Sept. 21, 2024 — At Vision Expo West in Las Vegas, Dori Carlson, O.D., FAAO, and Crystal Brimer, O.D., FAAO, led a transformative course titled "Promoting the Happiness Advantage in Your Office," based on Shawn Achor's book, “The Happiness Advantage.” This one-hour session demonstrated how fostering a positive work environment can enhance productivity, creativity, and problem-solving skills among employees.

Dr. Carlson and Dr. Brimer introduced attendees to the key concepts of Achor's research, emphasizing that happiness is not a byproduct of success, but rather the fuel that drives it. The course delved into the relationship between happiness and success, supported by insights from positive psychology.

Ahead of the course, EB connected with Dr. Carlson to gain her perspective on the ideas she would be describing to attendees: “We always think that if we achieve ‘X,’ we will be happy. Studies show just the opposite. If we’re happy, we will achieve success,” she says. “There are seven principles to happiness, and while all are important, research has shown that the principle of Social Investment is the most crucial to long-term happiness, health, and success. It’s about the people around us.”

“Studies have proven that people love what they do largely because they love who they do it with,” she adds. “More cohesive teams lead to greater success.”

Participants explored seven principles of the Happiness Advantage, each illustrated with compelling stories:

1. The Happiness Advantage: Understanding how happiness gives individuals and organizations a competitive edge.
2. The Fulcrum and the Lever: Techniques for shifting mindsets to create positive changes.
3. The Tetris Effect: Strategies for training the brain to focus on positive outcomes.
4. Falling Up: Finding opportunities in setbacks and challenges.
5. The Zorro Circle: Regaining control in difficult situations.
6. The 20-Second Rule: Removing barriers to establishing positive habits.
7. Social Investment: The importance of building strong relationships for success.
8. The course also provided practical examples and case studies of organizations that have successfully implemented these principles, highlighting the benefits such as improved productivity, enhanced decision-making, and increased resilience.

Attendees explored actionable strategies for cultivating happiness in their workplaces, including daily habits that promote well-being and the concept of the "Ripple Effect," where individual positivity influences the broader team environment.

The session concluded with a summary of the key takeaways, encouraging participants to apply the principles of the Happiness Advantage not just in their practices but also in their everyday lives, reinforcing the idea that happiness is integral to achieving professional success.