It turns out that the level of income and the level of happiness are interrelated. No, the rich people also cry. But happy people earn more. Let’s understand why this is happening.
There is a misconception that great wealth can make a person happier.
Several studies were to determine the magic level of income required for happiness. One of them is an often quoted study at Princeton University. In 2010, scientists discovered that happiness increases with income. But as soon as the income level reaches 75,000 dollars a year, the level of happiness will not increase even if you earn more.
But the fact that happiness leads to increased well-being is true: several recent studies confirm this. For example, a paper published by the National Academy of Sciences suggests that adolescents and young people who report a higher level of life satisfaction earn more in the future.
So you want to be happy and make more money, but how to do it? Let’s try to understand why happy people earn more. It turns out that there are at least six reasons.
Happy people are optimistic
Happy employees earn more because of their optimistic attitude that allows them to be more open to new opportunities and experiences. Happy people are willing to accept the challenge and take the risk, as it gives more opportunities to earn money. In addition, they treat their unfortunate decision as an opportunity to gain new knowledge rather than as a personal failure.
Happy people are less likely to take sick leave certificates
Happiness has a noticeable effect on people’s overall health. Happy employees tend to spend more time at work and go to hospital as little as possible.
If we rely on the study of Illinois Wesleyan University, happy employees spend at home 15 days less than the unhappy ones and live 10 years longer.
Happy people are more productive
Scientists from the University of Warwick in Coventry (UK) have found a correlation between happiness and productivity. Economics professors Andrew Oswald, Eugenio Proto and Daniel Sgroi conducted an experiment with randomly selected people, and those who felt happy proved 12% more productive than the rest.
A productive person has certain advantages at work. If the boss sees the employee’s productivity, it creates the conditions for promotion and salary increase.
Happy people are considered to be more efficient
According to Idowu Koyenikan, the author of “Wealth for all Africans” and a leading advisor to Grandeur Touch on recruitment and business strategy for consulting firms, happiness is contagious. It involves your colleagues and, most importantly, your customers. For this reason, happy workers receive good reviews, which tend to lead to an increase in wages.
Employers want to see a team of happy people to boost morale and create a favorable working environment. That is why employers will do everything possible to keep such people in their team; this means the employees will get promoted, their salary will be raised, they will have additional benefits, and so on.
Happy people solve problems instead of creating them
Lynda Talley, a manager in the sphere of leadership development writes that most people love to create problems from scratch and complain about their workplace, bosses, and co-workers. Happy people, on the contrary, tend to look for a solution.
Happy people invest in themselves
Elle Kaplan, CEO and founder of the investment company LexION Capital says happy people earn more because they always educate themselves, build and invest in their future. Furthermore, when you invest in yourself, you increase the level of happiness.
Below are 5 tips on how to become a happier person and earn more money.
1. Be sociable
Shawn Achor, the author of “The Benefits of Happiness” and founder of the Good Think company, found that a person becomes happier when talking with others. The people, who invite colleagues for lunch, organize something in the office, and help younger colleagues to present themselves to others, are more passionate about their work than those who do everything for themselves. Therefore, it is likely that an active person will get promoted.
2. Do simple daily exercises
Achor also recommends training your brain once a day by performing actions that will give a good mood: write in a matter of 10 minutes three things which you are grateful for, or meditate for two minutes. This will add optimism and satisfaction with life.
3. Praise yourself
Leo Willcocks, the author of DeStress to Success, recommends five compliments to oneself daily, in a matter of 30 days. This will help you to understand your strengths and feel more confident.
4. Look around for the bright side
There are many things you cannot control, but at the same time, there are many things that you can change, including your attitude to what is happening. “Learn to look at the bright side of everything. You will be the happiest person if you can change your perception, as Daryl Cioffi, the owner of Polaris Counseling and Consulting restaurant says.
For example, to feel good at work, try to think about the pleasure your work brings you and you will notice that you work better and become more efficient.
5. Stop comparing yourself to others
You will not be happy if you try to live as others tell you. Jene Kapela, president and founder of the consulting firm Jene Kapela Leadership Solutions, which specializes in the development of leadership and managerial skills, adds that only you know what is right for you. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, we should make the choice that corresponds to our own values and act in order to achieve well-being the way we see it.
