I wonder does happiness = success? Feeling good isn’t just great for your life – it also makes it much easier to make money.
So, what does your mood have to do with money?
1. Easier decision-making
When you are feeling good your brain works better. The frontal cortex – the fore part of your brain is where decisions are made and it works best in a low stress, happier environment. When you are stressed this part of the brain tends to turn off and the amygdala takes over.
This is the part of the brain that wants to keep us safe. It keeps us away from snakes and high cliffs but can also keep us away from making a decision that will lead us to success.
If you think back to a time when you made a decision when you were stressed it probably didn’t go as smoothly as it could have. You would have worried a stressed about the decision, and still struggled.
Writing something when you are thinking about all the reasons why it won’t work, who might critic you, why people won’t like it, is so hard.
If you are investing in shares being in a good mood can help you analyse trends and make smarter choices, rather than acting on panic or fear.
In a positive state of mind, you are more likely to weigh the pros and cons carefully and make a rational decision rather than be swayed by negative emotions.
2. Boosted creativity
Good vibes can lead to great ideas. When you are happy your mind is more open to brainstorming and coming up with innovative ideas.
Think of the days when you are wanting to create a new product. On a day where everything is going well you are more likely to think outside the box and come up with a wonderful new idea that people will want.
Whereas days when you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed it is hard to think of anything at all, let alone anything good.
3. Better relationships
Feeling good makes you more likeable and more approachable. This is true at home and in the work environment. You can be networking at a business event, or talking to your support people being positive can make all the difference.
People tend to invest in, hire and partner up with those they enjoy being around. Whether you want to collaborate on a podcast, ask a favour, or brainstorm with someone, people are more likely to support someone who exudes confidence and enthusiasm.
4. Increased productivity
The only time this isn’t true for me is being angry and housework. I do get a lot of housework done when I am angry.
But for anything else being in a good mood means that I am more motivated and energetic. This means that I get more done in less time, and the work is better quality. I feel good about life, and I feel good about the work I am doing, so it flows better and of course that helps me feel even better.
4. Increased productivity
The only time this isn’t true for me is being angry and housework. I do get a lot of housework done when I am angry.
But for anything else being in a good mood means that I am more motivated and energetic. This means that I get more done in less time, and the work is better quality. I feel good about life, and I feel good about the work I am doing, so it flows better and of course that helps me feel even better.
5. Resilience
This is such an important life skill for everything. Success means overcoming obstacles and when you are feeling positive you are more resilient and better equipped to handle setbacks.
Positive emotions foster a growth mindset, which helps you to see challenges as opportunities.
There has been lots of talk about the downturn in the economy and how tough it is right now, but that is not true for many people. Some businesses folded in COVID others thrived and grew even if they had to find an alternative path. Every challenge has the seeds for amazing success. But you need to keep the open mindset.
6. Better health
Yes, I always have to talk about health, because it is so important. So many give up good health to grow their business and then burn out or get sick and have to concentrate on their health. Let’s do both at the same time.
Good health and positive emotions go hand in hand. How we think and feel has a big impact on your general well-being.
And when you are feeling healthy, you have more energy, more motivation, you are less likely to miss work or be distracted by health issues.
One of the biggest impacts on health is stress. There are studies suggesting that nearly 80% of people in hospital are there with stress related problems.
Looking after yourself, including your mental well-being will help you stay healthy and also improve your success in work and life.
7. Attracting opportunities
There is a saying “You attract what you project” and it is true.
When you are feeling good, you project confidence, competence and enthusiasm. These qualities can attract opportunities that you might otherwise miss.
It might be the dream partner, the dream job, the friend that can collaborate on your new idea, an invitation to be on a podcast, or a new friend to enjoy time with.
Even when you are writing, the energy you are feeling is coming through on your post. Whether it is a simple post on Facebook or a blog, people can pick up on your energy.
8. Enhanced learning
Positive emotions can also boost your ability to learn and retain information.
We have probably all experienced this. When you were at school and you hated the teacher, somehow the subject became hard to learn, no matter how much you liked it last year.
So many of my teachers made subjects like history boring. Then travelling around outback Australia I could not believe how fascinating and how important to the world our history is. How did I miss that? I was bored.
We retain information that is learned when we are feeling happy, engaged, positive .
Feeling good is way more than just enjoying life.
It is a powerful tool for success in every area. Any area you want to be successful in from weight loss, making more money, better relationships, sleeping better, looking after yourself and getting more customers in your business all work better when you are a feeling good.
If you would like some help in reducing your stress and increasing your happiness I can help.
Book here for a 4-week introduction and feel your life change.