Shawn Achor

Shawn Achor

Shawn Achor was born on March 9th, 1978 and is currently 47 years old. Shawn Achor was born in Waco, Texas, USA. Achor attended Harvard University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree and Harvard Divinity School where he received a Master of Arts degree in Christian and Buddhist Ethics.

Shawn Achor is a bestselling author of Big Potential and The Happiness Advantage. He spent over a decade at Harvard, where he lectured on positive psychology and earned more than a dozen teaching awards. A graduate of Harvard University with honors, he holds a master’s degree in Christian and Buddhist ethics. Shawn is a leading expert on the connection between happiness and success, having worked with more than a third of Fortune 100 companies and organizations. His career has taken him to over 50 countries, where he has spoken to diverse audiences, including farmers, schoolchildren, CEOs, and doctors.

In 2014, Oprah Winfrey interviewed Shawn on themes of happiness and purpose. His TED Talk has garnered over 16 million views, and his research was featured on the cover of Harvard Business Review.

In his 2010 book, The Happiness Advantage, Shawn Achor challenges the traditional belief that success leads to happiness. Instead, he presents the revolutionary idea that happiness fuels success. Drawing from extensive research and his global experiences, he provides a practical guide to thriving in a stressful world.

Shawn emphasizes that positivity is a powerful tool—not just for personal well-being but also for boosting productivity, creativity, and problem-solving in both professional and personal settings. Through relatable anecdotes and science-backed techniques, he teaches readers how to rewire their brains for optimism and unlock their "happiness advantage."

The Happiness Advantage offers readers actionable steps to transform their mindset and achieve meaningful growth. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking a roadmap to flourish in life and work.

In 2013, Shawn published Before Happiness, which focuses on the mindset shift required to pave the way for success and happiness. He argues that before achieving either, we must first see the possibility of positive change. The book presents five practical strategies to help readers develop an optimistic perspective: The Most Valuable Reality, Success Mapping, The X-Spot, Noise-Canceling, and Positive Inception.

Blending cutting-edge research with actionable advice, Shawn crafts an insightful and empowering guide. His clear and relatable stories make the concepts accessible to readers, regardless of their personal or professional goals.

Before Happiness is more than a self-help book; it’s a call to reshape how we view ourselves and the world. It’s an ideal choice for anyone looking to unlock new possibilities and build a sustainable foundation for happiness and achievement.

Related Authors

Fans of Shawn Achor also enjoy these authors:

1. Malcolm Gladwell, author of: The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference.
2. Richard H. Thaler, author of: Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness.
3. Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
4. J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter Series.
5. Charles Dickens, author of: A Christmas Carol.

Shawn Achor: F.A.Q