We often hear that in order to be happy, we must be successful. The idea that we must seek success in order to be happy has long been ingrained in our minds. But does success really make you happy ?
Does happiness attract success ?
We all know the saying “positive attracts positive”, but is this also true in the workplace ? According to a study by American academics, happy people are more satisfied in their work and are better surrounded. It has been shown that people with better well-being perform better at work. For example, a positive sales person would sell 37% more insurance policies than a less positive colleague.
People with positive emotions have been shown to be more ambitious, persistent and confident than their peers. They have ambitious but achievable expectations. Indeed, positive people tend to do better and be more productive. The study concludes that happy people perform better and that happiness is probably the cause.
Does success make you happy ?
Are we happy because we are successful ? Our societies are steeped in a careerist culture where the ambition is to succeed professionally in order to be happy. Success is perceived as a means to fulfillment.
But what does success mean ? For the vast majority of us, it is a notion linked to money, the more successful we are, the more money we have and therefore the happier we are. Success depends on the expectations of each person, some people can be fulfilled in their work and not earn crazy amounts of money. It all depends on how much weight you put on your professional success. Some people earn very well but are not happy in their work.
Happiness should not be associated with work because professional success is tangible. It is important to identify what makes us happy on a daily basis and to diversify it. We must find our joy in what surrounds us and cultivate it.
Which comes first, happiness or success ?
The question is up to you. What does it take to be happy ? To be successful ? It is good to be ambitious but the quest for success must not become toxic. You must cultivate your happiness, seek it and find it. It is more a state of mind than a destination. You don’t chase happiness, you create it. It is up to you to be happy.
Do you think success makes you happy ? If yes, share your experience with us on WhatsApp. If not, tell us why. We will share it on our social networks.
Follow us on Instagram