many questions as I would think, and some of the sentences were unfinished I didn’t really like it

“Success is not Happiness, Happiness is Success” Happiness is not a destination, it is the journey itself You can’t have Happiness, it is not something to possess You can’t go to Happiness, it is not a place You can’t be with Happiness, it is not a person You can’t buy Happiness, it is not a product You can’t achieve Happiness, it is not a transaction You can only be Happy, it is a state of being.

OMG!!! I so much love this, its so educating

Wow, I love the article. I was actually looking for counter claim if people with more meamingful lives agreed that relationships are more important than achievments. And I have found this helpful…. Thank you. MAY HE GOOD LORD BLESS YOU.

It’s really helpful…thanks

It`s a Bible of success! Great!

Very useful & informative , explains happiness & success in many different ways. The references are treasure of knowledge , thank you for sharing.

Al grano. No da espacio mas que a la acción. Que personalidad o manera de escribir tan clara! Se ve tan sencillo. Escribe y dices las cosas donde el tiempo de pensarlo es hacerlo o accionar. no hay otro tiempo mas que hoy. Gracias infinitas.

Fantastic explanation n mind-blowing examples. Extremely intresting, educative & comprehensive .

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3 Happiness Exercises Pack [PDF]

If You Want Success, Pursue Happiness

Many people chase achievement, assuming it will lead to well-being. They should reverse that order of operations.

“ How to Build a Life ” is a weekly column by Arthur Brooks, tackling questions of meaning and happiness. Click here to listen to his podcast series on all things happiness, How to Build a Happy Life .

W ithout going too far out on a limb, I believe almost everyone would like two things from their jobs and careers: success and happiness. They want to do relatively well financially, receive fair recognition for their accomplishments, enjoy their work as much as one can, and become happier as a person as a result. These are reasonable goals, but they can be a lot to ask—so many people, especially ambitious, hard-working people, simplify them in a logical way: They first seek success and then assume that success will lead to happiness.

But this reasoning is flawed. Chasing success has costs that can end up lowering happiness, as many a desiccated, lonely workaholic can tell you.

This is not to say that you have to choose between success and happiness. You can obtain both. But you have to reverse the order of operations: Instead of trying first to get success and hoping it leads to happiness, start by working on your happiness, which will enhance your success.

S uccess and happiness are generally positively correlated, as many workforce studies have shown. For example, companies in Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list saw an average 14 percent stock-price increase every year from 1998 to 2005, compared with 6 percent for the overall market. And as Gallup data have shown , among business units with employee-engagement levels (that is, employees who reported feeling heard, respected, and intellectually stimulated, and who had a best friend at work) in the 99th percentile, 73 percent perform above the company average, and 78 percent perform above the industry average.

From this correlation, many assume causation—from success to happiness. During my years as an executive, I found that people strongly believe that pay increases—especially big ones—will have a large and long-lasting effect on their job satisfaction. The data tell us a different story, however: Large wage increases have only a small and transitory effect on well-being. Researchers in 2017 tracked the pay and job satisfaction (measured on a 0–10 scale) of nearly 35,000 German workers over several years. The study found that the anticipation of a 100 percent pay bump increases job satisfaction by about a quarter of one digit in the year before the raise. The raise increases that satisfaction bump by another fifth of a digit. By the fourth year, the increase has fallen to less than a fifth in total.

In other words, say your job satisfaction is a six out of 10—not bad, but could be better. If your boss doubles your pay, it will get you to about 6.5, and then it will fall back to about 6.2. Maybe this isn’t the best strategy to help you love your job.

And that doesn’t even take into account the cost that increased job success can have on overall life satisfaction. In 2016, psychologists measured career success by asking 990 college-educated full-time professionals to compare their career achievements to others’. They found that people generally enjoyed the money and status that relative success produced. However, success did not lead to total contentment: It indirectly chipped away at life satisfaction, likely via time constraints, stress, and impoverished social relationships.

Read: ‘Success addicts’ choose being special over being happy

Much stronger and more positive results emerge, however, when researchers reverse the order, looking not at success’s effects on happiness, but happiness’s effect on success. Scholars in 2005 surveyed hundreds of studies—including experiments to establish causality—and concluded that happiness leads to success in many realms of life, including marriage, friendship, health, income, and work performance.

One explanation might be that happiness makes us more attractive, so we are rewarded by others. Alternatively, happiness might make us more productive. Novel experimental research suggests both are true. For example, scholars in 2021 studied Chinese livestream web broadcasters, for whom voluntary viewer tips are the primary source of income. They found that when they showed more positive emotion, their tips immediately increased, suggesting that people who appear happy are rewarded in the market. Another experiment involved British test subjects engaging in a time-limited arithmetic task and math test. The researchers found that subjects who were shown a clip of a comedy movie beforehand were about 12 percent more productive on the task and test than those who weren’t, and that the funnier they found the clip, the more productive they were.

Listen as Arthur Brooks and psychiatrist Robert Waldinger discuss one of the longest studies of human happiness on record.

W hether you are an employee or employer, it is a better investment to increase happiness at work and in life, rather than simply trying to increase measures of success.

The first thing to remember is that happiness requires balance. No matter how much you enjoy your work, overwork will become an obstruction to well-being. Researchers in 2020 studying 414 Iranian bank employees found that workaholic behavior (such as perfectionism and work addiction) strongly predicted workplace incivility (such as hostility, privacy invasion, exclusionary behavior, and gossiping). Workaholic behaviors also degraded the quality of family life (as measured in disagreement with statements such as “My involvement in work provides me with a sense of success; this, in turn, helps me to be a better person in my family”).

Read: Is there really such a thing as a ‘workaholic’?

You should guard against workaholism in yourself and help your friends and family who suffer from it. But just as important, employers should not encourage overwork—which will likely require effort and attention on their part, as research shows that executives generally underestimate employees’ struggles with well-being.

Once work quantity is under control, happiness at work requires a sense of meaning and purpose. I have written in this column that the two key aspects of meaningful work are earned success and service to others . Earned success implies a sense of accomplishment and recognition for a job well done, while service to others requires knowledge of the real people who benefit from your work. Lots of research shows the importance of these work aspects. For example, Gallup has revealed that people who serve their communities and receive recognition for it self-report significantly less stress and worry in their lives than those who do not (either because they don’t serve their communities or do not receive recognition).

Meanwhile, the most meaningful jobs tend to be those that are the most service-oriented. According to 2016 research by the Pew Research Center, proportionally, more workers in nonprofit and government sectors—i.e., work that is generally service-oriented—said their jobs give them a sense of identity than did private-sector workers. It’s harder to find the link to service in some professions than others, but it can usually be done. Years ago, I was working with a team of academic researchers creating policies for improved bank regulation. One scholar who was particularly passionate about the project told me he always remembered that his work mattered, because poor people need access to reasonably priced credit, and that requires less bureaucratic red tape.

Even if you struggle to see who benefits, because the people you touch with your work are very far away or your work touches them indirectly, try looking a little closer—maybe even in the next cubicle. You can always enjoy the effects of service by helping your colleagues, and there is clear evidence that supporting co-workers can help ease negative emotions at work.

Ultimately, although success and happiness are linked, the alchemy is mostly one-way—and not in the way that most people think. Working on your success to get happier is inefficient at best, and may blow up in your face and lead you to un happiness. But working on your happiness gives you the best chance at getting both.

E ven if all of this makes sense to you, you may still find yourself falling into old habits of seeking happiness via worldly success at work. Don’t feel too bad—I do it too, even as a specialist in this field. Whenever I notice my hours creeping up to workaholic levels and my dreams of happiness revolving around some accomplishment, I like to reread a short story published in 1922 by Franz Kafka called “A Hunger Artist.” It features a man who starves himself in a cage for a living as a traveling carnival act. He is obsessed with his work and, as a perfectionist, seeks what he calls “flawless fasting.” The hunger artist is proud of his success, although he is always gloomy, and, Kafka writes, “if a good-natured man who felt sorry for him ever wanted to explain to him that his sadness probably came from his fasting … the hunger artist responded with an outburst of rage.”

Over time, the hunger artist’s act falls out of public favor. In desperation to resuscitate his flagging career, he tries fasting longer than he ever has before. Instead, he is utterly ignored, and sits alone in his cage. In the end, the hunger artist starves himself to death. In a twist of absurdism—we might even call it Kafkaesque —the protagonist admits just before expiring that the only reason he had engaged in his art was because he could not find any food to his liking.

I’m not that bad, of course, but I have a bit of a hunger artist in me, and you might too. Here’s my advice: You won’t find happiness by forgoing happiness. Don’t starve yourself. Your odds of success will increase if you eat.

Essays About Happiness: 5 Essay Examples and 6 Writing Prompts

Being happy and content is essential to living a successful life. If you are writing essays about happiness, start by reading our helpful guide.

Whenever we feel positive emotions rushing through our heads, chances are we are feeling happy. Happiness is what you feel when you enter the house, the smell of your favorite food being cooked or when you finally save up enough money to buy something you’ve wanted. It is an undeniably magical feeling. 

Happiness can do wonders for your productivity and well-being; when you are happy, you are more energetic, optimistic, and motivated. So it is, without a doubt, important. However, do not become caught up in trying to be happy, as this may lead to worse problems. Instead, allow yourself to feel your emotions; be authentic, even if that means feeling a little more negative.

5 Top Essay Examples

1. causes of happiness by otis curtis, 2. how to be happy by tara parker-pope, 3. reflections on ‘happiness’ by shahzada sultan.

• 4.  Happiness is Overrated by John Gorman

5. Toxic positivity by Suhani Mahajan

6 prompts for essays about happiness, 1. why is it important to be happy, 2. what is happiness to you, 3. the role of material things in happiness, 4. how does happiness make you more productive, 5. is true happiness achievable, 6. happiness vs. truth.

“If you don’t feel good about yourself you will have a similarly negative attitude towards others and education is one way of having good self-esteem, as it helps you to live life successfully and happily. Education is one way of getting that dream job and education is an essential cog in the wheel to living comfortably and happily. One English survey that included over 15,000 participants revealed that 81 percent of people who had achieved a good level of education had a high level of life satisfaction.”

Based on personal beliefs and research, Curtis’ essay describes different contributing causes to people’s happiness. These include a loving, stable family and good health. Interestingly, there is a positive correlation between education level and happiness, as Curtis cites statistics showing that education leads to high self-esteem, which can make you happier. 

“Socratic questioning is the process of challenging and changing irrational thoughts. Studies show that this method can reduce depression symptoms. The goal is to get you from a negative mindset (“I’m a failure.”) to a more positive one (“I’ve had a lot of success in my career. This is just one setback that doesn’t reflect on me. I can learn from it and be better.”)”

Parker-Pope writes about the different factors of happiness and how to practice mindfulness and positivity in this guide. She gives tips such as doing breathing exercises, moving around more, and spending time in places and with people that make you happy. Most importantly, however, she reminds readers that negative thoughts should not be repressed. Instead, we should accept them but challenge that mindset.

“Happiness is our choice of not leaving our mind and soul at the mercy of the sways of excitement. Happiness cannot eliminate sorrow, suffering, pain or death from the scheme of things, but it can help keep fear, anxiety, sadness, hopelessness, pessimism and other fathers of unhappiness at bay.”

Sultan discusses what happiness means to her personally. It provides an escape from all the dreariness and lousy news of daily life, not eliminating negative thoughts but keeping them at a distance, even just for a moment. She writes that to be happy; we should not base our happiness on the outcomes of our actions. We cannot control the world around us, so we should not link our happiness to it. If something doesn’t go our way, that is just how the world works. It is useless to be sad over what we cannot control.

4.   Happiness is Overrated by John Gorman

“Our souls do float across the sea of life, taking on water as they go, sinking ever so slightly — perhaps even imperceptibly — into despair. But our souls are not the bucket. Happiness itself is. And it’s the bucket we use to pour water out our souls and keep us afloat. What we really need is peace. Peace patches the holes in our souls and stops the leaking. Once we have peace, we will no longer need to seek happiness.”

In his essay, Gorman reflects on how he stopped trying to chase happiness and instead focused on finding peace in life. He writes that we are often so desperate looking for happiness that our lives become complicated, chaotic, and even depressing at times. He wants readers to do what they are passionate about and be their authentic selves; that way, they will find true happiness. You might also be interested in these essays about courage .

“That’s the mindset most of us have. Half of toxic positivity is just the suppression of 200% acceptable feelings such as anger, fear, sadness, confusion, and more. Any combination of such feelings is deemed “negative.” Honestly, mix ‘em up and serve them to me in a cocktail, eh? (Fine, fine, a mocktail. I reserve my right to one of those little umbrellas though.)

But by closing ourselves off to anything but positivity, we’re experiencing the same effects as being emotionally numb. Why are we doing this to ourselves?”

Mahajan writes about the phenomenon known as “toxic positivity” in which everyone is expected to be happy with their lives. It trivializes people’s misfortunes and sufferings, telling them to be happy with what they have instead. Mahajan opposes this, believing that everyone’s feelings are valid. She writes that it’s okay to be sad or angry at times, and the stigma around “negative feelings” should be erased. When we force ourselves to be happy, we may feel emotionally numb or even sad, the exact opposite of being happy. 

Many would say that happiness aids you in many aspects of your life. Based on personal experience and research, discuss the importance of being happy. Give a few benefits or advantages of happiness. These can include physical, mental, and psychological benefits, as well as anything else you can think of. 

Happiness means different things to different people and may come from various sources. In your essay, you can also explain how you define happiness. Reflect on this feeling and write about what makes you happy and why. Explain in detail for a more convincing essay; be sure to describe what you are writing about well. 

Happiness has a myriad of causes, many of which are material. Research the extent to which material possessions can make one happy, and write your essay about whether or not material things can truly make us happy. Consider the question, “Can money buy happiness?” Evaluate the extent to which it can or cannot, depending on your stance.  

Happiness has often been associated with a higher level of productivity. In your essay, look into the link between these two. In particular, discuss the mental and chemical effects of happiness. Since this topic is rooted in research and statistics, vet your sources carefully: only use the most credible sources for an accurate essay.

In their essays, many, including Gorman and Mahajan, seem to hold a more critical view of happiness. Our world is full of suffering and despair, so some ask: “Can we truly be happy on this earth?” Reflect on this question and make the argument for your position. Be sure to provide evidence from your own experiences and those of others. 

In dystopian stories, authorities often restrict people’s knowledge to keep them happy. We are seeing this even today, with some governments withholding crucial information to keep the population satisfied or stable. Write about whether you believe what they are doing is defensible or not, and provide evidence to support your point. 

For help with this topic, read our guide explaining “what is persuasive writing ?”

For help picking your next essay topic, check out our top essay topics about love .

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

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Is happiness the key to success?

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In pursuit of happiness

Is happiness the end goal, stress, unhappiness, and work.

Happiness as a choice and shifting habits

Helping your teams foster happiness

Are success and happiness connected?

Often, the way we think of success is in terms of how it relates to our career or financial situation. Many of us believe that we’d be happier if we just had more money or a better job.

But, science shows that this isn’t always the case. 

Fostering happiness in our lives may actually be what leads us to success, not the other way around. 

As we try to pin our happiness to one or two areas of our lives, joy can feel like a moving target. Despite this, 63% of adults around the world still report feeling happy. So, what’s the secret to getting and staying happy?

Luckily, leading positive psychology researcher Shawn Achor dove into our biggest questions on happiness. 

Some of these questions include: 

• What is the connection between success and happiness? 
• How does happiness impact our output? 
• What can managers do to make their teammates happier?

Achor has dedicated his life to studying the relationship between success and happiness . This New York Times best-selling author has helped thousands of individuals and organizations worldwide find the power in positive thinking through his books, coaching, and TED talk , which has been viewed over 23 million times. 

Achor is also a member of our Science Board here at BetterUp.

While it may feel like the search for happiness is a new phenomenon, it’s a tale as old as time. 

People have wondered about happiness for centuries, even if the recent resurgence of interest often focuses on the relationship between career success and happiness.

Researchers used to believe happiness was at least half genetic , but people are starting to discover how someone’s happiness levels can change at any point. 

We’re dispelling the myth that you can be born a “happy person,” and instead focusing on how we can all become happier people. 

Many factors contribute to someone’s experience of happiness, but most of these factors represent daily choices. 

With slight mindset and habit shifts, our happiness experience could be vastly different.

We asked Achor what he’s discovered in his extensive happiness research and how meaning plays into our relationship to happiness.

BetterUp: What made you decide to go into this field of research? Was it a desire to find meaning (and happiness) in your work?

Shawn Achor: I started my research at Harvard Divinity School. There, I studied Christian and Buddhist ethics, looking at how our beliefs shape our actions in the world. When people in the psychology department said [they] could now quantify changes in meaning, joy, and optimism, I was hooked. 

I went on to work in 50 countries and with organizations [like] NASA, the NFL, and the White House. Every day, we’re learning more about how to create and sustain positive change.

BU: Where does happiness stem from, and why do we care about it so much today? It seems that no one used to talk about the importance of being happy.

SA: Actually, the opposite is true. If you look at the texts that Google [has] digitized, people used to talk about happiness a lot more than they do [now]. 

We need to find ways to [talk about living a happy life everywhere]: not only in the [boardroom] but with soldiers going off to war and children sitting in cancer wards.

Note: Despite a recent uptick in talking about happiness, we still write about happiness much less than people did at the beginning of the 1900s.  

BU: Is unhappiness a generational problem?

SA: We see people struggling with unhappiness across the entire spectrum of age. But I think the younger generation [reminds] us that we should demand to connect our daily work with personal well-being. 

Note: That’s an important reminder, as 55% of happy people globally say personal well-being and health is the greatest contributor to their happiness.

My work shows that we can change someone’s levels of optimism at any point in their life.

BU: What is the relationship between happiness and optimism? Are some of us just predisposed to being more optimistic?

SA: Optimism highly correlates with happiness. It is hard to create happiness if your brain is continually creating escape routes or planning for the worst. 

So yes, genetically speaking, I would guess that some people are more predisposed toward optimism. [However,] my work shows that we can change someone’s [optimism level] at any point in their life. 

Note: At its core, optimism is the hopeful expectation for happiness or success in the future. Happiness is a series of personal choices connected to a person’s habits and mindset, so even slight changes can cause a dramatic shift in optimism over time.

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Even if we can impact our happiness at any time, is happiness really the end goal? Do we need to be happy to live successful lives? 

When we have priorities like work, family, and friendship , sometimes happiness unconsciously drops to the bottom of our priority list. 

However, we know that these factors directly contribute to our overall experience of joy, too. Seeing the meaning and personal value behind our priorities can help shift our mindsets toward happiness.

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Pinning our happiness to any single factor usually doesn’t get us closer to a life that’s well-lived and enjoyed. That’s why success alone won’t make us happy. 

But, redefining how we look at success and finding more meaning in our experiences can help us shift our baseline happiness levels and feel more satisfied.

BU: Is the average person’s baseline somewhere between happy and unhappy? Can you permanently shift your happiness baseline?

SA: Researchers go back and forth on the average baseline, but the [critical] part of the story is that our baseline can change at any time . We are not just our genes and environment. 

Note: Many factors impact how happy we feel at any given time, and you always have the control to shift your own happiness baseline.

BU: What effect does finding meaning at work have on your overall happiness?

SA: If we create happiness in [most] of our conscious hours — like the 8 to 14 hours a day we spend working — we’re far more likely to feel satisfied with our lives in general. 

Note: Identifying meaning throughout your day through meditation, gratitude, and appreciating people around you can greatly impact how you experience success and happiness in your workday.

BU: Should happiness be our end goal?

SA: Happiness is both a means and an end. When [we think positively, we're] better at solving world problems as well as personal ones. But, more importantly, the pursuit of happiness should make us lose our fear of sadness. 

When we know we can create happiness and meaning in our life by changing our habits and mindset, [we're] more likely and able to face the things that make us sad in the world. 

It is also important for people to finally understand that the opposite of happiness is not sadness. The opposite of happiness is apathy.

BU: Can unhappy people be successful?

SA: This depends on our definition of success. If success is a life well lived and enjoyed, then no. But if success is purely monetary or based upon our position, then I know a lot of successful people who are unhappy. You probably do, too.

Part of our cultural refocusing on success and happiness comes from experiencing higher stress levels. 

Stress is the leading negative factor that impacts happiness levels, which inspires a growing interest in work/life balance. 

Since stress decreases life satisfaction and stress is often experienced at work, some people believe that career success could be the key to their happiness.

But, stress doesn’t need to have this negative impact on our lives. Stress usually impacts us negatively because we can’t see the meaning or purpose behind our worries.

If the stress we experience relates to our goals and dreams, it can be easier to manage. Refocusing on our goals can help us achieve the success we want without compromising our happiness to get there. 

BU: Is there a relationship between the rise of stress and unhappiness at work? How can we control the world around us, or can we?

SA: Stress does not need to cause unhappiness. Stress without meaning, coupled with lack of sleep and lack of social connection, definitely creates unhappiness. 

The key is to acknowledge our stress, reconnect to the meaning, and channel our emotional response back toward that original goal.

BU: How can managers help people think about success differently? Is the happiness of my employees my responsibility?

SA: We need to help managers to realize that the best way to see the best parts of their team and to manage their resources effectively is to [make sure] that the team is running at their optimal level — which means their brains must be at positive. 

When our brains are not ‘at positive’, we’re in fight, flight, or freeze mode, using the less advanced parts of our brain to make decisions. When we’re ‘at positive’, we’re better able to empathize, generate creative ideas, and explore possibilities without fear.

Happiness is a personal choice, but also an interconnected one. [We're] continually changing other people and influencing their ability to choose happiness. 

It is my responsibility not only to [make sure] that I’m living out that choice, but that I am [fostering it in others, too]. It’s easier for me to choose happiness when I’ve helped other people choose it around me as well.

BU: What role does distraction play in happiness, and how do we manage distractions in our increasingly connected world? What if I have to be on email all day?

SA: Research coming out of Harvard [shows] that distraction definitely gets in the way of our happiness. No one has to be on email every second of the day. 

So when you can step away from your email, do so fully. Our brains need cognitive breaks [to] be effective at responding to those emails. 

I think over the next decade, we’ll figure out the problem that we created with email, which is we have finite time, but everyone’s attentional resources are fully tapped.

BU: Is happiness contagious?

SA: Incredibly so. But so is negativity. 

We tend to feed off each other’s emotions (in psychology this [is called] emotional contagion ). [The key] is to be more verbally and nonverbally expressive of your optimism so that others on your team can benefit from it and feed it back to you.

We don’t have to look far to find happiness, but we do have to practice looking. 

The habit of happiness calls for focus and attention on developing a positive attitude. When we have a pattern of focusing on negativity, it can be tough to see the joy in our lives right now.

Positive change comes from building positive habits. But, developing those habits doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Even a few minutes a day spent meditating can shift your mindset from overwhelmed to calm.

These simple shifts have a compounding effect, leading to a happier and more fulfilling life. As your team starts seeing your shifts, your example can help them find success and happiness at work, too. 

BU: How can we bias ourselves toward happiness and not discontent?

SA: Scientifically, happiness is a choice about where we devote our mental resources. We can bias ourselves toward happiness by shifting our habits in daily patterns [to] allocate those resources more effectively, [so] the human brain [can work] at its optimal level.

I’m continually surprised at how the smallest interventions can have the biggest effect. Simply saying three things you’re grateful for around the dinner table with your family will not only transform your family, but generations to come.

Try these 2 other exercises to help bias yourself toward happiness:

• Praise one teammate every day for a job well done. This could take the form of a short email or a “great job on that project” [acknowledgment] as you pass them in the office.
• Try taking a 2-minute break to meditate every day. Breathe deeply to cultivate a sense of calm, then get back to that project you were working on. By going from multitasking to single-tasking, you train your brain to feel less threatened and overwhelmed.

BU: Are we trying to achieve too much, and is that making us unhappy?

SA: There are [many] reasons why we see increased rates of depression, eating disorders, and discontent. 

I don’t think that ambition is the problem, but along with our desire to achieve comes missteps. Often, we sacrifice sleep, social connection, and periods of rejuvenation [to] increase our success. But, this [hurts] not only our well-being, but our ability to achieve, too.

BU: How can we find happiness, or even just stay motivated, when we’re dealing with a major stressor in our personal life?

SA: Embedded within every stress is meaning. The best way to cope with stress is not to panic and flee from it, but to remember why there’s meaning involved.

An inbox full of spam causes no stress because there’s no meaning behind it. But when your inbox is full of leads, you need to get back to building your business or there’s both stress and meaning in your life. 

We need to reconnect to the [purpose] in our lives so that stress does not appear to be a threat to our happiness.

BU: It is so hard to create new habits. How do you recommend making happiness an everyday habit?

SA: I don’t think you can make happiness a habit, but I [believe] you can create happiness by building habits that are the foundational blocks of happiness, such as practicing gratitude [daily], connecting with your social support network, doing random acts of kindness consciously, and meditating .

[At work], the best way to create change is to model it. Your team will never strive for success unless they see you trying for that. 

Happiness can also be connected to motivation . If your team is disengaged from your culture or company mission, it will be difficult for them to find success and happiness. 

Start by reminding people that happiness leads to success, not the other way around. Encourage your teammates to find meaning in their work, even when they haven’t yet achieved their big milestones.

Habit change can feel challenging, but you’re just a few small patterns away from seeing more happiness and success in your own life. What if you could make that a reality for your team, too?

Coaching is a powerful tool that can help your employees shift their habits and find more success and happiness at work. 

Are you ready to see what coaching can do for your team? Help create that transformation in your organization and start working with a BetterUp coach today!

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Maggie Wooll, MBA

Maggie Wooll is a researcher, author, and speaker focused on the evolving future of work. Formerly the lead researcher at the Deloitte Center for the Edge, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Maggie is passionate about creating better work and greater opportunities for all.

Building good habits in your life (and ditching bad ones)

50 good habits to help spur your mental well-being, how to find happiness throughout your life: 6 tips, how to help working parents navigating back-to-school, how to make your employee mental health strategy better focus on growth, cognitive bias: what it is and how to overcome it, is poor mental health and well-being contagious, the 5 tools to foster a happier, healthier workplace, how the spotlight effect influences your experience of the world, similar articles, 20 ways to make sure you go to work happy, q&a with dr. judith mangelsdorf: germany's 1st positive psych professor, power lead your next conversation, q&a with dr. melvin smith: emotional intelligence and its impact on business, creating resilient happiness in the midst of uncertainty, healthier, wealthier, not yet wise, how to build a culture of connection with shawn achor and farrell redwine, reinventing yourself: 10 ways to realize your full potential, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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Success And Happiness (Essay Sample)

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Introduction

Is it at all possible to achieve happiness and success in life? Can we get the best of both worlds, or are we destined to only experience either one of these things? Can you be happy and unsuccessful, or successful and unhappy?

Read these sample papers and think with us. What would people’s lives look like if their pursuit of happiness and success in life proves triumphant? If you want to write those thoughts down too, get in touch with us so we can match you with a writer who can help you out with that essay.

Which Can Create Happiness?

Joyfulness is perceived to be the key to success. Several research studies confirm that cheerful people are likely to challenge themselves more. At the same time, these people develop the positive emotions and drive needed to succeed.

Happiness: More Than a Positive Attitude

While the concepts of happiness and success seem to be related, they are completely different. Joyfulness represents how we feel. One does not need to be successful to be happy because he can still be happy without his accomplishments and without comparison to others. Success is the way we benchmark ourselves against other people and our own standards.

To feel happy comes from personal accomplishments. It is just not a feel-good luxury. This emotion is essential to our overall well-being. Happiness is something that anyone can experience at any point in life. An entire population group could generally be labeled as happy when citizens practice a democratic attitude and are keen on helping others.  

Joyfulness is not just about setting goals and achieving them; it is, first and foremost, cultivating a perspective that causes us to be content and appreciative of things that help us achieve our purpose in life. We can create joy in all circumstances. We have read stories of people who undergo hardship but still find joy. Similarly, we know of people who seem to have successful careers and families, yet are not happy.

True Happiness Paves the Way to Success

The truth is that victory does not necessarily result in joy, but joy can lead you to victory.

Think about people who are successful. These are people with positive attitudes and are contented with and passionate about their personal goals. One of the common assumptions people make is that accomplishments will give you all the joy you need.  When your achievement is associated with your core values, this then defines your purpose. You then learn to embrace each moment of the journey, and as you cultivate that happiness, it will put you on the path to success.

The secret of being happy is to find joy in the simple things in life that give us satisfaction. Joyfulness helps us cultivate behavior that reinforces success-friendly perspectives. If I feel grateful about my health or my family, it makes a difference in my life because the emotion gives me the drive to do everything I can to be successful for their sake.

It is clear that both happiness and success go hand in hand, but it does not necessarily mean that the two concepts are each others’ equivalent. You might not like something you do, but you can still be happy and feel content by the fact that you have a great family to go home to every evening.

On the other hand, one might have a successful career that gives him a lot of income and respect among his peers, but the same person might not have anything to look forward to outside work. This does not mean that you are not successful, but it certainly does not equate to happiness. When a sense of joy is missing in our lives, everything tends to lose its meaning.

Having everything we need also does not guarantee us true happiness. Ultimately, it’s the way we view life that determines our joy. Learning to find what makes us happy motivates us to undertake new challenges and pursue victory. When people are optimistic and grateful, they proactively and passionately move towards their life goals.

Different people value and define both of these terms differently. But personally, I believe that happiness plays an important role in our pursuit of success. Both are important, but cultivating joy is the starting point.

I don’t know your personal life, but I do hope you find whatever it is that elevates your happiness levels. Joyful people tend to thrive better in their relationships, career, and family life. They also attract success like a moth drawn to a flame.

If you are wondering how to achieve success at a young age, know that all roads begin with an optimistic outlook. Believe that you can get to where you want to be and that you have the resources you need.

Happiness Vs Success Essay

We often interchange the terms “happiness” and “success” in our conversations, believing them both to refer to the same experience. While there are indeed a lot of happy people who accomplish a lot of things, achieving goals does not always equate to feeling happy.

The most obvious narrative to break here is this: that you need to be successful to be truly happy in life. However, a game-changing reflection for this storyline is that happiness lies not in the things you do, but the way you see things. We often change our behaviors in an attempt to get a different result.

But what if the key is really our perspective? What would our life look like if we just switched lenses? If we always look at things from a place of feeling defeated, it will come as no surprise that we will see everything as inadequate or falling short of the perfect standards. But if we aim to come from a place of gratitude, then we will learn to focus on the lesson behind every experience, put the past behind us, and integrate the principles as we move forward.

What lenses are you viewing reality from?

Does Success Lead To Happiness?

It’s important to back up first and examine our understanding of being accomplished. What is it to begin with? If success is a place of thriving in our passion, purpose, and calling, then yes, it can lead to joyfulness. It must be said, however, that there is no such thing as 24/7 joyfulness. No person can feel happy at all times. But if he or she is coming from a place of contentment, then he or she can fight for joy no matter the season.

What Is More Important Success Or Happiness?

The world sells us the idea that to feel successful is true power that one must aspire to attain. However,  many of us have seen, with our own eyes, people who seem to have it all and yet don’t appear to be joyful. Despite all the accolades they’ve received and the accomplishments they have under their belt, it never seems to be enough. They always seem to be in a constant race against time and themselves. They try to outdo themselves every day and when things don’t happen as planned, they crumble. Their life becomes a vicious cycle of climbing a ladder and never really finding the top. If your idea of accomplishment is robbing you of joy, then it is not true success to begin with. We need to evaluate what we have labeled as “extremely important” in this life and see if they line up with the true definition of joy.

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Happiness Essay: Definition, Outline & Examples

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A happiness essay is an academic paper that explores the concept of happiness, and how it can be achieved and maintained in our lives. The purpose of a happiness essay is to explore the psychological, social, and cultural factors that contribute to happiness. On this type of essay, students should provide insights into how individuals can cultivate a happy and fulfilling life.

In this article, we will explore the definition of happiness and its various components and outline the key elements of happiness essay structure. Whether you are seeking how to write a happiness essay or want to know more about this feeling, this is the right article. You will also find en example for your inspiration. Struggling with your writing? Say goodbye to stress and let our experts handle your ' write my essay for me ' challenge. Our team of skilled writers is ready to tackle any topic and deliver top-notch papers tailored to your instructions.

Essay example about happiness 2

Happiness essay sample 3

Essay on happiness example 4

Example of a happiness essay 5

They offer a rich tapestry of perspectives on what enjoyment truly means. Whether you draw on your own experiences or delve into the experiences of others, a happiness essay example will serve as a valuable resource as you strive to make your mark on this timeless topic.

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The definition of a happiness essay can differ, but in general, a happiness essay is a paper that examines emotions, experiences, and perspectives related to the pursuit of contentment. Likewise, it may explore the philosophical and psychological aspects of delight and how it is affected by factors like wealth, relationships, and personal circumstances. A happiness essay provides a deeper understanding of enjoyment, how it can be achieved, and its influence on society. It is an opportunity to take readers on a reflective and stimulating journey, exploring the essence of joy. Writing a thematic essay on happiness is also a chance for writers to share their thoughts and observations with other people. Let's dive in and explore what delight really means to you!

The reason for writing an essay about happiness is to explore the concept of delight to understand what it means to different people. For example, many believe it primarily depends on external factors such as wealth, success, or material possessions. However, it can be illustrated that true joy largely comes from internal factors, like one's outlook, personal growth, and relationships, especially with family and friends. A happiness essay helps to dispel common misconceptions about what satisfaction truly is. Writing a paper on this subject can describe a deeper, healthy understanding of this universal pursuit.

When you want to write a happiness essay , first, it is important to ask: What is happiness to you? How can it be understood? One approach is to define happiness and examine its various dimensions, such as psychological, emotional, and physiological.  For example, career satisfaction is a crucial factor in achieving contentment. When people enjoy their jobs and feel fulfilled, they tend to report higher levels of delight. It's worth exploring the link between happiness and career satisfaction and how people can find meaning in their work.  Another idea of how to be happy would look at factors like relationships, personal growth, and achievement. Besides, the connection between money and happiness can also be a significant factor in the quality of life. Can you buy satisfaction?  The pursuit of happiness is a fundamental aspect of life, and analyzing its various dimensions can help us gain valuable insights into what leads to a happy life.

An outline for a happiness essay serves as a roadmap for writers to keep their paper organized. It helps to break down researched content into manageable sections while ensuring that all necessary information is included.  The essay outline on happiness example might look something like this:

This outline provides a comprehensive format for an essay about happiness, ensuring that articles are well-structured, easy to understand, and cover all the necessary information.

Happiness essay structure is critical to a successful article because it helps to organize the ideas clearly and coherently. It is easier for readers to follow and understand writers' perspectives on this complex and multifaceted topic if the essay has the following sections: Introduction:  provides context for the topic with a clear thesis statement. Body:  delves into the details while providing evidence to support the thesis. Conclusion:  summarizes the main points while restating the thesis statement in a new way. By following this structure, writers can produce compelling essays on happiness in life that engage and inform readers.

The introduction of a happiness essay is critical to setting the stage for the article’s body. Good introductions should have three key elements: a hook, background information, and a thesis statement.  The hook draws readers in and keeps them engaged, but a boring or generic one may make them lose interest. The background information provides context for the topic and gives the audience a better understanding of why the essay is being written. Lastly, the thesis statement states the writer's stance on contentment, providing a roadmap for the rest of the essay.  An essay about happiness introduction is an important part that sets the tone and lays the foundation for the paper. By following this structure, authors can ensure that the introduction of their paper is well-organized, concise, and effective in drawing the readers into their piece.

An introduction to your paper should be engaging, interesting, brief, and to the point. It clearly states the objectives of the research and introduces readers to the key arguments that will be discussed. Here is an example of a happiness essay introduction:

A happiness essay thesis statement is the backbone of an article and a crucial element in your paper. A good thesis statement about happiness should be arguable, specific, and relevant to the topic. It is important for defining the scope of an article and highlighting its focus while also identifying what it will not cover.  Finally, the thesis statement tells readers the writer's point of view and sets a standard for judging whether the essay achieves its goal. By creating an effective statement, writers can significantly impact their paper's quality by providing direction and focus to the author’s argument.

This thesis statement defines the pursuit of delight and outlines its contributing factors. Here is an example of a happiness essay thesis statement sample:

A happiness body paragraph is a component of the body section of an article that provides evidence, examples, and supporting arguments to develop an essay's central idea. Good paragraphs cover a topic in-depth and engage readers, prompting them to reflect on what brings joy and how to pursue it. A paragraph about happiness should be well-structured and focused, analyzing factors contributing to contentment in a logical and coherent manner. A well-crafted essay body on happiness includes several paragraphs, each focused on specific aspects of enjoyment while supporting an article's overall argument. Following these guidelines, writers can create persuasive essay paragraphs.

Body paragraphs should provide a deeper understanding of the topic while engaging readers with relevant, thought-provoking information. Happiness body paragraph example:

A conclusion is the last section of an essay that summarizes the main points while offering a final perspective on the topic. To write a strong conclusion on a happiness essay, consider these key elements: 

A good conclusion can make the difference between a forgettable essay and one that stays with the reader long after they've finished. Following these guidelines ensures that your essay conclusion about happiness effectively wraps up the argument and provides readers with memorable final impressions.

Conclusion helps readers better understand the topic by providing a sense of resolution or insight. Here is an example of a happiness essay conclusion:

If you want to write an essay on happiness, remember that it can be a hard yet rewarding experience. Whether you are doing it for a class assignment, a job, a scholarship application, or personal growth, exploring what contentment means to you can be the journey of self-discovery.  You should clearly understand the topic and have a well-structured plan. The steps to effective happiness essay writing include defining satisfaction, conducting research, and organizing thoughts. When writing, it's crucial to consider factors that contribute to delight and obstacles that can hinder the process. Following the steps below, you can craft an article that effectively communicates your perspective on this topic.

Choosing a topic about happiness essay can be daunting, but with some guidance and creativity, you may find a subject that is both interesting and relevant. When brainstorming for happiness essay topics, follow these steps:

Gathering information from credible sources is crucial when writing an essay about happiness. Here are some tips to ensure that you collect accurate and relevant facts:

Following these tips, you can delve into a wealth of credible sources for your happiness essays to elevate your article to new heights of insight.

Crafting an outline is essential in writing an essay on happiness and can give your work the structure and direction it needs to succeed. Here's how to create an effective happiness essay outline:

By following these steps and utilizing an essay outline , you'll have a clear map to guide you as you craft your paper, ensuring that your ideas are coherently organized, and your writing flows effortlessly.

In this essay about happiness, we will delve into the elusive and complex nature of this emotion. Here is an example to follow when you write your happiness essay.

When proofreading your happiness essay, make sure to take your time and approach it methodically. Follow these steps:

This can help you pick up on any errors that you might have missed during your initial proofreading. Finally, the article will leave a lasting impression on your reader and enhance your credibility as a writer.

If you're looking to write truly captivating happiness essays, it's always helpful to seek inspiration from various sources. Consider checking out these excellent essay examples about happiness:  Happiness essay example 1

When writing a happiness essay, there are key tips to keep in mind to help you create a compelling piece of work. Here are a few suggestions to get you started in happiness essays writing:

By going about integrating these unique tips into your writing day by day, you'll be able to craft essays on happiness that are both original and memorable, capturing the reader's imagination from start to finish. Students can explore a vast range of topics through our platform, from an essay about true friendship  and a  family essay to an illustration essay that will show how to convey complex ideas in a clear and engaging way.

To write a happiness essay, you should consider providing long and in-depth ways to explore what truly brings us joy. Instead of repeating common knowledge, take a personal approach and reflect on the things that delight you. Consider the fact that relationships, gratitude, mindfulness, and activities all contribute to shaping our joy. Your happiness essays should also showcase your introspective side. Examine any challenges or obstacles you have faced in your journey toward contentment. This will make your paper not only unique but also relatable and insightful. The goal is to create a piece that offers a fresh perspective on the concept of happiness and a true reflection of your experiences.

• Topic definition
• Topic importance
• Thesis statement
• Topic sentence
• Supporting evidence
• Concluding sentence, connected to your thesis
• Summarizing main points
• Final thoughts and future recommendations
• Encouraging readers to reflect on their delight
• summarize the main arguments
• provide closure
• include a final thought or reflection
• leave a lasting impression
• avoid introducing new information.
• Start with a broad idea related to your issue. Narrow the focus to a specific aspect, gather information, list potential cases, evaluate options, refine the matter, and check for relevance to your audience.
• Gather information, consider the different perspectives, and take note of the arguments you come across.
• Come up with five to ten potential concerns and evaluate each, asking questions such as if it is interesting, has enough information available, and if you can find a unique approach.
• Refine your chosen discussion to make it specific, focused, relevant, and interesting to your audience.
• Research from trustworthy sources like academic journals, books by experts, and government websites.
• Evaluate information's credibility and reliability. When you are reading, take notes on the information that you find. Write down the author, title, and publication date of each source to keep track of your research.
• Use multiple sources to broaden your understanding of your topic.
• Organize your research with a citation manager or bibliography.
• Framework Start by outlining the main sections of your essay - introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Pinpoint your ideas Determine the key points you want to convey in each section.
• Supplement with specifics Add details that reinforce and support your ideas under each main point.
• Follow the guide Use the happiness essay outline example above as a starting point, but feel free to customize depending on the situation.
• Read through the entire essay to get a sense of its overall structure and flow.
• Pay close attention to the introduction, as this sets the tone for the entire piece.
• Look for typos, grammatical errors, and awkward phrasing .
• Ensure your paragraphs are well-organized, with clear transitions between ideas. Check that your happy essay accurately reflects your thoughts and clearly conveys the message you want.
• Finally, read the paper out loud to yourself, or have someone else read it to you.
• Explore the concept from a cultural or historical perspective, looking at how attitudes towards your topic have changed over time across different societies.
• Consider how relationships, community, and social connections shape our enjoyment. How can these factors interact?
• Weigh the benefits and drawbacks of different approaches, such as positive or negative thinking, mindfulness, and self-care, offering a well-rounded perspective on the topic.
• Reflect on the connection between happiness and success, considering whether one necessarily leads to the other or can be pursued independently of success.
• Incorporate humor and lightheartedness into your writing, making your essay entertaining.

What Is a Happiness Essay?

Purpose of an essay on happiness, ideas to write a happiness essay on, happiness essay outline, structure of a happiness essay, happiness essay introduction, happiness essay introduction example, happiness essay thesis statement, happiness thesis statement example, happiness essay body, happiness body paragraph example, happiness essay conclusion, happiness essay conclusion sample, how to write an essay on happiness, 1.  pick a topic about happiness, 2. do in-depth research, 3. create an outline for a happiness essay, 4. write an essay about happiness, 5. proofread your happiness essay, happiness essay examples, happiness essay writing tips, bottom line on happiness essay writing.

Satisfaction is never a straightforward and easily attainable idea. It has intrigued philosophers, religious figures, and people alike for centuries. Some say contentment is found inside a material wealth lifestyle, and others believe it is a state of mind or a result of spiritual fulfillment. But what is happiness, really? And how can we cultivate it in our own lives?

True happiness comes from family, friends, and learning to be content in life, while money can only purchase momentary happiness.

Contentment brings a smile to our faces, peace to our hearts, and a skip in our steps. It's what many of us strive for every day, and it turns out it's not just good for our spirits but our health too! Studies have linked contentment to lower stress, reduced risk of heart disease, and elevated life satisfaction. Delight can come from doing what you love, being with loved ones, or having a sense of purpose. Or, it may simply be found in everyday moments like a sunny day, a good meal, or a breathtaking sunset. Although joy can be fleeting and affected by life events, we can still work to cultivate it in our lives.

In conclusion, delight is a difficult and multi-faceted concept that can influence various factors, including personal relationships, life events, and individual perspectives. The pursuit of contentment is a common initiative for all humans, and it is evident that becoming content requires a perfect balance and order of internal and external factors. This article presents evidence that helps you see clearly that contentment is not a fixed state. It is a journey that needs effort, reflection, and self-awareness to enjoy. I hope this paper has helped you realize a deeper understanding of this topic and become better equipped to embark on your pursuit of joy. 

Contentment is a subjective experience that varies significantly from person to person. It is often considered the ultimate goal of human life, and many people spend their entire lives searching for it. Despite its elusive nature, it is a crucial component of well-being and has been linked to numerous benefits for physical, mental, and emotional health. The reasons to smile or experience joy are varied and can be both internal and external. Some individuals find joy in the simple things in life, like being with family, pursuing their passions, or exploring new experiences. On the other hand, others may find it through accomplishing personal goals, acquiring material goods, or attaining financial security. Nonetheless, it's crucial to keep in mind that these external sources of happiness may not always be possible and may not alleviate suffering. Conversely, true joy comes from within and is characterized by a sense of being content, satisfied, and with purpose. It can be cultivated through mindfulness, gratitude, and self-reflection. By focusing on personal growth, forming meaningful relationships, and finding meaning and purpose in life, individuals, including children, can develop a deep sense of satisfaction that is not dependent on external circumstances and is not easily disturbed by life's problems. In conclusion, delight is a complex and multifaceted experience that both internal and external factors can influence. While external sources can bring temporary joy, true and lasting contentment can only be found within. Individuals can create a foundation for joy that will endure throughout their lives by focusing on personal growth and cultivating a positive mindset.

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Optimism — Optimism: A Key to Success and Happiness

Optimism: a Key to Success and Happiness

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Words: 947 |

Published: Feb 7, 2024

Words: 947 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

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Introduction, benefits of being optimistic, optimism and success, how to cultivate optimism, overcoming obstacles to optimism, the dangers of excessive optimism.

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✍️Essay on Success in 100,150 and 200 Words: The Power of Positive Mindset

• Updated on  
• Oct 26, 2023

The concept of success is very simple; if you invest your time wisely and work hard, you will achieve success in no time. But success is not as simple as it sounds; what might sound like success to one might not be the same for another person. It embodies the realization of one’s goals, aspirations, and desires, often accompanied by a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment.

Success is manifested in different aspects, such as career achievements, personal growth, or even the pursuit of happiness. It is a journey filled with determination, perseverance, and often a willingness to learn from both triumphs and setbacks. Ultimately, success is a subjective pursuit that reflects the unique path and definition of achievement for each person.

Table of Contents

• 1 What Makes a Person Successful?
• 2 Essay on Success in 100 Words
• 3 Essay on Success in 150 Words
• 4 Essay on Success in 200 Words

What Makes a Person Successful?

Being successful is very subjective and can vary from person to person. Therefore, here are some common factors which contribute to the success of a person.

• Hard Work and Persistence: Success requires effort and dedication and one has the ability to face challenges.
• Setting Clear Goals: It is very important for one to have specific and attainable goals which will provide direction and motivation. 
• Networking: The person should have the capability to build relations and at the same time be open to opportunities which strike. 
• Time Management: Managing time effectively and priorities is essential for productivity and progress. 
• Self-Discipline: One should be very focused and maintain self-control which will help them achieve long-term goals. 
• Management of Finances: Having a basic understanding of finances and managing them wisely is also very important for attaining financial success. 

Also Read: Essay on Water Conservation

Essay on Success in 100 Words

Success is the culmination of dedication, hard work, and determination. It is not merely the achievement of material wealth, but the fulfilment of one’s goals and aspirations. Success varies from person to person; for some, it’s a thriving career, while for others, it could be having a harmonious family life. 

To attain success, individuals must set clear objectives, persevere through challenges, and learn from failures. Success often involves learning, adapting, and embracing change. It’s the result of resilience and the willingness to keep pushing forward. Ultimately, success is a personal journey, and its definition is unique to each individual.

Essay on Success in 150 Words

Everybody wants to be successful in life, but are they willing to put in all their efforts? Success is not solely measured by wealth or fame but by achieving one’s goals and finding fulfilment. True success is often the result of determination, hard work, and resilience. Setting clear, achievable objectives and being persistent through challenges are crucial components.

Education is a common path to success, providing knowledge and skills that open doors to opportunities. Embracing failure as a stepping stone, learning from mistakes, and adapting to change are essential to achieving success. However, it’s important to recognize that success is subjective and can encompass a broader spectrum of achievements beyond material possessions.

Personal growth, happiness, and a sense of purpose are all part of success. Balancing personal and professional life is key to sustaining it. Ultimately, success is a journey, not a destination, and it’s about realizing your full potential and making a meaningful contribution to the world.

Also Read: Essay on Nature: In 100 Words, 200 Words, 300 Words

Essay on Success in 200 Words

Success is a multifaceted concept, often defined by achieving one’s goals and aspirations. It is a subjective and deeply personal notion, as what constitutes success varies from person to person. However, a common thread in success is the continuous pursuit of one’s ambitions, combined with determination and hard work.

Success is not solely measured by material wealth, but rather by the fulfilment and satisfaction that comes from reaching one’s objectives. It is the result of setting clear goals, developing a plan, and facing all the challenges. The road to success is rarely smooth; it is often marked by setbacks and failures. These obstacles are crucial for personal growth, teaching valuable lessons that contribute to success in the long run.

Moreover, success is not an endpoint; it is a continuous journey. It requires adaptability and the willingness to learn and evolve. Success can be found in various aspects of life, from career achievements to personal relationships and self-fulfilment. It is the balance and harmony between these different facets that lead to a truly successful and meaningful life.

In conclusion, success is a complex and individualized concept, rooted in determination, hard work, resilience, and personal growth. It is not defined solely by external markers but by the fulfilment and happiness, one derives from their accomplishments and the journey to achieve them.

Related Articles

Writing an essay on success requires you to describe this multifaceted concept. Success is achieved when one’s goal and objective is attained. Those who are successful, have fulfilled their highest ambitions in life and work, or are actively striving towards doing so. 

Happiness does not follow success. Contrary to popular belief, living a life that makes you happy can help you achieve your goals and be content. 

You gain from success because it gives you the things you want or need. Setting and achieving attainable goals results in a feeling of well-being. 

For more information on such interesting topics, visit our essay-writing page and follow Leverage Edu ! 

Malvika Chawla

Malvika is a content writer cum news freak who comes with a strong background in Journalism and has worked with renowned news websites such as News 9 and The Financial Express to name a few. When not writing, she can be found bringing life to the canvasses by painting on them.

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The Real Difference Between Being Successful And Being Happy

"Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get."- Ingrid Bergman

Success and happiness, happiness and success. People have a tendency to confuse the two, mixing them up until they can’t distinguish between the very different but seemingly unified terms.

In a culture based on profit and earnings, we’ve grown up to attribute happiness as the product of success, measuring our lives by the level of our achievements and goals attained. Like a bad analogy, many equate success to the forefront of happiness, foregoing the second part of the equation to achieve the first. They think happiness is at the end of the climb and success is just a measure of it.

However, if you look at it more closely, there couldn’t be a more wrong way of looking at it. Success is not, and never has been, a reflection of happiness, but rather, the other way around. How happy you are is the ultimate measure of success, isn’t it?

It only takes a few case studies to realize that success can’t be the recipe for happiness. If success did lead to happiness, shouldn’t the very rich and accomplished be the happiest people we know? Shouldn’t the ones who choose fame, fortune and achievement be at the pinnacle of satisfaction? Shouldn’t Alec Baldwin just be a happy go-lucky guy?

Unfortunately, the most successful and rich aren’t always the happiest, as they gave up real chances for happiness on their way to the top. They got the equation all wrong, mixing up the two variables for an answer that’s pretty far from what they thought they’d get. They believed that success was the answer to happiness and happiness was just a byproduct, a factor, to success.

Like a math problem, or a well-applied analogy, success and happiness are separate, but many times dependent factors. Success most definitely has a stake in happiness, but not in the way many people think. Success is an achievement, but happiness is the only achievement. Success should come as a byproduct of happiness -- a factor that comes from happiness, derives from it.

Happiness will be there when success is gone, when it’s been subtracted from the equation. Happiness will be there when all else fails, when the answers don’t align and your numbers don’t match up. Happiness is the only answer there is because success is something that should only come when you are doing what you love, not the other way around. It’s the end product of following your passions. Because success may seem like the goal, but happiness is the way there.

Success is all the money in the world; happiness is having people to spend it on.

Success is measurable; happiness is limitless.

Success is a fancy car; happiness is a great ride.

Success is working hard; happiness is loving the work.

Success is the fame; happiness is the rise.

Success is the race; happiness is the finish line.

Success is having everyone know your name; happiness is having the right people know your name.

Success is being right; happiness is being true.

Success is earned, happiness is achieved.

Success is awards; happiness is its own reward.

Success is money in the bank; happiness can’t be deposited.

Success is private jets; happiness is flying high.

Success is never easy; happiness will never feel difficult.

Success is money; happiness is value.

Success is sacrifice; happiness is plentiful.

Success is late hours; happiness is all day.

Success is second homes; happiness is always home.

Success is material things; happiness is in the materials.

Success is pursuing your dreams; happiness is living your dreams.

Success is praise; happiness is never needing it.

Success is reaching the top; happiness has no ceiling.

Success is all the money in the world; happiness is needing none of it.

Success is doing what you love; happiness is loving what you do.

Success is just ahead; happiness was never behind.

Success is pursued; happiness is acquired.

Success is getting everything you ever wanted; happiness is not needing any of it.

Success is calculated; happiness doesn’t need a cheat sheet.

Success is envied; happiness is shared.

Success is perfection; happiness is embracing the imperfections.

Success is going the distance; happiness is enjoying the destination.

Photo credit: WENN

Home / Essay Samples / Life / Success / Success and Happiness: Finding Fulfillment Beyond Material Wealth

Success and Happiness: Finding Fulfillment Beyond Material Wealth

• Category: Life , Education
• Topic: Happiness , Personal Statement , Success

Pages: 1 (530 words)

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