We believe we should work hard in order to be happy, but could we be thinking about things backwards? In this fast-moving and very funny talk, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that, actually, happiness inspires us to be more productive.

The Joy of Letting Go of Stress
Leo Babauta. What else.  Read it here!

As a management researcher, I’ve had the opportunity to peer inside a lot of organizations. In doing so, I’ve learned that most big companies are pretty much the same, at least when it comes to the way they’re managed. The rituals of goal-setting, planning, budgeting and performance appraisal differ only slightly from firm to firm. There’s even less variety in the architecture of power. Hierarchical authority structures, top-down leadership appointments and order-following employees have come to nearly every organization I’ve studied-nearly. One amazing exception is W.L. Gore & Associates. Known mostly for its Gore-Tex range of high-performance fabrics, the company makes more than 1,000 products and employs 9,000 in 50 locations around the world. Wherever it operates, Gore is frequently ranked as one of the best possible places to work. Continue reading

The Five Life-Stages of Happiness: How Our Definition of Contentment Changes Over the Course of Our Lifetime
“Our meaning of happiness is constantly shaped and reshaped by small choices we make every day.” Brainpickings

Smile, breathe, and go slowly!

Dieter Langenecker