Abstract

This chapter considers happiness from the broad spectrum in which it should be considered: as an internal state that can get influenced by professional, personal, and social occurrences. The chapter first addresses the most common phenomena with which happiness is associated: wealth, prominence, and fame. It subsequently discusses the views of happiness as a moving target, a compartmentalized emotion, an individual versus collective trend, and a wealth-based effect, all of which have been supported and refuted over time by scholars and practitioners. The chapter subsequently evaluates happiness within the context of work, whereby effects such as job satisfaction, performance, team spirit, work-life balance, learning, the workplace atmosphere, and perceived success are addressed. In the final part of the chapter, the importance of internalizing happiness is presented, using the term as an acronym, and explaining the need to a) honor every experience, b) act every day as if it were your last, c) pass along good thoughts, d) practice excellence, e) infuse humor, f) navigate mindfully through life, g) earn respect by giving it, h) support other beings, and i) smile regularly.