Powered by Happy: How to Get and Stay Happy at Work (Boost Performance, Increase Success, and Transform Your Workday) [Paperback]

Beth Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2010

The only pocket-sized book packed with ways to boost not only workplace happiness, but also your-and your company's-performance

Research has shown that employee happiness improves the bottom line, but how can a time-crunched, stressed-out employee wedge in a little joy? Instrumental for anyone working, whether in a cubicle or a corner office, Powered by Happy offers a quick hit of optimism for the workday, which will help your career.

Employee engagement expert Beth Thomas has crafted a powerful little book filled with upbeat coaching, practical advice, and proven techniques.

"Powered by Happy provides a step by step, tip by tip strategy for figuring out what gives us joy and how to create an environment in which we can find it-all day, every day, in any situation, no matter what challenges we face."
-Larry Israelite, talent management executive

"Here is a practical collection of strategies and approaches that will support and enliven the lives of employees and managers."
-Elliott Masie, chair, The Learning Consortium

"Look hard into the mirror, be honest with yourself, follow Beth's advice, and become more productive and honestly happy!"
-Steven M. Lyman, vice-president, American Eagle Outfitters

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Beth Thomas is managing director and executive vice president of Sequent Consulting, a firm that provides training and HR services to the corporate sector. She has been senior vice president of retail training at JPMorgan Chase, where she was responsible for the learning and development of nearly 40,000 employees. She has worked with Limited Brands, Abercrombie and Fitch, DSW, and the CIA on how to improve the bottom line by investing in employee happiness. She is a frequent national speaker.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Are you happy?

How you answer that question probably depends on what area of your life you think about first. Your spouse? Home? Children? Friends? Work?

For most people, work isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But a lack of happiness at work can have a huge impact. When you are unhappy at the office, that feeling overflows into every part of your life. On the flip side, when you are happy in your nine-to-five, that joy pervades every area of your life. Unfortunately, happiness can sometimes play a serious game of hide-and-seek.

I'm not telling you anything you don't know-at least not yet. We all know how difficult it can sometimes be to find joy at work, whether you're in a cubicle or a corner office. And we all know, in a vague, rainbows-and-butterflies way, that more happiness in the hallways at work would be good. But it's a little more serious than that. True happiness improves the bottom line-yours and your company's. Don't believe me? Research at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania has shown that U.S. corporations with the happiest employees have a financial performance notably better than lower-ranked companies. Why is this? Common sense might offer hints, but other happiness research proves it: people who are happy function better, according to folks like happiness expert Alexander Kjerulf. Happy associates are productive associates.

And being happy at work is more important for you than most people think. Why? Because being happy at work is the first step in a sequence that leads to success. If you are happy at work, you become engaged in your work. If you are engaged, increased productivity, better results, and stronger relationships with your co-workers will follow. Happiness can not only skyrocket your career, but it can also transform your every workday. What's more, being happy not only affects your work; it affects your entire life in a positive way. Who wouldn't want that?

Not just working professionals. A positive psychology class nicknamed Happiness 101, taught by professor Tal Ben-Shahar, recently beat out Intro to Economics as the most popular course at Harvard, with more than 850 students enrolled in its last offering. In the last several years, positive psychology courses have popped up on over a hundred campuses around the country. These classes aim to better prepare young adults by teaching them that you do not just need the technical knowledge of how to move ahead in your career; happiness plays a significant role in your overall success as a professional and a person. And people want to learn how to get happy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks (March 15, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402226969
• ISBN-13: 978-1402226960
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #362,552 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Sequent Consulting, Beth is responsible for the overall success of the Consulting division. In this role, Beth has multiple responsibilities including the overall management of the Consulting business, Chief Learning Officer for Sequent, Inc., and Practice Leader for the Organizational Development Practice.

As part of her background, Beth specializes in designing and leading Transformational Training and Large scale Change Initiatives. She has 20 years experience helping organizations through major transformations, such as mergers and acquisitions and organizational change.

Prior to joining Sequent, Beth was Sr. Vice President and Head of Retail Training Development and Planning at JP Morgan Chase. Before that she worked at Limited Brands in Columbus, where she lead the retailer's Enterprise Learning Center and their Service Management practice (supporting all Limited Brands). Prior to that, Beth worked for the international brokerage firm, The Fritz Companies, Inc.

Beth is currently on the board of directors for the American Red Cross, Blood division. Beth is also an active volunteer where she has served on the Ohio Steering Committee for Operation Respect, Board of Directors for Willowbrook Christian Communities, Executive Director for Women in Technology, The Masie Center for Learning advisory board, and the Learning Decisions publication advisory board. She has also been a member of the American Society for Training and Development, Masie Center's Consortium, Stepping Stones (Fund raising organization for Christian Education), National Association for Female Executives, and Mid Ohio Training Consortium.

Beth is a frequent national speaker and her professional work has been recognized with national awards and in several national-circulation magazines and newsletters. She is also a contributing editor on four books, On Demand Learning (Darin Hartley), Implementing eLearning (Jay Cross and Lance Dublin), , Learning Rants, Raves and Reflections (Elliott Masie) and most recently Lies about Learning (Larry Islaerite).

Please visit: www.poweredbyhappy.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Actionable advice from a good friend., November 9, 2011

By 

Melissa D - See all my reviews

This review is from: Powered by Happy: How to Get and Stay Happy at Work (Boost Performance, Increase Success, and Transform Your Workday) (Paperback)

Reading Beth Thomas' book is like having a conversation with that one, dear friend who always gives you sound, practical advice. Unlike many business books I've read, the tips here are real and actionable. As someone who finds most business books provide little value and no new information, I found this one refreshing and applicable to my work life and my home life. A great read!

5.0 out of 5 stars Powered by Happy, November 1, 2011

By 

Italiagreek - See all my reviews

This review is from: Powered by Happy: How to Get and Stay Happy at Work (Boost Performance, Increase Success, and Transform Your Workday) (Paperback)

What an inspiring and amazing book! It's simple and fun yet delivers a mighty powerful message! A must read for EVERYONE ... our world would be a better place, if they did! Kudos to the author!

5.0 out of 5 stars This one's a keeper, October 30, 2011

By 

Bobkitten - See all my reviews

This review is from: Powered by Happy: How to Get and Stay Happy at Work (Boost Performance, Increase Success, and Transform Your Workday) (Paperback)

Everything happens for a reason, and this book and I "found" one another exactly when I needed to hear its messages. It is so easy to be pulled down and affected by the negativity that surrounds us in this world and in our daily lives. When so much bad is happening to so many people, it can often feel like a negative spiral. This book is such a wonderful voice of reason amid that darkness. It contains an amazing amount of common sense, actionable and necessary reminders of how much control we really do have and how to resurrect and preserve our own happiness. If you've lost your spirit, or are surrounded by work and people that make each day anything but a joy, Powered by Happy is a great (perfectly portable) companion and voice of reason.