Want to Sell More? Be Happy

We all know that work isn’t always fun. But thinking positively – and enjoying yourself – can improve your life, the lives of your coworkers and your job performance.

Kathleen Passanisi spoke to agents at the 10th annual Cruise3sixty conference, encouraging them to be happy and improve their lives and those of the people around them.

Citing scientific and medical research, she made the case that happier workers are more productive at work and more satisfied with their personal lives.

“Happy workers just perform better,” said Passanisi, an author and speaker whose background is in therapeutic humor, wellness and life balance. “If you are an optimist, you can have up to a 56% boost in sales.”

It starts at the top
Positivity needs to start at the top, since happy leaders inspire their colleagues more effectively, she said. If you aren’t giving your workers positive feedback, consider the benefits of adopting a more upbeat attitude.

“Happy leaders lead the best teams,” said Passanisi. “If your interactions in your workplace between yourself and your staff are 2:1 positive to negative, those are effective teams.”

“If that ratio is 6:1 positive to negative, those are the best performing teams.”

By being conscious of positive encouragement, workplace leaders can boost the production of the entire team and the bottom line of their businesses.

“If you’re a leader, take the responsibility to be happy,” Passanisi advised.

Culture change
The culture in the U.S. is partially to blame for workplace dissatisfaction, particularly the pervasive idea that money can buy happiness.

Citing scientific research, Passanisi said that happiness is determined by a variety of factors – 50% is genetic, 40% is determined by how we choose to think, while just 10% is circumstantial.

Our culture, however, suggests that circumstances account most strongly for happiness. “We were taught that if you do certain things, you’ll be happy. But that’s wrong, backwards,” said Passanisi. “Happiness precedes success; it is not the byproduct.”

“If we have more positive emotions than negative emotions [overall], we can declare ourselves pretty happy.”

Nobody can be happy all the time, but people control more of their happiness than they think. “If you’re happy 24/7, you’re either medicated or from Colorado,” joked Passanisi.

Meeting your goals
By making an effort to make your life more pleasurable, and live more happily, you also can achieve more of your goals, she said.

Goals are also part of the happiness equation.

“Meaningful goals, plus a pleasurable journey, equals increased happiness,” said Passanisi. “The reason you don’t do something is because the pleasurable journey is the missing piece.”

Focus on the process
Simple factors control our levels of satisfaction with life, and simple tweaks to your behavior can improve your quality of life and job performance.

“We can use the mind to keep us well, and use the body to quiet the mind,” said Passanisi.

“How should you be thinking and acting to create the success you want?”

Sleep, deep breathing, meditation, practicing gratitude, and social support are all essential to leading a fulfilled life.

Travel planning itself is even a potential source of happiness, she said. Evidence shows that 27% of people get an endorphin boost from planning travel.