Happiness Resources And Links
This section contains some happiness resources, our recommended reading on the subject of happiness. For your ease of use we've categorised these into:
Essential Reading and Suggested Further Reading. It's a growing list, so be sure to come back regularly for an update!
Essential Reading
Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realise Your Potential for Lasting Fulfilment , by Martin E. P. Seligman
Martin Seligman has championed and led the positive psychology movement. “I realised that my profession was half-baked. It wasn’t enough for us to nullify disabling conditions and get to zero. We needed to ask, what are the enabling conditions which make humans flourish? How do we get from zero to plus five?” The book is supported by a web site with a range of tests, explained in the book, which you can use on-line. See our article Rate Your Happiness which outlines the tests and provides a link directly to Seligman's site. We suggest you try the tests highlighted to get a better understanding of your own perspective of happiness. Seligman takes you through the findings and ideas which are behind positive psychology and the pursuit of happiness. Seligman is careful to define happiness as combining:
Go to our
happiness information
page for a full list of our other articles related to happiness.
Happiness: Lessons from a New Science
This is a shorter book than Seligman's but interesting because it's written from the point of view of a leading economist. Layard centres his book on the paradox he sees in modern life: most people want more income and strive for it. Yet as our societies become richer, people get no happier. This is an accessible read with a challenging view of how we, both as individuals and as a society, can be happier.
Happier: Finding Pleasure, Meaning and Life's Ultimate Currency , by Tal Ben-Shahar
This book was written by the academic who delivers the most popular class ever run at Harvard University. Psychology 1504 or “Positive Psychology”, runs twice a week with some 900 students attending. Tal Ben-Shahar calls the class “how to get happy”. This excellent book combines research, theory and practical application through the numerous activities designed to help you find a happier life. Many of the activities are based on the theory and techniques used by Ben-Shahar with his students. This is a very good read and highly recommended as a happiness resource!
Suggested Further Reading
Love Is the Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends , by Tim Sanders
If you want to fix your future, start by fixing yourself. What the business world needs is less greed -- and more love. Yahoo senior executive Tim Sanders, argues that now, more than ever, the road to prosperity is paved with a commitment to generosity. The most powerful force in business isn’t greed, fear, or even raw energy: it's love. This is what will give you a sense of meaning and satisfaction in your work. Sanders observes: “Business people who are the busiest, the happiest, and the most prosperous are the ones who are the most generous with their knowledge and their expertise. People who love what they’re doing, who love to learn new things, to meet new people, and to share what and whom they know with others: these are the people who wind up creating the new economic value and, as a result, moving their companies forward.”.
Return to Happy Manager Resources from Happiness Resources And Links
We're only beginning to put this list of happiness resources together, so if you have requests or suggestions, just let us know. Watch our blog for published comments and our responses. 
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, by Richard Layard.
