What is happiness? According to the Miriam-Webster Dictionary, “happiness” is “a state of well-being and contentment” and “a pleasurable or satisfying experience.”

In the Stanford Business Case for Happiness, the authors argue that businesses need to invest in happiness. They found that “In a meta-analysis of 27 studies of affect and job satisfaction, researchers concluded that happier people were 25 percent more satisfied in their jobs.”

Shawn Achor, author of The Happiness Advantage, says that when “you’re happy you achieve more: your intelligence rises, your creativity rises, your energy level rises and every single business outcome improves.” He calls this the “Happiness Advantage.” Achor’s research shows that “your brain at positive is 31 percent more productive that your brain at negative, neutral or stressed. You’re 37 percent better at sales. Doctors are 19 percent faster, more accurate at coming up with the correct diagnosis when positive instead of negative, neutral or stressed. Which means we can reverse the formula, to achieve success you should work at also being happy. If we can find a way of becoming positive, then our brains work even more successfully as we’re able to work harder, faster and more intelligently.”

If you are interested in moving up the happiness meter and shifting to a more positive mindset for greater job and life satisfaction, then this course if for you. The course concludes with a commencement speech set to video by David Foster Wallace called "This Is Water". The video is 9 minutes – please watch the video as part of this course.

Course Key Concepts: Positive Psychology, Happiness, Well-Being, Optimism

Learning Objectives
  • Explore four common reasons that make it challenging for people to be positive
  • Recognize the impacts of the negativity loop
  • Discover the benefits of a positive outlook
  • Identify routines and choices that may feel good in the moment but don’t make us happier
  • Create a plan to cultivate a more positive mindset with seven proven strategies
Last updated/reviewed: March 28, 2024
9 Reviews (31 ratings)

Reviews

5
Anonymous Author
This course gave me so many strategies to improve my well-being. I hope I can utilize these strategies on a day-to-day basis and I look forward to benefitting from the results!

5
Anonymous Author
Great course - I highly recommend listening to the "This is Water" video. I found a 23 min version on you tube... wrapped this course up nicely!

5
Anonymous Author
Great presentation, the course more than met my expectations. Both personally and professionally.

5
Anonymous Author
I especially appreciated the David Foster Wallace commencement speech at the end.

5
Anonymous Author
great tips! i think the course was a little lengthy but i enjoyed the content.

5
Anonymous Author
This is one of the best course on the site. I will definitely revisit this one.

4
Anonymous Author
Overall good message on self awareness and benefits of a positive mindset

4
Anonymous Author
great course - really makes you think about what you can change

5
Anonymous Author
Great course! Helps you create a healthier outlook

Prerequisites
Course Complexity: Foundational

No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.

Education Provider Information
Company: Illumeo, Inc., 75 East Santa Clara St., Suite 1215, San Jose, CA 95113
Contact: For more information regarding this course, including complaint and cancellation policies, please contact our offices at (408) 400- 3993 or send an e-mail to .
Instructor for this course
Course Syllabus
Introduction And Overview
  Introduction to Cultivating a Positive Mindset for Greater Job and Life Satisfaction5:25
  Why Aren't We More Positive?13:14
  Self Awareness9:01
  Benefits of A Positive Mindset10:28
  Creating New Strategies17:31
  What Is Your New Strategy?3:06
Continuous Play
  Cultivating a Positive Mindset for Greater Job and Life Satisfaction58:59
Supporting Material
  Slides: Cultivating a Positive Mindset for Greater Job and Life SatisfactionPDF
  Cultivating a Positive Mindset for Greater Job and Life Satisfaction HandoutDocs
Review And Test
  REVIEW QUESTIONSquiz
 FINAL EXAMexam