What motivates us to work more? Happiness or Money?

I was watching the show 100 Humans on Netflix and this episode came up about happiness. The first experiment is all about what motivates us more, happiness or money? The result of the experiment was that happiness very clearly had more success. Money certainly makes you focused, but it puts on the pressure. Happiness allowed for more creativity, less pressure, and therefore they won in the overall competition in the experiment! The experiment was to make the tallest tower out of random objects.

Laughing causes endorphins, and smiling does as well. Even if you fake a smile, your brain is stimulated to release endorphins. Laughter and smiling can make us happy. It is usually the result of happiness as well. Try it….take a second and just smile. Did it help? It sure did for me.

So at the very least, remember that happiness is a factor in what motivates us to work. Money is great, but it won’t motivate us to work if the atmosphere doesn’t provide the happiness (growth, challenge, friendly people, passion for the work, etc.) we expect from what we do.

Try a smile every once in awhile, even if we are feeling down. Release those endorphins. I am smiling right now as I write this.

Love and Happiness to all!

Melissa M

happinessexpected@gmail.com