Happiness Gets Motivation

The Puritans left us more than Thanksgiving—they left a philosophy many still live by: “Work hard, and you’ll succeed. If you succeed, you’ll be happy.” But as Shawn Achor reveals in his TED Talk, that’s backwards. It’s happiness that fuels success.

Those who start happy—those outliers from the average—perform better, think more clearly, achieve more, and thrive in every arena: home, work, school. Why? Because happiness gets motivation.

The Happiness-Motivation Connection

Let’s be clear: happiness isn’t about parties or pretending. It’s not forced cheerfulness or wishful thinking. True happiness is internal—it’s your emotional color palette, ranging from mild interest to full-blown awe.

And yes, feelings can be changed. Not all emotions arrive invited or positive, but those with the happiness edge know how to shift them—not through willpower, but through thought. Change your thoughts, and you change your feelings. Change your feelings, and you change your life.

Think of a task you might fail—stress is inevitable. But reframe that same task as a chance to shine, and suddenly you’re engaged, optimistic, even eager.

Happiness Comes in Three Motivating Forms

Each form of happiness motivates a different kind of desirable experience. The secret? If you build more happiness into your day, motivation naturally follows.

Let’s explore the three types:

• Pleasure (in the moment)
• Progress (over time)
• Purpose (overall meaning)

Pleasure: The Spark That Starts You

Pleasure is short-term and often immediate. It’s the joy of sensory delight and positive emotional reactions—beauty, curiosity, freedom, belonging.

To create more pleasure:

• Elevate your environment: add color, nature, scent, or music.
• Plan experiences that include social connection, personal care, or creative play.
• Pair tasks with sensory joy or emotional ease.

Examples:

• Want to exercise more? Add nature—real or visual—and invite a friend.
• Struggling with procrastination? Add color, reduce pressure, and say “just 10 minutes.” That small start often leads to more.

Pleasure isn’t indulgent—it’s strategic. It lowers resistance and raises engagement.

Progress: The Confidence Builder

Progress creates the happiness of satisfaction, pride, and growth. It’s about learning, effort, and achievement. But motivation only comes when progress is visible.

To create more progress:

• Choose tasks that are meaningful and moderately challenging.
• Break them into short, finish-able pieces.
• Use expert resources—books, videos, mentors—to guide you.
• Track your wins and celebrate them.

Example Plan:

1. Review expert techniques.
2. Divide the task into bite-sized steps.
3. Keep support tools nearby.
4. Stop at a planned point, reflect, and reward yourself.

Progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about movement. And movement builds momentum.

Purpose: The Deep Driver

Purposeful experiences bring the happiness of gratitude, hope, love, and fulfillment. They connect you to your values, strengths, creativity, and higher meaning.

To create more purpose:

• Explore your core values and personal mission.
• Engage in creative acts—just for you.

Serve others: mentor, volunteer, contribute, inspire.

Suggestions:

• Write a personal mission statement.
• Create something that brings you joy—no judgment.
• Share your gifts with others, even in small ways.

Purpose turns effort into meaning. And meaning sustains motivation.

In the End: Happiness and Motivation Are Intertwined

Motivation isn’t just drive—it’s emotional fuel. And happiness is the spark that lights it.

To boost motivation:

• Add pleasure: make tasks enjoyable and environments inviting.
• Build progress: design tasks for visible growth and confidence.
• Expand purpose: connect actions to values and meaning.

The zest that makes life enjoyable is the same force that drives us forward. And it can be created—by how we think, what we choose, and how we shape our experiences.