Back in the days when I was seven years old and my younger sister was just five, our bunk bed became the battleground for an epic war between G.I. Joe soldiers and My Little Ponies. As the older sibling, I held the power to dictate the game, and on that fateful day, I chose war.

Amidst the clash of toy soldiers and colorful ponies, a moment of unexpected drama unfolded. My sister, without any assistance from her older brother, tumbled off the bunk bed, landing with a resounding crash on the floor below. Anxious not to disturb our parents during their precious nap, I peered over the edge to find her on all fours, clearly in pain.

Faced with the responsibility of ensuring our play remained safe and quiet, my mind raced back to a recent incident where I had accidentally broken her arm. Determined to avoid a repeat, I resorted to a little trick – I told her she was a unicorn. Yes, a unicorn.

This incident, though seemingly trivial, unknowingly marked the beginning of a journey into what would later be known as positive psychology. Fast forward two decades, and the concept of positive psychology has become a scientific revolution in understanding the human brain.

In his enlightening talk, Shawn Achor delves into the importance of positivity and happiness in shaping our reality. Drawing on personal experiences and scientific findings, he challenges the conventional wisdom that success leads to happiness. Instead, Achor proposes a paradigm shift – happiness leads to success.

Achor’s journey takes us through the pitfalls of the “medical school syndrome” and the dangers of focusing solely on the negative aspects of life. He emphasizes that our external world only predicts 10% of our long-term happiness, while the remaining 90% is influenced by the way our brains process the world.

The speaker goes on to discuss the impact of positivity on various aspects of life, from productivity and creativity to resilience in the face of challenges. He highlights the need to break free from the societal norm of striving for average and instead focuses on understanding and studying those who excel in different aspects of life.

Achor introduces the audience to simple yet powerful exercises that can train the brain to embrace positivity. From gratitude journaling to acts of kindness, these activities aim to rewire the brain and create a happiness advantage. The key takeaway is that a positive mindset not only makes us happier but also enhances our cognitive abilities, making us more successful in various endeavors.

1. Childhood Anecdote:
   • Achor begins by sharing a childhood story about playing with his sister on a bunk bed. The story involves an accidental fall and how he cleverly transformed a potential crisis into a positive moment by telling his sister she was a unicorn.
2. Introduction to Positive Psychology:
   • Achor introduces the audience to the term “positive psychology,” a scientific revolution that emerged decades later in the study of the human brain. Positive psychology focuses on the positive aspects of life, well-being, and happiness.
3. The Medical School Syndrome:
   • Achor describes the “medical school syndrome,” where individuals, when exposed to negative information, start perceiving themselves as having all the symptoms and issues mentioned. This illustrates the impact of external information on our perception.
4. The Influence of Perception on Reality:
   • Achor emphasizes that our external world only predicts a small portion (10%) of our long-term happiness. The way our brains process information and perceive the world significantly influences our overall happiness (90%).
5. Reversing the Success-Happiness Formula:
   • Achor challenges the common belief that working harder and achieving success will lead to happiness. Instead, he suggests reversing the formula – by being positive in the present, our brains perform better, leading to increased success and overall well-being.
6. The Happiness Advantage:
   • Achor introduces the concept of the “happiness advantage,” explaining that a positive mindset enhances cognitive functions. Positivity leads to increased productivity, creativity, and better performance in various aspects of life.
7. Training the Brain for Positivity:
   • Achor shares practical exercises to train the brain for positivity, such as gratitude journaling, reliving positive experiences through journaling, regular exercise, and engaging in random acts of kindness.
8. The Impact on Success:
   • Achor presents research findings that show the significant impact of positivity on success. Job success is predicted not just by IQ but also by factors like optimism levels, social support, and the ability to view stress as a challenge rather than a threat.
9. Redefining Wellness:
   • Achor critiques the traditional approach to wellness weeks that focus on problems and negatives. He advocates for a positive approach, emphasizing that the absence of disease is not true health.
10. Creating a Positive Revolution:
    • Achor concludes by urging the audience to reverse the formula for happiness and success, creating a ripple effect of positivity. He envisions a real revolution where a positive mindset becomes the driving force for a more successful and fulfilling future.

As we reflect on the Unicorn Effect – that moment when a little sister became a unicorn to avoid tears and transform a potential crisis into a playful identity – Achor leaves us with a powerful message. The revolution lies in reversing the formula for happiness and success, fostering a world where positivity becomes the driving force for a brighter, more successful future.