Success then happiness, or the other way around?

This TED talk is a humorous and inspiring look at happiness and work, through the lens of Positive Psychology.  In it, Shawn Achor suggests several strategies to re-wire our thinking so that it is less negatively biased.  One exercise that he mentions that I really like is the Gratitude journal, which I have included in my past stress management classes.  This is a 21 day challenge during which you write down 3 things that you are grateful for, each and every day.  Challenging your brain to contemplate gratitude can shift the balance of your thinking so that it is less skewed towards the negative and can thereby improve your sense of life satisfaction. 

http://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work.html?quote=1291

Reference: ​

Lyubomirsky S, Dickerhoof R, Boehm JK, Sheldon KM.​ (2011). Becoming happier takes both a will and a proper way: an experimental longitudinal intervention to boost well-being. Emotion. Apr;11(2):391-402.