If you’re interested in finding out the answer to this question then I urge you to take 12 minutes out of your busy schedule today to watch this TED talk by Shawn Achor: The Happy Secret to Better Work.

The video made me laugh and think (a combination that works particularly well for me!) but Achor’s message is very compelling and one which I took on board as an individual, a parent and a business owner. ‘Happiness’ doesn’t feature much on the curriculum in our schools (or in our business planning come to that!) but Shawn Achor puts forward a very good argument why it might be a very good idea.  He produces evidence to show that becoming more positive in the present (…or creating ‘ripples of positivity’ as he so cutely expresses it) produces Dopamine which not only makes us happier, it also turns on all the learning centres in our brains, allowing us to work more successfully, simply by utilising ‘the happiness advantage’.

And not only that, he also shows us HOW we can  re-wire our brains in 21 days by doing just 5 simple things. (Watch the video!)

So, I’m going to take up the 21 Day Challenge – and I’m looking forward to whole lot of extra Dopamine coming my way very soon! Anyone care to join me?