The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter & Miracles

by Bruce H. Lipton

Shawn Achor writes in The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work, “The belief that we are just our genes is one of the most pernicious myths in modern culture—the insidious notion that people come into the world with a fixed set of abilities and that they, and their brains, cannot change. The scientific community is partly to blame for this because for decades scientists refused to see what potential for change was staring them right in the face.” (Achor 2010) Achor’s studies emphasize that we have been culturally programmed to believe that if we reach our goals (when we get into Harvard, lose twenty pounds, get a high-paying job, etc.), then we’ll be happy. However, this formula for happiness is actually inverted: happiness fuels success, not the other way around. Simply stated, success doesn’t bring happiness; happiness brings success. This fact is supported by a wealth of research in psychology and neuroscience that demonstrates that a positive outlook enhances brain activity and leads to a more creative, motivated, and productive work experience.