7 Tiny Habits That Can Change Your Mood and Your Career
Inspired by The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
What if success didn’t lead to happiness, but happiness led to success?
That’s the core of Shawn Achor’s The Happiness Advantage. And it’s something I’ve seen play out in my life and the lives of the leaders I coach.
Here’s the truth: a positive mindset isn’t just about feeling good. It fuels better decisions, stronger relationships, and more impact at work.
Here are seven daily habits that take less than 5 minutes each but can change the course of your day, and over time, your career.
❶ Start with Positivity
Happiness isn’t a reward for success. It’s the fuel for it.
Before you chase goals, choose joy. Positive minds perform better under pressure.
❷ Rewire with Gratitude
Every morning, list three things you’re grateful for.
This simple act trains your brain to scan for the good, even in challenging situations.
❸ Move Your Body
You don’t need an hour at the gym. Just 5 minutes of movement can lift your mood and sharpen your focus. You can build up to 20 minutes over a few weeks. Motion fuels emotion.
❹ Meditate to Reset
Take 2 minutes to pause. Breathe. Be still.
Meditation reduces stress and reboots your mind. Your best ideas need space to land.
❺ The 20-Second Rule
Good habits fail when they feel hard to start.
Remove friction. Make your first step easy, something you can do in 20 seconds.
❻ Practice Kindness
Help someone today. A kind word. A thank-you note.
Acts of kindness boost your energy and make work a better place for everyone.
❼ Build Social Ties
Success is social. Even a quick chat can lift your day.
Strong relationships at work and beyond are the foundation of growth.
“Happiness is not the belief that we don’t need to change; it is the realization that we can.” – Shawn Achor
No need for significant changes. Start small. Repeat daily.
Happiness isn’t something you find. It’s something you build.
Reflection Question:
Which of these habits will you try today? Let me know.